Page 96 of The Roommate Remodel

“It doesn’t matter,” she argues. “You violated my trust. What kind of person hides something like this?”

I straighten my spine, the frustration rising in my chest. “It’s not as bad as someone who secretly plans to shut down an incredible team.”

Her jaw flexes as she glares at me. “You do not know what I’ve sacrificed for this team. Do you know how hard it is to represent a hockey team as a single woman? To be looked down on in an industry full of men?”

For once, her tough exterior cracks, and I see her insecurities peek through. She doesn’t want to lose either. Not just the team, but her reputation. Her success. This is her way of saving herself.

“Then give us a chance,” I beg, trying to make her understand that we’re a team. “Be a woman who shows the men we’re tougher than they believe.”

She sighs. “My hands are tied. The developers want to move on this before...” Her voice abruptly halts.

“Before the team becomes too popular?” I arch an eyebrow.

From the look on her face, I know I’m right.

She goes back to her plush leather chair and sinks into it, defeated. “This is the last year for the Crushers.”

After all the school visits, nursing home trips, autograph signings, and the hours spent practicing for the fundraiser, she’s giving up.

“But what about the fundraiser?” I ask slowly. “Don’t give up on this team, Alex.”

She looks me over for a beat. “Tom wants me to cancel it, but I’ll reconsider.” She taps her perfectly manicured red nails on her desk. “That doesn’t mean you won’t be punished for the credit card. Tom says it’s a perfectly acceptable reason to fire you. Just don’t be ridiculous and think that this fundraiser will change my mind.”

I study her for a beat. “Why did you approve the fundraiser, then?”

She jerks her eyes to mine, then back to her desk. That’s when I realize it. It was her way of making itlooklike she’d tried everything. She was using it to prop up her reputation.

“I won’t announce it to the team until after the fundraiser.”

Like this should make me feel better.

“Until then, you can’t sayanythingabout it,” she says. “Not even to that boyfriend of yours.” She arches an eyebrow.

“How did you . . .”

She shakes her head. “How could anyonenotknow? The way he looks at you like a lovesick puppy.”

“Are you going to fire me for dating him?” I blurt out before thinking.

“I thought about it, but no,” she says, rifling through her papers, like this is the extent of her mercy. “But Iwillfire you if you tell him about shutting down the team. And I’ll use the credit card purchases as my reason.”

I grit my teeth. This is blackmail. I always thought that kind of devious arm-twisting happened to people in the movies. Notrealpeople. And especially not me.

All this time, I’ve been working tirelessly for the team, going above what was asked, only to make one thoughtless mistake for her team.

“Am I clear?” she asks, looking over her glasses at me.

I nod once, but refuse to show any emotion.

“You can go,” she instructs in a clipped tone, like she hasn’t just crushed me. I feel like an ant under the heel of her shoe.

She doesn’t even bother looking at me as she dismisses me with a wave. “Just remember, it’s our little secret.”

If there’s one thing I hate—no, two things—it’s Alex’s stupid shoes and her dirty little secret.

TWENTY-TWO

Brax

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