Page 22 of Uncoachable

Standing here now, in the sterile, bright hallway of the arena, that promise feels like it was made in a different lifetime.

Rick isn’t just my boss; he’s the architect of my return.

He knew the sharks would circle the moment I stepped off the plane. He just didn’t tell me exactly how sharp their teeth would be.

“You should care,” he says.

My jaw shifts. “Why? Their opinions don’t change the power play percentages.”

“Because it won’t stay about him,” he says, his voice dropping an octave. “It’ll become about whether you deserve to be here.”

I nod once. I’ve had this conversation in four countries, three languages, and more locker rooms than I can count.

“Let them talk,” I say, my voice steady again.

Rick studies me, then smiles—small and approving. “Good. Staff meeting in fifteen. Don’t be late.”

My lips twitch. “I never am.”

***

The coaches’ room feels different today.

It’s quieter, with less of the frantic edge that usually precedes the first week of camp.

Jenna Walsh is already there, her blonde hair pulled into a bun so tight it looks painful, scrolling through her tablet with efficient swipes.

Sarah, the head trainer, flips through injury reports, her glasses perched low on her nose.

No one looks surprised when I walk in.

In fact, it feels almost… welcoming.

It throws me just enough to make me hesitate before taking my seat.

Jenna glances up first. “You survived. Congrats.”

“So far,” I reply, sitting down and opening my laptop.

She exhales through her nose, a dry sound. “Delaney’s in a mood, though. Just a heads up.”

“When isn’t he?” I ask.

That earns me a smirk from Sarah. “True. But today it’s personal. He doesn’t like being told his defensive schemes are ‘vintage’.”

I suppress a laugh as the door opens and Delaney walks in.

He takes the furthest seat from me without a word.

His jaw is set, his tie is pulled too tight, and his hair is aggressively gelled like it’s the only thing holding his thoughts together.

No one fills the silence for him.

It’s an interesting dynamic; the room is already beginning to cord off.

The meeting moves fast—practice flow, load management, travel logistics. I contribute when needed and stay quiet when it’s not my lane.

When I suggest a rotation change for the second unit, Delaney finally snaps.