Page 39 of Love & Streetball

“Um…hi,” I said, with a real lazy wave.

His dipped. “Good evening, Scottie.” It was a dry, forced greeting but I shook it off.

I sat down in the furthest seat away from him. Kane snickered lightly. I’m glad he found this amusing. It wasn’t like I was afraid of his dad or something. I just didn’t want to have to read his ass too badly if he tried to get under my skin because of where I live.

Mrs. Stone joined us at the table. She patted her husband’s hand. I chewed on my inside cheek. I could never be a wife like that. Him as a husband would get on my nerves. No wonder Kane was never home.

“So, you’re the ball player from Love Heights, and the same one who went to jail with Kane that night?”

“Umm…” I started.

“Really?” Kane grunted loudly.

“Yeah, I was one of them, but I didn’t do anything,” I told him. My eyes narrowed. Neither did Kane.”

Mr. Stone stoked his goatee while eyeing me. His gaze didn’t even drop when the cook began bringing plates out and placing them before us. His wife cleared her throat, but he ignored her.

“Thank you,” I told the cook, remembering that I do have manners because my mama taught me. The cook smiled at me and shuffled off.

I didn’t touch my food yet, because no one else had. Mrs. Stone blessed the food and when Kane touched his food, so did I.

“Are you ready for prom next week, Kane?” His mama beamed as she chewed.

Kane shook his head and replied, “No, but I guess I have to be, huh?”

Mrs. Stone turned to me. “Kane is taking his girlfriend to prom.”

Kane’s head reared back so fast, I thought it had unattached. “Kayla is not my girlfriend, and you are making me take her to prom. Don’t forget to add that part.”

Mr. Stone wiped his mouth. “Watch your tone, Kane,” he warned, sternly.

I continued nibbling cutting my pork chop and chewing it. The food was really good to go to waste. Kane going to prom with whoever Kayla was, was not my business.

“Are you going to your prom, um…”

“Scottie,” Kane mumbled, reminding her of my name.

“Scottie?” his mom finished.

I shook my head and let out a “No, that’s not for me. I’m a junior anyway.”

“It’s for junior and seniors, but I see that’s not your thing. Do you dress up?” she asked. Her neatly eyebrows were raised in what I guess was supposed to be polite curiosity.

“No. I don’t go anywhere where I have to dress up. I don’t wear dresses or bows,” I said in a very flat tone.

A small smirk played on Kane’s lips when I glanced his way. He knew when he brought me over here that I could hold my own. I wasn’t a disrespectful person, especially to adults, but don’t get nothing twisted…I don’t let anyone slide by disrespecting me either. They better ask Conley.

“I bet you’ll be really pretty,” she continued.

“I’m not a doll,” I advised.

“She’s already pretty,” Kane said.

My head slowly turned in Kane’s direction. I think all of our eyes were on him in shock. The air in the room went from tense to frozen immediately. My heart did a weird stutter against my ribs. Kane was looking down at his food, chewing and moving his fork around as if what he just said was normal to him.

It was not. I wasn’t used to anyone calling me pretty except my mama of course.

“Kane… I’ve never even heard you call Kayla pretty,” his mama gasped.