Page 88 of We'll Meet Again

Coach Warren sighed and leaned back in his chair. “I see.”

“I know I shouldn’t have let it get to me,” Ethan said. “I let everybody down, and I take responsibility for that. But I can’t let that behavior - misogyny - go unaddressed.”

“Ethan,” Coach said, an exasperated edge to his voice. “This is a football club. It’s certainly not the place to discuss women’s issues -”

“Respectfully, sir, misogyny is not a women’s issue, it’s men’s,” Ethan said. “It’s up to men to call other men out on that stuff. And frankly, you’ve let all of us down in that department by letting Peter off the hook talking the way he does.”

Coach’s brow furrowed as he frowned. “How do you mean?”

“I mean, on my first day here, he was using derogatory language about Billie. He did it again at the baby shower, and judging by what I’ve seen, she’s not the only one he treats that way. Every time, you’ve let it slide, leaving it to me or Jordan to say something. Guys like Peter are poison, Coach.”

“And why do you suppose he’ll respond to me if not you or Jordan?”

“We’re his peers, there’s no real consequences from us. But you’re the manager, his boss. It’s gotta come from someone whose respect he needs.” He paused to take a breath. “It does bother you, doesn’t it? The way he acts?”

“Of course it does,” Coach said.

“Then you need to act soon. Peter has influence - in the dressing room, on the pitch. People look up to him.” He nodded toward the photos on the desk. “Kids look up to him. What kind of example do you want them to see?”

Coach looked thoughtfully at the pictures, drumming his fingers on the desk. Then he met Ethan’s gaze again and raised an eyebrow. “Awfully rich, given the circumstances.”

“I know I messed up,” Ethan said. “But Peter crossed a line.”

“I agree,” Coach said. “That doesn’t absolve you, though.”

“I know.”

A beat of silence passed between them as Ethan searched for something else to say. There was no overturning the red cards, of course, so he and Peter would be sitting out the next match as well. And Ethan felt like he’d said his piece.

“What do you suppose the solution is?” Coach asked. “Can there be any peace between you and Peter?”

Ethan shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know. He started all this, and I was willing to let it go, but some of the things he’s said are…it’s way beyond trash talk or anything like that.”

“And you’re unsure if you can forgive them?”

Ethan swallowed and nodded. “Yeah.”

“Well, I know I can try to be better about addressing his remarks,” Coach said. “But this…situation between the two of you is beyond my capabilities. I’ve never coached two people more averse to one another.”

“He’s the one who -”

“I know,” Coach interrupted, raising a hand. “I know he started it. But you’re both unwilling to finish it. And I need you both on the pitch. Especially if we want to have any hope of winning the FA Cup.”

Ethan slumped a little in his seat, defeated. He knew it was unreasonable, but the idea of being the bigger person when it came to Peter was about as pleasant as swallowing a pair of jeans.

“I don’t think it’s likely we’ll ever be friends, Coach,” Ethan said.

“I’m not asking for that,” Coach replied. “All I’m asking for is cooperation.”

That didn’t seem completely out of the realm of possibility. Ethan was certainly not best friends with every teammate he’d ever had. But similar to Coach, it was never like this. He had never been so thoroughly disliked in so little time.

“I’m going to tell you the same thing I told him,” Coach went on. “Sort it out. Or neither of you will play in the FA Cup final.”

Ethan’s mouth fell open. “Coach!”

His heart rioted against his ribcage. To miss this match would be crushing. Everyone would be watching - Billie, Betty, Coach Larry. He could not, under any circumstances, sit that one out.

“I’m not risking the trophy, Ethan,” Coach said. “I’ll do my part as you suggested. The rest is up to you and Peter.”

---