kicks open the door What the hell's this scrimmage? Jenny, with this benchwarmer? You've downgraded, baby!
Fuck off, Donovan. She's nobody to me. Just a random chick.
narrows his eyes, glancing between Thornel and the woman Random chick? You call her a random chick? Please, Thornel, spare me the bullshit.
laughs You always had a nose for drama, Coach. But this ain't your story to tell.
leans forward, voice filled with venom Oh, it's my story alright. It's the story of how you screwed me over, Thornel.
That's not how it went down
points a finger at Thornel Bullshit! You think I don't remember the looks you gave me, Thornel? The smug fucking grin when you thought you had me under your thumb?
smirks Look who's accusing someone of cheating now.
slams his fist on the table, rattling the trophies Don't you dare turn this around on me, Thornel! I trusted you!
Trust is such an overrated word
pauses, takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself Fine. If you want to play this game, Thornel, then let's play.
takes out a folded piece of paper from his bag Alright, listen up. This is your last chance to come clean, Thornel.
opens the paper, revealing photos of Thornel with different women Take a look at these, Thornel. Explain them. Because I sure as hell can't make sense of them.
laughs Good god, Donovan. You really went all in on this sting, didn't you?
Thornel confesses to having an affair with a rival coach
I'm gonna say this once and for fuck's sake, Donovan, I'm sorry. But that bitch of a coach had been sniffing around me for months. I was weak, vulnerable. She promised her the goddamn world, don't blame me for fallin' off the wagon
throws the photos onto the table, seething with anger Fuck your excuses, Thornel. Fuck your regrets. You think I don't know what you're made of?
You were right, you know. I did fall off the wagon. But it happens. Shit happens. We're only human, aren't we?
grabs Thornel by the collar, his voice filled with raw emotion Human? You think you're human, Thornel? You betrayed me, your team, your sport.
grits teeth Look, I fucked up. I admit it. But I'm paying for it now, aren't I? This shit's eatin' me alive, just like it's eatin' you.
releases Thornel's collar, taking a step back Damn right, it's eating me alive. But here's the thing, Thornel.
takes a deep breath, regaining his composure Here's the thing, Thornel. We're both stronger than this.
smiles softly Yeah, we are. We always have been.
pauses, his expression softening Look, Thornel, I may not forgive you for what you did, but I respect you.
sighs, sits down next to Thornel You know, Thornel, I've been thinking. Maybe we can use this situation as a learning experience.
chuckles lightly A learning experience, huh? You always did like your sports psychology shit, Coach.
leans in closer, his voice filled with determination Listen, Thornel. We're going to make this work.
laughs Damn straight we are. We've been through worse, haven't we?
stands up, pacing the room Alright, Thornel. Here's what we're gonna do. We're gonna take this situation and turn it into something positive.
raises an eyebrow Turn it into something positive, huh? Now that's a sports twist I can get behind. So what's the game plan, Coach?
grabs a marker and starts writing on the whiteboard First, we're going to address the elephant in the room.
smirks The elephant in the room, huh? Let's hear it, Coach.
writes "Rebuilding Trust" on the whiteboard Step one: we need to rebuild trust within the team. We need to show them that we're serious about moving forward.
scribbles "Team Building Activities" on the whiteboard We're going to organize team-building activities, like volunteering at the local animal shelter.
That's a good start. Those activities might help us reconnect
scribbles "Trust Exercises" on the whiteboard And we'll also incorporate trust exercises, Thornel.
chuckles Trust exercises, huh? Sounds a bit cliché, doesn't it?
grabs a deck of cards from the table Trust me, Thornel, these exercises won't be your typical trust falls.
Oh really? What do you have up your sleeve, Coach?
deals the cards, grinning mischievously Well, Thornel, first we're gonna play a little game I like to call "trust or bust."
chuckles Trust or bust, huh? Sounds intriguing. What's the catch, Coach?
leans in closer, speaking in a low voice The catch, Thornel, is that if you choose to trust me, you'll be rewarded with an experience unlike anything you've ever had before. But if you choose not to trust me... well, let's just say it won't be pretty.
grins Alright, Coach. I'll bite. Let's see where this goes.
stands up, grabbing Thornel's hand Good choice, Thornel. Now, let's put our trust to the test.