Chapter 15 #2
We drove for a few more minutes, the city lights blurring into streaks of color outside my window.
I couldn’t tell if Kane was angry or hurt, but I could feel it.
It was rolling off of him in waves. I wanted to say something, anything, to fix it, but my throat was tight.
I’d chosen the safety of our friendship over the terrifying unknown of something more.
Why did it feel like I’d just lost everything?
If I were to be honest, it hurt more than losing Vani.
I didn’t even realize we’d made it back to the projects, I was so deep in my head. Kane parked but left the car running. Here we go again.
“You can come in. I know you’re leaving tomorrow so…”
“I’ma go pack ‘n shit,” he stated, not looking at me. This was like déjà vu. I exited the car, shutting the door behind me. I knew Kane wouldn’t leave until I was in the house, therefore, I rounded the front of the car and stopped at his door. I motioned for him to roll his window down some more.
“I don’t want you to leave with us on bad terms all because of…” I flung my arms around. “because of this.”
Kane finally looked up at me. Something in his eyes didn’t sit right with me and it wasn’t in a bad way. I didn’t know if it was hurt or what, but I didn’t like it. When did I become so…soft?
“We good, Slim.”
“Well come in and hang out because I know I’m not goin’ to see you for a while and you’re really my only friend now,” I admitted, shifting from one foot to the other. Kane just stared at me for a long moment. His jaw clenched when he broke eye contact.
“I’on think that’s a good idea, Slim,” Kane stated, his voice low and rough. He was now lookin at his hands on the steering wheel. “I really gotta go.”
I was so confused.
“Oh…Okay.” I took a few steps back from the car. “I guess I’ll see you then.”
“Be good, Slim,” Kane said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
The school year flew by like a blur. I got accepted to Law Grove University on a full basketball scholarship.
I was the number one player in the state, a title I carried with pride and a heavy heart.
Every time I saw my name in the paper, every time a scout shook my hand, I wished Vani was there to see it and hype me up.
He would’ve been talking so much shit, bragging to anyone who would listen. Or he would make their ass listen.
Me and Kane texted every now and then. It wasn’t like it used to be.
That last day we hung out changed everything.
Instead of dwelling on it, I focused on ball and my grades.
Mama taught me how to drive and I had my driver’s license.
With money I won from street ball, I bought a used Honda Civic. It wasn’t much, but it was mine.
Before I knew it, it was graduation day.
The gymnasium was a sea of burgundy caps and gowns, and a discord of proud families.
I knew Mama was somewhere in the crowd. She was giddy as hell this morning, and I she had every reason to be.
Her only child was graduating despite our circumstances.
Her only child was going off to college soon on a full ride, nothing coming out of her pockets. I’d be giddy too.
I had no idea if Kane had made it to the graduation or not. I remember the day I had gone to his. It was his day, but he made it his business to come scoop me up so I wouldn’t miss it. Me and Kane had become so close, that I wasn’t sure how’d I miss when it shifted. When did his feeling change?
After the ceremony, the gym floor turned chaotic, students searing for their families and vice versa.
I was swallowed by a hug from Mama, who was crying and smiling at the same time.
Jalen came over a hugged me. I watched him walk away.
He stopped and slapped hands with one that was covered in tattoos.
When my eyes glided up, I was shocked to see that it was Kane.
I could see tattoos covering his neck and arms.
“When Kane get all those tattoos?” Mama quizzed, just as shocked at me.
“I know his dad had a stroke,” I snickered. “Probably threatened to take him out of school and lock him in his bedroom until he was forty.”
Me and Mama laughed. While Kane talked to Jalen, his eyes met mine. He looked so…good. As we looked at each other, it was like everything else just faded away. The noise. The people. It all disappeared. It was just me and him.
A slow, small smile spread across Kane’s face, and he slapped Jalen’s hand once again. He started toward me. My feet moved before I even told them to. I wove through the crowd, my eyes locked on his. Mama was calling my name. I met Kane halfway.
“Proud of you, Slim,” he said, hugging me. His arms felt good wrapped around my body. What was happening to me? Why was I having these thoughts?
‘”Thank you. I’m glad you came,” I told him. We pulled away from each other. “You are so tatted.”
Kane laughed, nodding. “I am. I got a lil’ bored up there.”
“Bored? My mama squealed out as they hugged. “Bored is picking up a book and reading it. Bored is going to taking a nap. Bored is going for a drive.”
“I drove and ended up at the tattoo shop,” Kane joked and Mama playfully slapped his arm. “Can I borrow Slim for a couple of hours if y’all don’t have plans?”
“I actually have to go in to work in a few so I’ma catch a nap. I’m sure Scottie would prefer to hang with you instead of me anyway.”
Kane knew I had a car which I’d drove over here with Mama. She had my keys in her purse.
“I guess you can take the car home and I’ll be there later,” I let her know. “I’ll bring you a plate home from wherever we eat at.”
Mama hugged me and again, letting me know how proud she was of me. After hugging Kane again, too, she left.”
“I’m ready to get out of this gown,” I sighed as I walked side by side Kane.
“You wearing a dress?” He smirked.
I scoffed. “Just because Mama made me. She thought I was going to wear some heels, but that was where I drew the line I don’t even know how to walk in them.”
We laughed. I glanced down at my feet and the horrible job I did at painting my toes with white polish. They were stuffed in black sandals from Walmart that I ran and bought this morning, at the last minute.
As we walked toward the exit, I peeled out of my gown.
“Kane!”
Even though it wasn’t my name being called, I turned my head to the high-pitched voice. A pretty girl in a short black dress bounced in our direction with a big ass smile on her face. I heard Kane groan.
The girl ran up and hugged him, and Kane patted her back like a child. I looked away, chuckling.
“Oh my gooosh! All those tattoos!” the girl gushed. “Dang!” Kane had yet to say anything to her. Slowly, her head turned to me as if she just realized Kane was not alone. “Oh. Is this your cousin or something?” She knew damn well who Slim was.
“Or something,” I muttered, tucking my gown under my arm.
“Kayla, this is my best friend, Scottie,” Kane introduced.
“Best friend?” she cackled sarcastically with a snort to it. “Since when? While we were dating…”
“We’ve never dated, Kayla. Stop being delusional as fuck,” Kane retorted.
My eyes grew wide. Kane’s changed. He was a little…mean now. Even Kayla’s head reared back because she too was shocked.
“We fucked,” she said with a smirk, crossing her arms over her chest. “Does she know that.”
“He said we were friends. Why would I need to know that?” I shot out. “Weird ass.”
I walked off. It was too hot to be standing here. I left Kane, but when I turned around he was right behind me. The Kayla girl stood with her jaw on the floor. I smiled.