Connor
"Our first test will be goal setting," Ollie smiled as he stood at the front of what I would describe as a classroom with a large whiteboard. He had handed us a book on working as a team which he instructed would be our homework throughout these next few weeks. "As team captains you both have the same goal. That is to win and get your team to the next level. That would be winning the World Cup next year. Therefore you need to create goals together that can put you both on the right track when you lose sight of each other."
Edward and I looked at each other then both rolled our eyes. If there was one thing we agreed about was some therapy session where we had to air out our grievances was never going to work. Despite a good breakfast, it did not mean we were on good terms and if I had to list all the things Edward did to annoy me we would be here until the end of time.
"How about we start with you EJ? What is the one goal you'd like to share with Connor?"
Edward leaned back in his seat, "I thought this was like a physical team building."
"It is well known that you two are great on the field together. That's a physical aspect. We want to build you up emotionally and mentally as well so that you're both on the same page."
Edward let out a sigh before he turned to me, "My goal is to be the best captain I can be for you."
My mouth twisted with dissatisfaction.
"Connor, what would you like to share with EJ?"
"My goal would be to be captain and lead our team to victory," I shrugged.
"Okay," Ollie let out a nervous laugh, "I think healthy competition is good but I don't think having competition against each other is good. Let's work on something that would build you both up."
"Edward not being the captain would build us both up. His method is sterile and too modern for our team. They can't wrap their heads around it," I defended.
"Okay," Ollie nodded, "Maybe we can discuss why you think it's too modern for your liking."
"The yoga-"
Edward let out a laugh, "you've been an enemy to yoga since the beginning! This was something you hated when I just joined the team."
"We are rugby players," I demanded, "Not housewives with too much time on our hands. The yoga sessions are useless and the instructor you bring in! I can't handle her voice for the life of me. She sounds like she's having an orgie every time she talks."
"It's her meditation voice," Edward defended, "Don't tell me you haven't been feeling more agile since I've brought her in. You haven't had a muscle pull in months!"
"That's due to the new magnesium drinks I've been having," I clasped my hands on the table.
"Why do you believe yoga is for women only Connor? Does this have something to do with a prejudice you have against the exercise? There's many strong male athletes that have admitted that yoga and Pilates has improved their strength greatly," Ollie interrupted our debate.
I twisted my lips, "it's never been done before."
"And maybe that's why our wins have been great these past few years," Edward frowned, "We've never had a winning streak like this ever. You need to be able to see that Connor."
I pressed my lips together and eyed Ollie. He could understand my unsaid message and continued on with our so-called therapy session with a different topic.
When we were done he took us out to the trail for supposedly our first trust test.
"How much do you trust each other?"
"I wouldn't trust him around a life support machine if that's what you're saying. He's the type to take the plug out and charge his phone," Edward snickered as he shoved his hands in his pockets.
"What he said," I smiled which made Ollie sigh.
"Well there's no way you can expect to get anywhere if you don't trust each other," he pointed up to the semi high course a meter above the ground. It was a narrow pathway with no guard rails and what looked like a harness strap overhead in case someone fell. "You'll be doing this course blindfolded with the only hope that you will guide each other without falling and that if you fall one of you will catch the other."
"Have you seen the size of him?" Edward gasped, "he'll break my spine in half. He's a fucking Bull."
"Sod off," I snapped, "don't act like you're not as big! The paramedics couldn't even carry you off the field last time because of your fucking fat ass."
"Oh don't start with me-
Ollie held up his hands to stop us. "If you two continue I'll have to take away your internet time."
"We're not children," I snapped before grabbing the blindfold out of his hand and climbing up the little ladder to the first platform. There was a helper there who helped strap me up.
Edward being a complete nuisance climbed up to give me a little prep talk. "How come you've never let me blindfold you before?" His hands travelled to my waist in a fake attempt to make sure the harness was tight enough but I knew he just wanted to touch the sliver of exposed skin from my shirt that had slightly hidden up.
"Shut it," I clenched my jaw and slapped his hands away.
"Maybe we should ask Ollie to keep these," he touched the blindfold that was resting on my forehead. "Could practice some trust exercises back at the cabin. You know, just to be safe."
I pushed him off the platform but like a cat he landed on both his feet with a loud laugh as my face was beet red. I had no choice but to report him for harassment at this point.
He probably wanted me to fall off the path so that I could break my neck and die.