Page 4 of The Chemistry Coach
“Okay, okay.You have proven you are the ultimate champion!Now it’s time for bed.”
Dylan tried to pull off a dramatic groan, but with Connor’s fingers tickling his ribs it came out as more of a giddy squeal.He wiggled out of Connor’s grasp and worked his silly grin into what Connor assumed was supposed to be a deadly serious expression.
“Fine.I’ll go to bed.But you have to promise you’ll play with me again next time Mom has to work late.”
Connor nodded his head and stuck out his hand.“That’s a fair deal.”
Dylan shook his hand and ran down the hallway to brush his teeth and climb into bed.
The next morning at the practice rink, Connor got called into Coach Bree’s office.He followed his coach, teammates tossing him concerned glances as they passed.Coach Bree ushered Connor into the room and closed the door behind them.
The wall to wall windows that typically remained open had the blinds drawn, and Connor’s palms got clammy.His heart rate climbed, and a vein throbbed in his temple.A quick check with his fingertips confirmed that the vein in question was in fact pulsing.He dug his finger harder into the throbbing spot and stared at the floor, hoping to gather his thoughts before he had to face Coach again.
Coach Bree caught his attention again with a sweeping gesture of his arm, motioning for Connor to sit, and Connor found the other Connors already seated on the plush couch in the less formal side of the office.These men were annoying as fuck, but at the sight of them, Connor’s anxiety faded to a manageable level.He grimaced and sat next to Lover, who clapped him on the back.
“Take a breath man, it’s going to be fine,” Lover rumbled low enough into his ear to avoid being overheard.
Coach took his time getting settled in before he pulled out his phone, played a recording, and placed it on the coffee table in front of them.
A familiar voice Connor struggled to place floated through the room.“The Connor line needs to do something, and fast.They can’t keep going on like this.The rest of the team is carrying them, and they are supposed to be the star players.If they don’t figure out how to play as a unit, any chance of making the playoffs for Seattle is out the window.It is what it is.At this point, I almost have to wonder if Connor Greene is playing hurt.If not, it’s possible Casey and Evan made him look good.They’re performing to higher standards in Nashville.Either way, as a Seattle sports fan, I hope the Connors get the help they need soon.Otherwise, the Freeze can kiss the postseason goodbye.”
Their coach reached across the table and clicked the sound off.He spread his hands out, asking the group to comment.When they didn’t, he sighed.“I’ve been informed this,” he pointed at the phone, “is a brand new amateur podcast.Do you see the problem?”
At their silence, Coach Bree continued.“If a random fan, with no sports analysis skills whatsoever, can clearly see our weaknesses, we need to do everything in our power to fix those problems.This is not amateur hour.This is the National Hockey League.I want you to succeed.So tell me.What is it you need to succeed?”
The silence dragged on.Connor couldn’t stand it.He was the veteran in the room.He couldn’t let any blame fall on the young guys.
Risking his own standing with the team, Connor scratched his chin as he spoke.“It’s on me.I haven’t adjusted well to the new team dynamics.I’m not used to being the veteran.I played with my best friends for six years, and I haven’t had a good attitude since they got traded.I agree with that fan.I need to take responsibility and figure out how to move forward.”
Coach studied him.“Well, at least you’re owning up to a bad attitude.This might be easier to deal with than I anticipated.What about the other stuff?Are you playing injured?”
“No.Not injured.”
“Hmm.”
The young men sitting next to him shifted in their seats, wide-eyed gazes darting between Connor and their coach, who addressed them.“What about you two?Are you playing injured?”
The boys shook their heads.“We can work harder on being connected,” Connor ‘Hazy’ Hale spoke up.“Our biggest issue is passing.We can load up on drills.Add them to our normal practice time.”
Coach Bree shook his head.“Passing isn’t the issue.It’s your mindset.Greene here doesn’t feel like you’re on the same team, and you guys are new to this level, so you aren’t acting cohesively.I have an idea, but you’re going to hate it.”
Connor would do anything to get his game back.“It can’t be worse than being traded.What’s the plan?How do we fix this?”
Coach Bree rubbed his hands together and gave them an evil smile.“Team-building.”
“We’re already a team.”Lover seemed confused, and Connor nudged his thigh with his own.
“Not being a team.Team-building.Ice-breakers and ropes courses and trust falls.Right?”
Coach Bree nodded in confirmation.“You start tomorrow.I don’t want to hear a single complaint.There are twenty men sitting in the minors waiting to take your places.If you don’t start producing, I’m sure some of them will.”
Connor had no doubt.
Chapter 3
Daisy
Ateleveninthemorning, Daisy already wanted to be done.Multiple-client days were always exhausting.Her first group tested every ounce of her patience.
