Gemotions

The cramped, stuffy office felt suffocating. He leaned back in his chair, the worn leather creaking slightly under his weight. Coach Davies sat across from him, looking older than he had a few hours ago, the lines around his eyes more pronounced. He could feel the eyes of the other players on him, from the window, as they were gathered in the hall.

"It's never easy," Davies said, his voice raspy. He fiddled with a pen on his desk, avoiding eye contact. He gave the table a single tap.

He simply nodded, a slight movement of the head that he hoped conveyed his lack of surprise. He already knew. The way the practice drills had been structured. The way he had always performed the best. He knew.

"We have to make cuts," Davies said. "And…it's Mark." He simply nodded. He felt a light thrill course through him.