Page 47 of Bruised Hearts

“Landon, of course you are. Daddy raised you, duh!” Mila looked annoyed, but I was about to silence her ass.

“Guess you the other one, cus Pops raised you too.” Once it processed, she looked horrified. “Now, do anybody wanna tell me what the fuck going on?”

“First off, ain’t no dummies in here. Twin, you always starting some shit.” We looked over at Nana, and her ass was knocked out. I mouthed wow, while we all laughed. “Son, we just fucking with you.”

“About what though?”

“I told you that girl was a distraction. You were ready to whoop my ass over her. Wasn’t he, baby?”

“Sholl was, but we were gone jump him. You know I don’t play about you.” They gave each other a few kisses before getting back to the point.

“Then she played you out and went over there to that nigga. You got your helmet head ass on live TV, talking about you good on her. Then the minute you find out she losing, you were sliding out that bitch in them Stacy Adams. Now that got you on all the highlights. They keep showing the interview, then yo slow ass in her corner rubbing her cheeks and shit.”

“Sound like a dummy to me.” Nana conveniently woke back up on that part.

“Sound like you and everybody else in here can kiss my ass.” They all fell out laughing as I walked out the door. I don’t even know why I came over here. Jumping in the car, I sat there fuming. I wasn’t mad at them; I was mad at how transparent my shit was. If somebody asked why I went to the fight, I wouldn’t know how to answer that. I heard she was losing, and my instinct told me to go. Logically, I was right. Emotionally, I was a damn dummy like they said.

“You did the right thing, Boss man.” I looked up at Titan through the rearview mirror.

“Did I? That girl played the fuck out of me. Used me to get ahead, and I just helped her solidify it.”

“Even if that’s true, you don’t think she deserved it?”

“She absolutely did. Her ass just ain’t deserve it from me.”

“Hey, I’m just here so I don’t get fined. I can’t tell you how to feel, I’m just telling you that I don’t think you were wrong for wanting to help her. Who else was going to do it?”

“That’s a question I wish she had asked herself.” He didn’t respond, and I was grateful for that. I didn’t need an Ariyah cheerleader. Grabbing my phone, I scrolled to Tan’s name. I needed an ego boost, and she was the perfect mufucka to do it. She picked up on the first ring.

“What up with you?”

“Really? You got me so fucked up. I can’t believe you really left me.”

“My bad, I didn’t think you would want to go,” I lied hoping she would move on.

“Why wouldn’t I? You know I want to see you in your element.” I damn near hung up on her ass. No matter how many times I told her what this was, she still found a way to try and make us a couple. I just want my dick sucked.

“Let me make it up to you. I’ll stop by your house a lil later. I’m about to swing by the gym, hit the bag for a few, then I’ll come through.”

“That’s how you can make it up to me. Let me come with you.”

“Why?” My facial expression matched my tone.

“Because I’ve never seen you box in person before. I won’t be able to come to the fight unless you take me in with you. That shit sold out the same day.” Hearing that she was implying she wanted me to take her to the fight, I damn near laughed. Swerving that thought, I agreed to her first offer.

“Aight, you can meet me there. I’ll text you the address.” Her ass started screaming and that shit was annoying, so I hung up without even saying bye. Texting her the address, I told Titan where we were headed.

“Yall getting pretty friendly.” I could tell from his tone, Titan wasn’t casually asking. He didn’t like that I was fucking with Tan.

“Nigga please. I’m dealing with shit, need to release, she catches it. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“She seems to think it’s more than that. You might wanna slow up. Her kind never takes it well when you drop they ass.” I thought about what he was saying, and he was right. The reason behind his warning was what I didn’t like. This nigga was acting like I walked away.

“Take your issues up with Ariyah. I didn’t break us, so I’m not about to try and fix it.” When he nodded, I knew I was right. The rest of the ride, we both stayed quiet. He probably didn’t want to push, and my ass didn’t want to hear it. Once we pulled up to the gym, I didn’t want to be bothered with Tan at all. A nigga was too old to be playing games. That, me and Titan could agree on. Yeah, Ariyah fucked my head up, but I didn’t have to play her game. I was about to call her and tell her I was good, but she was already parked waiting for me. When I got out the car, she jumped out fast as fuck. Knowing I needed to deaden this shit with me and her, I tried to renege.

“I don’t know what I was thinking, I really need to lock in. The fight is coming up, and I don’t have time for distractions.” Her face balled up, and I could see she didn’t like what I said.

“Breaker, you’re acting like I’m asking you to take me on a date instead of training. All I wanted was to see you how everyone else gets to see you. That shouldn’t be too much to ask after how you played me.” Reluctantly, I agreed.