Page 32 of A Scoring Chance

“It was nice meeting you, Cooper.”

Ms. King’s eyes remain locked on mine and narrow slightly as she searches my face for something. I have no idea what she’s looking for, but I don’t waver. Ms. King is definitely the matriarch of this family, and Ramona’s silent protector. She won’t let just anyone into their little family, even if Ramona and I remain nothing more than friends. If I don’t pass this test, I doubt Beauty will come back out of that house. Ms. King will make sure of it.

I try to tell her everything with my eyes. Wanting her to know that I have no idea what this thing is between Ramon and me, but promising her I won’t do anything to hurt her. I guess that’s enough because she breaks eye contact and smiles.

“I’m sure I’ll be seeing more of you in the future.”

“It was nice meeting you, too, Ms. King. And you can count on it.” I smile, my eyes flicking toward Ramona.

Her head looks like it’s on a swivel, moving back and forth, her eyebrows pulling down in confusion as she tries to make sense of the silent conversation between her mother and me. After a few seconds, she gives up and walks up the stairs. “Let me help you inside, Ma.”

I keep my eyes locked on the two of them as they slowly make their way into the house, the screen door clicking shut behind them. The faint sounds of their whispers get softer as they head further into the house. Man, I’d love to be a fly on the wall when Ms. King gets Beauty alone. I could’ve gone inside and run some interference, but I have a birthday extravaganza to plan. This will be one birthday Ramona will never forget. I hope that will get her to forgive me for leaving her to fend off her mother alone.

After the information I got from Alise and talking to her mother, I do a quick Google search, a plan forming in my mind. This is risky, especially after what happened at practice the other day, but for her, I’ll try. After clicking a few buttons on the website and securing what I need, I close the window and open my phone contacts, quickly finding the name I’m looking for.

“Hey, Oliver. I need a favor.”

Chapter Twelve

Ramona

“Could you’ve tried to be a little more subtle, Ma?” I whisper as I wait for the door to shut behind me.

I knew Ma would know I was home from the notification she got from the cameras, but I didn’t think she’d come outside. Her stories are on, for goodness’ sake. She doesn’t move for her stories. I should’ve known the moment she saw the unfamiliar vehicle pulling into the driveway behind me, she was going to come outside. My mom is nosy as hell. Her need to know everything that’s going on with everyone overrides everything. Besides, she’d never miss an opportunity to embarrass the shit out of me.

“I was subtle. I could’ve told him that Alise and I concocted this whole thing to make sure you had a memorable birthday. You only turn twenty-four once.”

I knew it was strange that Ma was sitting in the house fully dressed and ready with a full face of makeup on the off chance that someone might come by. She isn’t picking up Darius from school today because he’s going to a friend’s house after school. It’s a house clothes day, for sure.

“You two did all of this? On purpose?” I don’t know why I even bother to ask. I swear those two live to meddle in otherpeople’s lives, especially mine. They mean well, but forcing Cooper and me to spend more time together isn’t any type of guarantee that something will happen. Sometimes it’s best to just leave well enough alone.

“Of course, we did. We both knew you wouldn’t act on whatever your feelings are for Cooper. It was either this or inviting him to the cookout next month to celebrate with you and Darius. Honestly, I might do that anyway.”

“Please don’t.”

Subjecting Cooper to my entire family isn’t on my list of favorite things. We have a cookout every year to celebrate my and Darius’s birthdays since they’re only a few weeks apart. And my family is a lot, to say the least. Auntie Phylicia still isn’t speaking to Ma after last year’s cookout. It took both of my uncles and a few of my cousins to keep them from scratching each other’s eyes out. A carefully orchestrated lunch date is a much better option.

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t have feelings for Cooper.”

Okay, that’s not completely a lie. Am I attracted to Cooper? Of course, I am. Any woman within a ten-mile radius of that smile would be, but that doesn’t equate to feelings.

“Yes, you do. How did Alise put it? You were eye-fucking him during practice last night. I’m not entirely sure what that means, but you don’t look at a man like that for any amount of time and not feel anything.”

“First off, Ma, never say eye-fucking again.” I cringe slightly as I help her take a seat in her spot on the couch. “Second, just because I find a man attractive doesn’t mean anything. He has to be attracted to me, as well, at the minimum.”

“Oh, he’s attracted to you. I’d bet a fully cooked soul food dinner on it.” Ma smiles, grabbing the remote from the end table and turning on the television.

“Ma, you know you shouldn’t be eating all that.” Ma is still in surprisingly good health for her age, but that could be because I watch what we all eat.

“My doctor said that I can eat whatever I want in moderation. Consider this a special occasion.”

I think about it for a moment, weighing the pros and cons of being stuck in the kitchen for an entire day, making cornbread from scratch, because that’s the only way to do it, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and collard greens because it’s not a soul food dinner without greens. I have a few new recipes in my notebook I’d love to test, and Ma makes a good taste tester. She doesn’t hold her punches, ever.

“Okay, fine, but when I win, you’re making me fried okra. No one makes it like you, Ma.”

“Damn straight, they don’t. But you got yourself a deal, baby girl.” She holds her hand out, and I grip it tightly in mine, giving it a firm shake. “Now, quit stalling and go have lunch with your man.”

“He isn’t… Never mind. Bye, Ma. Love you.”

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