Page 23 of Tangled Hearts
Knycole’s spirit sank to the floor. Not only did Nick put her out and embarrass her in the streets, but now, he was about to get the only person who made sure she was good put away. “I’m not going anywhere with you pigs.” She knew this had to be her father’s doing. He was pissed that Rock and Hov stopped him from being served.
The office shrugged his shoulders. “You don’t have to come with us but you do have to go home.”
Rock sighed when he locked eyes with Nick, who stood next to one of the police cars. All that because he couldn’t get crack on credit.
“Granny don’t worry about me. Tell Rocky I love her. Knycole, go to school,” he said as they put him in the back of the patrol car. He knew he was about to do some time since this wasn’t his first offense.
Knycole watched them pull off, breaking her more and more the further the car got down the road. God couldn’t be dealing heranotherbad hand. She hadn’t recovered from the last one. Without Rock, she had no clue how she was about to survive.
CHAPTER 6
The silenceof the morning was deafening to Knycole. All night she cried until the sound of sorrow could no longer leave her throat. Her eyes were dry and puffy while her heart still ached beyond repair. After Rock was hauled off, the police made her go home and Nick was nowhere to be found. In her eyes, he was a coward unwilling to face her.
She powered her phone back on, even though she wasn’t ready to face the world and all its questions. Bad news traveled faster than the speed of light in the hood, and she was certain everyone wanted to know what really happened. Hell, she did too. With the weight of the world weighing her down, she got up, even though it was a struggle. Knycole needed to ask her father a few questions.
“Nick!” she called out once she was over the threshold of her bedroom door. “I know your cracked out ass is here!” she called again.
Nick was sprawled out in his bed in pain from needing a hit. After having Rock locked up, Hov had put out word for no one to serve him or be ready to face him. He’d told them once before but needed to make sure they knew how serious he was this time around, and no one was willing to take the chance for a couple ofdollars. He stirred in his sleep at the sound of the love of his life. Contrary to past decisions, he really did love Knycole.
“Nick!” she called again with more force, also shaking him awake. “Get the fuck up and tell me why the hell my boyfriend was hauled off!”
Grabbing his head, he tried to stop the ringing sensation he was feeling. “Knyc, not right now.” He groaned, placing his hand in the air.
She slapped his hand down. “Yes, right the fuck now!” she screamed.
His eyes bucked because regardless of how addicted he was to drugs, she’d never disrespected him in such a manner. “I am still you daddy, and you will respect me.”
“Then act like my daddy!” Her voice cracked with rage. “Act like I matter for once in your life. Tell me why you did this to me. You had Rock locked up ‘cause he wouldn’t keep feeding your habit. He wasn’t obligated to carry your shit, Nick. And because he was my boyfriend, you felt entitled. Do you know what you did to me? How am I supposed to survive now?”
Her chest heaved, tears spilling. She’d carried this pain too long, and now it came out jagged and raw.
Nick stared at her, heart thudding in his chest. Whether it was the sickness running through his veins or the truth finally catching up. The shame hit him like a ton of bricks. He rubbed his face, voice trembling. “How can I make it up to you? I’ll do anything.”
Knycole’s mind raced. The first answer was simple… bring Rock back. But he was already booked—there was nothing anybody could do now. She knew that. Her eyes bore into Nick, searching for something she wasn’t even sure existed anymore.
“Get clean or lose me forever,” she said before doing an about face and walking out the room.
Nick dug deep within himself and thought long and hard about what his one and only child was asking of him. He was no fool and knew getting clean was going to be a lifelong journey that would be a shit load of work, but for her, he was willing to try.
Regardless of Nick’s compliance, whether permanent or temporary, Knycole was still drained from all that had happened. She needed to talk to Rock and vowed to wait by her phone for his call. Until then, she was going to try to get some sleep.
Nick sat in silence, the sound of her footsteps fading down the hall. He thought about every time he’d chosen a pipe over her. He thought about how much she looked like her mother and how she deserved a better man than him to call father. His stomach twisted. The sickness clawed at him, but her words cut deeper than any withdrawal ever could.
The blaring sound of her mobile device woke her from her deep sleep. Like a feign, she scrambled for her phone hoping to catch it before the caller hung up.
“Bae,” Knycole asked out of breath.
Hov paused on the other end, caught off guard. “Knyc, it’s me.” His deep tenor shook her ear—always stirring something inside of her.
“Hey. Have you heard anything from Rock?” She didn’t hesitate to ask. Her heart needed to hear from him soon.
Scratching his head, he looked up at her bedroom window. “Nah, but come outside.”
Still wanting to soak in her sadness, she declined. “I really don’t feel like being around anyone. I just want to sit here and wait for Rock to call.”
“Girl, bring your Black ass out here. I just want to lay my eyes on you to make sure you’re good.” Hov wasn’t taking no for an answer. He was always so persistent.
She sighed. “Here I come Quameek, damn.” There wasn’t an ounce of motivation behind her words.
