Page 31 of Bruised Hearts

“You really in your fucking feelings because I got a girl? Me being with Ariyah is not distracting me.”

“That’s enough!” Me and Pops were now in a stare off, neither of us listening to Moms.

“If you don’t get your shit together, this fight is not going to go the way you want it to.” I was ready to counter whatever he had to say, but that. My mouth opened and closed as I stared at him in disbelief. After I fully processed what he said, I spoke.

“You don’t think I can beat him.”

“Son, I didn’t say that.” Pops tried to grab me, but I pulled away and walked out the door. I could take a lot of things, but him not believing in me wasn’t one. When we talked at the restaurant I gave him the benefit of the doubt. He said he didn’t mean it, so I accepted it. Hearing him say it again, solidified it for me, and that broke me. Ever since he came into my life, I had this belief that I could do anything. I knew Pops would back me and push me right to the top. Fighting back my anger, I jumped in the car and sent a text to Ariyah.

ME: You busy?

MY AIR: No. You okay?

ME: Meet me at the gym.

MY AIR: On the way.

Leaning my head back against the seat, I closed my eyes. Too much was happening and I didn’t know how much more I could take. Right now, I just wanted to breathe. I needed my air.

“Where to Boss man?”

“The gym.”

I wanna know what you thinking bout. Wanna know what you be about. Wanna know how it feels inside. Wanna be all up in ya mind. Wanna spend all my time with you. Wanna know if you feel it too. Babygirl wanna make you my boo. Shawty you look so fine. Shawty if you were mine; I swear to God I will make it right. Shawty come here to me, and I will be faithful to you baby. Shawty you’re all I need. Shawty the time is right. Shawty I’ll take my time.

- 3 Piece

ROUND 6 ARIYAH VS RECIPROCITY

19- Landon “Breaker” Mercer

Punching the bag, I tried my best to clear my head, but my thoughts were running rampant. I was swinging as if I was trying to prove a point, but the only people in here hadn’t even looked my way. They were in their own world, probably fighting some demons of their own. I don’t know how long I was swinging when Ariyah walked in, but I could feel her watching me.

“What’s going on, Landon?” I didn’t respond right away, so she walked over to me and held the bag. Not wanting to hurt her, I stopped swinging.

“Pops ass.” She nodded waiting for me to finish. Taking a seat on the edge of the ring, I explained the best way I could. “He said he doesn’t believe in me. Mufucka think I’m not going to win.” She waited a while before she responded.

“Did he say that?”

“In so many words.”

“Humor me. Tell me exactly what Devin said.” I looked at her like she was crazy.

“I just told you what he said.”

“No, you just told me how you perceived it. Landon, I’m not against you. I just want to hear his exact words.” Thinking over the conversation me and Pops had, I tried to remember everything.

“He said I never listen. He didn’t want me to take the fight, and he didn’t want me to get a girl. Nigga said I never make the right decisions, and if I don’t get my shit together, it’s not going to go the way I want.” I could see her trying to process what I said before responding.

“I don’t think he doubts you, I think he’s scared for you.”

“That’s the same damn thing, Ariyah.”

“Landon, that man don’t think you can’t win. Devin is scared that something might happen to stop you from winning. In his mind, that something is me. He loves you, and he’s scared. Boxing is not an easy sport to stand behind. He has to watch you get hit, beat on, and can’t do anything but take it. Why do you think he hit Raymond?” My head snapped up, and it was like a lightbulb went off.

“Because he hated how he wasn’t able to be there to save me from him.”

“Exactly, but he can be there now. When you fight, you go rounds allowing them to beat you down before you rise from the ashes. Just like it takes you back to your past, it takes him back too. He’s not saying you can’t win. Your dad is saying, nigga, do everything you can to beat that mufucka.”