Don't Promise (Don't 3)

I could let them learn the lesson the hard way, or I cou

ld tell them everything was on the line. We were nowhere near being in the lineup for the Super Bowl, but we had to eke out a winning season.

I didn’t hear Coach until he cleared his throat. “You look like a man lost deep in thought.”

“Yeah.”

“That’s supposed to be my job.” He switched seats, landing into the open spot next to me.

We hadn’t talked much this season. When the Thrashers first drafted me, Coach Benson took me under his wing. He included me in meetings. He asked me about the routes. We stayed late in the offices watching film together, ordering pizza and splitting a six-pack. And at some point, he handed over a majority of the offensive decisions to me. Most twenty-two-year-old men wouldn’t have been able to handle it, but he had faith in me. Faith I hadn’t known except from my own father.

“Just thinking about the game tomorrow.”

He nodded, chewing his gum with the side of his mouth. “Different season this year.”

“Yeah. It is.”

“Son, I’ve noticed something different about you.”

“What’s that?” I stared straight ahead.

“Usually you come back from your break a little different.”

“What are you trying to say?”

He slapped his knee. “Hell, I’ll stop sugar coating it and just say it. We all see it. You’re angry, Blake. Mean as a damn snake.”

“Warrior mentality.” I brushed off his comment. “This team is going to hell. They need someone to give them the reality shock to wake them up.”

“That’s not it.” He shook his head. “I’ve known you going on five years now and you’ve never been a son of a bitch like this. Hard working sure. Tough as nails. But not a dick to your teammates.”

My head cocked to the side. “Excuse me?”

“What happened? Is it grief? The fans? What is getting under your skin?”

“I’m good. What you see is determination to dig this team out of a losing season.”

“We’re almost at the hotel. After we check in if you want to grab a drink and talk you know my room is always open. I’m here for you. I’m never too busy for what’s going on in your life. Whatever it is.” He eyed me.

Maybe that was his problem. He was too worried about personal issues to look at the bigger scope of his team. It was falling apart.

“Thanks, Coach. We’re going to win tomorrow. That’s what I’m focused on.”

“Well, on the way to victory, maybe you could ease back a little on these guys. You’ve been riding them pretty hard the past couple of months. Just think about it.”

“Sure thing.”

He stood as the bus came to a stop in front of the hotel.

I hung back while everyone filed off and searched the luggage stack for their bags.

Finally, I joined them on the sidewalk and heaved my travel bag over my shoulder.

“Want to get a jog in?” Jones asked me.

“Nah. I think I’m going to review some Sharks film before practice.”

“Come on. It feels awesome out here. We can run and not even break a sweat in this weather.”