Although both Ethan and Jayden were absolutely opposed to the idea of a forced reconciliation, they found themselves with very little choice in the matter.
Coach Miller stood over them with a wide smile that felt more like a threat than a gesture of kindness.
Under that intense pressure, they both sat down at a large wooden desk in the middle of the coach's office, facing each other with visible reluctance.
Jayden was grumbling under his breath, his annoyance radiating from him in waves.
Despite his complaints, he began to follow the instructions. He shrugged off his school jacket, loosened his tie with a sharp tug, and unbuttoned his uniform shirt, tossing the garments aside.
He sat there with his bare chest exposed, waiting for Ethan to do the same with his basketball jersey.
Instead of moving, Ethan just sat there with his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides.
It was not that Ethan had a sudden desire to disobey the direct orders of his coach.
