He sits up and finds his things in the grey light, unhurried. I sit up too and pull the sheet around me and watch him.
At the door he turns.
“Elida.”
“Go,” I say. Softly.
He gives me one last long look.
Then he goes.
I lie back in the empty bed and listen to his footsteps fade down the corridor.
MATEO
I make it back to my room without running into anyone, which is either luck or the universe deciding to give me one thing for free.
I shower and pack. Then I sit on the edge of my bed for a moment.
Last night.
I press my hands together. There’s no coherent plan for what comes next - I can’t find one, and I’m not sure I want one.
I’m already thinking about the bus and sitting near her after what we just did - whether that’s going to be survivable.
It’s going to be fine.
I grab my bag.
It’s going to be absolutely fine.
14
Chapter 14
ELIDA
The breakfast buffet is a tactical error.
I realize this the moment I push through the doors. But it’s too late; I’m already committed. The room is bright with morning light. Steam rises from dishes at the buffet. Somewhere a coffee machine hisses.
And everywhere: hockey players.
The team has spread across three tables near the windows. They’re in various states of wakefulness - Barrett is bleary-eyed and reaching for caffeine. Ward is methodically loading a plate with eggs.
I walk to the buffet line with my head up. No-one knows anything. They couldn’t possibly know anything. I select a plate. I add eggs I don’t want. I add fruit for balance. I am a personwho has come to breakfast normally, after a normal night, and nothing about my appearance suggests otherwise.
“Elida!”
Tara’s voice. She’s at a table near Calloway, waving me over, and I could kiss her for giving me somewhere to go that isn’t near the team tables.
“Saved you a seat,” Tara says as I sit down. “You seem tired.”
“Didn’t sleep well.”
“New hotel,” she sounds sympathetic. “The beds here are awful.”
I nod and pick up my coffee.
