15

We worked like that for ten minutes and then switched. Then we went up on one knee and did another round. It was a strengthening exercise, forcing you to throw from the upper body rather than your legs. And by the time Coach called us in, my muscles ached, and I wanted nothing more than to hit the showers and let the hot jets work out the kinks.

Monroe offered me his hand and I took it, letting him pull me up. But at the last second, before I’d gotten my balance, he let go and I stumbled back.

“What the fuck, man?” I leaped to my feet and got right up in his face. “What the fuck is your problem?”

“My problem?” He smashed his helmet into mine, “This is my team. My fucking team, Thatcher.

You think you can just waltz in here and take over?”

“You think I want to be here? Trust me, I don’t. But I am here, so you’d better get used to it.” I shouldered past him just as Coach boomed our names.

“What?” Monroe called after me. “You think you’re too good to play with us, but good enough for our