Page 127 of Tangled Hearts
That’s what Hov did.
He never asked her to be anything but who she was. Never punished her for being complicated. Never walked out, even when she threw every reason to leave at him. He just stayed. Called her out. Called her in. Loved her all the way.
Knycole didn’t want to be torn anymore.
Her heart had been tangled for so long she forgot what it felt like to breathe without guilt. To choose love without hurting somebody else. To want something and feel like she deserved it.
But loving Hov… wanting his wild soul… craving his laugh and the way his eyes softened only for her… it felt like coming home after running for years.
And maybe that’s what the untangled version of her felt like.
Not perfection. Not answers. Just choosing the one who met her in the mess and said,“we gon’ figure it out.”
That was the lesson.
Love wasn’t clean and it’s not always calm, but it should be safe.
It should never ask you to betray yourself.
And when you find someone who sees every knot, every ugly, twisted, scarred part of you and still chooses to love you through it? That’s when the heart starts to heal.
That’s when the tangles start to loosen.
One piece at a time.
Until all that’s left… is the peace of you.
“Hello!”
“You sleep?” Knycole whispered, pulling the blanket tighter around her shoulders.
She’d put Qua in the tub, watched a movie with him and even made brownies. Now, she just wanted to wind down and really put some thought into her next move.
“I answered, didn’t I?” Hov’s voice came out rough, carrying a mix of irritation and fatigue. She could hear the faint rustle of sheets on his end.
She sat up in bed, knees pulling to her chest. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing…”
“Don’t lie, Quameek.” Her tone cut sharper through the line, sass layered heavy in her delivery.
There was a pause, then a loud exhale crackled in her ear. “Why you wanna know? You ain’t gonna do shit ‘bout it.”
Her brows pinched. “How you know?”
“‘Cause you finding yourself, remember?” His voice carried a sting.
“That’s low,” Knycole murmured, her chest tightening. She reached for the end button, thumb hovering. “Good night, Hov.”
“Wait!” His voice jumped. “I’m sorry, kid.”
Her hand froze. She swallowed, letting the air hang. “You don’t have anything to be sorry for. It’s all good.”
“It’s not.” A cough escaped him, followed by the faint squeak of a mattress spring. She could picture him sitting up, dragging a hand over his face.
Knycole stretched her legs out, toes curling against the cool sheets. “Then tell me what’s on your mind.”
“You tell me first.” His voice softened, almost like he was bargaining for more time with her.
