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The wind was a pleasant welcome across your face while walking to the gym this afternoon. Your dad had a pretty well known gym for up and coming fighters and over the years, it became like a second home with how often you were there. Now, as an adult you have no actual obligation to be there, you don’t even have to work but the energy is what keeps you coming back.
And getting to see your best friend.
Will isn’t anywhere to be seen but he is on the schedule today so you keep busy folding sweat towels in a corner when you hear a familiar voice.
“Is that you who smells?”
Turning to see Will and roll your eyes.
“Fuck you. You know the smell of mansweat is my favorite thing ever.”
He laughs and goes in for a hug. He’s still fully dressed and clean so it’s clear that he just got here too.
“You sparring with Manny today?” you ask.
“No, your dad actually.”
The towels no longer a priority, you turn to face him head on. “My dad?”
“Yeah he said Manny’s been taking it easy on me and wants me to be better for Benny.”
You shake your head and pinch the bridge of your nose.
“Shit Will,” you chuckle, “I hope you prepared to get your ass kicked today.”
“I’ll be fine, sweetheart. Have a towel ready for me.”
–
He was not fine.
While you stood off to the side, just outside of the ring, your dad landed the nastiest right hook into Will’s head and if he wasn’t wearing head gear, he totally would have been knocked out. The towel you had brought to wipe sweat from his face was instead being used to wipe the blood that was trickling down into his right eye.
After the match, Will draped his arm over your shoulder and accepted defeat while the two of you disappeared into the locker room.
“Is it too soon to say ‘I told ya so’?”
Will’s bloodshot eyes meet yours and at first you feel bad but then he laughs - catching you off guard.
“Fuck you! I can’t believe your dad let me keep all my teeth”
“Oh I know,” you sit on a bench and leave him leaning against his locker. “Manny didn’t have the same luck as you though.”
Will laughs. “Wait, your old man knocked his front tooth out?”
You scoff. “No, I did. You still think I only come hang out here to look pretty?”
“Why don’t we ever spar?” He asks, wiping at his brow (that’s still bleeding).
“I know my limits, Miller.”
There's a pause.
“You should get that cut checked out by the way or let me... It’s not stopping.”
“Fuck. I know.” He sighs. “Your dad really didn’t fuck around.”
“You took it well though. You know he’s going to bump you up to trainer now right?”
Will looks confused.
“Will… did he hit you that hard?”
He takes a seat next to you, “How do you know that?”
“Damn, he did hit you hard.”
“No shit, now tell me how you know.” Will lightly nudges your arm.
Benny’s loud entrance through the locker room doors interrupts your train of thought and causes the two of you to look up.
“COACH MILLER!” Benny calls out loudly prompting you to laugh in Will’s ear.
“How does everyone know this!?” Will asks again, genuinely confused, to which you finally answer.
“Him knocking you on your ass was your final test, you idiot.”
Will hears you but just looks between you and Benny.
“Ben, I think he’s broken.” you observe, standing next to Benny to look at Will still sitting, befuddled.
“I think so too. Earth to Will!” Benny waves his hand in front of his brother's face. “You can officially train me now. What the hell man…”
“Ben, can you give us a minute?” You gently pat Ben’s shoulder to signal him away.
Benny frowns but nods, leaving the two of you alone again.
Kneeling in front of him to find his eyes, “I thought training Benny was your dream?”
“I never thought…” He sucks in a breath. “I never thought we’d actually get here though.”
Will had told you all about his dream of coaching Benny into the UFC. ‘He’s a one in a million talent.’ He’d say. So when spots opened up to train at your dad’s gym, you made sure to put in a good word for them. Granted, it wasn’t hard.
You and Will have been best friends for years and your dad knew how talented the brothers were but always wanted them to work just as hard as the rest of his clients and trainers.
Will and Benny grew up poor and in low income areas. Fighting, ironically, kept them out of real trouble but they joined the military as soon as each of them turned 18 and you waited for them to come home.
“Are you keeping shit from me now?” trying to lighten the mood a bit since you notice he’s in his head. “Come here so I can patch your cut.”
Will stands with you and follows toward the sinks while you gather first aid for his cut that is still bleeding. Rushing him into speaking his mind has never worked in the past so you move in silence and wait for him to fill you in on his thoughts.
“You and your dad have always given us a home.” Will breathes out.
“Well you were the first boys to ever protect me from bullies, that's why,” you smile, “and you never expected anything more than friendship from me. I, for one, appreciate that!”
That makes him laugh.
“I do love having a sister.”
“And you are the best big brother William. You’ve worked so hard to get here and I know you’re going to train Ben into being one of the best fighters to ever leave this town.”
His smile turns into a wince as you pinch and glue his cut.
“When Benny and I are making millions, you think you’ll still want to help clean up our cuts?”
“Miller, if you two are making millions I better be sittin’ pretty ringside with the rest of your entourage.”
“Fair enough,” he says.
With his cut finally staying closed and a nice clean bandage covering it, you give him a once over as your dad walks in holding a backpack.
“You good Miller? Still got your teeth?” your dad teases.
“All intact and sparkling sir.”
“Good. I wanted to give you this kid.”
Will takes the backpack and looks at you and your dad. “Thank you.”
“Look inside Will!” You urge him.
In the backpack was a planner, keys and a pullover that read ‘Coach Miller’ in the upper left hand corner. Will’s thumb fanned over the embroidery in such a way you could tell he still couldn’t believe his hard work had finally paid off.
“You are officially a trainer and coach here now. The keys obviously get you in and out and the planner is for you to schedule your own clients. Proud of you Miller. The rest of the night is yours.” Your dad is straightforward and pats Will’s shoulder as he leaves. “Go celebrate.”
For the last time tonight, the two of you were alone. “Congrats bro.”
“Thanks sis.” His eyes meet yours. “Really.”
“First round on me tonight, Coach.” tiling your head toward the doors.
“Just one?” Will wraps an arm over your shoulder, leading the way.
“I’m not the one that just got a pay raise. First round only and then I’m back to being your annoying little sister.”
Will’s laughter fills your ears and his body shakes yours.
“We’re the same age.”
“Yeah, but I’m smaller and cuter so…”
Earning yourself an eye roll, he shakes his head, walking the two of you out of the locker room.
He really does love you. His original dream was just to get him and Benny out but now his dream included you too. The sister he never had, his best friend. The three of you had weathered individual storms but together, life was fun and full of potential.
Will couldn’t get rid of you if he tried.