Page 29 of Love & Streetball

Kane chortled, pulling out of the projects. “Nah, I just felt like putting this shit on. Who golfs in jeans anyway?”

We drove with his phone connected to Bluetooth. The city lights blurred past the windows. I had to admit, I’ve been enjoying being out of the house.

“Where are we going?” I asked, breaking the silence.

“Ice cream,” Kane said, glancing over at me. “That aight with you?”

I nodded. “As long as it’s not a date or anything.”

Kane snickered and swiped his tongue over his lips. I wish he would stop doing that. Get some Chapstick or something.

“It’s not a date,” he said, assuring me. “No feelings. No dates. I gotchu.”

He pulled into a parking lot in front of a small shop with a neon sign that read Love Grove Scoops. It was buzzing with people that appeared to be couples and maybe a few groups of friends, all laughing and talking. We got out of the car, and I tugged self-consciously at the hem of my shirt, wishing I’d made a little more effort in my choice of clothing. Although we were still in my neck of the woods, I was still feeling somewhat underdressed. No one out here was wearing sweats and a loose shirt. The girls were in tights and crop tops. The guys wore jeans that were starched down with crisp, white t-shirts. I wanted to sit in the car and just let Kane order for me.

Kane must have noticed, because he bumped my shoulder against mine. “You don’t look bad. You look…” Kane stopped and looked me up and down, but there was something there in his eyes that I couldn’t explain. “…chill. Relaxed. C’mon, girl, let’s get our ice cream and bounce.”

We went inside, and the scent of sugar and waffle cones wafted in the air. I stood back while Kane went up to the counter, my eyes scanning the menu. Everything looked good, but I was too proud to order anything too fancy. I’d stick to what I know.

Kane stepped back with his hands stuffed in his pockets. “You know what you want?”

“Uh, just strawberry is fine,” I mumbled.

“Just strawberry?” he scoffed, with an eyebrow lifted. “Nah, you can add shit like candy to it, and they mix it in. We gotta go big or go home.”

I glanced over at the jars lining the counter with sweets like crushed Oreos, Butterfingers, marshmallows, and nuts.

“I guess I can add marshmallows and Oreos to it,” I mumbled.

Kane turned to the woman behind the counter and told her what I wanted in a waffle cone. He ordered birthday cake with marshmallows and sprinkles. After paying, we walked back outside. I started walking back to the car, but Kane stopped.

“It’s a nice day out. We should eat at one of the tables,” he suggested.

“Right. Don’t want to get any ice cream inside your car.” I licked a drip of ice cream from my cone.

We sat down on opposite sides of the small table. I looked up, and a few people were looking at us. I recognized all of them from school, but they never paid me any mind, so why now? Did they know Kane? Of course, they did, Scottie. Everyone knew of Kane but you, I said to myself.

“I’m gonna need to run to work all of this off,” I told Kane.

“I’ll run wit’ you.”

My head tilted. “Why does it feel like you’re trying to be around me a lot? Who sent you?”

Kane laughed while licking his spoon. “Maaan, ain’t nobody sent me, Slim. You funny.”

The corners of my lips tugged upward. I couldn’t deny the fact that I liked being able to laugh with someone other than Vani.

“I’m funny, huh?” I scooped ice cream and cone in my mouth. This was so good. I was glad Kane talked me into adding more to the ice cream. “You’re the one who’s acting like my damn shadow. Like I can’t move without you.”

“You can’t,” he boldly said, shrugging his shoulders. “We’re locked in.”

This time, I guffawed with my head thrown back, not caring who stared.

“I guess,” I mumbled, eyeing him as my leg shook underneath the table.

“I rather be your friend than your enemy. Conley still icing his nose.”

“Good! That’ll teach his ass to stop fucking with people,” I muttered and focused back on my ice cream.