Page 49 of Love & Streetball

“I’m sorry, Jalen,” Slim said after a beat, turning sideways in her seat. “I’m just irritated.”

“Don’t sweat it,” he replied, still with his eyes closed.

I headed in the direction of Love Grove. One hand on the wheel the other pulling at the hair on my chin while deep in thought. Slim was in her own world too, looking forward with her arms still across her chest.

Once I pulled up to Jalen’s house, he hopped out. I’d dropped the other two off first. When I pulled up to Slim’s I didn’t cut the engine. She opened the door. Stuck her foot out and then turned back to me.

“You not coming in?” I shook my head and bit down on my back teeth. “Oh,” she said softly.

“I’ma go chill with my parents,” I lied.

Slim stepped out of the car and closed the door behind her without saying anything else to me. I made sure she made it inside before pulling off.

After eating dinner with my parents at an upscale restaurant, they drove home in my dad’s car, and instead of following behind them, I took off to Love Heights. In a few days, I’ll be gone back to school and the way Slim got out of my car earlier didn’t sit right with me. She hadn’t texted me, and I hadn’t hit her up.

I turned into the gas station near the projects for gas and some snacks that I thought Slim would like. The Bentley’s engine hummed to a smooth stop. This gas station was a no-go zone for anyone not from Love Grove, but I needed gas and the projects was just around the corner. Several cars were already parked either getting gas or hanging out. Niggas blasted rap loudly from their trunk speakers.

I locked my car and trekked toward the store, deciding to pay for the snacks and gas at the same time. The store was well lit. Bright with a few cameras. Hopefully they actually work. A homeless guy nodded at me on my way in.

I went straight to the candy aisle, picking up Airheads and chocolate candy bars. Then I strolled over to the chips and Little Debbie cakes. I picked up damn near one of everything. My hands were full, but I stopped by the drinks. I juggled everything, trying not to drop anything as I made my way to the counter.

The dude behind the glass was watching me, his eyes narrowed. I could feel his judgment from here. Rich boy from the other side of town. I just ignored him and slid my items onto the counter.

“Twenty-five on pump three,” I told him.

“Need a bag?” the cashier asked, his voice flat.

“Yeah, man.”

He sighed, like it was a huge inconvenience, and slowly started bagging my stuff. I could feel the eyes of the couple of other dudes in the store on me. They weren't doing anything, just leaning against the shelves, but the vibe was off. I was a target. I knew it. They knew it.

I grabbed the bag and headed for the door, my shoulders tense. I pushed it open and stepped back out into the humid night air. The bass from a nearby car was thumping so hard it vibrated in my chest. I kept my head down, my eyes on my car, just a few feet away.

“Aye, blood,” a rough voice called out that sent chills down my spine. “Lemme hold them keys.”

“Nah, I’m good,” I told him without turning around.

“I didn’t ask you, nigga. I said lemme hold them keys.”

I hit the unlock button my key fob, opened the passenger door and tossed the bag of snacks in before shutting, and locking it. I still had to pump the gas. When I pivoted, it was three other dudes total. One had his hand behind his back. I swallowed, trying to appear unfazed when in reality, I could be seeing Vani real soon.

“Y’all got a fuckin’ problem?”

My eyes widened at the sound of Slim’s voice. She was walking up from the street, her locs pulled back. The niggas looked at her and smiled.

“What’s up, Slim!” the one that was cockeyed called out. “This you?”

“That’s my homeboy. Why y’all pressin’ him?” I moved to start gassing my car. “Why y’all sweating him?” She stopped a few feet away from us. Her eyes met mine for a second, a flicker of something I couldn’t read.

“Your homeboy got a nice car,” another one said. He had locs while the other two had fades. “And we wanna take it for a lil’ spin…that’s all.”

Slim shook her head slowly. “Nah, y’all not gon’ do that. That’s his shit.”

“Or what? What you gon’ do, Slim? Call the pigs?”

Slim bit down on her bottom lip. “Nah, y’all gon turn and leave. This car has a GPS system that you can’t remove. His dad will have it traced as soon as you leave with it and before you can get excited about being in the car, you’ll be booked on theft and more because I’m sure one or two of you have warrants.”

One started laughing, but it was a nervous laugh. I hung the pump up, but waited for Slim.