"You okay, buddy?" Garrett asked softly. Milo nodded slowly. "Yeah, Dad. I'm okay." "Come on. Let’s go get that ice cream. You earned it today."
Garrett offered his hand. Milo took it, and together, the father and son walked out of the Keller Combat Academy. Behind them, the gym remained frozen in shock. Bryce Keller’s career, his brand, and his ego had been dismantled in under sixty seconds, broadcast live to the world.
As they walked to the battered pickup truck under the cool night sky, Milo looked up at his father. "Dad?" "Yeah, Milo?" "Can you teach me how to do that? Not the fighting part... but the part where you weren't afraid?"
Garrett smiled, a genuine, warm smile that reached his tired eyes. He ruffled his son’s hair. "Yeah, kiddo. I can teach you that. It starts with knowing you never have to prove anything to anyone."
They drove off into the night, leaving the noise, the cameras, and the arrogance behind. Garrett Danner was just a quiet man who worked nights at a freight distribution center. And that was exactly how he liked it.