Page 69 of Tangled Hearts
His height engulfed her. He’d always made her feel safe. Now, she didn’t know if she was coming or going. His last slipup hurt more than she could express to him. It was killing her because she wanted him more than she wanted anyone else. Noir couldn’t breathe without him. Never thought she would have to.
She didn’t put up a fight against being in his arms. “You said you was okay with me getting some space, Christian.”
“And I was okay with that but I ain't say shit about you getting space to fuck off and act like a little hoe.”
Time stood still as she took in his words. Anger flowed through her. “Oh, you ain't want me to act like you, huh? Got it.”
He sighed because he couldn’t seem to say the right words. “That ain't what the fuck I mean and you know that but I see you want to play these little girl games.”
Rolling her eyes, she trained her slanted eyes on Christian. “Look, I had plans and?—”
“And I don’t give a fuck about none of that shit. Get yo’ dumb ass in the fuckin’ house.” Spittle expelled Christian’s mouth while the vein in his neck protruded.
Noir’s eyes filled with tears. She hated crying but when it came to her heart, she didn’t have much of a choice. As long as her most vital organ ached, she was going to shed tears.
Christian saw the pain in her eyes, and it shattered his heart. This was true love and if he didn’t understand it before, it was perfectly clear now. Her pain caused him to hurt too. Unfortunately, he couldn’t go back in time and change shit. If he could, Chanta would’ve been dead as soon as she confessed to being pregnant.
When she first told him, he thought she was going to do the right thing and get rid of the baby. He’d been mistaken. Chanta used the baby to create a permanent tie to him. It didn’t matter to her that he claimed he wouldn’t give her shit or take care of his baby. Chanta knew he was bluffing. And just like the addict shewas, she took a gamble and called his bluff. Now, he was about to lose his girl over some basic ass pussy.
Noir’s body shook from crying as he lifted her into his arms carrying her into their home. If he had to hold her captive for her to see how much she meant to him, he wasn’t above it.
CHAPTER 17
“Eightball corner pocket,”Hov announced before hitting the ball, winning the game for the third time in a row.
Christian shook his head. “Nigga just lucky tonight,” he said before slapping five thousand dollars on the table.
Stuffing the money into his pocket, Hov only laughed. “If your ass would get out your head you’d be a better competitor. Noir got you all off your game. One of the young niggas told me you had him pick up the last shipment. That ain't like you at all.”
It was true, Christian didn’t trust anyone besides Hov and Noir, but his head hadn’t been in the game. His baby mama had been running him up the wall and having to sleep alone wasn’t making shit better. The other night when he stopped Noir from going to Cash, he thought he was back on track to getting her back. Clearly, he didn’t know his girl. Noir waited until he was sleep before she snuck back out the door.
His love life was consuming him.
Gripping the pool stick tightly before placing it flat on the table, he groaned making his frustrations evident. “I don’t know what to do, man.”
“And I ain't the right one to tell you anything. All I know is, you wanting to touch Cash ain't the answer. Noir is your girl andshe’s the one that owes you respect, if anything. But then again, a nigga can't act like you didn’t make a baby on my sis. That was foul—hell, you even kept that shit from me.” Hov smirked.
“You damn right I didn’t tell you. Nigga, you would’ve had Chanta killed just to keep Noir from finding out.”
“Shit wouldn’t have been a bad idea. When it comes to those two, I have zero understanding. That’s the only reason Knycole ain't missing now. I love that girl too much to hurt her like my twisted ass mind is telling me to do.” Hov shrugged.
Christian knew all about his twisted mind—more than Hov knew. “You too calm for me and the fact that Rock was once your right-hand man, I know this ain't sitting right with you.” He scratched his head. “Let me ask you this—why did you cross the line with your best friend’s girl?”
So many times, the question plagued Hov but for different reasons. For him, it was why did he cross the line withhisbest friend and the answer was always easy—she belonged to him. Always had been and always would be. Hov was certain, Knycole was his soulmate even if that meant having to experience her only as his friend.
“Man, she was made for me.” Hov’s voice was even and truthfully spoken.
Letting his friend’s words sink in, he paused for a while. “Damn,” was Christian’s only reply. The revelation was too deep for him to give a better response.
The way Hov spoke made any one in listening distance believe everything he said, word for word. Confidently and with his chest out, even his lies seemed to be the gospel.
“I can’t tell though.” Christian challenged.
“What you mean?” Hov clasped his hands in front of him waiting for his big homie to elaborate.
Christian pondered over the right words to say. He didn’t want to offend his friend. “I’m just saying… I know I love Noirwith my whole heart. I’m willing and ready to follow her to the end of the earth, especially when I know I fucked up. But with you… you just letting Knyc walk away without putting up much of a fight. That shit confuses me because I know your love for her trumps mine with Noir. There’s something so special about the two of y’all.”
“Man, you trippin’,” Hov said with a smile and waving him off.
