Page 70 of Rookie Rules

Northstar entered the zone with control. Luca carried right. The defense had learned from the earlier goal and backed toward Rowan, cutting the return lane.

Luca saw a narrow shooting angle above the near pad.

He could take it.

The building wanted him to.

Rowan crossed behind him and changed direction. The defender followed half a step too far.

Not a return lane.

A drop.

Luca curled toward the boards, protected the puck with his body, and left it behind him.

Rowan stepped into the opening.

Shot.

Net.

The red light came on with one minute thirty-two remaining.

For a fraction of a second Luca stood outside the celebration and watched Rowan become visible to the whole arena. The captain who had spent the week trying not to see him had trusted Luca to leave the puck where only Rowan expected it.

Then Rowan pointed at him.

Assist.

Choice acknowledged.

The Wolves survived the final ninety-two seconds. The opponent pulled its goalie. Gabriel stopped one shot through a six-man screen. Finn chipped the puck out with fifteen seconds left. Luca could have chased the empty net and did not. He stayed above the puck beside Rowan until the clock reached zero.

The horn sounded on a 4-3 Northstar win.

Players gathered around Gabriel. Sticks lifted toward the crowd. Silver towels moved through the stands, and the arena continued shouting long after the result was official.

Luca skated beside Rowan during the salute.

Their gloves did not touch.

Rule one. Rule two.

Nothing during game responsibilities.

The restraint made every inch between them feel occupied.

In the locker room, Vale handed the game puck first to Gabriel, then paused while the room banged sticks against the floor.

"First regular-season goal as a Wolf," he said, and tossed a second puck to Luca.

Luca caught it against his chest.

The room cheered. Mateo demanded a speech. Luca stood on the rubber floor between the stalls, wet hair dripping into his eyes.

"I'd like to thank Hale for finally learning to pass," he said.

Laughter broke around the room.