Page 61 of Bruised Hearts

“I do, son. Like I know myself. Now, are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’m just not sure if she’s ready. Her ass a lil flaky. If I ask her and it’s not what she wants, her ass will run. Literally.” We both laughed remembering the night she got the fuck out of there on us.

“She agreed to move in with you. If she wasn’t ready, she wouldn’t have taken that step. I know it hasn’t been that long, but neither of you are the same people you were when you met. That’s what healing looks like.” I nodded my head and thought it over some more.

“Aight, but if I ask her and you see her ass trying to run, put them skips in high gear and catch her ass.”

“I got you son. Now, go whoop that nigga’s ass. She damn sure ain’t gone say yes if you lose.” We laughed and made our way out to the hall. Adrenaline ran through me, as we walked side by side towards the crowd. Once I was at the entrance, they announced me. Rod Wave’s Last Lap played on the speaker as the crowd went crazy. Pulling the hood over my head, I hit my gloves together. It was time.

Every step I take, I can hear you say keep going. Keep going. And it’s hard I know they want me to move on. But I ain’t ready to let go my nigga. I ain’t ready to let go my nigga.

Looking over at Pops, I hoped he knew that he was the reason I always kept going. Out of all the obstacles, pain, nightmares, and people thinking I couldn’t do it. He was always there pushing me. No matter what, he made sure I believed in myself. Whenever I was ready to give up on it all, I always heard his voice. He nodded to me, and we walked towards the ring. The crowd erupted. Cameras was flashing, and I allowed myself to take it all in. This was the first time I made this walk with a different perspective. Once we made it to the ring, Pops hugged me and went to his seat. I looked over at him, Ariyah, Moms, and Nana. They were cheering the loudest, and that’s all I needed.

Climbing in the ring, I walked toward Danger’s corner before going to mine. I was letting him know this was my shit. Taking off my robe, I handed it to Swift. Jimmy began rubbing my arms while I kept my eyes on Danger. After they announced us both again, the National Anthem was sung. Once that was done, they called us back into the middle of the ring.

“I gave you both the rules in the back. I want a clean fight. Protect yourself at all times, touch gloves, and go to your corners.” Me and Danger hit our gloves and had a stare down before walking off.

“Breaker, you know what you gotta do. You know how he’s coming, so don’t play into his game. Do what we worked on and get this shit done. Tell me what I want.”

“His head.”

“His mother fucking head. Now, bring it to me. Don’t play around with it. Don’t wait for the right moment. Go in and get that mufucka. He’s not going to give it to you easily, so you gone have to take it. Remember you’re not fighting some slacker, so don’t play with it.”

“I got it.” I never took my eyes off Danger. Standing up, I waited for my mouth guard before heading to the middle. Once the bell sounded, I zoned in. I watched Danger’s hands. He threw a right I saw coming, so I swerved it easily. He threw another hard jab, but I dodged it too before countering with one of my own. You could tell he was shocked. He thought he was about to be fighting the old Breaker.

Pulling back, I swung with my full power. His ass stumbled back, but I didn’t let up. The power speed combo me and Swift worked on was my plan. Not waiting until the end, like I normally do, but coming out the gate with it. Jab, jab, right hook. Jab, body, right hook. This nigga couldn’t recover because he wasn’t prepared. His ass fell against the ropes, but that was not the place he wanted to be. I could hear the crowd going crazy, but none of that mattered to me. This wasn’t for them. This fight was personal.

Danger guarded his face, but I attacked his body with so much force, he couldn’t do shit but drop his hands leaving me an opening. Not waiting for another moment, I came up with an uppercut. Danger threw a strong left, but I knew it was coming. He wasn’t going to stand down without a fight, but we both knew that hit wasn’t going to do shit. I take beatings for eleven rounds; a hit here and there wasn’t about to faze me.

Knowing I was running out of time, I continued throwing blows at his head, but Danger was taking it. His legs wobbled, and I saw it. He looked up nervous hoping I didn’t catch that, but it was too late. Throwing a hard left, I heard Pops saying keep my right up. Doing that, I followed with a hard right before another uppercut that sent him to the mat. Walking to the ropes, I stood there as the ref counted down. The crowd was going crazy, but I’m sure it was more out of shock. Danger stood by eight, so I got back in my stance. As soon as the ref gave the go ahead, I went back into attack mode. His ass was back on the rope not able to dodge my hits to his head, and seconds later, the ref was waving his hands. The fight was over.

“How much you think you got in my head, bitch ass nigga? You only playing with my bitch pissed me off.” I stared Danger down until my corner ran over and grabbed me.

“Nigga, I know I told you to bring me his head, but I didn’t think you really was gone do that shit this early. Mother fuckaaaaa!” Swift was going crazy, but my eyes were on Pops. He walked over to me and pulled me into a big hug.

“I swear I wanna stomp that nigga’s head in,” Pops whispered in my ear. I laughed as I hugged him harder. Looking to the crowd, I saw Ariyah and my Moms in an embrace, and I knew. No matter what, she was the one for me. Even if she didn’t know it herself. They called us to the middle after the medics checked on Danger. Normally, I would embrace my opponent, give them their props, and keep it positive. Not today.

“Winner, by way of technical knockout, and still the undefeated heavyweight champ. Landon “Breaker” Mercerrrrrr!!!” The ref announced and I grabbed my belts. The reporter walked over immediately.

“Breaker, my God. Who are you right now? Was a first round knockout always your plan?” I looked at Danger and smirked.

“Yeah, it was. That was for my girl, Ariyah. Speaking of, baby I know it hasn’t been long, but the time I spent away from you was the longest days of a nigga’s life. When I saw you in the ring with one eye, a limp arm, and a twisted lip still standing, I’ve never seen anything more beautiful. I don’t ever wanna know what it feels like to be without you again. Will you marry me?” The crowd was going crazy, but I watched her face. Pops eased towards the ropes waiting for her answer. She mouthed “Yes”, and a nigga lost his breath.

“Was that a yes?” the reporter’s nosy ass asked.

“Hell fucking yeah, she said yes.”

“Well, there you have it. A sensational win for Breaker on the business and relationship front.” Pops called her to the ring, and she nervously made her way to me. I hugged and kissed her first before stepping back to look at her.

“Ummm, where my ring?” I laughed before placing one of my belts across her body.

“This gone have to do until tomorrow. You good, Ariyah?” She smiled at me before hugging me again.

“I’m good.”

EPILOGUE… 7 months later

Landon “Breaker” Mercer