Dean
By the timewe got back to the Village after the closing ceremony, most of the athletes were either packing or pretending they weren’t leaving in the morning.
Luka kicked off his shoes the moment we got into my room and immediately stole half the bed.
I watched this happen with a wry smile. “Can I remind you of something? You have your own room. You act like you live here.”
He appeared unrepentant. “I have spent the last two weeks establishing territorial rights.”
“That’s not how territorial rights work.”
He beamed. “Too late.”
I laughed and sat beside him.
“Does the closing ceremony always feel so strange?”
I cocked my head. “Strange how?”
He shrugged. “The pressure is gone. The medals have all beenawarded. The Games are over. And yet nobody seems ready to let go of them.”
I huffed. “Yeah, I see what you mean. I guess the answer is yes. Well, this one felt exactly the same as the last one.”
For a while neither of us said much. The city glowed beyond the window. Somewhere down the corridor, somebody was singing badly.
Luka listened for a few seconds, then chuckled. “That sounds like Ethan.”
“Possibly. His room is right down the hall.” I listened intently. “Yeah, that’s Ethan.”
The singing grew louder, and then somebody yelled at him. Peace returned.
Luka’s smile faded a little as he gazed toward the window.
I recognized that expression.
“You’re thinking.”
He bit his lip. “I am always thinking.”
“Unfortunately.”
That earned me a small laugh, but not enough of one.
I waited, knowing he’d cave eventually.
“Helen called this afternoon.”
“And?”
“The training center owns several furnished apartments. Athletes use them when they relocate.”
“That sounds useful.”
“It is.” Luka picked at a loose thread on the blanket. “Helen said one would be available if I need it.”
I frowned. “If?”
He shrugged. “As she pointed out, she prefers solving practical problems before theybecomepractical problems.”
