"Sure, sure. I get it," he says. It's not meant to be flippant, and it's certainly not disbelieving. If anything it's just a little too familiar. "I don't hate him," he assures. "It's just. You know," he shrugs and by way of an explanation he offers; "there's something about the guy I don't like about me."

He points down at Carter's skates because it's a worthy distraction. "Don't let your ankles turn in like that. Keep'em straight."