Page 87 of Rookie Rules

I know.

No joke. No challenge. No question about whether recovery at ten was a command or invitation.

Rowan had read the answer four times before sleeping.

Vale dismissed the room. Chairs lifted. Players moved toward practice groups. Luca stood with Finn and waited for the aisle to clear.

Claire Donnelly appeared at the door before they could leave.

"Local broadcast wants a joint sit-down with Hale and Bennett next week," she said. "Short segment on the line's start. Hockey only. Finn, they also want you for the pregame desk Friday."

Finn pressed a hand to his chest. "Restored."

"Try to survive it. Rowan?"

"If it does not interfere with preparation."

"It won't. Luca?"

Luca looked at Rowan, then back to Claire. "Sure."

One word, professionally agreeable.

Claire checked something on her phone. "I'll send times. The dangerous-duo language is getting traction. We can use it without overselling the team. Five wins is a good start, not a parade."

"Please put that on Finn's graphic," Rowan said.

Finn looked delighted. Luca smiled too, but the expression arrived a fraction late.

Rowan noticed.

He told himself the joint interview explained it. Luca enjoyed cameras but disliked being managed by them. Claire would keep the questions hockey-centered. Nothing about the arrangement was at risk.

The explanation remained available through practice.

Luca skated well. He called the route trigger early, held support on two failed entries, and argued with Rowan about a net-front switch in exactly the tone he used when engaged rather than angry. On the final rep, Rowan sent him a pass through the seam and Luca moved it to Finn instead of shooting.

Vale blew the whistle. "Good. Again tomorrow."

At the bench, Rowan reached for his water bottle.

"You had the shot," he told Luca.

"Finn had the better one."

"He did."

Luca removed his helmet. Sweat had darkened his hair at the temples. "See? Coachable. Put it in the interview."

"I did yesterday."

The line landed wrong.

Luca's mouth curved without warmth. "You did."

He skated toward the gate.

Rowan watched him go and felt the shape of a problem before he had enough information to name it.