A Prey Among Predators
After the Game...
In the locker room, the Brave are chattering among themselves while peeling off their damp and sweaty equipment.
Clayton emerges from the opening of the room, appearing embarrassed with his eyebrows behind his visor turned upward and his tail touching the back of his thighs. He stands in opening, surveying his team immersed in their conversing. Among the crowd is Nolan, who is sticking out because he is gazing straight at him.
The captain lowers his eyebrows to create an unamused look at his team. “Well, it seems like the rabbit only notices me…!”
The voices hush as the teammates rotate their heads and attentive eyes to their captain.
“Isn’t that because it’s his instincts?” Kale asks.
Nolan frowns at the alternate captain and hugs himself, his ears flattening a bit.
Clayton snaps his head to him. “It’s because he knows when to shut up, unlike you.” He faces the others, softening his expression. “Now, uh, I must apologize...for my behavior in the first period of the game.” He shakes his head, looking down. “I was extremely indignant...which is okay to feel, but it’s not acceptable for me to act in such a feral way.” He turns back up to them.
Brett points at him from the other side of the room. “At least you didn’t turn into one.”
“You’re right.” He puts his gloved hands against his hips. “As a token of apology, I would like to treat you all to dinner at the buffet.”
Cheers erupt from around the room as the teammates high-five each other. Carter, however, keeps his hands on his lap, darting his eyes around in nervousness.
Clayton spots his hesitant look with suspicion. “You’re free to join us, right, bear?”
Carter meets his eyes. “Uh…” He shrugs, pushing up a bright grin. “Yeah...yeah, I guess, yup, I-I’m totally...yeah, totally…”
A flat look comes across his face. “You have other arrangements.”
Relief washes over the goaltender’s face. “Yes!”
“You are terrible at lying; don’t ever try that again.” Clayton then settles at his nearby bench.
Carter whirls to his friend with an excited expression. Nolan is snickering with his hands over his mouth.
“I hope you’re free, too…!” the goaltender sing-songs.
He lowers his hands from his mouth, dropping his bright look. “Uh...why…?”
“Um, it’s a surprise…!” A big grin pops onto his face.
“Okay.” Nolan turns to Clayton and shouts across the room to him. “Coach! I can’t come either; I’m with Carter.”
Clayton, who is bent over to take off his skates, cranes his head up at him. “Alright— Have fun.”
Nolan turns back to Carter. He spots him with a massive grin and his tiny ears sticking out. “Whaaat? Change out!” He reaches down to his skates’ laces.
Carter nods vehemently. “Right, right!” He then shoots his hands to his leg pads’ buckles and begins pulling them out.
