“Now it’s just two people having fun.”

Evelyn looked at the belt.

Then at him.

“You think that’s what the belt was doing wrong?”

Silence.

Martin started walking toward them.

“Brandon.”

Brandon looked over.

“What?”

“Enough.”

Brandon laughed.

“Coach, relax.”

“I am relaxed.”

Martin pointed toward the mat.

“Get back to the scheduled demonstration.”

Brandon looked toward Evelyn.

“She said she trained.”

Martin’s eyes shifted to her.

Evelyn gave him nothing.

Brandon continued:

“I’m offering a light round.”

“She said no.”

“Yes.”

Martin stared.

Brandon’s face tightened.

“But—”

“No but.”

Martin walked closer.

“She said no.”

“That’s the end.”

For a second, Brandon felt twelve years old.

That made him angry.

He hated being corrected in front of students.

Especially by Martin.

Especially now.

He laughed.

“Everyone’s acting like I’m trying to beat up the janitor.”

Evelyn’s expression changed.

Very slightly.

Martin heard it too.

“The janitor?”

Brandon realized too late.

“I mean…”

Evelyn spoke.

“No.”

She looked at Martin.