was staked between the two rows of lockers.

The aqua cushion ruffled softly.

“I can’t believe we lost,” Colt said.

“I can’t believe we scored six runs!” Coach Wagner countered. Stern avuncularity emanated from his voice. His dark eyes of glass expressed disappointment. “I mean, half of you were making out in the dugout, while the other half was sweating blood trying to even the score in the last inning.”

Seven athletes watched the coach with dismay. These included Wesley, Colt, and Felipe, who were sitting left-to-right on the bench. For some reason, however, Phil stared petulantly at the tall, green lockers of metal.

Was Phil enraged because Jason had elbowed him to the ground? Jason wondered. Or was Phil angry at Colt for trying to instigate fagginess among the players?

“We blew it, fellows,” Coach Wagner proceeded. He swept his bulging eyeballs across the wiry athletes. “We could have won today. But with you duds breaking ranks, I wouldn’t be surprised if we drop to third place next week.” The coach exhaled with the tension of a compressed accordion. “You chaps have to learn to get along.”

“We’re getting along fine!” Colt said. He pointed at Phil and Jason. “They’re the ones who don’t wanna be team players.”

Phil stepped aggressively toward Colt. “You wanna be a team player?”

“Hey!” Coach Wagner snapped, whipping out his wrestler arm in front of Phil. Again, the coach puffed in discombobulation. “I don’t know what has gotten into you, fellows. But whatever is going on, you need to work it out among yourselves. Now, I know that we’ve been playing away from home all weekend and that those of you with girlfriends haven’t had a chance to be with them.”

“You got that right,” Felipe said.

“But that’s the nature of sports. And I trust that you guys can find a way to work through this—if you truly want to.” The coach turned his skin-of-orange face toward the dugout door. He returned to the players. “I’m gonna have a drink, as I need a break from you tigers.” He started for the blinking exit sign. “Don’t forget to lock the door before leaving. I’ll see you at the bus stop at five. We have a press interview there.”

* * * *

The door of stainless steel hummed shut, and a disquieting silence fell upon the room like a blanket.

“Did you hear that?” Colt said.

The stillness shattered as if to a crashing brick.

Colt went on, “Coach Wagner wants us to learn to get along.”

“Yeah,” Felipe said eagerly.

Colt’s irises of blue-gray gloated with sneakiness. “And coach trusts that we can find a way to work through this.”

“You mean, being separated from our girlfriends,” Felipe said.

“Exactly,” Colt answered, his voice cracking. “And Wesley and Kyle caused us to lose the game.” Colt rose from the bench like a helicopter and glanced