rivertatesâ:
They donât believe Carter.
Itâs a sudden strike, the sureness of this thought. Despite the progress theyâve made in viewing their teammates as friends and not opponents, that the Foxes are conceptually and actually different from their prior team, they canât fathom that Carter wanted to check up on them. At least, not because of genuine concern. They did run from the field, and as grateful as they were that Wymack decided not to force them to return to the field, they know what this looks like to the general crowd. River wouldnât be surprised if they were to be called out for their lack of sportsmanship within the next few days.
While they didnât display the worst behavior the Foxes had to scramble to cover in the press room, it was still a mark on the Foxes nonetheless. And they canât help the nagging thought that all Carter wishes to do is ensure that River wonât fuck up next time.
âIâm fine,â they say, and they know itâs a lame excuse, since theyâre still in their uniform as if itâs armor. But while it can be obvious theyâre not fine, the reason can be easily hidden. âJust â irritated, thatâs all. You didnât need to check up on me, I just needed â- something. That wasnât out there in the crowd.â
Itâs so common, the words hardly make Carter even blink. He canât count how many times heâs heard those two words in the course of five years. In the course of his life. Somehow those two words are a safety net, something so easy to fall into and never worry about anyone pressing any further.
The irritation was somewhat noticeable but Carter hadnât been sure if theyâd felt that from Carterâs appearance or from whatever happened out on the court. Either way, Carter isnât in the business of pressing. âI did need to check up on you,â Carter said with a shrug of his shoulder, the one not pressed into the lockers. âSometimes Foxes have a tendency to feel like they canât talk to anyone, Iâve been there and done that, and I donât want anyone to feel that way. Whether weâre close or not, my door is always open--when there is something wrong.â
The offer would always be there for any Fox even after he graduated. The Foxes were the reason Carter stood there today, became the person he is... he owes old and new Foxes everything. âIâll walk back with you to the dorm, if you want? Up to you, you can tell me to fuck off.â











