Page 111 of Tangled Hearts
They climbed down, slamming the doors shut. Instead of walking the park like regulars, they lingered near the hood of the car, letting the eyes stay on them.
Noir had other plans though. She strutted her messy ass straight over to Cash, throwing herself into his arms like she’d always belonged there. His hands caught her waist without hesitation, pulling her closer.
Knycole winced, her stomach flipping when she caught Hov lifting his hand in a sharp stop toward Christian, blocking him before he could move. Christian’s jaw clenched, rage twisting his face.
Noir turned her head, speaking right into Cash’s ear. “You gon’ let them watch, or you gon’ give ‘em something to really talk about?” She draped her arm over his shoulders, nails tracing his chain.
Cash chuckled, eyes cutting across the crowd as if daring anyone to test him. “What type of time you on, pretty girl?” he muttered, squeezing her hip.
Noir pulled away for a few seconds to hug Rock too. He would always be good in her book.
“That nigga bout to shoot the block up” Rock said, talking about the smoke coming from Christian’s ears.
Noir shrugged, falling back into Cash.
“Tell, Knyc don’t be scared… that nigga can’t stop the love we still share,” Rock leaned back on his car. He was parked next to Cash and surrounded by a few security guards.
It felt weird at first but Rock realized this was the life Cash lived now and he was an asset to the record label.
Noir waved her best friend over but Knycole shook her head making Rock crack up before yelling, “Scary ass!”
Christian’s chest rose hard, eyes on Noir like he could burn a hole through her. “This bitch really out here playing with me?” His words carried, reaching Knycole, who froze.
Hov’s stare pinned him down. “You step in there, it’s gon’ be more than her feelings hurt. Chill out.”
Christian’s fists balled. His shooters hovered nearby, restless. The entire park shifted, whispers rippling through the crowd.
Knycole’s throat tightened. She moved quick, stepping toward the tension before it snapped. “Noir,” she called, but Noirignored her, tilting her head back against Cash’s chest, smiling like the chaos fueled her.
Knycole rubbed her temples, her heart thudding. She knew her girl was playing with fire and this time the whole city was watching it burn.
She couldn’t even put her hand on Noir to snatch her away before Rock had his hand linked with hers. “Damn, you ain’t speaking? We just broke up a few days ago.”
Knycole smiled big. “Hey, Rock,” her voice softened pulling him into a hug.
Rock squeezed her. “That’s all I wanted. I’ll always love you, girl.”
“Rock, please,” Knycole blushed.
“Aye, kid!” Hov yelled from the other side as a car rode past blasting music.
Knycole slipped from Rock’s arms. She tasted guilt but didn’t know who it belonged to.
“Aww, man… I thought you was working on yourself. Don’t tell me you lied to me again?” Rock pressed his hand to his chest like he’d been shot.
“I am,” Knycole shot back. “Noir, come on.” She swung to face Noir, the reason she skipped her ass across the street.
Noir snatched away. “Christian ain’t Hov and Cash ain’t Rock.”
“The fuck that mean?” Rock cocked his head to the side, eyeing Noir hoping she wasn’t saying what he thought she was saying. That fueled his pettiness even more. “You know she’s good with me, nigga!” He yelled across the street.
“Rock!” Knycole put her hand on his chest.
“Kid!” Hov yelled again, this time taking a few steps forward. His eyes were glued on Rock’s hand still a little too close. His chest hammered against his chest. Not from jealousy but from the fear of losing control when Rock was his brother.. wouldalways be his brother but seeing them so close after everything? He wasn’t with it.
Knycole’s eyes jumped to Noir, bucking big. “Bitch, come on… let’s go get something to eat.”
Cash laughed. “Go’n with Knyc, pretty girl, I ain’t going nowhere.”
