Page 75 of Tangled Hearts

Knycole sat in the advisor’s office with her legs crossed at the ankle. Her feet wiggled with a nervous cadence. The woman on the other side of the desk had on thick glasses, a cardigan, and that look like she’d heard every major-switch story under the sun.

“So you’re currently in the nursing program,” the advisor tapped the screen, “but you’re considering pre-med?”

“Not considering,” Knycole leaned forward. “I want to do it. I thought nursing was it, but it’s not. I want to be a doctor.”

The woman looked at from her chest up. “You understand the workload difference, right? More years, more money, more pressure. It’s a big shift and not everyone makes it. Nursing is a slower, easier speed.”

Knycole rolled her eyes. “I get that. I’ve been sitting in these classes knowing I’m meant for more. I don’t want to just help out—I want to lead. I want to make decisions. I want to have a say in people’s lives getting saved. And I can handle it.”

“You’ll need to take additional sciences—organic chem, physics, advanced bio. It means extra semesters, possibly summer courses. Are you prepared for that?”

“Yes.” Her voice didn’t shake. “If I don’t do it now, I’ll regret it later. I’m not scared of the work. Look at my grades.”

The advisor smiled faintly. “I like your conviction. I’ll set you up with the transfer paperwork. You’ll meet with the pre-med director next week.”

Knycole breathed out, relieved and nodded.

She wasn’t used to being this sure about anything. At least not for most of her life. Not about school. Not about herself. But walking out of that office, gripping that manila folder in her hand like it was proof she could start over—something in her clicked.

She was no longer just surviving. She was choosing.

And with Hov no longer in the game, that meant she was finally out too. No more secrets. No more waking up nervous every time her phone rang late at night. No more sitting in class pretending like her hands weren’t dirty while trying to scrub somebody else clean.

Knycole didn’t regret any of it. Wouldn’t take none of it back. That life kept them fed, clothed, safe.

But this new life felt like purpose and new beginnings. Knycole was hopeful for her place in the world. She wanted to show up for underserved communities like hers. Wanted to be someone little Black girls could look up to. Wanted to make Qua proud.

Knycole adjusted the strap on her bag and smiled to herself. She was gonna be somebody’s doctor. And she knew Hov would be waiting at home grinning like she already made it.

They were in such a perfect place. Her heart felt full walking into the house to her two boys.

When she left the building and crossed the lot, her stomach dropped. The empty space where her car should’ve been stared back at her. She froze, eyes sweeping the rows again like maybe she forgot where she parked.

She yanked her phone out and dialed. “Hov?—”

His laugh came through the line before he even spoke. “Why you sound stressed, kid?”

“My car’s gone.”

“I know. I got it.”

She paused, heart thudding against her chest. “You got it?” She repeated his words, confused.

“Yea, I took it for a oil change.” His voice held that cocky ease. “You never keep up with that shit, so I handled it.”

She pressed her lips together, relief sliding through her body. “You coulda told me, Quameek.”

“I’m telling you now. Relax, kid.” Her body shook from his deep southern drawl.

In the background, she heard Qua’s little voice. “Mommy! Dad let me sit in the front when we parked!”

Knycole’s chest softened instantly. “Boy, you better be in the back now.”

“I am,” Qua giggled. “But Daddy let me hold the money for the man.”

Hov laughed again. “He think he my little manager.”

“I am!” Qua shouted.

Knycole shook her head, smiling. “Where y’all at?”

“On our way to you. Be outside.”

Dinner that night was upscale. White tablecloths, candles, glasses catching the low light. Hov walked in with that presence that made people look. Of course, Knycole’s hand tucked in his while Qua held his other hand, skipping small steps to keep up.

Once Knycole have Hov the run down on what the advisory told her, he felt tonight was a cause for a celebration. Any opportunity he found to give his lady a safe and soft life, he was going to make shit happen.

At the table, Hov ordered for them without hesitation. “She’ll have the salmon, no capers. Extra lemon. And bring the mashed potatoes, not the wild rice.”

The waiter nodded. “For little man?”

“Steak!” Qua blurted. He liked fine dining too.

Knycole snickered. “Get your son.”

Qua looked up at his mama like she was the center of his universe. His small hand lifted to her neck to give her a kiss on the cheek. He wanted to be just like his daddy.

And you could find Hov’s hand around Knycole’s neck more than anywhere else.

“You gon’ cut it up too?” Knycole teased once he finished ordering for them.

He gave her a sideways grin. “Hell yea.”

“Mommy, I went to a house with dad and it was a lady there.”

Knycole’s smile was wiped from her face so fast. Slowly, her head angled to Hov for an explanation.

Hov laughed. “Qua, you starting to talk too much.”

“Shid,” Knycole pursed her lips.

Qua stared between them but kept talking. “She said I’m cute like my dad… but Old Nick said I look like you, mommy.”

Aight, Qua… you doing too much.” Hov faced the love of his life. “You know I’ve been doing my real estate shit… He came with me to meet Sassy at a house.”

“Sassy?” Knycole’s face scrunched. “I don’t like that name.”

“Man,” Hov laughed.

“I’m not laughing, Quameek. Who is Sassy and do I have anything to worry about?” she crossed her arms over her chest.

