Caden stepped out of the locker room, the weight of the bruises from the game still gnawing at him. He was sore all over, but he didn’t have time to dwell on it. The next challenge was right in front of him. He barely had time to breathe before he saw Coach Hawkins standing just outside, eyes locked onto him with a fire Caden knew too well.
“Caden,” Coach said sharply, his voice cutting through the air. “Get over here.”
The tone was different. Cold. Not the usual banter or firm but fair talk—this was different. Caden felt his stomach drop, and he knew immediately this wasn’t going to be a quick pep talk. His heart rate picked up, but he didn’t hesitate. He moved toward his coach, his body aching with every step.
“Sit,” Coach barked, pointing to the bench beside him.
Caden sat down, wincing as the movement jostled his sore ribs. He tried to maintain his composure, but his body was starting to feel like it was made of lead. The hits he’d taken earlier in the game were catching up to him, but he couldn’t afford to let that show. Not now. Not with the coach looking at him like that.
“You’re a new player, Caden,” Coach Hawkins said, his voice a low growl, cutting straight to the heart of it. “You think you’ve got it figured out? Think you can just dive into this, play like you're some seasoned vet? Because from where I’m standing, you look like a damn rookie who doesn’t know how to take a hit or give one.”
Caden’s jaw tightened. His coach’s words stung, but he kept his gaze locked on the floor, not daring to argue. He knew he’d screwed up today. He hadn’t played like himself. He hadn’t played like the lineman they needed him to be. But hearing the truth from Coach hurt like hell.
“You’re supposed to be the backbone of this line. You’re the one who’s supposed to stand tall, take that blow, and keep pushing forward. But today?” Coach shook his head, his frustration palpable. “You were getting pushed around like you didn’t belong. Like you weren’t ready. And guess what? That’s not good enough. Not now. Not ever.”
Caden felt the anger rising in his chest. He wasn’t some rookie. He had the size, the strength, the drive to do this. But he knew Coach wasn’t talking about physicality. It was about mentality. And today, he hadn’t had it.
“Do you think we can just ignore that?” Coach Hawkins snapped, his voice raising as his anger built. “We’ve got a Super Bowl on the line. One game, Caden. One damn game. And you’re telling me you’re going to let this slip through your fingers because you can’t hold your ground?”
Caden kept his head down, biting the inside of his cheek to keep from speaking up. He knew the truth was too ugly to deny. He had let the pressure get to him. He had let himself crumble when the hits started stacking up. His coach was right—he’d let the team down.
“I’m not asking for some miracle, Caden. I’m asking for you to be the lineman you’re supposed to be. You think that’s too much to ask? You think you can just waltz into this and hope everything falls into place?”
“No, Coach,” Caden muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, but the words hit harder than any hit he'd taken on the field. "I get it."
Coach Hawkins’ eyes narrowed as he stepped closer, his breath quickening from the intensity of his own anger. “You better get it, or we’re done. You think this is a game? You’re here to fight, to give everything you’ve got for this team. And right now, I’m seeing a guy who doesn’t understand that. And if you don’t turn that around by next week, you can kiss this season goodbye.”
Caden’s throat tightened as the full weight of the coach’s words settled on him. There was no sugarcoating it. He wasn’t just letting himself down; he was letting the whole damn team down.
But there was only one thing he could say in response, only one thing that would keep the conversation moving forward.
“Yes, Coach,” he said, his voice firm despite the dull ache in his chest.
Coach Hawkins stood for a moment, glaring down at him, then let out a harsh exhale. He didn’t say anything else, but the silence was deafening. He turned and walked away, the sound of his boots fading into the distance.
Caden sat there for a long moment, the words hanging in the air like a weight he couldn’t shake. The fire that burned in Coach Hawkins' voice still stung, but deep down, Caden knew it was exactly what he needed to hear. He couldn’t let this be another slip-up. He couldn’t afford to be the guy who crumbled when it mattered most.
With a final grunt of frustration, Caden pushed himself to his feet, ignoring the pain in his body, and took a deep breath. One shot. One chance. He wasn’t going to waste it.
The Super Bowl was waiting. And no matter what it took, he’d be ready.
He walked out and found Rose,keeping quite. "Let's go." He sugested,starting to turn to the parking lot.
Bright Sunshine with a few High Clouds
