Page 42 of Bruised Hearts

“If your wrist fuck up that easily, you shouldn’t be fighting sweetheart.” Hearing him call me that didn’t sizzle well in my spirit. It wasn’t said in a flirtatious way, but it’s like he was patronizing me saying I was too soft. Turning my arm like he stated, I began attacking the bag.

“Yeah, that’s it. Show them who the fuck Nova is.” Hearing the encouragement helped because I really began going to work. I could see the proud look on his face, and that had me putting my guard down some. Maybe this gym wasn’t so bad. Different, but not bad. “Time.” Stopping, I put my hands over my head trying to control my breathing. Vonny grabbed the mitts, and got in his stance.

“I need a quick break.”

“You break when you go home for the night. As long as you’re in this gym, you’re working. Let’s go.” He put the mitts up, so I got in my stance. We started off doing two jab block combos. When it was time for me to duck the swing, he stopped me.

“What’s wrong?” I was in a groove, and thought I was doing great.

“You not going low enough. Who the hell taught you how to duck?”

“Breaker. He said if I go too low-…”

“You’re going to avoid getting hit, unlike him.” Danger had walked up and cut me off. I continued to focus on Vonny. Until he tapped him, and told him to give him the mitts.

“What are you doing?”

“You know what they call a fighter who is not on one accord with their trainers?”

“What?”

“A dead fighter. I know you are used to fighting the way you were taught, but you’re not there anymore. You have to align with your new trainers or don’t even go in the ring.”

“It’s only the first session.”

“And you’re a month away. This shit ain’t no fucking game. Yeah, boxing is a sport, but it can end your fucking life. Whatever bullshit you got going on, leave that shit at the door, or don’t walk through it.” Not giving him any warning, I swung at the mitt knocking him back a step. “Oh, you’re mad huh?” The harder I hit, the more he picked up speed. He thought he was backing me into a corner, but I wasn’t the weak bitch they thought I was. Yeah, Breaker got me the fight, but I earned it.

“Time.” Vonny yelled, so I walked off with my hands above my head. I knew I didn’t have long, so I tried to control my breathing faster than last time.

“You got some fight in you. How did you learn to hit that hard with the speed matched?” Smirking, I looked him dead in his face.

“Breaker taught me.” I wanted to tell him it was the most worked on technique with Landon and Swift to defeat Danger, but I kept that to myself.

“You sholl keep saying that nigga name a lot.” I shrugged my shoulders and got back in my stance.

“You asked. Besides, it’s the truth. He was my trainer-…”

“Then take your ass back over there! You think you gone keep disrespecting me in my shit. I let it slide the first few times I heard you say it, but I’m done playing nice. Realize where the fuck you at, or take your miserable ass back where you obviously want to be.” Swallowing the anger that was trying to come bursting through my mouth, I let it out in a punch. This psycho nigga smirked and increased his speed.

“If this all you got to show me, I’m not impressed. Throw something else at me, or give the mitts back to Vonny.” This time, he laughed and started throwing crazy combinations at me. Not only did I surprise him that I was keeping up, I surprised myself.

25- Landon “Breaker” Mercer

POPS: Check out this video

ME: What is it?

POPS: Just watch the shit! Damn

Opening the video, I saw Danger and immediately got annoyed. Me and Pops still weren’t seeing eye to eye, and this shit wasn’t making it no better. If this nigga sent me a video of Danger talking about how he was going to win against me, I was about to let his ass have it. I pressed play as I continued to get dressed.

“How are you finding time to train someone else, while you’re preparing for the biggest fight of your life?”

“Because some people are worth hitting pause for. Nova is something special. She’s going to show the world how she deserves to be here. I’mma make sure of it.” Danger’s answer caught my attention, so I picked the phone back up and was now watching intently.

“Ohhh, there was a lil spark there when you spoke on her. Is there something there? Has Danger finally been taken off the market?”

“Me and Nova are complicated, but I will say we’re spending all of our time together.” This nigga was smiling hard as fuck.