you young men? I have had fewer problems with a bunch of fucking high schoolers, and if you don’t win this next championship, I’ll probably end up coaching back there again. Now I want you to put whatever petty grudges you have against each other aside and worry about the fucking game. And I mean it. You are all on probation, and if I have one more disruption from any of you, if you step out of line in any way, you’re off the team!”
“Yes, Coach,” we said in unison.
I turned to see that Motor was alert and holding his jaw. At least I hadn’t killed the bastard.
“Now that I have your attention, do I even want to know what the problem is?” He looked at all of us and turned to Paul. “I know you didn’t have anything to do with how it started, so why don’t you tell me what you were doing mixed up in it?”
Paul shrugged a shoulder. “Just trying to stop them from killing each other, Coach. I didn’t think you wanted to play a game while missing your best players.”
“Best players?” asked Coach with a laugh. “If that’s the truth, maybe I should go and apply down at the local high school right now. Isn’t that a sad fucking truth? Tomorrow’s game is shaping up to be a real shit show.”
“He’s not so innocent,” said Motor, who was still holding his chin. “He was there egging him on. And that bastard?” He pointed at me. “He knocked me out. I think my tooth is loose.”
“I’ll go ahead and save you the dental trip if you want,” I said, palming my fist.
“That’s enough, Seth. Why is it that every single time there is a problem, you’re at the center of it? I swear you make me regret that I made you captain.”
Carver cleared his throat. I glanced at him, and he smirked. “I thought you’d want to know that Seth is not listening to you about Avery Russell.”
I knew that fucker was going to rat me out.
“Yeah, he’s putting his dick before the whole team,” said Motor.
“There you go again, Motor, worried about my dick. If I let you touch it, will you leave me the fuck alone?”
Motor lunged only to be caught by Carver, but I didn’t flinch.
“With all due respect, Coach, you can’t stop me from talking to someone,” I said. “Especially when she helps me and makes me a better person.”
Coach gave me a hard look. “She can make you a better person after championships. Now, that’s not an order, and you’re right. I can’t make you stop seeing her, but I can replace you as captain if you’re not focused.”
I could tell he was disappointed in me. “If it’s what you have to do, do it, but I’m going to give it my all with or without her in my life. But I need them off my back. You there is bad enough.”
“Oh? You want to talk smart, do you? You’ll know when I’m on your back.”
“All I’m saying is that they are starting to make trouble, and I don’t need that. I won’t put up with it either.”
“Well, you’re their captain. Get them back in line!” Coach was so angry he was turning bright red.
“I believe I just did.” I turned and walked to the door. “And if he keeps on, I’ll do it again. Team or no team, game or not, I’ve had enough of people trying to control me in my life.”
I walked out and shut the door. Paul came out behind me.
“Well said, Seth. That’s bullshit. He made the problem, and you have to deal with it. If he’d stop creating conflicts, they wouldn’t have anything to be on your ass about.”
“And he’s not going to like the way I deal with it. But I’m tired of everyone thinking they can be in my business, including him.” I went back to my locker, knowing I needed some time to cool my head.
I was shocked that Coach didn’t come after me. But after my shower, I walked out to find that the rest of the guys had cleared out.
Coach Carr was standing by my locker. “That was a pretty good punch,” he said. “You would make a hell of a boxer. In fact, I’m not sure why you didn’t go into that instead. God knows you have the experience.”
“Because I love rugby. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do. You know that. And I was taught that I