Cal turns around to face the rest of the team. “Whoever did this to the piss samples is a fucking dead man.”
“Is that a threat?” Rowan asks from across the room.
Callum snaps, “Hey, fuck you, Row. What the fuck did you put into Coach’s head?”
Coach steps between them. “Brixton, come with me.”
They disappear into the bathroom. The door closes behind them with a sharp click.
I watch Rowan’s chest rise and fall faster than normal. He’s agitated.
“You got a problem, Zeff?” he asks.
I scoff, staring at him. “Actually, I do. What the fuck is your deal with Cal?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Rowan’s voice is flat. “All the evidence points to Cal.”
I mock his tone. “All the evidence points to Cal? Listen to yourself, Row. Back the fuck off of him.”
Rowan laughs, but it’s not a real one. It’s bitter.
I snap. “It’s like you’re fucking obsessed with him.”
Rowan stands immediately and takes three large steps toward me.
Nolan intercepts him and pushes him back. “Coach is gonna be furious if he walks out of that room into a fight.”
Rowan stares at me. His jaw clenches so hard I can hear his teeth grinding.
I stare right back. “Are you the gay guy on the team that’s been kept a secret this whole year?”
The room goes silent.
Rowan looks like he might actually swing at me. His fists are clenched. His whole body is coiled tight.
But he doesn’t move.
The answer is revealed all over his face.
Stuck-up prick.
Shortly after, Callum walks back around the corner. Coach follows behind him looking even more exhausted than before.
Coach starts calling off names. Five at a time. He takes them into the bathroom for their own tests.
By the time everyone’s done, Coach turns to me. “Jax is gonna be in trouble.”
I don’t respond because I’m not Jax’s fucking keeper. Damn.
When we’re finally excused, Callum is forced to stay back with a few of the other guys for extra questioning.
I turn to Rowan before I leave. “Feel up for a challenge?”
“Fuck you, Zephyr.”
“Fine. I guess I’ll continue to struggle with my gap control and zone coverage.”
Rowan rolls his eyes. “Fuck. Fine. One hour. That’s it.”
