Page 134 of Tangled Hearts
Noir’s eyes slitted at Rock. “Don’t ask me to keep that secret. I can’t. I’m already carrying too much.”
“I know,” Rock admitted quietly. “But I’m just fucking with you, she knows.” He said just as Noir went to grab her phone probably about to tell Knycole right then.
She grabbed her chest. “I was about to say. How she take that?”
“Doesn’t matter, really. She’s off me and I’m off her,” Rock said so lackadaisical.
Cash furrowed his brows. “Nigga, still soft on her.”
“Always, but I know where home is.” Rock looked at his baby.
Noir needed to know, so she asked. “So, you gon’ be with Shakeisha?”
“Yea,” Rock didn’t hesitate.
Cash dapped him up. “I fuck with that… that’s big.”
Noir agreed. “We’re all a mess.”
“Speak for yourself,” Rock laughed getting back to the task at hand. The buzzing started again.
Noir was just happy to not have to carry another secret and to not have to break the news to Knyc knowing her girl was going through her whole healing journey. If it was one thing her people were gonna have, it was a friendship full of twisted secrets. She pinched herself when the awful secret she’d been keeping tumbled in her brain. Rock having a kid would’ve hurt Knyc and probably did, but the one she carried for Christian was enough to break the strongest of men.
The silence lingered until Rock broke it. “I been looking at a studio space. Thinking about turning it into a tattoo shop. I want you to come check it out with me.”
Noir shook her head, grabbing her bag again. “I can’t. I’m going to Paris for Fashion Week with Cash.”
Rock laughed without humor. “Of course you are.”
Noir kissed his cheek. “Doesn’t mean I don’t believe in you. Just handle your shit, Rock. You’re finally moving forward. Don’t stop.”
Cash stood to check his chest in the mirror. “Nigga, this shit fire.” He rubbed his hands together, flexing his little pecks. “See? You good at something. Don’t waste it, nigga.”
“You been round Hov too long.”
Cash’s face went serious. “Yea, cause I’ve been keeping your spot warm.”
All Rock could do was sit back. There was nothing to say to something that was true.
Growth felt strange in his chest, but for once, it didn’t feel impossible.
Mae Lou kissed Rodeisha’s cheek before shooing them off her porch. “Y’all go on and enjoy yourselves. I got her.”
“Bye Mommy. Bye Daddy,” Roddy waved happy to spend the night with her Mae Mae.
“Be good baby,” Shakeisha hugged her.
“Love you baby,” Rock said kissing her forehead.
Rock adjusted the cuff of his blazer, nerves crawling under his skin. He hadn’t worn a suit in years, but tonight wasn’t about him being comfortable. It was about him showing up like Shakeisha deserved. Strappy heels clicked against the pavement while Rock held his hand out as she stepped down in a green silk dress that draped her curves and stopped mid-calf.
“You some fine shit,” Rock murmured, brushing his thumb over her hand before he opened the passenger door and she sat down.
Shakeisha’s smile widened. “You clean up nice too, Rodrick.”
“I like when you say my name like that.”
“Like what?” She asked when he hopped into the driver’s seat.
