Page 2 of Slam Dunk
Quince didn’t even question where they were going. He didn’t care. He was probably one of Jathan’s biggest fans. Of course, he would drop dead before he said that. Quince wasn’t that guy. He was a country boy all the way to his heart. Quince had grown up on a ranch and he would die on one. This was just some sort of crazy slice out of time. He didn’t imagine people like Jathan kept friends like him.
He put on his seatbelt while Jathan dumped his bag on the backseat. He watched as he climbed behind the wheel. Even the large vehicle seemed small for his long legs. Quince wasn’t short. In fact, he was six-six and used to hovering over everyone. Jathan was still taller.
“Where are we headed?”
Jathan laughed at the question. “Honestly, I hoped you had an idea. I’m kind of boring.”
Like always, Jathan had him smiling. “What are you talking about? I barely leave the ranch. How would I know what to do?”
Jathan’s wide grin made him look like a guy who was just nice as hell, and he was. That was what Quince couldn’t get over. “Damn. Um, have you eaten?”
Quince shook his head. “I’d planned to grab something on the way home.”
“Good.” Jathan pulled from the parking spot he was backed into. “I’m starved.”
“I’ll bet after that game.”
Jathan cocked his head and looked thoughtful. “Truthfully, I don’t think I was as good as I could’ve been tonight. We won, but I can’t start slipping now.”
“Congratulations on that win, by the way. I think you did great.” A thought occurred to him. “I’m surprised you’re not out with your teammates, celebrating.”
“I’m gay.”
That wasn’t a surprise to Quince. He had obsessively researched everything about Jathan, and Jathan’s best friend was gay. That didn’t necessarily mean anything. Still, Quince knew that already.
Thankfully, Jathan kept talking and spared him from responding. “It shouldn’t matter, and it doesn’t matter when we’re on the court. But no one wants to be seen with me in any other setting. Not really. That might make people think they’re gay too and God forbid, right?” Jathan laughed. It was an awkward sound—like he expected the worst from Quince now.
Even though Jathan watched the road, Quince shrugged. “Their loss, then. Where would you like to eat?”
“Oh.” Jathan laughed again. He was hilariously artless. It was like he didn’t know he was a household name. “I really just started driving with no plan.”
He had to know. “Where would you have gone if I hadn’t said anything?”
Jathan glanced around, as if he had no clue where he was. “My house probably. That’s where muscle memory had me headed.”
Quince shrugged. “I’d say, let’s just do that, then. We can grab something through a drive-thru. But you’re used to people not wanting to be seen with you. You should get to go out and celebrate properly. What would you be doing right now if you were included?”
“Everyone always goes to Area 9 to party. It’s this really pretentious nightclub. Honestly, unless that’s what you’d prefer to do, I’m not big on that sort of thing. I can’t dance. I don’t drink.” He looked thoughtful for a moment. “You know, it’s possible that’s why no one really invites me to things.” A bark of laughter burst from him. “Oh, well. How about Steakhouse 7?”
That place was super expensive. Quince never went there for that reason. He could afford it. Tip paid him well, but he just couldn’t convince himself to pay over a hundred dollars for one meal.
“I’m paying, by the way,” Jathan tacked on.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I asked you to do something. That means I pay. Now, you’re not a vegetarian or anything, right? If so, I can pick somethingdifferent.” He sounded unsure—like maybe he insulted Quince with the idea of eating meat.
“Nah. Steakhouse 7 is great.”
Jathan flashed him a goofy smile that did something to Quince’s chest. He already didn’t want the night to end.
Chapter Two
Throughoutdinner,Jathantalkedtoo much. To be fair, he didn’t get to talk to people often, except his mom—who he talked to every day. Also, to be honest, he was a talker. He had definitely gotten into trouble every day at school because he couldn’t be quiet. Not only did Quince seem unbothered, but he also came home with Jathan.
They climbed from Jathan’s Hummer in his garage. His car collection sat on one side of the building while his pottery studio was on the other. It had expanded significantly. He had recently bought twice the equipment and supplies so he could teach Artem. It was nice having someone to share his hobbies with.
Quince nodded toward a nearby sports car. “There’s no way you can drive that at your height.”
