Page 123 of Rookie Rules

Luca saw the delay. He clapped once and gathered six children around the shooting tiles.

"Captain Hale has been traded for future considerations," he announced. "You are stuck with me."

The children laughed. Luca turned the missing two-person demonstration into a relay, pairing older players with younger ones and making every child touch the puck. By the time Rowan escaped the conversation, the final pair was shooting.

He joined Luca at the edge of the tile.

"Useful of you to arrive for the celebration," Luca said under the applause.

"I was delayed."

"I noticed."

The words were mild. Luca's eyes moved past him once, finding Graham.

Claire brought two youth players over before Rowan could reply. "Graham Ellis, Morrow Ridge counsel. Graham, Luca Bennett."

Graham shook Luca's hand. "Good goal against us in preseason."

"Your company has a team?"

"My nephew supports whoever is beating Northstar. Family defect."

Luca smiled. "We can recommend specialists."

Graham's laugh was quiet and genuine. Rowan remembered hearing it in a dark bedroom after he had objected to decorative pillows. He had forgotten the exact sound until now.

Luca's attention shifted between them, quick and assessing.

"Rowan and I worked on older foundation projects," Graham said.

Truth shaped to protect them both.

"He volunteers people before checking calendars," Luca said.

Graham's expression changed by a fraction. "Some habits survive professional coaching."

The coordinator called Luca toward a sponsor video. Luca went, but he glanced back when Graham used Rowan's first name without the careful respect strangers usually gave it.

Graham waited until Claire and the children were beyond hearing.

"He knows you," he said.

"He is my winger."

"Of course."

There was no sarcasm in it. Rowan would have preferred some.

"Do not," he said.

"I wasn't going to ask."

Graham set his untouched drink on a passing tray. "I spent a long time wishing you had chosen differently. I don't anymore. My life is good."

Relief arrived with something close to grief.

"I'm glad."