Page 40 of Love & Streetball

“Why do you keep bringing Kayla up? Me and her have nothing in common, ma. Literally nothing.”

Mrs. Stone dabbed at her lips with her napkin, her movements precise. “I wasn’t saying you weren’t pretty, Scottie. You are. Are you growing dreadlocks?”

“Locs,” I corrected her, “and yes.”

“What are you doing after your senior year, Scottie?” Mr. Stone asked after not saying anything for a while. “Are you able to pay for college?”

“Dad…” Kane grumbled.

“I can ask what I want. Stay in a child’s place, Kane.”

My eyes stretched, wondering if Kane was indeed going to stay in a child’s place. I just sat here, feeling like I was caught in the middle of a damn hurricane. I wanted to disappear. I wanted to tell Kane that he didn’t have to go to bat for me with his parents, but a small, selfish part was thrilled that he was fighting for me. Only Vani and Mama have, and now Kane was.

I shrugged. “I’m hoping for a full ride basketball scholarship.”

Mr. Stone’s brows rose. “Are you that good?”

My lips parted to respond, but Kane beat me to it. “The best out of her school, just like I am but you know that only from reading newspaper articles.”

“Do you have a backup plan, Scottie?” Mr. Stone asked, basically disregarding what Kane had said. That made me shudder. It also made me angry.

“No. I know what I want and I know I’m going to get it, but…Why don’t you go to any of your son’s ball games?” I asked, sticking a piece of meat in my mouth.

Mr. Stone’s right cheek twitched, and I could see his jaw clenching from biting down on his back teeth. I’d struck a nerve, but what made him think he could ask me questions and I couldn’t?

“I work,” he gritted. “That’s why we have this nice house.”

“Do you support Kane’s love for the game?” I continued. I sipped my sweet tea but kept our eye contact.

Mr. Stone cleared his throat. “I support my son in everything, but basketball is a waste of time.”

“He could get drafted in college and go pro. How is that a waste of time?” I challenged. “What if that’s something that he wants to do?”

Kane was looking down at his plate, but that smirk still was on his lips. he was enjoying this.

“That’s something for my family to discuss,” was Mr. Stone’s response.

“Doesn’t sound like a supportive parent to me,” I muttered loud enough for him to hear.

“I think it’s time for you to leave,” he said coldly.

“Fine with me,” I smacked, pushing my chair back and standing abruptly.

“I’ll take you home, Slim,” Kane said, standing up with me.

“She can catch call for a ride,” his dad grunted.

“No, she cannot,” Mrs. Stone chirped. “Kane will take her home. She is still a teenager for goodness sake, Michael. Go, go take her home, but wait until I fix her a plate to go since she didn’t get to finish.”

“I’m okay,” I told her. It would have gone to Mama, but I didn’t want shit else from the Stones.

Mrs. Stone sighed. “It was still nice meeting you, Scottie. Kane is very fond of you.”

“Nice to meet you too,” I told her and turned to walk to the front. I didn’t have anything else to say to her husband.

In the car, Kane busted out laughing, slapping the wheel with his hand. “You handled that good, Slim.”

I snorted with a shake of my head. “I feel bad for you.”