Page 29 of Rookie Rules

"Switch Bennett with Moreno."

Jace called from the elevator, "I have dietary boundaries."

"You ate his fries on the bus," Luca said.

"They consented through proximity."

The elevator doors closed on him.

Rowan turned back. "There must be another single."

"There isn't," the coordinator said. "The suite has two bedrooms, but Vale and the assistants are using it for staff. Owen needs treatment space. Goalies are set. You two have a double with separate beds."

"I can take a rollaway."

"Fire code. And there are no rollaways left."

Luca bit into the second half of his sandwich. "Captain, try not to sound thrilled."

Rowan looked at him.

Tell me this affects you too.

"It is one night," Rowan said.

Duration offered as defense.

Luca swallowed. "I promise not to reorganize your socks."

"I do not need promises about things no reasonable person would do."

"You've known me three days. Bold assessment."

The coordinator pushed a key packet toward Rowan. "Six fourteen. Morning skate update at six. Please go upstairs before I resign."

Rowan took the keys.

Luca followed him to the elevator, rolling his suitcase through the wet tracks left by other guests. They stood side by side beneath too-bright lobby lights. Rowan checked the key packet, the team message thread, then the elevator display.

Logistics. Lists. Anything with edges.

The elevator arrived.

Inside, Luca pressed six. Their reflections faced them in the mirrored doors: Rowan upright despite the travel day, Luca holding a paper bag of food and looking far too pleased.

"You're enjoying this," Rowan said.

"The weather? Tragic."

"This."

Luca turned his head. "Maybe I like seeing what happens when the universe ignores your plan."

"The universe has poor timing."

"Now you're blaming weather systems for insubordination."

The elevator opened.