Hey Sam, great to see you. You haven't been in here for ages, Jodie said.
There's been no reason to celebrate. That shower of shit over there couldn't play, even if their lives depended on it, he said nodding in the direction of William, Roger, Cora and the gang who were sitting around a huge pine at the rear of the bar.
No, I've heard they are pretty hopeless, Jodie replied.
That's an understatement.
So who you lovin, these days? she asked.
I'm single. I haven't got anyone special.
Too bad, a lovely guy like you all alone. If I weren't happily married, I'd ask you on a date. Jodie was quite pretty but not Sam's type. She was a bit plump and had pink hair, the result of a magazine article she read that said pink hair was hip.
Hi coach, Cora said as she came up to the bar to order another round of drinks. What brings you here?
This is the place we used to celebrate our victories, although you wouldn't know much about that. All we seem to do these days is lose.
Well, it's not all about winning is it?
Sam looked at Cora, and if he hadn't been such a gentleman, he would have slapped her. It is, actually, all about the winning. Why else would you bother?
To have some fun. To meet people.
Jesus Christ. What an attitude. We are talking about college football. It's serious. If you want to meet people and have fun, why don't you go to the beach.
Er....okay coach. Whatever you say, Cora said keen to stop his rant.
And don't talk to me in that tone. You are very good at winding me up Cora. Your attitude is all wrong, and you prance around as if you own the joint. You need a darn good hiding.
Cora quickly paid for her drinks and went back to the others at the table.
What an ass-hole, she said.
Who? William asked.
Coach. He's a misogynist. He just spoke to me in the moist terrible way. Nobody has ever spoken to me like that.
Come on Cora, have a bit of sympathy for him. He's a small time football coach, he's got nothing else in his pathetic life, Roger joked.
His life's pathetic and so is he, Cora added.
I quite like him, Lizzie said.
You would. You don't seem capable of getting any other man, Cora said.
Cora, that's unfair, Roger said. Have another drink, Lizzie. Ignore her; she's just being a bitch.
Lizzie smiled and took a glass of beer and a shot from the tray Jodie had just placed in front of them.
BJ's was a place students and lecturers went after a hard day or at the weekend to get inebriated. It was full of neon signs and pictures of sports stars. Sam was most proud of his corner of honor. Joshua Clarkson, the owner of BJ's, was a big football fan, and when Sam's team had won the collegiate championship three years running, he'd allocated a corner to Sam's team. He bought a glass cabinet and filled it with photos of the team and the trophies they'd won.
Good old days, Jodie said when she saw Sam was looking to his corner.
Great days. Really great.
Don't be too hard on this generation Sam. They've got it far too easy, so how can they appreciate anything.
I suppose so. There are good kids in the team, but most of them are lazy. If they weren't, they could really go places.
Sam spent an interesting evening talking to Jodie and drinking more bourbon than was good for him.
'You'd better leave your car here tonight, Jodie said when Sam had paid.
Yes. The walk will do me good, he replied.
As he was getting up to leave, Cora and her group were also preparing to leave.
Oops, steady Lizzie, you stick close to me, Roger said as he put his arm around her.
I think I'm a bit drunk, Lizzie said.
Don't worry. I'll get you home in one piece,' Roger offered.
When they reached the door, Sam pulled Roger back and pushed him against the wall. Roger towered over him, but Sam was muscle bound and too strong for the twenty-one-year-old
Leave her alone, Sam said.
Take your hands off me, Roger protested.
Yes, leave him alone, Cora and William said in unison.
Keep out of this, Sam said. If you don't leave now, you're both off the team.
William and Cora scowled and walked through the door. Lizzie stood still dazed by what was happening.
Go home Roger and leave her alone. I know what your deal is, and it isn't in Lizzie's interest.
What the hell are you talking about? Roger asked as Sam squeezed his throat a little harder.
The bet Roger. The bet you struck with William. Go home now or you'll never play football for me again.
You just assaulted me. I'm going to report you,' Roger said.
Go ahead and I'll make sure Lizzie files sexual assault charges. Got it? Roger nodded, straightened his collar and left.
What was all that about, Lizzie slurred.
I just saved you from something you would have regretted, Sam replied.
Er....what?
Lizzie, let's go. Come on. Sam said putting his arm around her to support her.
Oh my God, where am I? Lizzie asked as she looked around the bedroom.
My place,' Sam replied.