Chapter 32

  It’s closing time at Kings Dojo, the family-owned gym run by Javier’s family.. The large, central boxing ring dominates the room, surrounded by smaller training stations along the walls. Training mats are spread out neatly across the floor – a testament to the dojo’s growing popularity.

  The last few students trickle out of the dojo, their laughter echoing faintly as they head home.

  “Make sure to practice that foot placement we talked about!” Sasha King calls out from the front door, waving to the departing group.

  “Why are you yelling?” Javier asks, glancing at his sister while he rolls up a training mat.

  “Shut it.” Sasha retorts, without missing a beat.

  She shuts the door with a soft click, locks it, and activates the in-house security system. Through the tinted glass, she watches the students outside – some laughing with friends, others slipping on their headphones. With a sigh, she turns back toward the gym, only to find Javier steadily rolling up the remaining mats.

  “This season’s students seem lively.” Javier says, his tone light.

  “Yeah, they’re a sweet bunch. Well, most of them,” Sasha replies, leaning against the door frame. “Except Ralph. He’s more interested in being the class clown. Which is wild because, when we start sparring, he picks everything up faster than anyone else.. What does that even say? My best student is the class clown?”

  “That you suck at this, and you're old.” Javier teases, smirking.

  “I’m not old you little brat!” Sasha snaps, grinning as she lunges towards him. In one swift motion, she locks his ankles in a Kurt Angle-styled leg lock.

  “Okay, okay! I tap out!” Javier laughs, tapping the mat.

  Satisfied, Sasha releases him, and the two siblings settle onto the floor of the empty gym. Sasha pulls out her phone, lowering the volume of the gym’s playlist. Javier watches his sister closely.

  Years of martial arts had taught him how to read body language – a skill that was only enhanced by growing up with Sasha. He knew the subtle shifts in her demeanor, the way she fidgeted when something was on her mind.

  “What’s on your mind?” Javier asks, breaking the silence.

  Sasha jolts slightly, her thoughts interrupted. She looks at her brother and frowns when she catches him staring directly at her. It was almost impossible to hide anything from him – her first-ever student.

  “We’re getting closer to summer, you know.” Sasha says, trying to sound casual.

  Javier’s inner thoughts: Sasha hates small talk, especially when it comes to talking about the weather. She knows I know this about her, so why waste time like this? Unless… She's thinking about something that could affect me. Sasha doesn’t usually try to hide things from me unless - unless it’s Christmas presents or…

  “What’s really bothering you estúpido?” Javier asks.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Sasha leans back, staring at the ceiling as if searching for the right words.

  “Well… Dad called me the other day.” She finally reveals.

  “So?” Javier immediately responds, his brow furrowing.

  “He’s planning to stop by and check on the gym.” Sasha says, her voice carefully neutral

  Javier’s eyes go wide, the words hitting him like a punch to the gut. The last time he saw their father was almost 2 years ago - two long years of missed family time, canceled visits, and unacknowledged holidays.

  “That man doesn’t show his face around here for two years, and now he wants to come check on the gym?! Not on his kids – the ones keeping this place running without him?!” Javier’s voice rises, his frustration spilling over..

  “Javier.” Sasha says, her voice firm. She knows it’s useless trying to soothe him when it comes to their father.

  “No, Sasha! That man is a fucking bum!” Javier snaps.

  “How can he be a bum when he’s running a successful multi-state gym business?” Sasha counters, crossing her arms.

  “Not that type of bum, you know it!” Javier says, his voice lace with anger. “Why did he even bother having kids if he doesn’t give a damn about us?!”

  “He does care,” Sasha says softly. “In his own way.”

  “His way?” Javier repeats, scoffing. How about showing love the normal way? I’m glad he’s living his dream, but you telling me that his own kids don’t fit in that dream?”

  “It’s complicated, Javi,” Sasha explains, her tone tinged with exhaustion. “Mom’s death was hard on him. He didn’t know how to heal properly after that. It hit all of us pretty hard.”

  “Why do you always defend him?” Javier asks, his voice quieter now but no less cutting. “He cant even bother to show up and defend himself?”

  “I don’t always defend him!” Sasha snaps back, her frustration bubbling to the surface.

  “Sure, you do sis. Every time he visits, you bend over backwards to make things easier for him,” Javier says, his words coming out sharper than he intended.

  When Javier says this, he can see a reaction on Sasha’s face that shakes him to the core. It looked as if a wave of sadness washed over her. Although Javier wasn’t angry at her, he felt an overwhelming sense of guilt, followed by the need to change the subject. It’s true that Javier was only a child when his mom passed so while he felt a certain level of sadness, he recognizes that his sister and father had a completely different dynamic before he came into the picture. Although that didn’t create a feeling of tolerance for Javier toward his father. To him, his father was nothing more than a dead beat. (Sasha’s face changes instantly, a wave of sadness washing over her. Javier’s anger melts into guilt as he sees the hurt in her expression. Despite his frustration with their father, he never meant to direct his anger at Sasha)

  “I’m sorry sis,” Javier says softly, his shoulders slumping. “I didn’t mean to take it out on you. That man just… gets under my skin.”

  “I know he does,” Sasha replies, her voice gentle “That’s why I was hesitant to tell you . But I realize now that I shouldn’t keep it from you, even if you hate him. He’s your farther too.”

  “I haven’t thought of that man as my father in a long time,” Javier admits, his voice heavy with emotion.. “But for your sake, I’ll be cordial when he does decide to show his face again.”

  “Thank you, bro.” Sasha says, her voice soft but grateful.

  Javier pushes himself to his feet, and extends his hand out for his sister.

  “Come on. We still need to finish cleaning this place up,” he says with a small smile.

  “Now you’re starting to soundlike the future owner of this place.” Sasha teases, taking his hand and standing up.

  “Yeah, no way. I can’t see this place running without you.” Javier replies, shaking his head.

  “What are you going to do when I retire, then?” Sasha asks with a smirk.

  “Burn it down and collect the insurance,” Javier deadpans.

  Sasha laughs and playfully slaps his shoulder.

  “Ow! I was kidding, hermana!” Javier says, rubbing his arm with exaggerated pout.

  “I know, tonto,” Sasha replies, smiling warmly at her younger brother.