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Sal’s face contorted with annoyance. “That’s all you can say? Is just, yes?”
“Is there something wrong?” Rane asked, completely calm.
“Yes. The problem is that I’m done with your ridiculous mood swings!”
“I’m sorry.”
Sal came up short, giving him a stupefied look. But Rane just kept looking back at him.
“You’re sorry?”
“Did you need something else?”
“What?”
“We should practice.”
“No-ugh! Rane!” Sal ran in front of him when he would have jumped into the field sphere. The rest of the team converged at the same moment. Boxing him in. Keeping him from escaping as Sal gave him a dark glare.
“Rane, I am done with this!” Sal snapped. “What is going on with you?!”
“Why are you angry?” Rane asked, genuinely confused.
“You are why I’m angry!”
“I’m sorry. Have I been playing badly?”
Sal snarled through clenched teeth. “You know you haven’t.”
“Have I been skipping practices or something?”
“No, that’s not an issue.”
“Have I misbehaved outside of the stadium?”
“No. You’ve been perfect.”
“Oh. Then what’s the problem?”
Sal made an incomprehensible noise of rage. Rane genuinely didn’t understand. Now that his mother had Sandy, he was the perfect son. She didn’t need him to perform another role. So, he was also the perfect teammate and player. He didn’t know where Sal’s anger was coming from, but it was rather… discouraging.
Was nothing he did ever going to be good enough for them? Would they never be satisfied with how he behaved?
And if not, did it even matter?
“Rane,” Arus spoke up, turning his gaze onto him. His friend looked uncertain. “We’re just… really worried about you.”
“Why?”
“Why?” Arus reeled back, as though stunned. “You’re not seriously asking that, are you?”
“Ugh!” Louve groaned, dropping his head back. “Rane! Just tell us what’s wrong!”
“You tell me,” he countered. “Have I done something?”
“You’re doing it now!” Sal leveled a finger at him. “This… lifeless thing you’re doing. Did you get into a fight with Sandy or something?”
Rane’s jaw tightened at the mention of his mate. It was brief, but his team was looking at him so closely, it was impossible to miss.
