Page 8 of Bruised Hearts

“I see the only way I’mma get you to close your mouth is to hit you in it.” Laughing, I dodged another one of her punches. She was getting frustrated and it made dodging her easier than it already was.

“You gotta hit me first. Who the hell trained you how to fight, your uncle that live in the basement.” Her eyes widened, so that told me I wasn’t far off.

“Quit running and fight!” Ariyah gritted through her teeth.

“Quit fighting and learn.” I let that sink in before I snapped her head back with a jab. Shorty ate that and I was impressed. She rushed me, but I side stepped and cleared her in the jaw. “Either learn to control the anger or you’re never going pro.” I was baiting her to prove a point, and she fell for it. Hook, line, sinker. Ariyah started swinging wildly as she rushed forward. Pushing her into the ropes, I trapped her there and smiled. “I believe you owe me dinner.”

“You cheated with yo musty ass.” We both fell out laughing.

“I can help you if you let me.” Her face softened before smiling.

“Okay.” It was only one word, but it spoke volumes. She was finally letting her guard down.

“Well, after you buy me dinner. I know you only making twenty dollars for your fights, so we can go to Chilis.” Shock first, then amusement.

“Naw, Wendy’s four for four. Take it or leave it.” All thirty two of my teeth were showing as I moved and let her off the ropes.

“I’ll take it.” I was about to walk out the ring when she stopped me.

“Landon, wait.” I turned around and shorty threw a jab that sent me flying across the mat and on my ass. “Now, we can go.” Walking over to me, she laughed as she helped me up.

“After that sucka punch, you definitely taking me to Chilis.” Ariyah looked back at me and smiled.

“Only if you paying.”

“Okay.” I shook my head at how gone she had me. I would have agreed to anything at this point. Leaving out of the gym, we climbed in my car, and I avoided looking at Titan. He could clown me tomorrow.

6- Ariyah “Nova” Stevens

I’ve been around people with money. Stone was pretty well off, and Charly’s dad had more than Stone, but neither of them had a driver/bodyguard. I swarmed in my seat uncomfortably as he looked through the review mirror with a smirk on his face. I had no idea what that was all about, but I was already on edge. I didn’t need him creeping me out making it worse. Trying to play it off, I turned my head slowly only to find Landon staring at me. Actually, it was more like he was staring through me as if he could see all my secrets. I couldn’t take it anymore, so I spoke up.

“Damn, jit. You staring like you ready to take the pussy.” He looked shocked, but still shook his head and laughed. “What? You’re acting like boxers aren’t known for that.”

“You not gone be satisfied until I beat your ass.”

“You’ll beat your meat before you beat my ass. Now, quit acting like you’re above it. We already know you tried to beat that lil girl in the restaurant.” This time he threw his head back and laughed hard.

“I’m going to kill her lil ass. I told her she was cock blocking.” I could see the amusement dancing in his eyes, so I knew he didn’t mean that.

“Who is she?”

“My little sister. It’s Devin and Blaise’s daughter.” I nodded in understanding. Everyone knew Landon was adopted. “She’s autistic and doesn’t process the same. I made a joke, and that was the aftermath. Since we’re questioning each other, who is that nigga you be with all the time?”

“Stone.”

“He old as fuck, your ass gone get worms.” Landon laughed, but I didn’t find it funny. It bothered me that he thought I would fuck with somebody like him.

“He’s my stepfather, and you can take me home.” I don’t know why I was so upset.

“Unless you about to cook for me, we’re going on our date. I’ve never took you for a person that can’t keep their word. If I said something to piss you off, I apologize. Just know, if you can’t take the hits, stop throwing them.” He was right. We had been joking taking shots at each other all night. I didn’t like knowing he perceived me in that way, so I got in my feelings.

“Do you ever shut up? Gahhh leeeee.” I tried to smile and let him know we were good, but he wasn’t biting. “I’m sorry, okay. I’m not used to this.”

“Used to what? Being nice?”

“Yeah.” His eyes scanned me to see if I was serious and we both fell out laughing. He knew it was the truth, but it was still funny I was willing to admit it.

“Your ass is hell. I can’t wait to break you down, and break you in.” I wasn’t sure if he meant sexual, but that was how me and my pussy cat took it.