Page 33 of The Roommate Remodel

A few guys are murmuring to each other. I’m sure they’re not happy about this change of plans, but once they get there, I think they’ll love it.

“What’s our first assignment?” Lucian asks.

“An elementary school,” I answer, flipping to a picture on the screen that shows Sully’s Beach elementary school.

“Kids?” Dawson asks, his eyes widening. He’s not the only one who looks scared.

I put my hands up. “Picture this: Big, tough hockey players, reading to wide-eyed children who hang on your every word. It’s community relationsgold.”

“Sounds like babysitting,” Vale says.

“The teachers will help in the classrooms. But they were thrilled with the idea. Did you know that a lot of kids don’t have a male figure who reads to them? They’ll idolize you. And it’ll make us local heroes. Kids are easy to win over. And when children love a sport, they bring their whole families with them.”

“But kids are... unpredictable.” Brax’s knee bounces under the table.

Leo smirks at him. “You scared, Brax?”

“No.” He frowns at Leo.

I look around and see more than a few skeptical faces. “Trust me, it’s PR magic.”

“But how is this going to help with community support?” Tate asks. “It’s not like these kids have money.”

I shut off my computer slide show. “They may not, but their parents and grandparents might. And they are our targetaudience. We’re going to hand out free ticket vouchers to the students and have you autograph something for the class. That might spur some attendance for our first few games. Plus, I’ve already lined up the newspaper to cover our visit, which will make you local heroes.”

Leo raises his hand again. “Can I call in sick?”

“Not a chance, Leo,” I say. “See you on the team bus this afternoon.”

I dismiss the meeting, and the team shuffles to the locker room, leaving Lucian and Brax behind.

“Cool idea. I hope this works,” Lucian says to me on the way out. Maybe he’s trying to make me feel better about his teammates’ less-than-enthusiastic reaction.

“Why wouldn’t it?” I ask.

He shrugs. “Not to worry you, but Alex doesn’t keep people on staff if their ideas aren’t popular.” He glances at Brax, who’s hanging back. “I think the guys will come around... eventually.”

I feel like he’s giving me a warning about Alex, but it’s not like I can work miracles. I need time and buy-in from the team, which starts with Lucian and Brax.

I turn to Brax. “I know you’re not crazy about the school idea, but the kids are going to love it.”

He nods unconvincingly. Something tells me he’s hedging.

“Right. It’s about the kids,” he mutters.

“What?” I ask, tilting my head. Brax seems like the type of guy who’d be great with kids. I don’t get it.

He shrugs. “I don’t even know if Ilikekids,” he admits with a sheepish look.

I laugh. “Then I can’t wait to see you with a room full of kindergarteners.”

His face drains. “Wait, did you say...kindergarteners?”

When we meet by the bus later, a palpable buzz of excitement fills the air. Everyone is waiting except Brax, who shows up late and looks as nervous as a middle schooler at his first dance.

We crowd onto the bus, and I sit in the front near Vale, while Brax takes a back seat.

“What’s up with your brother?” I ask, glancing over my shoulder.

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