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We were quiet until the replay finished, then we clapped like we'd watched a live band or something. We always did that, ever since I joined the team. The habit probably went back to the early days of the Rapids. It would outlast everyone in the room, as long as the team existed.
"Have a break for lunch and we'll watch the Otters’ plays," Coach Grant said. Toby Grant was an assistant coach, but I could already see him eyeing the Head Coach position. There was nothing wrong with a bit of ambition.
"The Otters are going down," I said. We'd narrowly beaten the Otters the last time we met. Their team was strong, but we'd beat them again. Or go down trying.
"As long as you can catch the ball," Pinky muttered.
I could have been offended by that, but I chose not to be. Everyone had an off day, even me. I wouldn't let it happen again. That was all there was to it.
"As long as you don't fall on your face," I said back.
That earned me a bunch of chuckles, and a glare from Pinky.
That was one time, face first right into the mud. We hadn't let him forget it since. Of course we didn't. It was epic. Some day he'd learn to laugh about it. The internet sure had. Memes, gifs, the works.
Maybe I should fall in the mud like that someday. Then people might forget the bar fight thing. On the other hand, I might damage my good looks. We couldn't have that happening.
"I'm surprised you haven't been sacked yet," the asshat retorted. Apparently he didn't know when to stop.
Fortunately I did.
Unfortunately I didn't exercise that restraint right now.
"I'm an asset to the team," I said, a cocky smile on my face.
Coach Quinn cruised past. He didn't even pause, he just turned his head and said, "Everyone is replaceable."
"Yeah," I said to Pinky, who grinned like he got one over on me. "See, you're replaceable."
Before he could knock my block off, I followed the guys into the break room and grabbed a cup for coffee.
I filled it with two scoops of coffee, hot water and nothing else. I liked it hot and strong, just like me. Or bitter, if you want to look at it that way.
"Your mouth is going to get you in trouble some day." Chase put two sugars and a ton of milk in his coffee. "Oh yeah, it already did."
He grinned and sucked his spoon.
"Y'all worry about your own mouth," I said. "I've heard you say enough dumb things."
"He's right there," Hawk said. He drank his coffee black too, but with one sugar. "We've all let our mouths work before our brains are switched on before."
"Yeah," Ollie said. He grabbed a bottle of water and cracked it open. "It's really embarrassing during an interview."
"Lucky for you no one is listening to you." Hawk patted him on the shoulder. "They're too busy staring."
Ollie blushed. "You guys need to stop saying that."
"You know what you need?" I said.
"What?" he said cautiously.
"Someone to make you less pretty," I said. "Broken nose, maybe."
"Are you offering, Bam?" Chase asked.
"Hell no," I said quickly. "Not on purpose. I'm in enough shit already."
"I don't know, but I'm almost sure a broken nose would make him look prettier," Hawk said.
