Page 14 of ClickBack

“For now. She said you eat a lot.”

“You going to believe everything that woman tells you?”

“She has fed you. That gives her standing.”

He laughs, and I relax into the booth.

When Miss Lorna returns, I order catfish, wings, greens, and fries. Hot honey and lemon pepper. Jarrett orders the same and adds mac and cheese.

“You really were hungry,” he says after she leaves.

“I delivered twenty-four cupcakes and didn’t eat a single one.”

“Bad planning.”

“Nobody asked you.”

“Twenty-four opportunities.”

“I was saving room for a sensible dinner.”

He looks toward the kitchen. I follow his gaze and laugh before he says a word.

A muted basketball highlight plays above the bar. I recognize San Antonio’s jersey because Zion has provided a full education on the subject, most of it unsolicited.

“Your brother,” I say, nodding toward the screen.

Jarrett turns. The clip is almost over, but he watches until Javon disappears.

“Yeah.”

“Zion would like him to know they have a great deal in common.”

“Does Von know?”

“I’m sure a presentation is coming.”

He smiles at that. I almost ask about Trina’s comment, then decide his brother is allowed to remain his brother instead of becoming an explanation of something Jarrett lacks. He turns back before the next highlight begins.

“Rae’s your daughter.”

“She is.”

“I thought you were sisters.”

“You recovered from your surprise?”

“The one-point loss still bothers me.”

“Forty-four,” I tell him.

He doesn’t pretend not to understand. “Twenty-nine.”

“Trina covered that. Her research is intrusive but thorough.”

“Does it bother you?”

I move a fork that is already straight. “I’m trying to decide.”