Page 61 of Tangled Hearts
Noir wasn’t sure if this was love or just lustful muscle memory.
Whatever it was, it kept pulling them together. A text here, flirting there. The two of them had spent years creating secrets and a friendship that would stand the test of time. Somewhere along the way, Cash and Noir had knotted their souls in a way that it was too complicated to untangle.
Especially to people who never wanted it to unravel.
CHAPTER 14
PART II: KNOTS FORMED
“What color?”The nail tech asked before Knycole, Noir, and Rocky could take their seats.
“Let me get white,” Knycole answered while the other girls did the same.
Once they were settled, the gossip began.
“So, bitch, tell me everything about what happened with you and Christian?” Knycole turned to Noir, ready to get an ear full.
She sighed. “Girl, so much. Like, I can’t believe he did what he did. Now, you know I never put anything past any man, but I didn’t get those vibes from him at all.”
Nodding, Knycole agreed. “Yea, me either. If anything, I thought you would be the one to cheat.”
“Hoe, please.” She rolled her eyes. “You over there judging me when you’re about to pull the greatest nigga swap of all time. Teach me your ways.” Noir rested her head on her hands blinking bashfully.
Knycole looked over to Rocky, Rock’s baby sister. Over the years Rock’s baby had grown into a young lady. She was easy on the eyes and had a good head on her shoulders. Knycole couldn’t get enough of her pretty brown skin.
“Don’t look at me. You’re the master.” Rocky pursed her lips together, hands in mock surrender.
Knycole was grateful for the genuine relationship she and Rocky had developed outside of Rock. When money got good for her, she also made sure Mae Lou and Rocky were more than good. “I just need to see if it’s still there between me and Rock. Don’t forget that nigga was my everything before Nick did that to him. I can’t lie and say Hov doesn’t do something different for me though. Still, I gotta see what Rock is on,” she tried her best to explain.
“Is it that, or the fact that Hov ain’t willing to lie for you when it comes to Qua? It seems that Hov didn’t give you much of an option on trading him in for your old thang,” Rocky chimed in.
“Facts, sis!” Noir agreed.
It was true in a way. Throughout the past four years, she and Hov butted heads on them telling Rock she was Qua’s mama. Rock and Hov kept in touch throughout his whole bid, and Rock was very familiar with his nephew but not privy to the reality of his girl being with his best friend. The situation was sticky. Hov looked out for her in certain aspects of the hidden truth, but he would never lie about it, and truthfully, Rock never asked.
“Regardless, I still wanted to know what me and Rock could’ve been.” Knycole adjusted in her seat. The questioning made her slightly uncomfortable.
Rocky flipped her Brazilian hair over her shoulder. “I love my brother, and I’m so happy he’s about to come home, but Knyc, it ain’t rocket science that Hov is the better man.”
“Y’all just looking at it from a wealth standpoint. I have my own money, so that’s not an issue.” She reminded them that her money was just as good as Hov’s.
“Trust, we know that, but on paper, it just doesn’t make sense. Bestie, you were...arein love with Quameek. Y’all have a son together and everything, but who am I to judge? I supportwhatever hoe ass decision you decide to make,” Noir said, shaking her head.
Knycole couldn’t lie and say they hadn’t put things to consider on her mind. Still, she was determined to see where things could lead for her and Rock. Plus, a little guilt rested in her heart knowing his bid was the result of her daddy. Nick was in a better place, but that reality still hung over his head. And to make things right, she was going to love on Rock. Had he allowed her to talk to him and go see him, she was certain they’d be together. He wasn’t perfect, but perfection scared the shit out of her, anyway. Hov was the single most scariest thing she’d encountered.Hewas perfection. Maybe that was another reason she was so drawn to Rock—loving him was easier.
“Hey, Hov,” Briana announced loud enough for Knycole to hear. She’d just taken the seat across from the trio. “At the nail shop.”
Noir looked from Rocky to Knycole. She knew shit could go left quick because contrary to what came out of Knycole’s mouth, she still didn’t play about Hov.
“Oh, tell him I said hey.” Knycole smirked, playing right into what Briana had for her.
“Let me call you back.” Briana’s eyes locked in on Knycole. She had to admit, the girl was beautiful. Confidence allowed her to rock a fire red blunt cut bob that drew you into her bedroom eyes. All the reasons why she hated her guts. “Do you have to be so rude?” Her nose went up in disgust.
“No. But I do like to play games from time to time and that’s exactly what your basic ass wants to do, so let’s play boo.” Knycole sat back in her seat ready for whatever Briana was ready for.
“I’m just saying, y’all not together anymore so I don’t understand what your issue is with me.” Briana had thrown a rock and was now trying to hide her hands.
Knycole stood up not caring about the woman trying to place a hot rag on her feet. “Bitch don’t play with me because I will mop this floor with your nappy ass wig. You know what it is this way and wanted to get a reaction out of me, so here the fuck you go. If anything, you should be thanking me for allowing you to even smell his air since that’s all you’ll get from him and I can make that a bet if you want to keep thinking shit’s sweet with me.”
