Page 32 of Bruised Hearts

“Which means walk away from you.”

“Are you going to do that?” I looked at her like she was crazy.

“Hell naw.”

“Okay then. It’s no reason to be upset with him. You’re going to do what you want anyway, and you know your dad wants what’s best for you as always. Parents are supposed to protect you, be grateful yours love you enough to try.” I could see she was about to go into a dark place and I didn’t want that. I didn’t need my shit becoming hers every time I go through something.

“There you go again.”

“What?”

“You can see everybody else shit but yours. I’m not calling your ass no more when I want to be right.” She smiled big as hell.

“So, you’re saying I was right?”

“Nope, I’m saying I was wrong.” We both fell out laughing causing her to swing on me. “Aight now, the last time you put your hands on me I beat that ass.”

“That was the old me. I’ve been getting trained by the heavyweight champ. I might just whoop your ass this time.” The spark in her eyes had me in a fucking daze. She had no idea how beautiful she was. Reaching up, I rubbed her scar when she slapped my hand away. “Aht aht. Don’t be trying to get out of this ass whooping.”

“Keep on, you gone get what you looking for.”

“What you saying?” Smirking, I climbed in the ring and held the rope open for her. She gave me a look as if she was shocked I was challenging her before climbing in.

“Care to make a bet?”

“Nigga, you ain’t pay the last time you lost. I ended up coming out of pocket.” She shrugged her shoulders laughing. Grabbing her to me, I placed a kiss on her lips. “What’s the wager?”

“If I win, you have to take me on a date.”

“Girl, you don’t need a bet for me to take you out.”

“Not just any date. I want you to take me out as Landon. Not Breaker, the heavyweight champ. No security, and no glamor. Just two regular people, going to a regular place. You can’t use your influence to buy the place out. None of that.”

“You want me to give all this up? Fuck it. I renounce my throne. Do you hear me, I renounce my throne.” She laughed hard at my reference to Coming to America.

“Naw. It’s just easier to see a person’s true intentions when they don’t have millions of dollars influencing everybody. You would have to actually put in work.” I nodded before smiling.

“Bet.”

“So, what do you want if you win?”

“I’ll let you know when I do.” Pushing me away from her, she got in her stance. I must say, she did look better already. Not bothering to get in mine, I swung out at her with my open hand. Ariyah dodged it with ease. She didn’t crack a smile; face was focused like a mufucka. I was jogging around, when she caught me with a jab.

“Keep on thinking it’s sweet, you’re going to lose.” Ignoring her, I swung my arm out again, but this time when she ducked, she came up with an uppercut. Her lil ass was using all her strength, while I was over here playing around. She must really want this date. Knowing I wouldn’t hear the end of it if she won, I got a lil more serious. I couldn’t go at her full on, but I wasn’t about to let her beat my ass. Just as soon as I had the thought, she caught me in the chin.

“Ariyah.” She gave me a body shot before she responded.

“Landon. You calling me like you didn’t know the terms. Fight or concede. Either way, I’m winning.”

“You real cocky for a mufucka that only knows two tricks.” Before she could register what I said, I slapped her with my left before following up with my right. Not giving her time to recover, I threw in a body shot as well.

“Shut the fuck up and fight.” Barely letting her get out the last word, I gave her another body shot. Ariyah got emotional like I knew she would and started swinging out of control. Using my reach, I put my hand against her forehead keeping her from connecting. You could tell she was getting pissed causing me to laugh.

“It’s okay to give up. Nobody is going to think bad about you. I mean, you are fighting the champ.” Out of nowhere, her leg came up and kicked me in the dick. Dropping to my knees, I couldn’t stop the bitch like scream that escaped my lips.

“What was that you were saying?” I was in too much pain to respond, and she knew she had me in a bad place. Her ass gave me a jab that knocked me on my back. Laying there, I listened to her petty ass counting. When she saw me getting up, Ariyah grabbed me by my dick and squeezed it until I caved.

“You won!”