Page 59 of Bruised Hearts

“You were supposed to take me shopping. I don’t particularly like liars. Mommy used to be a liar, but daddy forgave her.”

“Mila, don’t talk about your mama that way. Hey, Ariyah.” Devin spoke, but I was still side eyeing him. Walking over to him, I looked at him in the face.

“Devin, we good?” Leaning back, he laughed good and hard. Grabbing me, he pulled me in for a hug.

“Yeah, we good.”

“Do I have your permission to exchange numbers with Mila? I would like to keep my word and take her shopping. If that’s okay with you.”

“Yeah, but take Landon with you.”

“You don’t trust me with her? I promise I will-…” He threw his hand up to stop me.

“It’s not that. One, you can use Landon’s money, and I can keep mine to myself. Two, if she happens to have an episode, he can help. When I said we good, we’re good.”

“Thank you.” He looked over at Landon, and then back to me.

“How is he?” I laughed at him before answering.

“You scared to ask him, huh?”

“Hell yeah! Did you see how that nigga went off last time? I ain’t got time to be thrown out my own house.” We both laughed at that.

“Landon’s fine. He seems, different. When you don’t have him, don’t worry, I got him. Landon is lucky. He has a lot of people in his corner.” I looked away, but Devin reached out and turned me back toward him.

“You do too. Family isn’t always blood. Me and Landon are testament of that. If you need anything, we got you.” Wiping my eyes hard, I tried my best to stop the tears from falling. Not able to say anything, I just nodded.

“Bring yall ugly asses on. Every time we get together yall wanna go balls deep in a conversation. Shut it the fuck up.” I looked at Adrienne and fell out laughing.

“Adrienne, that is not what that mean. Please don’t say that no more.”

“Chile, and don’t call me that no more. I’m Nana, now bring your ass over here and show me how to walk my ass.”

“You know what, I’m going to check on Blaise and see if he needs any help.” Devin walked off, but I went over to Nana to see what she meant.

“You mean like this?” I did a move that had my ass and hips going up and down real fast without me moving.

“Yesss, now show me how to do it.” Me and Nana were laughing hard as I kept trying show her, and even Mila came over to join us. I glanced over at Landon, and he was watching us with a smile on his face.

“Mannn, you a hater. Why nobody told me my girl was here.” Milo mugged Landon as he walked over to me and hugged me. Taking off his hoodie, he wrapped it around my waist.

“What you doing lil nigga?”

“Trying to hide my girl’s ass. I see you looking.”

“Hey, watch your mouth,” Landon snapped. I was outdone with all of it.

“Everybody, yall can come eat. Where’s Mela?”

“Still sleeping,” Milo answered Blaise.

“I’ll go get her up. Ariyah, oh my God. I’m so glad you came back and didn’t let these strong headed negroes run you away. Before you leave, give me your number. Mila has been asking about you damn near every day.”

“Will do, and they can’t get rid of me that easily.”

“Good. I like you for him. Oh, and congrats on your fight. I don’t know if he told you, but we had a party for you as well. We were cheering you on.” That shit made my heart smile.

“Yeah, for a while I thought you was going to make me lose my money.” Devin walked up behind Blaise and hugged her.