“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 should do what I love.”
“Well, you do listen to me? Imagine that. And I’m glad you’re up for the challenge because I need you.”
“I know you’re counting on me, Coach.” He had put so much pressure on me that I was beginning to feel smothered. “I’m not trying to let you down.”
“I’m not a young man, Seth. I’ve only got a few more years to obtain my goals and dreams before I have to retire, and yes, all that talk about the high-school teams was not a joke. I don’t want to end my career that way. I can’t tell you what to do, but I can ask if you’ll do it.”
“Avery and I are just starting to talk again. I’m not sure where it’s going, but I have this under control. I won’t let it get in the way.”
“Go home and get some rest for a change. From what I hear, all you do is party and fuck everything with tits. I’m counting on you tomorrow, son.”
My chest felt a heavy weight each and every time he called me son. He had been more like a father to me than my own father, and while he was tougher in many ways, the difference was I respected the hell out of my coach.
“Yes, sir. I gave you my word. I’m not letting anything get in the way of the game. Not this time.” And I meant it too. “Avery isn’t going to be a problem. I promise.”
“I’m just scared you won’t see it. You used to say the same thing to me about Layla. I saw how bad it was with you losing Bryan, son. And you lost Layla by acting out over that loss. I know you’re better now, but I don’t want to go through another season of your mood swings. I gave you time to heal. Stop doing things that could lead to picking old wounds.”
“As I said, it won’t be that way. And I’ve learned a lot since Layla. I don’t want to be like my father. I have better people in my life I look up to.” I didn’t want to tell him how much I looked up to him. Or that he was the man I wanted to be like and was probably more like than my own father. But I felt he knew it. I sighed and said it again. “She won’t be a problem.”
He gave me a regretful look. “From what I hear, she already is. It’s a hard choice, but if it’s meant to be, she’ll be there after you’re done with the season. Think it over. I’m trusting you.” He got up from the bench and turned to give me a hard look. “Don’t make me regret putting my faith in your talent above the others.”
I felt another punch in the gut with the thought of regrets. My own father regretted having me. He had a son who he loved more than life, and when my brother Bryan was taken away, he was lost without him. Lost to the point that he had told my uncle that if God had to take one of his sons, he wished it had been me. He didn’t know I was listening, and I later found out that he had treated my mother so badly for all of my life because he never thought I was really his. Turned out, he was wrong. And by the time it was proven I was his, it was too late.
My brother had so much promise that I had been the disappointment long before I ever played sports. Once I found my niche in something and actually succeeded enough to get a scholarship to Providence University, my father had decided that I might be worth something after all. I was the only thing he had left.
Too bad I was already done being his son.
During my senior year, I met Coach Carr, who offered me the scholarship to Providence University. He’d been interested in me since my glory days in high school and been to more games than my own mother and father.