Page 26 of Love & Streetball

“Watch how you talk to me, Kane. You’ve been feeling yourself a little too much lately. You’ve been picking up bad habits lately.”

“I swear I haven’t,” I replied, running a hand down my face. “I’m no follower. I’m seventeen. When are you going to let up on me? I haven’t done anything but end up in jail for a few hours and it wasn’t even my fault.” I let out a groan.

He grunted. “You should have never been there in the first place. That’s what happens when you hang with the wrong people, Kane. Why didn’t you invite Kayla over instead? She’s a nice young lady.”

My eyes darted back toward the front of the house where I had left Slim. She was probably stuck on Space Jam still, but I was still being a horrible host.

“Kayla doesn’t have the same interest as I do,” I let him know. “She’s messy and I don’t vibe like that.”

“She’s a good look for you, Kane. Look, we’ll talk about this when I get home Sunday night. Don’t get in any trouble, Kane. Hopefully the friendship with this girl is just that and nothing more. I have to go. The senator is walking over.”

I ended the call as soon as he said that. If I remained on the phone another second I’d be letting my father have it. I may have his temper when pushed, but I was nothing like that man. I didn’t look down on the less fortunate like he did.

Sighing heavily, I strolled back to the living room and just like I thought, Slim was still glued to the movie. It was at the end, but I wasn’t ready for her to go home just yet.

“Aye, you want to hop on the game when this go off?” I quizzed, scratching my head.

Slim shrugged without looking away from the glowing screen. “I’ve never played.”

My brows rose. “Like ever?”

She snickered. “Like ever. Basketball? I can probably still whoop you on that.”

I shook my head vehemently. “Naaaah. I’m too cold.”

“Let me tell me see if my Ma will be lenient with my curfew,” she said pulling out her phone.

The excitement about playing on the game danced all over Slim’s face. I stood with my hands in the pockets of my joggers, bouncing on my toes waiting for her mom to respond. The phone in her hand was something I hadn’t seen before.

At seventeen, I was standing here thinking of everything I could buy Slim like I was a damn trick. She needed shoes, an updated phone, some clothes maybe. And it wasn’t on no shady shit like I was trying to change her. I just wanted to help without crossing boundaries.

“She said two more hours and then I need to bring my Black ass home.”

We laughed in unison.

“Bet. You gon’ have to come up to my room then.” I absentmindedly licked my lips right after I said that, and Slim’s brow rose.

“Don’t try no funny, nigga,” she let known and I help my hands up in surrender.

“I promise to be on my best behavior. You look like you could beat my ass anyway,” I joked.

Slim snorted as she followed me toward the stairs. “I know I can.”

“Maaan,” I laughed. “If you swing on me I wouldn’t even hit you back. I’ll pin your ass up though. Might catch a forearm to your throat.”

Slim laughed. We ascended the stairs and I led her down the long hallway to my room.

“Your room is ten times bigger than mine,” she gushed. “You have it made.”

I smacked my lips because I didn’t like her saying that.

Instead of responding to Slim, I sat on the edge of my bed, leaning over to turn on the game system. I picked up the controllers from where they were charging and reached one out to her, She took it and sat on the bed beside me. I swallowed and shook back the thoughts that came to my mind. I could never take it there with Slim. One, she would punch me. Two, I would never want to ruin the friendship that I knew I would have with her. Whether she liked it or not, we were gonna be good friends. Best friends.

Before the game started, I showed her what each button was for in the basketball game. Slim caught on quickly. She even came close to winning one game. I won by two points. She was dunking on my ass. When it was time for me to take her back home, her face fell. The excitement was completely gone. Now my ass wanted to buy her a PS5 just to see that smile on her face again.

In the car, I put on Crown Heart so it wouldn’t be a quiet ride home. I was already planning my next hangout with Slim, and she didn’t even know. If I had to take her to play street ball for the bread, just to be around her, so be it. As I drove, I realized I had it bad for her and that shit scared me. I was only seventeen and felt like she was my person. It had to be fate that we met. That’s just where my mind went.

That shit really scared me, but I could feel it in my soul. I wondered if this was what young love was, even if it was one-sided for now. Slim didn’t have to say it out loud, but I knew she fucked with the kid. She probably ain’t never laughed as much as she did tonight. I was just happy I was able to do that for her.