Clifton POV
The VOD review room was suffocating. On the massive projector screen, the clip of Clifton missing his shot and getting eliminated by Justice played on a continuous, humiliating loop.
Alger slammed his tablet onto the table. Pointed a thick finger at Clifton's face.
"What the hell was that missed shot?! Your flick used to be the one thing I never had to worry about! Now you're getting out-aimed by a rookie who just walked into our base three days ago?!"
Clifton sat slouched in his chair, arms crossed. His face was stone. He absorbed the coach's fury without a word.
He couldn't explain that his wrist felt like it was tearing apart. He couldn't say he missed because he was distracted by the liar's burn.
Standing in the back row, Justice bit down hard on his lower lip. He watched Clifton getting screamed at. A flash of intense guilt crossed his eyes.
Suddenly, Justice took a step forward. His voice was hoarse and shaky.
"It wasn't his fault. I… I exploited a blind spot. It was a lucky angle."
Clifton snapped his head around. His glare was so vicious, so full of warning, that Justice flinched as if struck.
Shut up.
To Clifton, Justice pleading for him was the ultimate humiliation. The winner throwing crumbs to the loser.
Justice shrank back into the corner, shoulders hunching, making himself as small as possible.
Alger finished tearing into Clifton and turned his fire on Branson, ripping into his chaotic comms and garbage positioning.
After the review, Alger kept Clifton behind.
"Are you dealing with a physical issue?"
Clifton's stomach tightened. He forced a careless smirk. "No. Just didn't sleep well. Won't happen again."
Alger sighed. He didn't believe a word. "The sponsors are pissed about our lack of exposure. You have a streaming hours obligation. You need to go live on Twitch tonight."
Clifton's jaw clenched.
"That new kid, Justice? He's practicing sixteen hours a day. You're the captain. You can't be the one leading the rot."
Justice's name hit Clifton like gasoline on a fire.
He stood up and walked out, letting the door slam behind him.
