Page 77 of Rookie Rules

"After."

When the first warmth settled, Rowan rolled forward and removed the pack. He demonstrated the position Owen wanted: left shoulder grounded, right knee moving across only until the hip began to resist.

"You want help or an audience?" Luca asked.

"Counterpressure. Here."

He placed Luca's hand against the front of his right shoulder. Luca followed the direction without adding force. Rowan rotated. The movement pulled, then eased.

"Again," Rowan said.

They repeated it four times. Each pass required Rowan to distinguish useful tension from warning, then communicate it before Luca could guess. On the ice, Rowan gave instructions because he saw the whole shape. Here, he had to report from inside his own body.

"Stop."

Luca stopped immediately.

"Enough?"

"For that side."

They changed position. Luca's palm moved to Rowan's hip only after Rowan placed it there. No hesitation disguised as toughness. No concern made theatrical.

The second side moved more easily.

"Your turn," Rowan said when they finished.

Luca blinked. "My turn to be ancient?"

"Your left knee collapsed on the balance set."

"You were watching me."

"Occupational hazard."

Luca lay on the rug with exaggerated obedience. Rowan checked his hip rotation and found ordinary postgame tightness. He pressed lightly at the outside of Luca's thigh until the muscle released.

Luca went quiet.

"Pain?" Rowan asked.

"No."

"Then what?"

Luca looked up at him. "Nothing. I like when you take care of me too."

The directness entered without armor.

Rowan kept his hand where it was. "Good."

One word. Not enough for what Luca had offered. Enough to receive it without retreat.

The heat began to spread beneath the wrap. Luca's hand remained steady.

"Owen knows?" Luca asked after a while.

"He knows the baseline."