Page 12 of Anteros' Return
“Liam, if you want to play on Saturday, you’re going the wrong way about it.” I tried to reason with him but he just continued to scrunch up his face.
“I don’t want to play if you’re there, so go away.” He turned his head away from me, throwing his water bottle into the mud.
“Then you won’t be playing.” I sighed.
Daniel appeared by my side, blocking Liam’s pathway onto the pitch.
“Training is over, Liam. Go and dry off. Kayla will be here to get you soon.” Daniel wasn’t messing around.
“Coach—”
“No, I told you what I wanted from you if you wanted to play and you have failed to do so.” Daniel turned his back to him, calling out new drills to the team.
“This is your fault!” Liam shouted, glaring at me.
“I don’t see how it’s my fault, mate, you’re the one who has bought an attitude to the pitch every single time I’ve been here.”
“I’m not your mate!” Liam’s face was a storm in miniature as he stalked off toward the changing room, his small body practically vibrating with anger. His cheeks were flushed bright red, the kind of flush that came from being so mad he couldn’t even control it. His tiny fists clenched so hard that his knuckles had now turned white.
“I think you definitely need that pint,” Daniel joked.
“I bloody think so too.”
After training, we pushed through the heavy door of the pub, the familiar scent of beer and food wrapping us in a comforting embrace. The low murmur of conversation blended with the clinking of glasses, creating a lively backdrop. We found a spot at the bar where the bartender greeted us with a nod, already reaching for two glasses and filling them with the popular beer tap option.
The walls were adorned with faded photographs and memorabilia, each piece a testament to the pub’s storied past. We sank into the well-worn stools, the kind that seemed to mold to our bodies, and took a moment to savour the first few sips of our beer. It felt nice to relax after the night’s challenges while laughter spilled out around us.
Between gulps, we watched the regulars engage in their spirited debates. It was easy to see that this wasn’t just a pub; it was a sanctuary, a place where time slowed down, and worries faded, if only for a few hours.
“So, you’re really not letting Liam come to the match?”
Daniel shrugged. “He didn’t do what was asked of him, so no.” Daniel finished off his pint before holding up his hand to order two more—one for him and one for me.
“He’s your star player, though.”
“The lack of respect he had towards you is not something I want around the other players. These kids are young and impressionable. I don’t want it to rub off on them.” He sighed deeply. “I don’t know where his attitude has come from. He’s usually a very well-mannered boy.”
“What if I try to talk to him again?” I asked, not sure if it would work but anything was worth a shot.
Daniel eyed me. “You see something in him, don’t you?”
“He has the same drive, attitude, and love for the sport as I did. He can go far if given the opportunity.”
“And you’re going to put up with the shit he gives you to help him until you leave the team, are you?” Daniel quizzed, sipping his beer.
“If I have to, yes, but I don’t think it’ll come to that. He’ll come around.”
“Hmm, if you think so.” Daniel pulled out a pen he always kept tucked in his pocket and wrote something down on a damp beer mat. “Here, this is his address. Outskirts of town, top of the hill.”
Top of the hill…
“Alright, I’ll try and head over on Friday and see what I can do.” I shoved the address into my pocket for safekeeping.
“If he doesn’t apologise, he ain’t playing. And don’t lie for him, alright?” Daniel wasn’t kidding around. “It’s important for him to learn his lesson and respect his coaches.”
“I wasn’t planning on it, don’t worry.” I smiled, hoping like hell that I could get the kid to see reason and apologise.
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