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.
“Okay. Okay, big man. I get it. Hold onto that anger, we’re gonna need it with these weaklings.” Bull watched him walk away and turned to face Rory who looked even angrier than he was.
“I hate that guy,” said Rory. “He’s everything that shouldn’t happen or be allowed in a gym.”
“I know, brother. We just have to hold it together until we can figure out where this shit is coming from.” Bull turned around to see Butch walk into a small empty office space. He looked around at the gym members and nodded at two young men. They entered the office, closing the door behind them.
“What the fuck is he doing with them?” asked Rory. A few moments later they knew the answer. The two young men walked out, rubbing their butt cheek as Butch laughed at them.
“Don’t worry. It only hurts for a few hours,” he said with a sadistic grin. “Next!”
Watching out of the corner of their eyes, they saw a total of eleven young men go in and out of the office, including three of their own. When Tahlako, Tony, and Archie received their shots, they left the gym.
“We’re done for today, fellas,” said Butch. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Sounds good,” said Rory nodding. “Do we get a discount on the supplements?”
Butch seemed somewhat surprised by the ask but nodded at them.
“Sure. If you want to try some of it, feel free. You guys are already pretty bulky for your age,” he grinned.
Rory and Bull didn’t let on that they were fuming inside.
“I recommend the protein powder for sure. Put it in everything you eat or drink. Use the bars for snacks, and the supplements should be taken three times a day.”
“Three times a day? That seems excessive. Some supplements reach max value after one dose,” said Rory.
“Yeah, yeah, that’s true,” he nodded, “but mine are designed to give max value after three doses.”
“Alright. Cool,” said Rory.
They left the gym with a massive box of the supplements and food. Putting the box in the trunk, they wove through the streets of downtown New Orleans, only to find their three ghostly passengers waiting at a table in front of Café du Monde.
“Beignets? Really?” smirked Rory. Tahlako shrugged, the powdery sugar all over his face and shirt.
“Sorry but when you can taste this stuff you never pass it up,” said Tony wiping his own shirt. Bull just laughed.
“Let’s go. We’ve got shit to talk about.”