Page 71 of Love & Streetball

“No,” she laughed softly, fingering the menu. “I was just trying to keep you safe. The projects aren’t for everybody, especially a nigga from the ‘burbs riding ‘round in an expensive ass car.”

I leaned back against the booth. “You really were looking out for me, huh?”

The waitress came, took our drink orders and our entrees since we were ready, then scurried off. Slim got shrimp, crab legs, and two sides. She tried to take the lobster dip off after hearing herself order everything, but I added it back. I ordered steak and shrimp, then asked for extra biscuits because I already knew Slim was about to tear them up.

“I was protecting both of us. People notice shit where I’m from. They notice strange cars, new faces, who somebody is talking to. You kept pulling up like you didn’t have a care in the world.”

“I really didn’t,” I shrugged. I eyed the waitress coming back with our drinks—Slim’s strawberry lemonade and my sweet tea. “Still don’t.”

Slim rolled her eyes as her lips circled around the straw. “Apparently you’re good in the hood now.”

For a few minutes, we sat there talking about school. She complained about one of her professors and the paper she had due when we returned. I reminded her she had known about it for two weeks. She accused me of taking the professor’s side, then told me not to ask her for help the next time I waited until the last minute to complete an assignment, knowing damn well I don’t wait until the last minute. Slim just be talking.

The waitress brought our food a little later, and Slim’s entire face lit up when she saw her plate. I didn’t even touch mine at first. I sat there watching her peeling a shrimp with more concentration than she gave anything else…like always.

“Oh my God, so good,” she said while chewing. “So, so good.”

I chortled and started cutting up my steak. We talked between bites, shared a chocolate chip cookie skillet topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel, and then we headed back to the hotel. Slim’s left leg bounced the whole ride, and she fiddled with her fingers in her lap. She was nervous about being alone with me in a hotel room.

Back in the room, We brushed our teeth and I let Slim clean my face with the products she swore by even though I didn’t need them. Just her hands rubbing my face alone, had me bricking up. I put my hands in my lap to cover the bulge while I sat down on the closed toilet seat.

Slim stood between my legs, rubbing some cold-ass cream across my forehead.

“Why you keep moving?” she fussed.

“Because this shit cold.”

“It’s moisturizer, Kane. Stop acting like a baby.”

“I’m not acting like no baby.” I grabbed the backs of her thighs and pulled her closer. “I’m trying to figure out why you need to be all up on me to put lotion on my face.”

She paused, looking down at my hands. “I can move.”

“Nah.” My grip tightened slightly. “You good right there.”

Slim shook her head, but a smile played on her lips. She went back to rubbing the moisturizer into my skin, taking her time around my cheeks and jaw. I watched her while she worked. Without the attitude and smart-ass remarks, she looked nervous as hell.

Her hands were trembling a little.

I caught one of them before she could reach for another bottle.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t do that.” I laced our fingers together. “Your leg was bouncing the whole ride back. Now your hands shaking. Talk to me.”

She looked toward the bathroom door. “I’m fine, Kane.”

“You scared to be here with me?”

Her eyes came back to mine. “No.”

I could tell she was chewing the inside of her cheek. When Slim was done fucking with my face she stepped back and I stood, towering over her. Using my fingers, I tilted her head back to look her in the eyes.

“I didn’t do all of this to…fuck, Slim. I did this because I love you, and you deserve to celebrate your birthday,” I let her know, cupping her chin gently. “There is nothing I will do, if you’re not okay with it.”

Slim’s breathing hitched. When she didn’t speak, I leaned in and covered her lips with my own. I kissed Slim slowly, giving her enough time to pull away if she wanted to. She didn’t. Instead her hands gripped the band of the ball shorts, pulling me closer to her and holding me there as she kissed me back.