Page 60 of Bruised Hearts

“Me too. That strong hoe was beating my ass, but your son.” I looked over at Landon who was arguing with Milo. “Your son came and gave me hope.”

“Yeah, that nigga sprung. You gotta see the interview when they told him you were losing. Nigga slid across that floor so fast.” Nana walked up talking shit causing us all to laugh.

“Aight, I’m ready for this fish and spaghetti. Can we go eat?” Landon walked up, and everyone agreed. As they walked to the dining area, Landon grabbed me from behind and kissed me on the neck.

“You stay with me.”

“You really acting like the beds at the hotel are that bad, but yeah, I’ll come back with you tonight.” He kissed me again before turning me toward him.

“Naw, I mean for good. Come home, Ariyah.” My eyes got wide as hell.

“You sure? I don’t mind enjoying the ride. We’re good.”

“Yeah, but we can be great. Instead of enjoying the ride, we can ride that bitch to the end. Together!” Hugging him, this time I let the tears fall.

“Okay.”

Gotta keep going in my brain, but in my heart, I’m feeling pain. Beefing with depression, wish I had someone to blame. I follow your every move, go on and lead the way. If it weren’t for fat and pain, nigga, I’d follow you to the grave.

- Rod Wave

Round 12 Breaker vs Danger

35- Landon “Breaker” Mercer

Sitting in the locker room, I was getting my hands taped up. Everyone kept walking over to me asking me if I was good, but this was the calmest I’ve ever been. The whole world was worried about how I would counter against Danger’s strength. Especially with the way that I was known to fight, but I wasn’t that fighter no more. I wasn’t healed from the shit Raymond did to me, but I no longer gave him that power over me. I didn’t need to see his face to know it was time to swing back anymore.

I created Breaker to break shit when Landon couldn’t. Going in this ring, that was exactly what I would do. They tried to play on Landon’s feelings, played with his girl, and thought they could do all of this in the public. So, I only had one choice. Destroy that nigga in the public. Shit was simple math to me. Pops walked in and looked at me for a moment. When he walked over to me, he sat down.

“Damn!” was all he said causing me to look at him.

“What?” I hoped he wasn’t about to start that doubt shit. He could do that anywhere else, but not here.

“You really are ready.” I should have known. Pops could always read me and that’s something I appreciated because he always knew what to say.

“I been telling your ass that.”

“Well then. It’s no need for me to give you a motivational speech. I can go back out here with your mama and them. I’ll see you out there, son.” He stood to walk out, but I stopped him.

“Hey, I want you to walk out with me.” He turned and looked at me confused.

“You know, people usually come out with celebrities and shit. You sure you want your old man to come out with you?” I looked at him and laughed.

“Nigga, you are Devin “The Mercernary” Mercer. Who bigger than you?” This old mufucka popped his collar.

“You damn sure right.” He sat back down and watched the TV while they put my gloves on, and I got robed. The way Pops paid me no mind, I knew his soul was finally at peace. That nigga would have been giving me long speeches and shit if he was worried.

“It’s time.” We all stood as I bounced around and swung at the air. I knew that meant get ready, not actually let’s go. Danger had to walk out first, since I was defending champ.

“Pops, can I ask you something?” He looked at me like I was crazy.

“Nigga, you about to go fight and you want to have a one on one?”

“Yeah. Are you really good with Ariyah?” His face turned up before he smiled at me.

“Son, you don’t need my permission to marry her. If that’s what you feel is right, then follow your heart. Just make sure it’s what you want to do.”

“You always think you know me.”