I lifted my head and nodded; Jock did the same.

Coach glared pointedly at each of us. “Unfortunately, I can’t trust you two clowns to settle this among yourselves, so here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to force you to deal with each other. You’ll be roommates on road trips, and if I hear of one physical altercation between the two of you, you can both pack your bags.”

Jock visibly winced. At thirty-eight years old, he probably lived with the fear his career could be over at any time, while I lived with the possibility mine might never get off the ground. Perhaps that fear of losing our career might be our shared point of reference.

“Yes, sir,” I said, leaning forward in my seat, anxious to get out of here.

“Not so fast, rookie. Sit back. I’m not done yet.”

Duly chastised, I sat back in the chair, which was uncomfortable as hell, by the way, and probably by design. Gorst preached hard work, mental toughness, and competition. He didn’t want any of us getting soft. The guys joked he’d have us flying in a cargo plane with wooden benches if he could get away with it.

“You are going to learn to get along,” Gorst said. “No fighting. Not even one derogatory word. I want to see the two of you act like you’re best buddies when you’re around your teammates. Got it?”

The implied threat in Gorst’s words goaded Jock to lift his head and glare defiantly at our couch. “Is that all? I mean, you don’t want us to have dinner together once a week or anything?” Jock was being sarcastic, and Gorst knew it.

“Excellent idea,” Coach said with an innocent grin.

“I was… I mean… I don’t…” Jock couldn’t find the right words, and I wasn’t saying shit. “I have dinner with my family when the team is at home.”

“I love the idea of Axel joining your family for dinners.” Gorst was on a roll now. Wisely, Jock shut his mouth before committing us to spending even more time tougher.

I scowled. This wasn’t what I had in mind at all, but one scathing frown from Gorst wiped my scowl right off my face. He wasn’t doing this for his own amusement. We were being tested.

“Any questions, gentlemen?”

“How long do we have to do this?” Jock asked.

“Until I say so. Any other questions?”

“No, none,” Jock said.

I shook my head. “I’m good.”

“I’m glad we had this little talk. Now leave me alone to get some work done.”

Jock bolted out the door, and I was fast on his heels.

“Axel, one last thing.”

I froze in the doorway. With a sigh, I turned back around. “Yes, Coach?”

“You’re a better player than you’ve been showing us. I have faith you’ll rise above personal issues and find your stride. I’m counting on it. We need every member of this team engaged and playing their best right now.”