Page 65 of Tangled Hearts
“Not in front of my son,” Hov reasoned. One thing he wasn’t going to do was play about Qua. No matter how heavy in the streets he was, he didn’t bring nonsense around him.
“Nigga, fuck all that. I need some fuckin’ answers like yesterday.” Rock waved him away having no understanding of what was taking place.
Hov pinched the bridge of his nose. “Nigga, at least put some fuckin’ pants on.”
Knycole placed her hands up. “Rock, just calm down. Qua is standing right here.” Her eyes went to his dick then back up to Hov’s upset face. She could’ve died right there.
Rock snatched away from her. “I ain’t trying to hear none of that shit. I need some muthafuckin’ answers because I know what it looks like. And to be real with y’all, ain’t shit y’all cansay to make this situation better. So, tell me Knycole, you been fucking my best friend?” His head slanted giving her a look of death.
Swallowing hard, she tried to think of something that would ease the blow of her confession. Usually, she was quick on her feet but today was posing a challenge. “Rock,” she said reaching out to him but he snatched away. Nodding at his disdain, she licked her lips in hopes of her words coming out smooth like butter. “You were gone and we just kinda happened. What we did had nothing to do with you and everything to do with us.”
Rock couldn’t believe what he was listening to. Never in a million years did he think they’d betray him. Anger replaced his blood and pumped through his heart causing him to charge at Hov. Hov wasn’t expecting it but was quick on his feet and dodged the right Rock threw.
“Stop!” Knycole screamed going for Qua to place him out of harm’s way because if either one of them mistakenly hit her son, all bets were off. “Rock!” She yelled again because he just wasn’t going to stop until he felt justified.
“Shut the fuck up!” He said through gritted teeth as he and Hov threw hands. In the streets he was known to fight and prison had only certified his hands even more, however, the pain, rage, and broken heart made Hov the clear winner.
Hov landed a mean left hook to his friend’s jaw while his right connected with his stomach. He didn’t want to hurt Rock but he wouldn’t accept a beating without putting up a fight. “Nigga, you already know this ain’t what the fuck you want.”
“Pussy boy, I know whatyouwant... my bitch! You done fucked around a put a baby in her too? I’m about to take your muthafuckin’ head off.” Rock shook off the pain in his jaw and landed a blow to Hov’s rib.
“Both of y’all stop!” Knycole yelled again, she’d been begging and pleading with them as they knocked her things around inthe room. She was conflicted and felt bad for the hand she played. “I said stop!” She made her way between them, using all her weight to push Rock back. “Stop!” she yelled, her voice cracking.
Rock’s bare chest rose and fell rapidly. “Oh, I see what this is. You taking up for that nigga? What, you ‘bout to help that nigga jump me?” He wiped his bleeding lip with the back of his hand.
“I ain’t on no body’s side! Y’all tearing up my shit and my son is soaking up all this toxicity. Rock, just let me talk to you,” she pleaded.
Rock only looked at her because despite what she’d done, he still loved her. Even if his love came with its own set of secrets.
Seeing that he wasn’t going to respond, she turned her body to Hov. The look in his eyes broke her down further. He was hurt and she knew she was the cause of his pain. Still, she needed to talk to Rock. “Can you take Qua back with you so I can talk to him?”
Hov turned his back on her before scooping his son into his arms. Knycole was a piece of work. Betrayal burned his throat. “Let’s go, Qua.”
Hov knew who Knycole had chosen. She’d done it before Rock touched down but there was always a piece of him that felt if backed into a corner, she’d make the right decision—him. However, standing in front of her, he felt such a disconnect that he second guessed everything he thought he knew.
The further he got out the room, the more her heart hurt. She had to suck in air deeply to stop the tears from rolling down her face because Rock seeing her emotional behind Hov would only make shit worse.
The sound of the front door closing brought Knycole back to the issue at hand.
“Talk,” Rock demanded as he snatched up his clothes, angrily slipping his body into them.
She couldn’t bring herself to speak because reality was setting in. She’d made a permanent decision based on temporary feelings. She played a game her heart would surely lose.
“He was there.” Her soft voice spoke barely audible.
“That doesn’t mean shit, Knycole!” Rock’s voice expanded hitting the walls before they stabbed her in the chest.
“To you it doesn’t, but for me it meant everything. I’ve gone without love for so long that when the opportunity came for me to finally get it, I jumped at the chance. Lust guided me but love brought me through.”
“You loved that nigga?” Soon as the words left his lips, his throat clogged up.
Love... I love him, she thought but wouldn’t dare say the words out loud. “Yes,” she whimpered. Knowing Hov would never look at her the same stung her core and made her eyes leak more.
Rock exhaled the breath he’d been unintentionally holding. “Man, I can’t do this shit.” His feet directed him to the open bedroom door.
“No!” She reached out to him because she couldn’t stand the thought of losing them both. It was selfish of her and she was well aware of her toxic trait. “Don’t leave me. I’ll make it right.”
“How?” His voice boomed. “How when y’all had a fuckin’ baby? My nephew, who I already love is a love child between the two people on this earth I thought wouldneverbetray me. Knycole, how the fuck are you going to make this shit right?” Those same eyes she fell in love with bore into her, making her feel naked—making her feel dirty.
