“Impressive,” nodded Butch. “There are some talented kids in here but not all of them are willing to do everything they need to do, to become winners.”
“They look as if they’re working out hard to me,” said Rory.
“Working out hard and doing all you need to do to be successful are two different things. I sell a complete line of supplements, protein powders and bars, things like that.” He had a strange look on his face as he looked up at both the men in front of him.
“We get it. Everybody needs a little boost,” said Rory, clenching his fists as he spoke. Butch smiled, nodding at the two men.
“Yeah. Yeah, exactly. A little boost. All of this is my own creation,” he said waving an arm toward the massive displays. “I’ve perfected it over the years and now I know it will ensure that whoever uses it will be a winner.”
“Okay. Where do we start?” asked Bull.
“Over there. Those four kids at the bench are my team for the powerlifting competition next week. I need them to win. All of them. They’re in different weight classes, so I should sweep this fucking thing,” he grinned. “Once we win that, we’ll focus on the upcoming college tryouts.” Bull nodded.
“Let’s get started.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Tahlako, Tony, and Archie walked into the gym and looked at one another with a strange expression.
“It smells funny in here,” said Tony. “It’s not just sweat and body odor, it’s something else.” They looked to where Bull and Rory were standing, working with the group of young men and spied Chaos.
“Chaos smells it as well,” said Tahlako.
“Can I help you boys?” asked a young woman behind the desk.
“We’re here to see Coach Williams. We’re three of his newest students,” said Tony. She looked at the three men, staring up and down. A few moments later, Butch Williams appeared from a back office.
“You sure as fuck don’t look like much to me,” he growled.
“We’re all attending Division I schools but we want to make it to the Olympic level if possible, or the pros,” said Tony.
“You look like you read for a living,” he smirked at Tony. Tony gave a big smile and nodded.
“I like to read. It’s what gives me an IQ of over one-forty,” he said with a grin. “But I also like to run and I’m seconds from a world record time.”
“Okay,” he nodded. “Smart and fast. And you?” Tahlako wanted to punch the man in the face.
“I run as well but I also play baseball,” he said calmly.
“I’m playing football,” said Archie.
“You guys all friends?” he asked suspiciously.
“We’re adopted brothers. We try to stick together in everything we do. Our adoptive parents recently passed and left us a rather large trust. We thought we’d do this for them, you know. Win a gold, get drafted, the dream.”
“A large trust, huh?” he repeated softly. “Well, to start with from now on you eat what I tell you to eat and it will start with my own products. Cindy will put together a big box of everything you’ll need for the first week. You can pick it up when you leave.”
“Sounds good,” said Archie nodding at the man.
“Alright, let’s go. We’ll see how well the three of you actually listen,” he grinned.
It was hours of Butch screaming at the three young men. Tahlako felt completely overwhelmed, not just by his behavior, but by his use of terminology that he didn’t understand.
At one point Bull walked over and offered to help. Butch stared at him, pulling him to the side.
“Don’t ever undermine my coaching style again or you’re fired,” he said gripping Bull’s arm. Bull stared down at him, his gaze forcing him to release his arm.
“Don’t ever touch me again or you’ll lose that arm. I don’t give a fuck who you are,” said Bull. Butch backed up, his face telling Bull that he was angry. Then, just as suddenly he relaxed and started to laugh.