The last thing that Jacob wanted was an early morning lecture after a hard game and ensuing night out on the town.
But Jacob could sense that Tane didn’t care much for how he felt about it, and this was something that he was going to say regardless…
“Jacob, you need to listen to me,” Tane said, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. “I can’t give you the specifics of the situation, but you need to change how you’re behaving. Partying too much, acting out when you’re in public… it’s not a good look. And some very important people have noticed it too.”
Jacob could feel a hit of adrenalin shoot over his body.
This sounded a lot like a lecture, and Jacob simply wasn’t in the mood to listen to one of the older guys on the team talk to him like this.
Tane can say what he wants.
I’ve got to the top by being me.
I’m not going to change for Tane, or for anyone else.
Jacob shrugged his shoulders and made it clear that he wasn’t impressed with what Tane had to say.
“Boy, you’re really not listening to me,” Tane said, a hint of irritation in his voice. “I can’t say it much clearer than this. Your career at the Enforcers is in jeopardy if you keep this behavior going. And… I won’t go into any more details. You’re representing the fucking Toronto Enforcers. Just shape the hell up.”
This was as much as Jacob could take.
In a rapid blur of activity, Jacob flung the duvet off the bed and got himself dressed as quickly as he possibly could.
All the while, Tane simply stood on the edge of the bed and shook his head.
“You can’t tell me what to do!” Jacob said, stomping his foot on the soft carpet underneath. “You’re just jealous that I’m the new star and you’re…you’re… you’re past your best!”
Jacob didn’t wait to see how Tane would react to his comment.
Instead, Jacob flung his coat and shoes on and made a beeline for the door. After charging down the stairs and finding his way to the heavy oak front door, Jacob left Tane’s house and began running down the street without the faintest idea as to where he was headed.
All Jacob knew was that he didn’t want to see Tane anytime soon.
The only problem of course being that they were teammates, at least for now…
* * *
After hailing down a cab, Jacob managed to get himself home and surrounded by all the things he loved most…
Spicy tortilla chips.
A selection of the fizziest, most sugary drinks.
A ton of sour candies.
And to top it all off, Ricki came over for a hangout too.
“I’ll never get tired of your place,” Ricki said. “You’ve got all the retro videogame shit in the world here! Like, I don’t know man. I don’t even know how you focus on anything else. I’d be playing until my fingers fell off.”
“Hehe, I know man. But there’s alwaysmoregames I want,” Jacob chuckled, his purple and yellow t-shirt and shorts combo fitting him snugly. “I’m just glad to be away from Tane.”
Jacob looked for a reaction from Ricki, but it seemed like Ricki wasn’t sure what to say. Jacob liked Ricki a lot and didn’t want Ricki to feel like he couldn’t speak freely.
“You don’t think Tane’s so bad, do you?” Jacob said, taking a new can of Pepsi and opening it to a loud fizzing sound.
“I do think he’s someone who’s seen it all,” Ricki replied, munching on an extra-large ultra-sour strawberry gummy. “He might sound all mean and strict and boring… but he’s like an alpha, right? Isn’t that what these guys are like?”
“Makes sense,” Jacob said, the pair of them giggling together. “He’s… hot.”
