Page 25 of Bruised Hearts

“I ummm. We need your help.” I should have fucking known.

“How much?” His eyes got big as if he didn’t expect me to say that.

“About twenty thousand. That’s all, son.” I looked at him and laughed. I mean I actually laughed hard. He looked at me as if he didn’t understand my reaction.

“What the fuck is funny?”

“You nigga!”

“Landon, I’m serious. I’m in a bad way and I need the money.”

“I know you’re serious, and that’s what make the shit funny.” His face hardened.

“I’m your fucking father!”

“No, you’re Raymond. Devin is my father. If that’s all you wanted, we’re done here.” I was still laughing to myself when I moved to get ready and leave.

“You owe me!” The laughing stopped. I tried to process what I just heard, but I knew I had to be wrong.

“What the fuck you just say to me?”

“I said, you owe me.” He had a smug look on his face, while mine bore disbelief.

“Humor me. What is it that I owe you for, Raymond?”

“I made you who you are. All those ass whoopings pushed you. Now, look. Heavyweight champ, a celebrity. I did that, and you owe me.” I stared at him trying to see if he was serious. This nigga didn’t crack a smile. I couldn’t speak. Not because I was scared, but because something clicked. This nigga really believed that, and now that I’m thinking about it, maybe I did too on some level. Not that I gave him credit, but every time shit got hard my mind went here. When I’m in the ring and I’m against the ropes, I thought about Raymond and what he took me through. I’ve been inadvertently giving him too much power.

It was the reason I created Breaker. Landon was the lil jit that was scared to fight back. Scared to stand against his demons. Breaker was indestructible, fearless, and willing to look anybody in the eye who say they want it with me. Until this moment. Until Raymond tried to take credit for who I became, I hadn’t realized it was me all along. Raymond taught me how to take a hit, Devin taught me how to fight back, but I taught myself how to fight. A smile crept up my face as I shook my head.

“What?”

“She was right.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Don’t even worry about it.” Looking around the house, the same stuff I saw coming in gave me a different feeling. Same couch, same table, same old nigga sitting in this mufucka. He hadn’t grown, hadn’t changed, he only got older. Raymond was no giant. Just a bum ass nigga asking me for twenty thousand dollars. I started walking to leave again. It was nothing left for me here.

“You wouldn’t be Breaker if it wasn’t for me. You don’t feel you owe me something?”

“You’re right. I wouldn’t be.” I could tell me admitting that shocked him. “But you didn’t make Breaker, I did. You be good my nigga.” I started walking again.

“You’re an ungrateful mufucka,” he threw out at my back. “Maybe I’ll go find that pretty lil thing from last night.” This time, I stopped and turned around. A smile crept up his face. He was trying to push my buttons. “I can make me a new champion. It looks like she can take a hit.” Charging back over to him, I grabbed him up so fast, he didn’t have time to react. Slamming his body hard into the coffee table, I pinned him down. Raymond covered his face when I raised my hand, but something stopped me.

Seeing him scared shifted something in me. My whole life, his voice alone terrified me. This same table he was lying on shaking, I’ve crawled under it to hide from his hits. All my life, this nigga was the monster in my closet that crept out in my dreams, was on the floor, scared of me. I could have ended it all right here, but instead, I lowered my fist. Standing up, I shook my head at him.

“Do it, Landon. Beat on your father.”

“You not worth it.” His ass started laughing like he thought shit was sweet. “Don’t get shit twisted though. I’m only sparing you because you mean absolutely nothing to me, but if you go anywhere near her, I will kill you dead. Bum ass can’t even beg right. Talking about some twenty thousand and I’m worth millions.” No longer waiting around for him to push me past my limit, I walked out. Once I stepped outside, I looked up at the sky and exhaled a breath that felt like I had been holding forever. Sitting down on the porch, I sent Devin a text. Titan walked over to me and looked me over.

“Boss man?”

“I’m good.” This time when I said it, I meant it.

I’m supposed to be the soldier who never blows his composure. Even though I hold the weight of the whole world on my shoulders. I ain’t never supposed to show it; my crew ain’t supposed to know it. Even if it means going toe to toe with a Benzino. It don’t matter. I’d never drag them in battles that I can handle. Unless I absolutely have to. I’m supposed to set an example. I need to be the leader, my crew looks for me to guide them. If some shit ever does pop off, I’m supposed to be beside em.

- Eminem

Round 5 Landon vs Devin