"No."

"But you're thinking about it."

Martin looked toward the heavy bag.

"Thinking isn't fighting."

Across the gym, Tyler had been watching.

He couldn't hear everything.

But he had seen Eddie talking privately with Martin.

And Tyler hated secrets.

Especially secrets that made other people respect someone else.

============================================================
CHAPTER 5

The pressure finally broke one Thursday night.

The gym was nearly empty.

Tyler found Martin in the equipment room.

The older man was organizing towels.

Tyler closed the door behind him.

Martin glanced over.

"Need something?"

Tyler laughed.

"You know what your problem is, old man?"

Martin continued folding the towels.

"You think you matter."

Martin didn't respond.

"You think cleaning up after real athletes makes you important."

Still nothing.

Tyler stepped closer.

"Some people are born to serve."

He pointed at himself.

"Others are born to dominate."

He leaned toward Martin.

"Guess which one you are."

Martin's hands stopped.

For the first time, Tyler noticed something strange.

Martin's feet had shifted.

Perfectly balanced.

His weight centered.

His shoulders relaxed.

His hands positioned naturally.

Tyler frowned.

"What are you doing?"

Martin slowly looked up.

"Nothing."

"You think you're tough?"

"No."

"Then stand like a man."

Martin stared at him.

"I've spent my whole life learning when to stand."

Tyler shoved him.

It was supposed to be another humiliation.

Instead, Martin barely moved.

Tyler's eyes widened.

The door opened.

Eddie stood there.

"That's enough."

Tyler turned.

"This doesn't concern you."

"It does now."

Tyler laughed.

"You protecting the janitor?"

Eddie's voice hardened.

"No."

"I'm protecting you from doing something you'll regret."

Tyler scoffed and left.

But the damage was done.

The next morning, Tyler uploaded a video.

The caption read:

"Old man thinks he's a fighter. Let's see what happens when he steps into my world."

The video exploded.

Within hours, thousands of people had watched it.

Comments flooded in.

Some mocked Martin.

Others demanded a fight.