Page 13 of Tangled Hearts

Noir twirled around in her room while Knycole moped on the bed.

She was still in a funky mood ever since Rock made a permanent decision for the both of them.

He was adamant about not talking to her while he was away, nor did he want her to write him.

She didn’t understand but knew he was probably salty about what her father did.

If the shoe was on the other foot, she didn’t know how she would handle it.

All she knew was, she couldn’t go another day without talking to her man.

“Girl, I understand you’re upset, but you’re too young to be in your feelings about him like that. Let’s not forget how friendly he was with his dick,” Noir reminded without care.

“And let’s not forget that you’ve never been in a real relationship to know what I should feel like,” Knycole snapped back. She was already tired of the unsolicited advice.

Noir cut her eyes at her overly dramatic best friend.

“You’re only sixteen, which means your young heart shouldn’t even know what a real relationship is.

Don’t get me wrong, Rock is my bro, but what y’all had wasn’t lifelong love.

.. at least not yet. All I’m saying is, step out tonight with me and take a breather from your big girl problems.”

With a roll of her eyes, Knycole’s stubbornness started to waiver. “Where we going?” she asked with a small smile.

“Girl, Paul invited me to his side of town. He said something about a house party, and you know that side is always lit,” Noir hyped.

“Mhm, and I know they always shooting and shit, too.”

“Ain’t no different from over this way. What’s going on with you and your daddy?” she pried. She’d been wanting to ask the question all day but didn’t want to add to her girl’s dismay.

A deep sigh eased from her mouth effortlessly.

“Honestly, I’m not sure. I told him he needed to get clean if he ever wanted me to forgive him for what he did, and he agreed, but you know how a drug addict’s mind works.

I’ll believe it when I see it with my own eyes.

I called the light company to put something on it, but it was already paid, so maybe he’s trying.

” Knycole shrugged. Like her neighborhood counterparts, her circumstances had made it hard for her to thoroughly express her feelings.

On the other hand, although strict as hell, Noir’s mother was loving and had given her enough love for both parents.

Her father was absent, but his money wasn’t, and that gave her a leg up in the race.

Still, she didn’t want to love, nor did she know how to love the opposite sex, thanks to her daddy issues.

Noir’s heart went out to her. She’d witnessed firsthand the cards life dealt Knycole.

“It’s a start. Stay focused on the positives and find something sexy to put on, bitch!”

“Hoe ass!” Knycole teased.

They laughed and danced while trying on clothes.

Knycole’s mind was still on her shitty circumstances, but she vowed to put it to the back and try to have a good time—something she hadn’t done in a while.

So, for one night, she wasn’t going to think about Rock, Nick, or how she was going to pay bills. She was going to be young and carefree.

On the other side of town, Hov was in a meeting hoping to elevate his business and get to more money.

Money couldn’t buy his happiness, but it could put a down payment on it.

With Rock being locked up, he had to foot all the bills on his own, which wasn’t a problem, but now, he had even more people to feed—Knycole, Rocky, and Mae Lou.

They all depended on Rock’s contributions in one way or another and since that was his best friend, the task fell to him automatically.

Hov could only pray his meeting went well.

“What’s up, Hov?” Christian dapped up the young bull with admiration. He was only a few years older but was well respected in the drug game. He was the go to man when a nigga wanted to elevate their game while filling their pockets.

“Ain’t shit. You already know what I’m here for.

I’m trying to get on for real, for real,” Hov said, not one for beating around the bush.

Since his right-hand was no longer a player in the game, he was ready to take on the streets for both of them and getting more product was the first thing he needed to do.

With clasped hands, Christian nodded, fully understanding what Hov was asking for. “How much you trying to get?”

His dark eyes darted down the street then back. “Let me get a kilo.”

“A kilo?” Christian was shocked but proud. He thought the young man was going to ask for a big eight since that was only an eighth of a kilo. “Twenty-six,” he told him, wanting to make sure he was aware of the price in case he needed to get something cheaper.

“I know how much that shit cost. No disrespect, but I don’t really like standing out here in the open for longer than I need to.” Hov rubbed his hands together. “So, you letting me get down or what?”

