Page 2 of Hallowed & Haunted

Niillas might think he’s too aloof for socializing, but Sander is going to kill him with kindness, and then he’ll have to come down from his high horse and spend some time with the mere mortals from his team.

“Meaning, I’m in Arctic Studies, yes, and I haven’t any coursework to do.”

“So, whatareyou doing this weekend?”

“Helping my grandmother, if you must know,Captain.”

“Oh. I didn’t know. Are you helping with her care or something?”

The feeling of wrong-footed regret lasts all of a second until Niillas laughs as if Sander said something hilarious.

“I’m helping with her reindeer.”

Sander isn’t easily flustered, though Niillas has a way of making him feel silly. But he has taken the conversation too far to back down now.

“You’re staying with her over the weekend?”

“I won’t miss Friday’s practice.”

Gotcha!

“The party is today.”

“Huh?”

“Jonas’ Halloween Party. It’s today, not over the weekend.”

“Okay.”

“Because Halloween is today,” Sander adds eloquently and in case Niillas hasn’t put two and two together. “You can drive with me if you need a ride.”

“Jonas’ parties are legendary, dude,” Henrik chimes in, and Sander realizes that most conversations have stopped, everyone following their exchange.

“Is my participation mandatory?” Niillas asks, his dry humor making Sander acutely aware of the ridiculousness of his meddling.

Still, he can’t bring himself to back down.

“Not exactly mandatory,” he says. “But it would be great if you could make time. See it as team-building.”

There. That’s something sensible to say.

“Team-building?”

“Of course. It’s an opportunity to get to know your teammates better and have some fun together. Knowing each other can make the difference between victory and defeat.”

God, this is embarrassing. What is he doing?

For a horrible moment, he’s sure Niillas is going to tell him to fuck off. But there’s an amused glint in his black eyes as if this is all a game to him.

“When shall I pick you up then?”

“What?”

“I’m not getting stranded at a dull frat party without my car. So, if you want me to attend,Captain, then you’ll have to drive with me.”

“Dramatic much? We’re not a fraternity.” But his self-confidence returns. Niillas probably thinks that Sander will refuse to ride with him, but he clearly underestimated Sander’s competitive streak. “Pick me up at 7:30 at the library then.”

“And don’t forget to dress up,” Henrik adds. “It’s a costume party after all.”