Chapter 10 #2
My parents both yelled and screamed at me as soon as my feet touched the foyer.
Mama was more embarrassed by my choice of words to Kayla, but I didn’t care.
I felt how I felt and wasn’t switching shit up.
She called Scottie a bitch first, but they didn’t care.
All they cared about was what I said to Kayla.
Even after all of that, Mama tried to get me to do the proposal Kayla wanted, and I promised her that I would run away. I was dead ass serious too. I wasn’t doing that shit.
The argument circled for what felt like hours, the same points being hammered into the walls because it was going in one ear and out the other.
I was over this shit. Now I was in my room, after a hot shower, and the food that had been cooked tonight.
After tucking my homework back into my backpack, I lay in bed with my phone.
Slim hadn’t texted me, and I hadn’t talked to her since we went and got ice cream.
Me: You sleep?
I turned on my TV and put it on a sports channel for the recaps. Getting underneath my covers, I yawned. My phone vibrated in my hand with a message from Slim.
Slim: Not yet. How was your game?
I smiled, rubbing a hand through my mess of curls. The fact that she even knew I had a game today had a nigga grinning hard. She had a game tomorrow, and I was making it my business to go.
Me: We won. I put up 24.
Slim: Aye! I’ve been working on my threes for tomorrow’s game. I love the shoes you bought me. They’re light. Thank you again.
Me: Go out there and drop those 3s. Show out.
Slim: Will! Are we practicing for the street ball, or are we just gon’ wing it?
Me: We might have to wing it unless we can get everyone together Friday evening or something.
I told myself I’ll play maybe three games with Slim, and when we win, because we will, I’ll give her my portion of the winnings. She wanted this more than I did.
Slim: K. I made an Instagram. Slim_TheHooper
I cackled. Of course, her username would have something that signifies she played ball.
Me: I’m about to follow you. Follow me back.
Slim: Okay.
I waited a moment to see if she would send another message. After two minutes, I sent another text.
Me: You good over there, though? You have enough food?
I counted the minutes it took for Slim to reply. Ten minutes and my eyes were growing heavy.
Slim: We’re making it, Kane. Thanks for asking. Good night.
Me: Good night, Slim.
I pinched the inner corner of my eyes. If there was more I could do for Slim, I would do it.
I closed my eyes, imagining her stomach growling from the hunger pangs while I was full and satisfied.
That didn’t sit right with me. After basketball practice tomorrow, I was taking her to an all-you-can-eat soul food buffet over here in Heart Heights, even if I had to drag her kicking and screaming.
I had a feeling that whenever I took her to eat, that was the only time she actually filled her stomach up.
If only Slim were comfortable with asking me things she needs.
I chuckled to myself and ran a hand down my face.
At first, I thought this would lead to a friendship, but I was falling for the girl.
Saturday
Last night, we all met to practice for today. No lie, that hard concrete can mess up your body, but I had to shake that ache off so we can win this money. I was doing it for Slim and her only.
After my dad told me that he was gonna let me make my mistakes by befriending Slim, he didn’t say anything else to me when he checked my location.
I was hanging out with Slim a lot this week after practice, missing dinner with my parents.
Still, nothing was said. I knew my dad like the back of my hand, and his silence was a test. He was betting on my downfall, and just like I ball, I was playing to win.
I caught a Rideshare to Slim’s home. Slim suggested I didn’t drive my fancy shit to Dreamview. The surrounding towns call Dreamview Murderview ever since the Crockett Murray case. That shit had everyone spooked and side-eyeing their friends.
The Rideshare dropped me off in front of Slim’s apartment and burned rubber out of the complex. Vani’s uncle’s car was already out front. Slim, Jalen, and Vani were standing by it. Vani’s eyes were scanning the street, his eyes narrow and watchful.
“Rich boy,” Vani grunted as I walked up.
“Kane,” I mumbled with my eyes focused on Slim. Her hair seemed to be in started locs. I reached out and pulled one and she slapped my hand down. “Starter locs?” I quizzed.
“Yeah, Mama had time and started them last night for me,” she answered, bouncing her ball.
“At least you have nice, long hair and don’t have to go through that awkward little locs phase,” Jalen joked.
“I know right?” she muttered. “Y’all ready?”
The rhymes of Lil’ Wayne carried us all the way to Dreamview. The farther we got from Love Heights, the more the landscape changed. Overgrown lots and barred windows came into view. This was another city my dad warned me about. The side he was terrified of.