Hov’s hand found its way to the back of her neck. Gripping it tight, he pulled her towards him. “You don’t have shit to worry about. Shit, you can meet her if you want.” His lips pressed into hers taking her breath away.

Knycole gripped the bottom of his shirt. “Yo better keep it that way. I will kill you, nigga.”

“Give me kiss too mommy,” Qua’s brown eyes blinked while he stood on the restaurant’s seat to put his hand on her neck again. This time, his tiny hand laid on top of Hov’s.

Knycole kissed his little lips. “You are the cutest.”

“That’s what that lady said,” he went back to the coloring page the restaurant provided.

“Man, you really trying me,” Hov chuckled at his son.

When the plates came, Hov pulled her plate close, cutting the salmon into neat pieces. It was intimate without trying. Then he did the same to his son’s food.

Qua leaned against him, wide eyes on every word Hov said. “Daddy, when I get big, I’ma have muscles like you.”

“You already strong,” Hov told him, kissing the top of his head. “You gon’ be better than me.”

Qua beamed, soaking it in. Knycole watched, her chest tight with a love that felt bigger than the room. And to think, she almost gave this up. Yea, she was a crack baby.

Back home, the house felt cozy. A mansion with too many rooms, but warm because it was theirs. She’d decorated and made sure to fill every space with things that gave the house charm and character.

Knycole curled up against Hov on the couch once Qua was down for the night.

“How you feeling?” she asked, tracing hearts across his chest.

“What you mean?” Hov asked, tilting his head down to look at her.

“After everything,” she pressed, “with Christian… with finding out about your sister.”

His breath came out measured. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to feel. I spent my whole life thinking I ain’t have nobody but the streets and whoever I let close. Then I find out my big brother been right there all along, and now he’s gone. And I got a sister I never met. It’s… too much.”

Knycole rubbed his arm, waiting.

“I keep thinking, what if she likes the life she got? The one where she never knew I existed. What if she wanna keep that?” His voice got deeper, cracking at the edges. “I don’t wanna blow her world up. Don’t even know if I got the right.”

She shifted closer, arms wrapping around him. “You do got the right. You’re her blood. That doesn’t go away just ‘cause she doesn’t know you yet. If I had a sibling, I would want to know even if I was on my death bed.”

His eyes glossed but tears didn’t spill. “When I was little… when the house used to be so empty, I’d sit there knowing my mom probably wasn’t coming back. I used to think I was just gon’ disappear one day too. Now I got family I ain’t never met, and I don’t even know if I fit into their world.”

Knycole held him tighter. “You’re strong, Hov. Stronger than you even know. You’re worthy of every kind of love, every kind of family. Whether she’s ready or not, you still got the right to be seen. To be known.”

He nodded. “I hear you.”

She kissed his temple. “And even if she doesn’t open that door, you always got me. You got Qua. You got Rock and Noir…You already built a family that’s solid.”

Hov finally let his shoulders sink, leaning into her hold. “Yea. That’s what matter.”

“But you gotta forgive Noir,” Knycole added.

He yanked her on top of him. “What you willing to do for me to forgive her?”

“Me?!” She laughed. “I shouldn’t have to do anything.”

“That’s your friend.”

“Hov, please stop playing with me. If you want me to put this pussy on you, all you gotta do is say that.”

Hov licked his lips. “I want you to put that pussy on me, Knycole.”

She fell forward in a fit of laughter. “Oh, my gosh… you ain’t tired of this cat yet?”

“Hell nah,” He looked at her like she was crazy. “I’ll never get tired of it. And when you get your degree and start your new job, I’m nutting all in this pussy. I need a daughter.”

She smiled, getting serious. “I think we need to practice a little.” Knycole stood up to take her night gown off.

Hov chewed on his lip, eye slow full of lust. “Bend over and show me your pussy.”

She did like she was told and gave him the perfect view of her pink insides.

Hov slapped her ass hard as hell.

“Nigga!”

“Show how wet it is,” Hov was locked in. Nothing else mattered. He was happy they were in the sitting area in the owner’s suite. He’d hate for Qua to see him mama getting beat out the frame.

Knycole gulped but dipped her finger into her pussy. She stroked herself a few times before pulling out her finger. It was soaked in her juice.

“Let me taste that shit.” He licked her fingers while making eye contact with her.

Hov removed his pajama pants, his dick jumping to life. “Put that pussy on me.”

Knycole straddled his lap and eased down on him, her eyes rolling into the back of her head. “Fuck.”

“Shit!” he moaned. “This what the fuck I’m talking about.”

“Baby,” her head fell back, breasts bouncing while she rode him slowly. “You feel so good in me, Quameek.”

“I know,” he lifted her by her hips to slam her back down on him. “You taking this dick so good.” He repeated the pounding, his own toes curling.

“Yes! I love you!”

“I know!”

“Quameek!” She kept humming and screaming his name while he bounced her up and down on him, making sure he bottomed out every time.

“Touch your toes, Knyc.” He pulled out of her, stroking his dick that was coated in her cream.

Knycole grabbed her ankles and almost fell when his dick was back in her while he stood up. Hove was tall so he had to bend his knees but he stroked her so good, her eyes crossed and her heart thudded every time she felt she was about to hit her face on the floor.

“I love you, kid. You know that right?”

“Yes!”

“Then act like it.” He slowed down, still hitting her spot until they both released.