Page 60 of Kiss Collector

Quinton is our basketball point guard. He’s so good that college scouts came to nearly every game this season to watchhim. Quinton turns when he hears his name, and he looks me up and down with those watchful eyes. He’s all wiry muscle. He gives me a wink and a nod, and I smile.

“Bring your girls,” Destinee says. “We gonna light it up.”

“All right,” I tell her. “Thanks.”

She turns back to the other girls and I glance at Joel, who’s watching me. I go to him and get close enough to catch the scent of his cologne, which smells so yummy I rock back on my heels and have to clear my throat. I quickly check myself.

“Hey,” I say to them.

“Hey,” Joel and Kwami both say back.

“How many cigarettes have you smoked today?” I tease.

Joel rubs a thumb over his bottom lip. “’Bout a hundred.”

Kwami laughs. “Man, you a damn liar. You ain’t had one.”

“Wow,” I say, impressed.

He gives a cool shrug. “It’s a recreational vice. I’ll kill a pack at the party tonight.”

“Will you?” I ask. “That’s sad.”

“Don’t cry,” Joel parries.

I roll my eyes and take out my phone to text Lin about the party.

“Your girl Meeka gonna be there?” Kwami asks me.

“I don’t know. She’s not really my girl.”

“For real? Y’all cheer together.”

“I know. We get along all right, but we don’t talk much.”

“Why you want that girl?” Joel asks him. “She thinks she’s too good for you.”

This prompts playful bickering between them. I ignore their conversation and respond to Lin, working out detailsabout getting ready at her house. Then I tell the girls I’m having dinner at my dad’s work.

“Why you frownin’? Fix your face.” Joel nudges my arm and I look at him, my stomach turning with all the emotions. I shake my head.

“I gotta go. I’ll see y’all tonight.”

Naturally Zeb is super excited when I get home, and even Mom is smiling to see him so happy. She kisses my cheek as we’re walking out the door.

“Try to enjoy it. Daddy loves you.”

Yeah, so much that he abandoned us for some other woman.

Dad works at a barbecue sports bar known for its ribs. Iamkind of looking forward to the food. He used to bring home ribs every Sunday, and I miss that.

He’s waiting for us with two beaming waitresses at the hostess stand when we come in.

“There they are!” Dad’s smile is so genuine that for a moment I forget I’m mad at him, and I just want to run into his arms. I swallow and hold back, letting Zeb be the one to run forward and hug him. I keep my arms at my sides when he gives me a squeeze and a kiss on the forehead.

Dad proudly introduces us to the two waitresses, who fuss about how adorable we are, and then he takes us to a booth. One of the waitresses comes over, a brunette probably in her midtwenties, still smiling.

“Zae, Zebby,” says Dad. “This is Jacquie. She’ll be taking care of you.”