Page 27 of Bruised Hearts

“Oh, shit. That’s Breaker,” a lil jit tried to whisper. Knowing I was spotted as well, I lined my shot up perfectly before dropping down a three.

“Dammnnnnn, Mercenary, I know you not gone take that shit,” someone from the crowd was talking shit. It worked too because Pops moved in to stick defense. I went to drive to the basket, but he snatched that mufucka right out my hands. He didn’t even try to dribble it out. Pops pulled back and dropped it in.

“Ohhhhhh!!!” They yelled from the crowd causing me to look over. Exactly what I didn’t want, was happening. They lil bad asses was recording me getting my ass whooped. I couldn’t do shit but laugh.

The rest of the game pretty much went like that. Pops getting off, everybody talking shit, and my getting my ass handed to me. I managed to get one more shot, so I didn’t get completely embarrassed. As soon as Titan called game, the lil jits rushed the court. I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face. Sometimes in this life, you get caught up in the glamor and forget why you’re doing this. It’s moments like this that makes everything I’ve been through in this sport worth it.

“Breaker, can I get a picture.” Titan was trying to keep them at bay, but I motioned for him to let them through.

“Don’t be putting a caption saying you took this after I got my ass whooped.” His smile was so big, I couldn’t do shit but smile with him.

“Naw man. I won’t do that, but he did whoop your ass though.” I mushed him in the head before I pulled him in to take the pic. A few more came over, so I took pics with them as well. We took a few with me and Pops both in the pic, and now it was time for us to get up out of there before the crowd got too big. I noticed one kid sitting on the bench, and he never came over. Walking over to him, I sat down beside him.

“You good lil homie?”

“Yup.” Thinking about my past and how I had nobody to talk to before I met Pops, I thought that might be his issue.

“I know how it feels to keep shit bottled up, it ain’t healthy. Find you somebody to let that shit out.”

“You don’t have to come over here and pretend to give a fuck. I’m not like them other mufuckas acting like a groupie. I’m good.” His mouth sounded worse than mine at that age. Laughing, I nodded trying to find the right words to say.

“It don’t make you a groupie because you want to meet someone you look up to.”

“You come over here for thirty minutes, and we supposed to kiss your ass. Then you leave and go back home to your mansion.” Oh, this lil nigga was definitely me at his age.

“I’m definitely going home to that mufucka, and I’m going to sleep like a baby. You know why?” His eyes got big as if he was shocked I said that.

“Why?”

“Because I worked hard to get there. To leave here. That’s the goal. It’s not a flex to be in the hood. Yeah, you can’t forget where you come from, but I’m not ashamed I made it out. I’m grateful I had a nigga like my Pops to make that happen.”

“I get that. What I don’t understand is why you never give back.” I thought back to when Pops used to take me to visit the homes. The media had no idea he was doing that and he wanted it that way. He used to take me because he wanted me to carry on the tradition when he couldn’t.

“I do, I just don’t do it for the spotlight, but you’re right. I can do a lot more. I was raised that way, and somehow, I forgot. So, tell me, what’s a good place that can use my help?” His eyes lit up and I was glad I came over.

“We’re having a career day at our boys and girls club. I didn’t have anybody to bring because my whole family are hustlers. Would you come for me?”

“Say less. Take my number, and send me the details.” His hands shook as he grabbed my phone and stored his number in before calling himself from it. I looked at his name and laughed.

“What’s funny? If you playing you can keep that flawed shit. I won’t be mad.” Shaking my head, I stood up.

“I’m laughing because your name is Jr. That’s what Pop’s mama used to call me when he mentored me. Could be a sign.”

“Or it could be I’m just named after my daddy. Quit trying to make shit deep.” We both fell out laughing, as I dapped him up.

“You got that. I’ll see you soon.” Seeing some more people headed our way, I motioned for Titan to get me out of there. I didn’t mind being with the people, but a nigga wasn’t dumb. The way Pops was moving out behind me, I knew he felt the same.

17- Devin Mercer

Putting on my AP, I was done getting dressed. Looking over at Blaise, I shook my head. She was still walking around in a towel. Grabbing my phone, I decided to scroll Tik Tok while I waited. Seeing a video captioned “The Mercenary still got it.” I clicked on it and smiled immediately. Somebody posted footage of me fucking Landon up. I couldn’t wait to show his ass. Standing up, I went downstairs. Maybe that would make Blaise’s ass put a rush on it.

“I wanna know why I can’t go? You got me stuck babysitting when I can be at the interview finding me a man.” Moms was complaining, but her ass the one offered to come over.

“You do know it’s in the hood, right?”

“So, give me some of that thuggggg passion, babyyyy!!” She was singing while doing some dance in her seat causing me to roll my eyes. Looking at the time, I shook my head. Landon would be pulling up soon, and Blaise had yet to come down.

“Twin, can you-…” Looking at her, my mouth dropped. This mufucka’s head had fallen over and she was knocked out sleep.