Player (A Bryshere Gray Story)

Chapter 17: Reminder

I sat on the gym bleachers blowing my whistle. I was so unsatisfied my team it was unreal. All I kept seeing was ball hogging, cocky players, laziness and pure clumsiness. "You know what I need all of you to have a seat" I yelled."

"Pshh what's the problem now coach? Rashawn, one of my star players asked. He reminded me a lot of myself when I was younger. Just had a smart mouth for no reason.

"I don't know what's going on with you all, but your starting to piss me off. Each and every one of you are lacking. I don't know if its the weed, the liquor or whatever. I know a lot of y'all smoke and drink. Don't bullshit me but when your playing for me you do that shit another day." I said

"We lost about 3 games and we can't lose anymore. This team is known as one of the best basketball teams in Philly and you need to start acting like it" I said

"Okay coach but what if its not all of us. Rudolph over here is fucking scared to break a nail and Latrell is on the balls nuts" Lamar said everyone started laughing but me.

"Oh its all of you. Do you think when I'm watching the game I'm just watching game? No I'm observing you all and I take notes on all of your strength's and weaknesses. All I see on that court is cockiness. When I played for this school I knew I was the shit but I didn't act like it. I shared the got damn ball Latrell. You're a team and you got to start acting like it" I said

My phone began ringing I looked down at it and it was Tionne. I sighed "Take 5" I yelled walking over to the side.

"Yo coach baby moms is fine as fuck man and his girlfriend. I heard he bagging both of them"

"You for real?

"Yeah you know coach a flirt. Ms. Scott got a crush on him and shit"

"Yo she do"

I knew Tionne was calling to figure out where I been at. I haven't seen Kai in two days, I just needed a little time to myself to regroup every since my grandmother died I never had time to grieve alone. On top of that I've been job hunting and just figuring out ways to get my damn team out the gutter.

"Yes" I said.

"Well hello Rashad I'm glad to know you are alive" she said. I rolled my eyes "Yeah I'm here" I said

"What's been up with you? You haven't seen Kai in 2 days? What's going on? She complained

"I've been busy a lot of shit been going on" I said. "I wish you would communicate that with me instead of going ghost. I know you're stressed but I need to get back on board" she said which made me irritated. Another reason why I had to leave the house early, I had to get my temper back in order. In her nagging wasn't helping "You don't have to tell me what I need to do. I'm aware" I said

"Rashad I'm not telling you what to do.I just politely asked for you to get back on board. What's your issue? She asked.

"Nothing, look I'll get him from school today ared"

"Okay" she said. I hung up the phone walking back over to them. I looked at my watch "Were gonna have to cut practice short what I'm going to say is. If you all don't work together were not going to stay on top, so all of these egos and bullshit get that shit out of here. We win as a team not one person, be prepared for an extensive practice tomorrow" I said.

"Come on coach , I'm still sore from last practice"

"Quit then" I said walking out the door.

I was in the pizza shop with Makai just chopping it up with my son. "Dad where you been at? I thought you forgot about me" he said which made me feel bad.