Page 31 of Tangled Hearts
Hov pulled in front of her building. Her demeanor was different. “Aye, you good, Knyc?”
Still in deep thought, she mumbled incoherently to herself. Knycole shifted her body to face him. For what she needed to say, she needed to look him in the eyes. “I’m happy for you. I really am, but I need to get down with whatever you’re doing.”
“Hell nah, man.” Hov ran his tatted hand down his face. Rapidly, she was blowing his high. “You know I’m gonna make sure you’re good.”
“That’s the problem! I don’t want anyone to take care of me. I need to learn to do this shit on my own!” she yelled while clapping angrily.
“This ain’t like getting a job. This shit is dangerous, and I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something happened to you, Knycole. You’re one of the only people on this earth that I love. So, like I said, I got you.”
“And like I said, I don’t want to be had. I want to get this shit out the mud just like you. Look,” she sighed, praying that he understood her. “I got the money Rock left me. Consider me your business partner.” She pulled a wad of money out her crossbody purse.
Hov sat still, unsure of his next move. He knew how the game could get, especially when a female was one of the players. On the other hand, he knew how it felt to only eat scraps. For that reason alone, he was giving in.
Pushing her hand back, he sighed before finally giving in. “Alright! But you do everything I tell you to do.”
With a wide smile plastered on her face, she shoved the money into his chest. “Cool, but don’t give me a handout. I’m your partner, and as your partner, I need to buy my way into the business.”
All he could do was smile. He was proud and knew right then he’d made a good decision. “I respect it.”
“You better, nigga.” Knycole opened the door before looking back at him. “You want to come in?”
“I know your hard body ass ain’t scared of the dark,” he teased with his gold teeth dancing under the street light.
Her face became serious. “I don’t like being alone.”
“The fuck Nick ass at?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “I think in rehab.”
“Bullshit!” Hov was amused.
“Boy.” She playfully hit him. Then it got serious again. “Are you coming?”
His stone face turned to look out the windshield. The desperation in her voice always did something to him. Hell, if he was being honest, her voice in general did something to him, and telling her no was always a hard feat. “A’ight... I’ll come up until you fall asleep, then I’m leaving cause that shit don’t look right.”
Knycole only nodded because she was never one to give a fuck about what other people thought. Living the life she’d lived, you’d learn to not give a fuck too. Besides, giving a fuck didn’t pay her bills.
They walked up the steps in silence.
Hov kept one hand in his pocket and the other around her shoulder. Not because he was trying to be fresh, but because she was shivering and he knew damn well she wasn’t gon’ ask for more warmth twice.
Inside her building, the hallway was dim and walls cracked near the molding. It didn’t smell bad, but it didn’t smell like home either. She fumbled with her keys, her hands still shakingslightly from the cool air and the weight of everything on her mind. He stood behind her, close enough that she felt the heat coming off him.
As soon as the door opened, she kicked her shoes off. He followed suit, locking it behind them without having to be asked.
Her place wasn’t messy, just lived in. A few dishes in the sink. Clean laundry folded on the couch. Mail tossed on the table. And it was quiet. Too quiet for a girl her age.
“You want some water or something?” she asked, heading toward the kitchen.
“Nah, I’m good. Sit down.” Hov tapped the spot beside him once he was settled on the worn couch.
Slowly, Knycole turned around, her wine cooler buzz wearing off but not gone. She sat on the couch.
“You been sleeping okay?” he asked.
She blinked. “Why you always ask me that?”
“‘Cause you lie every time.”
