Page 21 of Tangled Hearts
“Aye, why you always acting like an old ass man? Like nigga, you act older than Mae Lou,” Rock asked.
“I’m out here acting like I don’t ever want to be hungry again. I know we’re making a little bit of money now, but I want the whole world in my hands. Look at that nigga Christian. He’s only a few years older than us and has the city on lock. I want something like that. I never want to know what it feels like to not have a dollar to get a loaf of bread again. So, y’all niggas go out and have a good time. I’ll be out here serving all y’all customers with no regard.” Hov looked Rock in his face.
All Rock could do was respect what his friend was saying. No matter what, he was still going to go out and enjoy himself from time to time. Since Knycole was living with him, he was going to take her to the mall to get an outfit to go out with him in. That was what he lived for. He wanted to take care of her and his sister—wanted to provide them with all the materialistic things they desired.
“Look at this nigga,” Rock spoke as his nostrils flared.
Nick scratched himself as he approached the two young men. His face was still swollen from Hov punching him. “Can I holla at you, Rock?”
“Nah, we ain’t got shit to talk about.” Rock dismissed him.
“I just need to get something on credit like old times,” Nick tried to reason.
“You gotta be fuckin’ kidding me. You ain’t concerned about where your daughter at?” Hov asked in disbelief.
He cut his eyes at him. “Rock, you know I’m good for the pay back,” he said, ignoring Hov.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Rock pulled his pants up, about to give him more than what he came for. “I’d hate to have to beat the fuck out of my girl’s pops. Nick, get the fuck off my block, and I better not ever see you again.”
“Aye, if I catch any one of you niggas serving him, it’s gonna be a problem,” Hov announced.
Nick’s mouth dropped as his heart broke. In a matter of seconds, he went from sad to angry. “You gon’ regret that… I swear you will.”
Rock bucked at him, causing him to stumble a little. “Get the fuck on… last warning.”
Knowing when to fold, Nick left with malice in his heart and a plan on his mind. What he was about to do was going to shake up their worlds, and he couldn’t wait to see the looks on their faces.
After a long night of hustling, Rock walked into his room at his granny’s house and plopped down on the bed. He’d purchased Knyc a new phone earlier in the day, and she was on it texting away.
“The fuck you texting?” he asked, humor in his voice.
“Noir about the homework for today. I think I might stay out tomorrow too,” she said, never looking up from her phone. Her legs swung in the air while she laid on her stomach across the bed.
“Shiid,” he said. “You ain’t about to be missing all these days from school.”
“Nigga, you ain’t my daddy,” she sassed.
Whap!He smacked her on the ass. “Something like it.”
Knycole’s hand went to her rear immediately. “Ouch! What the fuck, Rodrick!”
The smile on his face disappeared when he saw her jump to her feet, ready to square up with him. “Chill out ’cause if you hit me, I’m hitting your ass back. Real talk.”
“Why would you slap my ass when you know my body is sensitive when my period is on? You play too damn much, and now I’m about to get my lick back,” she announced, face scrunched up in anger.
He bobbed and weaved through the room, ducking and dodging her at all costs with a grin on his face. The two of them were known for passing licks playfully, and in real life. Rock never really hit her like he would a man, but he was no stranger to tapping her ass from time to time. Out of breath, Knycole gave up on hitting him back. Instead, she flopped back down on the bed.
“Your fat ass tired now, huh?” Rock taunted.
Flicking her middle finger in the air, she rolled her eyes and turned her back to him. “Only thing fat on me is this fat cat.” She patted her center.
“Ain’t that the damn truth. Let me get some. I know your shit lite now,” he inquired.
Again, Knycole ignored him. Rock didn’t like to be ignored, so he laid on top of her and humped her butt.
“Stop, stupid.” She tried to flip him off her but couldn’t. “Let me up.” She squirmed until he let her roll over before he placed himself back on top of her.
Now, face to face, they stared into each other eyes. Knycole studied his features. She loved his tawny skin tone and unkempt, thick brows. His pink lips were turning brown, but they were still sexy to her. His hair was pulled into a ponytail, and she loved how it gave him a pretty boy look. Rock was easily the best looking boy in the neighborhood, and he knew it.
