Page 55 of Bruised Hearts

“You think I’m not a good father? Fine, I don’t give a fuck. I’m not your daddy anyway, but don’t sit here like I wasn’t a damn good agent. That’s some ungrateful shit.” Before I could respond, Briana laughed.

“Bitch won one fight, and now she wants everybody to kiss her ass. You don’t need her, Daddy. Let her go.” My head snapped in her direction.

“What the fuck did you just say to me?”

“Ariyah, watch your mouth!” There she was. The mother I knew. “They are only looking out for you. No need to be nasty.” Hearing her say that in this moment, it was as if everything stopped. I had no more fight in me, and I finally understood.

“You have never been my mother.”

“Don’t say that.”

“Why? Because it hurts? What? You gone tell me how you’ve done everything for me too? Funny thing is that’s exactly what you should’ve done. That’s what parents do. You didn’t though. You did everything to make sure he stayed. You were so worried about this nigga leaving you and taking his money, you forgot you had a child.”

“That is not true.” She actually looked offended.

“You made sure I didn’t bother Stone, or that I didn’t make Briana feel unwanted. Made sure I wasn’t too loud. Too angry, but I was. I lost my father and you wanted me to move on like it didn’t bother me. I was a kid, and you all treated me like I was something in the way. This girl lied on me, antagonized me, even took things she thought I could never get back.”

“Ariyah, you were always getting worked up. You know she didn’t mean any of that.”

“Naw, she meant exactly what the fuck she said.”

“Then stop acting childish and let’s get back to business.” Hearing Stone say those words brought it home for me. I looked around at all three of them, and I was tired. No longer angry, and I no longer cared to make this work.

“I spent my whole fucking life trying to figure out what I could do to show you all I was enough. I thought if I stopped getting in trouble, that would work. If I won fights and made more money, somehow, I would be enough. I learned something in that ring though. I am enough, and I’ve been enough. I’m just too much for this fucking family.”

“Ariyah.”

“No, mama. I’m done. No more playing nice. I wanted approval so bad, I let Stone get in my head. I ended up hurting the one person who knew from the beginning that I was more than enough. I’m going to fix it though because I don’t want him going around life feeling like I’ve been feeling. With that being said, you all have a good life. Fuck you!” I pointed at Stone. “Fuck you!” I pointed at my mother. “And damn sure fuck you!” I pointed at Briana. Stone laughed.

“You can say fuck everybody in this house, but as long as you’re under this roof, you gone do what I want you to do.”

“Welp, guess I’m homeless then.” I walked toward the door.

“Might as well, you already look like it.” Stopping, I turned to look at her.

“You’re lucky I’ve learned that I don’t have to fight to prove who I am.” I walked out the door and made it three steps before turning around. Saying fuck it, I went back inside. Before Briana could understand what happened, I drew my hand back and slapped the taste out her mouth.

“Ariyah!” My mother yelled out in defense of her once again.

“What? A lil slap ain’t never hurt nobody.” Smiling, I walked out. I was growing, but I wasn’t there yet. I was still new in my ministry. Getting in the car, I drove towards a hotel to book a room. This had to be what freedom felt like, and it felt good.

I love you, and tonight, I wanna take it real slow. My baby I understand what you told me. As if I didn’t know. I always wanted someone just like you. I really need to hold on. I’d give the world to you oh my darling. You know I will. I surely will. I will never do anything to hurt you. I’ll give all my love to you. And if you need me baby I’ll come running. Only to you.

- Keith Sweat

Round 11 Landon vs Certainty

33- Landon “Breaker” Mercer

Leaving the gym, I had Titan stop and grab me something quick to eat. When we pulled up to the food spot, I thought about Ariyah. We were in a good space, but we weren’t back together. I could tell she was really trying to fix it, but it wasn’t that simple for me. As if she could feel me thinking about her, she texted me.

MYAIR: Wyd?

ME: Nothing Blinky, what’s up?

MYAIR: I’m bored now that I don’t have a fight to train for. You need me to come show you a few moves?

ME: You shouldn’t want to see a fight for a year.