Page 48 of Bruised Hearts

“Aight. You can come in for a lil bit, but once my trainer gets here, you gotta get up out of here and let me work.” Her ass looped her arm in mine as we walked inside.

“It looks different than what I expected.” I ignored her as I pulled away to go to the locker room. It was empty tonight, and that made it worse. It was nothing going on that could draw her attention away from me. Changing my clothes, I got in my zone and headed out. As soon as I walked up, she started in.

“What’s this?”

“A bag.”

“I know it’s a bag; I’m asking what kind.”

“It’s called a heavy bag.” She touched it before walking to the next one.

“So, what is this one called?” I was already annoyed, but now she was getting on my fucking nerves.

“A double end bag,” I said dryly.

“What’s the difference in them?”

“Tan.”

“What? I’m just trying to understand,” she said in a whiny tone.

“For what though? It’s not like your ass going to understand it anyway. You trying to be a boxer?”

“Maybe,” she giggled. “Who knows. If I do, will you train me?” It wasn’t until then that I realized what she was doing. She thought that was the only connection me and Ariyah had, so she wanted the same connection.

“I told you why I was coming here. If you gone ask all these dumb ass questions, your ass gone have to get up out of here.” She smacked her lips, but I could tell she paid no mind to what I just said. I should have taken my ass home.

29- Ariyah “Nova” Stevens

By the time I made it to the back, I was running off pure adrenaline. My body was fucked up, and that was me putting it nicely. My wrist was wrapped, but it probably needed to be in a cast. My left eye had given up on life, and my lungs were screaming take me to the king, but still, I couldn’t stop smiling. I had won my first professional fight, and it was by knockout. There was nothing higher than me right now. I just wished I could celebrate properly. I couldn’t wait to get my ass somewhere and lay down. Sitting for a while required muscles I no longer had access to.

“Hey, gorgeous. You wanna hit the club, and finish with a nightcap at my spot?” I looked at Danger trying to see if he was serious. When I saw that he was, I fell out laughing.

“Nigga, please! I’m good on that.” I noticed he looked at the reporters and then proceeded to grab my hand. Back when I first heard his interview, I told Stone I didn’t like what he was implying. He assured me it was just to get the people talking, and it made for a good fight. I wasn’t about to willingly participate in his shenanigans. Snatching away, I spoke loud enough for anyone listening to hear. “Danger, there will never be an us. Get that shit through your head. Enjoy your night.” He looked pissed, but I didn’t give a fuck. I walked off, and they followed behind me. Now that this was over, I was going to find my own gym. Away from Landon, and away from Danger. I needed to focus, and that was the only way I knew how.

“I thought all that shit you was doing was supposed to fuck with his head. Why the hell is he still showing up?” Hearing Stone say that to Danger, I slowed, trying to process it. Who were they talking about? Landon?

“Nigga, I’m doing my part.” By this time, I had completely turned and tuned in to their conversation. “Maybe you need to be questioning her ass on why the fuck he was here.” Danger nodded towards me alerting Stone that I was listening. He looked at me with a fake smile on his face.

“You ready?” I nodded acting as if nothing was wrong, just to get him alone. Him and Danger dapped up, and we made our way outside.

“What was that all about?” This nigga looked at me as if he didn’t know what I was talking about.

“What?”

“You and Stone. You said something about him fucking with his head. Who?”

“Breaker’s.” I was shocked he admitted it so easily.

“So, what? You and Danger in some type of dick swinging contest with Landon?” Stone sighed as if he was irritated.

“Ariyah, this does not concern you. All you need to worry about is who you want to fight next.” Agent Stone was back.

“Oh, it definitely concerns me. I asked you about the comments he made referencing me, and you told me it was how the shit went. Now, I want answers. Why are you discussing Landon with Danger?”

“Because his plan is not working. If it was, there was no way he would have come to that fight to help you.” Now I was confused.

“What plan?”