Christian thought about what Hov was requesting.

On one hand, he didn’t want to let him get down because he had all the makings of overthrowing him, plus, there was a secret he’d been keeping that would hurt him tremendously if something happened to Hov.

On the other hand, Hov was loyal. “A’ight.

Meet me tomorrow at the address I’m going to text to you.

I’m a punctual ass nigga, so I expect for you to be the same. ”

“And I’m a respectful ass nigga so expect for you to be the same,” Hov warned, making it known that he wasn’t fond of Christian trying to treat him like a little ass boy.

Christian chuckled without saying anything.

He understood but didn’t feel the need to reply.

What was understood didn’t need to be explained.

Plus, the young nigga reminded him so much of himself.

At only twenty-one, he felt older with the way he was running the streets.

Looking at Hov was like looking at a mirror image of himself. All the way down to his mannerisms.

Just like the real nigga he was, Hov didn’t wait for a reply.

His back was towards the plug while his feet led him out the door.

For him, his words were felt and less was always more.

He knew the power he held in the streets but didn’t take it lightly.

Calculated. Callous. Respected—just a few words that were associated with Hov.

In the pits of his stomach, he felt giddy.

Finally, he was about to make some real money, but a sour taste entered his mouth when he realized it would be without his right-hand man.

That one hurt more than anyone could ever know.

Rock was the only man he trusted with his life.

One thing for sure, though; he pledged that his boy wouldn’t hurt for anything while behind those steel bars.

Regardless, Hov knew his life was about to change for the better, so he decided to celebrate and go to the other side where he’d heard a house party would be happening.

The East and the West side didn’t actually get along unless they were both beefing with the South.

Then, they were frenemies. Still, Hov wasn’t scared and didn’t mind mobbing through alone.

Hov pulled back onto the block, still thinking through the moves he had to make to stretch a kilo into more. His mind was all numbers and next steps until a voice cut through the noise.

“Hov!”

He slowed down when he saw Shakeisha flagging him down from the corner. Her face was pale under the streetlights and he could tell she’d been crying, probably sad about Rock being gone.

Rock was Hov’s brother so although he kept his comments to himself, he always tried to tell Rock he was playing a dangerous game when it came to Knycole and Shakeisha. Still, Rock was going to do what Rock wanted to do and Hov wasn’t in the position to pretend to be anyone’s father.

“You good?” he asked, rolling the window down.

She shook her head, stepping closer to the driver’s side. “I need to talk to Rock.”

Hov frowned. “He just went in, Shakeshia. It’s been what, a week? You know he ain’t touching no phone right now.”

“I know,” her voice cracked as she pressed her palm to her stomach. Tears escaped and she didn’t even try to stop them. “That’s why I need you to tell him for me. I’m pregnant, Hov. I can’t hold this in no more. He gotta know.”

The weight of her words hit him.

Hov climbed out the car, pulling her into his chest. She broke down against him, sobbing hard enough to shake both their bodies. He rubbed her back, unsure of what else to do or say. “You sure?”

“Yea, I’m sure,” her words came muffled against his tee. “I can’t do this by myself. He needs to know he got a reason to come home.”

Hov nodded, pulling back enough to look her in the face. “A’ight. Gimme your number. I’ll make sure he gets it when he call. You’ll have mine now too, so if anything comes up, hit me.”

She sniffled, digging in her bag for her phone. Their hands brushed when they swapped numbers.

Shakeisha was a mess, but she wasn’t stupid.

Being a teen mother wasn’t anything she ever dreamt about.

She didn’t play with baby dolls wishing they were real or talk about family life like it was her ticket out the hood.

Nah. She had other dreams. Better ones. Dreams that lived in school notebooks and late-night talks with girls who thought they had time.

But time was up.

She was pregnant.

Her mama always did her best and Shakeisha loved her for it but “doing your best” didn’t mean she wanted that same struggle. Her mama’s version of strength was survival. But Shakeisha wanted more than that. She wanted structure. Safety. Softness. And maybe, if God ain’t done with her yet, love too.

She looked at Hov as he typed his number into her phone.