Page 6 of Tangled Hearts
Once Rock disappeared to the back, Hov gave Briana his attention. “Go ahead and take that shit off,” he suggested. There was no need to prolong what was about to happen. Besides, he wasn’t one to beat around the bush.
“Un-uh.” She shook her head. “Rock might come out and see. Let’s just go to your room,” Briana suggested.
“Nah. That nigga ain’t gon’ come out here until a sale comes to the door. You was just about to take your clothes off. What changed?”
“Your friend coming home. I’m not that type of girl, and if you think I am, then you got me fucked up. Don’t let these little niggas lie to you about me. I don’t get down with everybody, everywhere.” Briana snaked her neck with her hands crossed over her chest.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Hov walked over to the front door and opened it. “I respect it, but I’ll holla at you later.”
Her mouth dropped to the floor. “Are you serious right now?” she asked. In her heart, she knew he was more than serious but didn’t want to believe it. She’d heard all about how rude and borderline disrespectful Hov could be, but just like everyone else, she thought she had what it took to change him.
“Look, I ain’t about to argue with you or make you feel like you have to do something you don’t want to do. I would give you a ride home, but you live right down the street, so I’ll watch you walk home to make sure you get in.” Hov looked down at her as sincere as he could.
“You know what? Don’t even bother. This my hood, so I’m certain no one will mess with me while I walk home. I didn’t want to believe all the bad shit people said about you, but it’s true… it’s all true, and you never have to worry about me ever again. Have a good life, Quameek.” She called him by his government name in hopes of pissing him off.
He saluted her and watched her ass walk out the door. Regardless of what she said, he stood on the porch to make sure she got in the house safely. He wasn’tthatbad of a guy when it came to making sure nothing happened to his Black women…unless they crossed him. Then, he’d put his foot in their ass himself.
Before he could make it back in the house, Nick was walking up.
“Rock in there?” Nick asked, eyes glossed over.
“Yea, but he’s sleep. What you need?” Hov asked, even though he already knew what Knycole’s daddy wanted.
Scratching his neck while looking around, Nick looked Hov in the eyes. “I just need something to hold me over until the first,” he whispered.
“You know you need to get right, Nick. I mean, you have a smart ass daughter that will probably never make it out because as long as you’re addicted, you’ll hold her back.”
Hov grew up with Knycole and hated how no matter what her father did to her, she loved him endlessly. Her spirit was pure and genuine, which would be the nail in her coffin when it came to leaving this place behind.
“Nigga, let me worry about my daughter. Now, either you gon’ give me something, or I’ll go ‘round the corner to get it,” Nick snapped.
Hov shrugged his shoulders. “Doesn’t matter to me because I get paid off that transaction too. But I’m personally not going to front you anything, or sell you anything, and Rock sleep right now, so what you do next is up to you.”
Nick scoffed before storming off. He hated running into Hov because he was always judging him, and that didn’t sit well with him. Having a child tell you about yourself was more hurtful than hearing it from an adult. Doing what he said he was going to, he went one street over and copped something to smoke on credit before he went back in the house.
Hov, on the other hand, stayed up all night serving the few people that came by. Normally, Rock would wake up as soon ashe smelled money, but for one reason or another, he was more tired than usual and didn’t hear a peep.
The sun started to rise as the morning wildlife woke for the day. Old at heart, Hov had checked the weather while he served the block and knew it was going to be a nice day, so he made mental plans to do a little shopping later on after he got some sleep.
“Good morning.” Knycole smiled as she walked past the porch right before Hov could make his way in the house.
Yawning and stretching his long arms out, he spoke back. “Where Noir? She ain’t walking with you today?” he questioned.
She shook her head. “She’s cramping today, which lets me know I’m next.”
Hov looked at her upside her head. “Man, I really don’t want to hear about none of that. Let me grab my burner and walk you.” He doubled back into the house not waiting for her to protest. Besides, it wasn’t out of the norm for him to walk with her somewhere. He was just as much her friend as he was Rock’s. In all actuality, he and Knycole had a special bond that stemmed all the way back to childhood. She had saved him on more than one occasion, at a time when she needed saving too.
Knycole looked down at her phone to check the time. She didn’t want to be late and risk missing breakfast. Regardless of what any of the other bougie kids had to say, she enjoyed school food. “Hurry yo’ ass up!” she hollered from the sidewalk.
When he stepped out the house, she gulped down the drool threatening to fall. Hov was extremely tall with skin the color of perfect milk chocolate. He always stood up straight, with square shoulders and a solid build. They said eyes were the windows to your soul and that had to be accurate for Hov. On the outside he looked dangerous and deadly but one look into his cognac colored eyes and you saw the sweet and innocent little boy whoonly wanted to be loved. He and Knycole had that in common. It was what bonded them and created their soul tie.
With his gun on his waist and off safety, Hov treaded down the stairs. “Don’t be rushing me. If yo’ greedy ass miss breakfast, I’ll bring you something back to school.”
“I know like hell you will.” She rolled her neck. Knycole had the people around her wrapped around her chubby little fingers. She didn’t know it though. She was a humble girl that didn’t understand the power of her distress calling out to every knight that had the pleasure of being near her.
Lightly, he mushed her on the side of her head. “So, kid, how’s school and shit?” he asked. He had a lot of hope for her and always showed it by inquiring about shit he usually didn’t care about.
Gripping the straps on her bookbag, she smiled hard. Having people ask about school always put a smile on her face. Rock and Hov both stayed on top of her heavy when it came to getting an education. “You know I got all A’s and B’s.”
