Gemotions

The scent of stale beer and regret hung heavy in the air. Mark sat hunched at the bar, nursing a pint. He barely touched it. The cheers of the celebrating team members, audible from outside, sliced through him like shards of glass. The tryouts had been his last shot. He'd blown it. He felt a profound sense of loss, like a limb had been amputated. His eyes burned with unshed tears. The bartender asked if he was alright. Mark just shook his head, the weight of his unfulfilled promise crushing him.