“And Mr. Fancy here wants his protein style,” Coach chuckles, already pulling out his wallet. I reach for mine, but he waves me off with his signature scowl that’s actually a smile. “Put it away before I make you do extra drills. You two will always be my kids, even if one of you is turning into a big-shot movie star. Now go find us a seat.”
As Coach stands in line, Em slides into one of the plastic red booths.
“Hold on, I need to grab something from my car.” I head outside and retrieve her gift from the back seat, opting to leave the saber back there. What is it they always say?Don’t bring a fencing sword to a fast-casual burger joint.
When I return, I sit across from her, handing her the box. “Here. For dominating the tournament like the champion you are.”
Em’s eyes narrow suspiciously, but her lips twitch upward. “What did you do?”
“Just open it before I change my mind and keep it for myself.”
She lifts out the competition uniform. Her face betrays nothing at first, maintaining that blankness that’s particular to teenagers who’ve learned too early to guard their emotions. “New saber in my car too. Didn’t want to get arrested for bringing a sword inside.”
“I can’t—this is too—” she stutters, shutting the box and letting her hair fall into her face.
“You can, and you will,” I cut in. “Champions deserve champion-level gear, not hand-me-downs.”
She runs her fingers over the collar. “Thanks, Coach.”
She freezes, the word hanging between us.
Coach.
“Forget I said anything.”
“You called me Coach.”
“Stop it. Your face is getting all mushy.” She rolls her eyes. “I can’t be seen with you when you’re being sentimental.”
“Show some respect to your elders. Or I’ll pull a page out of Lev’s playbook and make you do footwork drills until your legs fall off.”
Coach returns, sliding red trays filled with burgers and fries in front of us.
Delight settles in my chest—right before Em ruins it by grabbing a fry and chucking it at my head. Coach rolls his eyes and ignores us, too busy inhaling his 4x4.
“You know, you’re a spitting image of my sister, Frankie. She’s a pain in the ass, like you,” I laugh, picking up my burger.
“I didn’t think anyone actually ordered that.” She eyes my lettuce-wrapped beef.
“You don’t get muscles like mine without some vegetables.” She snorts, already halfway through her burger. “You keep winning tournaments like this, you may have scouts looking at you next spring,” I say.
“I’m leaning towards Princeton.”
“Smart kid.”
“Are you sure you’ll have time to write me a letter of rec? Or are you and Hollywood gonna be too busy being all famous and stuff?”
That’s what she calls Reese.Hollywood.
Being back on set feels different now than it did before Felix quit. Reese and I train together and sneak back and forth between each other’s cabins after wrap.
Neither of us asks to stay the night. Probably safer that way.
The intimacy between us is new. Not only for me, but for her as well. I cook while she works the knots from my shoulders. It’s domestic. Maybe pedestrian, but it’s growing on me.
Knowing she’s there. When my thoughts get dark, when I’d seek other vices in the past, I can just fucking be with her.
“She actually picked out the saber in my car for you. Wants a photo of you with it.”
