Page 171 of Rookie Rules

"No."

"Actual answer?"

Rowan met her eyes.

"You were honest about the pain last night only after I challenged the number," she said. "Recovery improves when information does."

"I understand."

"That sounded like captain for stop asking."

"It was also accurate."

Priya's mouth almost smiled. "Two to four weeks. Do the work. Tell the truth."

After she left, Owen fitted Rowan with crutches adjusted half an inch lower than the pair from the previous night. Rowan practiced the corridor once without loading the right leg.

"Your ride is at eleven," Owen said.

"Cancel it."

"You cannot drive."

"I know."

Owen waited.

Rowan took out his phone.

He had typed and deleted three messages to Luca before the scan. Each had failed by sounding either too casual or too much like an order.

Can we talk?

That request had once seemed sufficient because it required Luca to supply the courage after it.

Rowan wrote what he meant.

I was wrong in the parking level. I need to tell you how, if you are willing to hear it. Medical room at ten thirty. If you say no, I will respect it.

He sent it before he could convert honesty into better phrasing.

Owen turned toward the cabinet with the concentration of a man granting privacy in a room six feet wide.

The reply came four minutes later.

I will come.

No promise beyond attendance.

"Cancel the ride," Rowan repeated.

Owen sighed. "I will delay the ride until after the conversation whose existence I definitely did not infer."

At ten twenty-nine, Luca knocked on the open medical-room door.

He wore training pants, a Wolves sweatshirt, and the guarded expression he had used since the breakup whenever no camera was present. The game puck from the previous night turned once between his fingers.

"How bad?" he asked.