Page 7 of The Roommate Remodel

NINE MONTHS LATER

Idon’t know what I expected when I stepped into my new hometown of Sully’s Beach, but it wasn’t this: a Carolina Crushers bumper sticker on the back of a dented, dusty truck with our team name crossed out. Over it, in black Sharpie, is written: Carolina LOSERS.

Ouch.So that’s how people feel about my new team. It might not be directed at me, but it feels like a fist to the jaw just the same.

Now that my brother, Vale and I, have been moved to the Crushers, we get to share in the joys of getting picked on for having the worst record in the league.Losers, indeed.

I slam the door of my jeep, wincing as a twinge of pain shoots through my right shoulder. Felipe’s hit during last season’s final game was brutal, but I can’t show any signs of weakness now that I’m starting training camp with a new team.

My last team might have had a better record, but the Crushers are the next stop on my way to the NHL. There’s no way I’m staying with this team for more than a year. That would be career suicide. But for someone who wants to be a rising star in the AHL? It might not be the worst thing ever.

I rub my shoulder as I head inside the gourmet coffeeshop and bakery that looks like an answer to my rumbling stomach. Magnolia Brew Coffee Shop boasts worn pine flooring and exposed brick walls that give it a cozy feeling. The poured-concrete barista bar is located in the back, right next to a gleaming glass display case filled with decadent treats like carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and a luscious berry pie with a crumb topping. Hanging over the bar is a giant chalkboard sign, showing off a fancy handwritten menu.

Driving all night from Vermont to South Carolina is not for the faint of heart, nor those who run out of a steady stream of caffeine. My stomach growls as I look over the giant cinnamon rolls, bigger than my hand. Luckily, Vale and I have been tag-teaming it at the wheel, and the long drive has given us hours to talk about how we’ll become a powerhouse duo this season. On our own, we’re good, but together, we’re unstoppable. Call it our twin power, but we’re going to make this team better so we won’t be called losers anymore.

Vale scrolls his phone while I stare at the fancy coffee drinks named after the area, like the Charleston Chai and the Low Country Latte.

“Heard from Lucian yet about where we’re sleeping tonight?” Vale asks, looking up.

The team captain promised to help find us a temporary place to live before we started training. The Ice House where we practice is located just outside of Charleston, but rentals are nearly impossible to find in the city right now, so Lucian has been scouting the small town of Sully’s Beach nearby since it’s off-season for the tourists. “Said he found the perfect place yesterday. The only hitch is that we’re not living alone. We’re renting rooms at somebody’s house.”

Vale turns to me. “Living with strangers?”

He doesn’t like this idea any more than I do. “Sisters who need some renters. They’re fixing up the home.”

He frowns. “For how long?”

“As long as it takes for an apartment to open up.”

The girl behind the coffee bar gives me a soft smile, like she’s more than happy to take my orderandmy phone number. This routinely happens, no matter what city we’re in, and I’ve learned to avert my eyes and not give them even the tiniest hope. Another barista, named Scarlett, approaches and elbows the girl in disapproval. She frowns at her coworker while muttering, “Stop gawking and make coffee.” Then she turns to me and offers an apologetic smile. “What will you two have today?”

After we place our order for two Americanos, a cinnamon roll and a slice of carrot cake, we wait on the other end of the bar while the barista grinds our beans. The scent is deep and nutty and reminds me of that coffee shop in Maplewood. I suddenly get a pang of homesickness.

“I wonder if either sister is single?” Vale raises an eyebrow, a playful smirk crossing his lips.

“Don’t get your hopes up.” I shake my head. “They’re probably old enough to be our grandmothers.” Vale already knows I’ve sworn off dating this season and that my reasons are justified. “The rental market is slim pickings around here. And I don’t want to sleep in a hotel. We already do that too much on the road.”

“Fair enough,” Vale concedes. “As long as they’re not overly strict.”

“He said one sister was a hockey fan. That’s in our favor.”

Vale glances around at the locals, nursing their cups of coffee, shooting curious glances our way. Looks like this place is just as gossipy as Maplewood. That means it won’t take long for people to find out we’re here. If I have my way, there’s only one person I’d like to keep in the dark. Which is why I’m planning on spending as much time as possible at the ice rink in Charleston.

“Do you think they’ll care if we invite friends over?”

I glance at my brother. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that’s code forgirls. “Slow down, Casanova. We need to get settled first. Lucian said there will be house rules.”

“Rules?” Vale asks, frowning. “Like what?”

I shrug. “Guess we’ll find out.” It’s the difference between my twin and me. I’m a rule-maker. And he’s the rule-breaker. We balance each other out.

Scarlett hands us our coffee cups and food and asks, “Where are you staying?”

“How’d you know we were new in town?” I ask, suddenly feeling the weight of everyone staring at us.

“Lucky guess,” she says with a shrug. “Everyone knows everyone in Sully’s Beach.”

I nod and glance at my brother. “A place calledRose & Thorn.Ever heard of it?”

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