Page 38 of Love & Streetball

Kane shot me a look before putting his eyes back on the road. “I don’t either,” he uttered. Kane ran a hand through his curls. I don’t know what drove me to reach over and pull a strand, just to see it bounce back in place. Kane shot me another look, his bushy brows pushed up this time.

“Sorry,” I laughed.

Kane shifted in his seat, and I wasn’t sure if he was uncomfortable now or what. I’d never did anything like that before.

“It seems like he kind of likes you.”

I shook that out of my head, turning toward the window. I jumped when I felt one of my locs being pulled. Kane was grinning when I turned to him. A wide smile spread on my lips, and I faced the window again, putting my wrist to my mouth to cover it up.

Kane is the first person besides Vani that wanted to hang out with me, and he isn’t even from the same side of town I was. Sometime it had me wondering if there was a motive behind it. Like, did him and a few of his friends make a bet to see if Kane could pull me or something? Nah, Kane wouldn’t do anything like that. That’s what I tell myself. Kane’s been so nice to me, I sit around trying to make shit up in my head to make it seem like he was a bad guy.

Moments later, he was easing into their circular driveway. My hands began to sweat. I wasn’t worried about his mama since she was the one who had invited me. It was his very opinionated father that had my skin prickling.

“I won’t let him disrespect you, Slim,” Kane told me in a low tone, as if reading my mind. “I promise.”

“Okay,” I mumbled. I unbuckled my seatbelt and opened the door when Kane opened his.

The door to the house opened, and a thin, pretty, Blasian woman stepped out with a smile plastered on her lips. She wore a dress shirt and wide leg pants which I couldn’t understand because Mama cooked comfortably in an old t-shirt and shorts.

Kane waited for me to round the front of his car and then we walked side by side up the steps. Kane looks nothing like his dad, because he was his mom’s twin from the tight eyes, curly hair, and the medium golden skin tone.

“Hello,” she spoke. “I’m JaMika.”

“Hey,” I said with a small wave. Her tight eyes flew to Kane. `

“Her name is Scottie, Ma.”

“Are you named after your father?” she asked.

“My mother,” I answered. “Her name is Scottland.”

Kane’s mom nodded and then stepped back to let us inside. I wiped my hands on my jeans. Their home smelled of food being cooked, and cleaning products. I heard moving around in the kitchen, so I figured Kane’s mama wasn’t the one doing the cooking and I for sure knew it wasn’t his dad.

“The cook is finishing up. We’re having soul food tonight, Scottie,” his mama beamed and I swallowed down the laugh that was itching my throat. Kane lightly shook his head. “I hope you love collard greens, smothered pork chops, homemade mac’ n cheese, cornbread. I think she’s also making a banana pudding.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I answered through a sputtered laugh. “I do.”

“Good. Good.” She turned to her son. “Go show her where she can get cleaned up and you two come to the table. You father should be down soon.”

Kane playfully pushed me in the direction of the hallway. “C’mon, Slim.”

“Slim?” his mama called out as we began walking.

Kane chuckled. “That’s her nickname, Ma.”

I cackled. “Soul food?”

Kane just shook his head, a grin playing on his lips as he led me to the bathroom that I already knew was there.

"Your mom seems… nice," I said, my voice feeling too loud.

“She straight. She just doesn’t have a backbone when it comes to my dad at times,” Kane uttered.

I nodded as if understanding. I didn’t, and it wasn’t my place to comment on it.

We washed our hands and then I trailed Kane to the dining room. My feet stopped when I noticed a man at the table. Dark skin with broad shoulders. He was still in his suit, his tie loosened. His eyes glided up to mine.

“Michael, this is Kane’s friend, Scottie. Scottie this is my husband, Michael,” Kane’s mom introduced. “Y’all sit.”