Page 50 of Rookie Rules

"That too."

She studied him for half a second, then turned to greet another donor.

Rowan moved through the room. Vale pulled him into a photograph. A sponsor asked whether the team could make the postseason and seemed disappointed when Rowan answered that they could improve one game at a time. Finn appeared long enough to steal an appetizer from Rowan's plate.

"Very festive," Finn said.

"Go away."

"Excellent captain outreach."

Luca crossed behind them with Claire. He did not slow.

"Rowan," Claire said, "we'll need the leadership-group photo in five."

"Of course."

Luca's gaze touched him only after she turned away.

There was no accusation in it. That would have been easier. Only patience wearing thin.

Five minutes later they stood in the same row beneath the Wolves crest. Nolan on Rowan's left. Luca two places to his right. The photographer asked them to close the gaps.

Luca stepped nearer until the sleeve of his jacket brushed Rowan's wrist.

A negligible contact. Fabric against fabric.

Rowan felt it through both layers.

"Closer, please," the photographer called.

Rowan shifted half an inch. Luca did not look at him.

The flash fired three times.

When the group broke apart, Rowan could have said his name. The room was loud enough to make any exchange private and public at once. He could have offered the simple apology the practice deserved.

Instead a donor caught Luca's hand, and Claire guided him toward another camera.

Rowan let the chance pass.

He spent the next hour performing steadiness. The performance was familiar. What was new was knowing exactly where Luca was while refusing to go there.

Near ten, Rowan saw him leave with Eli and Jace. Luca accepted his coat from the attendant, said something that made Eli shake his head, and disappeared through the revolving doors.

The ballroom became easier to navigate.

It also became pointless.

Rowan completed his final obligation, thanked Evelyn, and walked to the parking garage. In the car, he set both hands on the steering wheel without starting the engine.

He could go home. His routine waited there: recovery drink, scouting notes, alarm set for six. The choice would be sensible. No one would be hurt by it. Nothing would become more complicated.

He remembered Luca saying, Sure, Captain, after Rowan had used professionalism as a blade.

He remembered the pass arriving half a second late.

Denial was not control if everyone else had to compensate for it.