Page 62 of Tangled Hearts
Rolling her eyes, Briana couldn’t concede and needed to get under Knycole’s skin just as bad as Knycole had gotten under hers for the last five years. “Well thank you for getting off his dick to jump back on his best friend’s.”
Her words stabbed Knycole. She lunged at her but was grabbed back by Noir. “I will fucking kill you! Stay the fuck away from Hov, bitch!”
“When you do, I will,” Briana taunted sticking out her tongue.
“Bitch say one more thing and I’m letting her go.” Noir’s nostrils flared. “And I dare you to tell Hov about this shit... I fucking triple dog dare you and see how that goes for you.”
Blinking her eyes, Briana couldn’t wait for them to be gone. She was annoyed because what Noir said was true. She wouldn’t dare tell Hov about how she antagonized Knycole. In order to get on his good side, she had to play nice with the bitch or she’d be out like last week’s trash. Briana was no fool. Hov would kill her if he knew that she was even trying to start shit with Knycole. She just couldn’t help it though. The hood had placed Knycole on a pedestal and Briana was ready to knock her off to claim the spot as her own.
Rock stepped onto the hot concrete that he hadn’t physically seen since he was nineteen years old. It was a surreal feeling and as he stood in front of the place he’d been housed in for the past five years, he etched the image of freedom in his mind. His time inside taught him a lot but being a young man, he wasn’t sure he was bringing it with him. He didn’t want to bring much of anything from the legal plantation.
He couldn’t wait to lay eyes on Destiny, his daughter who he had to raise behind glass. Five years away was far too long to miss out on his most prized possession growing up and she did it without him. Rock didn’t know what his family had in store for him, but he knew he was going to fall into someone’s club and hopefully, something tight, warm, and wet. His mind went to Shakeisha but she would have to wait.
Honk, honk!
The sound of Hov laying on the horn gained Rock’s attention. The smile started at his eyes and rested in his heart. His brother from another mother had pulled up in a black Audi with a red bow sitting on it.
“You gon’ stand your soft leg ass over there or come see what this whip hitting on?” Hov hollered joyfully.
Rock had heard about Hov taking over the streets up under Christian, but he didn’t expect the money to be like that. “My nigga.” Rock embraced him in a brotherly hug letting the hug simmer for a minute.
“Welcome back, baby,” Hov spoke sounding like a New York kingpin. He was excited to have his right-hand back. Less excited for the storm that brewed.
“I know this ain't what I think it is?” Rock walked around the car, eyeing it in disbelief and hope. Before he went in, he was driving am old school car that didn’t have adequate a/c. Now, he was getting out with more than he imagined.
Tossing him the keys, Hov went to the passenger’s side. “This all you, my nigga. I hope you still know how to drive.”
Rock chuckled. “Shit, you better put your seatbelt on.”
“I was gonna do that anyway,” Hov laughed as the two of them got inside.
Rock pulled off from the place he’d spent half a decade. The feeling was better than he dreamt it would be. Jail wasn’t challenging but he had no plans of going back. The thought of why he was even in there, had him gripping the steering wheel. Nick had done the unthinkable all because he couldn’t get drugs from him after he’d done his own flesh and blood wrong—once he’d disrespected the girl he loved, all bets were off.
“You good over there, nigga?” Hov asked seeing something was bothering Rock.
He lied. “Yea, just getting used to how smooth this bitch rides. How much this shit set you back?”
“Not much. It’s all yours. We always said the come up would beoursand I meant that shit.” Hov reminded him of the pledge they’d taken.
“And nothing will come between us.” Rock added the last part of their saying.
Swallowing hard, he only nodded because he wondered if Rock would feel the same when the truth came out. “Aye, I got some shit I need to release from my chest.” Hov knew the sooner he told Rock the truth, the better.
Waving his hand through the air, Rock dismissed Hov. “Leave the bad news out of the day. Tell me whatever in about a week. A nigga been living in bad news for the past five years… I just want to breathe today.”
Hov nodded, understanding what his longtime friend needed. He had no intention of keeping it a secret but decided to let him enjoy his first day out. Tomorrow, Hov was going to put it all on the table because his love for both Knycole and Rock wouldn’t allow him to play the games he felt Knyc wanted to play. It wasn’t fair to any of them— his self included.
There was no doubt what he had to say needed to be said, but if Rock wasn’t ready, who was he to fuck up someone’s day? Plus, Hov was well aware Rock carried a secret of his own that he had yet to acknowledge with Knycole. But like he kept hers he also kept Rock’s.
They cruised down the street in their own thoughts speaking only when Rock had a question about certain people. The one person he wanted to ask about, he didn’t, and Hov was relieved.
Pulling up to Mae Lou’s house once Hov put the coordinates in the navigation system, Rock was impressed. “Y’all got my little baby out here living like this?” he asked, getting choked up.
“I told you I was going to make sure the family was straight but honestly, this was all Knycole.” Hov patted him on the back letting him know it was okay to show emotions.
“I know that ain't my baby,” Mae Lou pushed the glass screen door open with lots of force. While he was away the two of them became very close. She visited him often and with the help of Hov, she kept money on his books.
“It’s me, old lady live and in effect.” Rock grabbed her, hugging her tight. He rocked her back and forth.
