Chapter 2

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Garrison

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Garrison

I pulled into the parking lot, the early morning chill still lingering in the air. My heart raced with excitement; today was the first practice of the fall season, and I couldn't think of a better way to start my day. I parked and hopped out, the familiar scent of freshly cut grass wafting over from the baseball fields.

As I approached the turf, I could see some of the guys already stretching and warming up. The sound of laughter and playful banter filled the air. Jackson was in a heated discussion with Sam, while John was busy jogging laps around the field, trying to shake off the last remnants of sleep.

"You're gonna have to run faster than that during the season, John!" I called out, walking over to join them.

"Shut up, Garrison! I'm just getting warmed up," he shot back, grinning.

Once everyone had gathered, Coach Holland called us to a huddle. He was known for his tough demeanor and no-nonsense attitude, traits that had earned him respect—and a healthy fear—among the team. I knew I wasn't exactly his favorite, but that didn't bother me. I also knew I was a damn good player, and as long as I kept proving myself on the field, I wouldn't have much to worry about.

"Alright, fellas! We've got a big season ahead, and it starts today. We're going to push ourselves during conditioning, followed by some skill drills. I want to see hustle out there. Let's get after it!" Coach's voice boomed, sending a rush of adrenaline through all of us.

We broke apart and began our warm-up routine. I felt the adrenaline kick in as we jogged the perimeter of the field, pushing ourselves to keep a solid pace. Each breath of the cool morning air felt invigorating, filling my lungs as I focused on the rhythm of my feet hitting the turf.

After a solid warm-up, Coach blew his whistle, signaling the start of conditioning. We split into groups for shuttle runs, testing our speed and endurance. I could feel the competitive spirit igniting inside me. The first few sprints were easy, my legs flying as I raced against Jackson and Sam. But as we pushed through the last sets, fatigue began to set in.

"Come on, Garrison! You can't let Jackson beat you!" John shouted from the sidelines, his voice a motivating force.

With each sprint, I dug deep, reminding myself of the hard work I'd put in during the summer. The taste of victory was sweet, and I wasn't about to let it slip away. I crossed the line just ahead of Jackson, breathing heavily but with a cocky smile on my face.

"Nice job, man!" he said, panting. "But next time, I'm taking you down."

Once conditioning was complete, we moved on to skill drills. Coach set up a series of stations focusing on passing, shooting, and dodging. I rotated through them, my mind sharp and focused. With each pass to my teammates, I felt the chemistry we had. The ball flew through the air, landing perfectly in their sticks as we communicated through shouts and gestures.

The Coaches Daughter || Callum Turner Where stories live. Discover now