We played Dreamview in basketball, and although we never won against them ‘cause those boys played with more heart than I’ve ever seen.
Like a cry to get out of that city on a basketball scholarship and to the NBA.
Anything to get out of Dreamview because you either sink or swim if you stay, especially as a Black man or female.
The court was packed with onlookers, ready to see a game…
a good game. I was sitting in the backseat with Jalen, behind Vani so I could see how Slim nibbled on her bottom lip.
She was a nervous wreck. Perspiration formed on her temple as she peered around.
There were big niggas on the court, shirtless, and covered in tattoos.
“Don’t sweat them, Slim,” I told her. “They just regular ass niggas. Don’t let them intimidate you.”
Slim smacked her lips, playing it off. “They don’t.”
I let it go. I just hoped her nervousness didn’t cause us to lose the game knowing how much this money meant to her. Vani found a spot to park the car and before he cut the engine, he lit a blunt.
“Anyone wanna hit this?” He questioned, peering at me through the rear view mirror.’
I shook my head. Jaylen reached his hand out and took the blunt from Vani. I ran my tongue along the inside of my cheek.
“Y’all don’t need to be smoking anyway,” Slim spat, saying what I wanted to say. “Our heads need to be in the game.”
“Not the clouds,” I mumbled. Slim side-eyed me. Her head bobbed as she agreed with me.
“Man, Slim… You know this shit don’t affect me. I’m always high when I’m hoopin’,” Vani fussed.
“And that’s why you be slow,” she shot back, causing Jalen to snicker. He handed Vani the blunt back.
“Plus, you getting the scent on mine and Kane’s clothes.”
Vani’s eyes shot back up to the rear view mirror. “Since when you care so much ‘bout this nigga? Huh, Slim?”
This was the same nigga who gave me Slim’s number. He was the same nigga that told me she could use an extra friend especially when he wasn’t around. Now the nigga was acing…jealous.
“I’m just stating facts,” she retorted. “You don’t know his parents, but you know my mama and you know how she gon’ act when she smells this shit on me, Vani. Be for real.”
“Yeah, my fault.” Vani hit the blunt once more and went into a coughing fit. “You right.” He asked the blunt and we all piled out of the car.
Niggas on the court watched as we approached the court. These niggas had to be in their early twenties. There weren’t any high school kids on the court.
“Oh yeah, we gon’ whoop these niggas asses,” Jalen muttered, elbowing me. “They don’t know how we used to play together, bro, and Slim be going off…shiiid, they better get ready to be in their feelings. Hopefully they take the L and not want to throw hands. I mean, my fists lethal too.”
“I don’t need to end up at the county jail here. I swear my Pops would unenroll me and put me in homeschool for the rest of the little bit of school year we have left,,” I told him, shaking my head slightly.
“You know I know,” Jalen snorted as we walked side by side. “That nigga don’t like me for shit.”
“He don’t like anybody unless they come from money.” I sighed. “I hate he like that.”
Jalen shrugged. “Fuck that shit. Let’s win this bread, then I need you to tell me what’s up wit’ you and Slim.”
I chuckled and rubbed a hand down my face, trying to hide my smile. I don’t know what Jalen wanted to know. Slim still had me in the friend zone.
We stretched. Very little words were spoken between both teams. Slim jumped up and down, stretching her legs. Her lips were tucked in as she closed her eyes briefly as in prayer.
“Amen,” I mumbled under my breath to whatever she prayed for.
The game started rough. These niggas from Dreamview wasn’t fucking around. Their point guard was a lanky nigga with dreads down his back. He was crossing us up like it wasn’t nothing. First possession, he blew right past Jalen and laid it in easy. Jalen was heated, talking shit under his breath.
It was 10-4 when we took our first timeout. All four of us were out of breath, but Slim managed to get her words out after gulping down water.
“Come on guys. We’re slacking and we practiced, but we’re not getting that shit on the court,” she breathed out, slamming a fist in her palm. “We’re playing too soft.”
“I need to hit the blunt,” Vani smacked. Slim mushed his head.
“That’s your problem now,” she told him, pointing a finger in his face. Vani smacked it down. “Get it together.”
“We not doing shit we practiced,” I pitched in. “We have to get as aggressive as they are.”
“They think we scared.” Jalen said.
“I’m far from a pussy,” Vani huffed out.