I gave her a high-five. “Alright. Is there any footage?”
She winced visibly. “No comment.”
“Uh-oh. Let me guess, one of your siblings took a video.”
Dallas picked up her glass of water and gulped it down. “No comment,” she repeated.
“Hey, Sissy.” Blake joined us at the bar. “We’re about to head out. Lennox has a speech to write.”
“Damn.” Dallas’ shoulders fell. “I ordered onion rings.”
“You’re just now ordering food?” Lennox asked, approaching us. He looked at his watch. “It’s late.”
“It’s a treat,” Dallas said. “For savingyourass in that game today, brotha Lennox. Since you nearly lost us the game by striking out.”
“Um, ma’am,” Blake said. “Don’t come for my man.”
“Matter of fact,” Dallas continued, “I was so distracted by the pain shooting down my leg that I forgot we’d placed a side wager on this game. I think you owe me some money, Professor.” She did the cabbage patch dance, then mimicked a mic drop. “Boom!”
I covered my mouth, once again amused by the woman sitting next to me. She really was a breath of fresh air. I’d been around the Young family many times. Barbecues, events, birthday parties. Every single time, they’d treated me like I was part of their clan. Being the only child, I appreciated that.
Lennox groaned and slapped a fifty-dollar bill on the bar top. “You got me. Dinner on me.”
Dallas picked up the bill, held it up to the light, and stuffed it in her pocket. “Thanks. Next time, double or nothing.”
Yawning, Blake asked, “Can you get those onion rings to go? Dex left with some chick, and Tristan? He disappeared like he always does. And you know Asa. He ain’t taking nobody home. So, we’re dropping you off.”
Dallas opened her mouth to speak. “I—”
“I’ll take her,” I offered.
Dallas blinked.
Blake placed her palm under her sister’s chin and pushed her mouth closed. “Thanks, Preston.” She patted my shoulder, then whispered something in Dallas’ ear. She cracked up when Dallas pushed her away.
“Get your ass out of here, heffa,” Dallas grumbled through clenched teeth.
Curious, I asked, “What’s up?”
Blake smirked. “She’s—”
Dallas covered her sister’s mouth. “She’s leaving. Bye, Blake.”
Lennox and Blake said their goodbyes and walked away.
We sat there in silence for a moment before Dallas turned to me. “My sister talks too much.”
“What did she say?”
“Nothing,” she chirped. “Never mind.”
Several minutes later, the bartender set a plate of onion rings in front of her and the bottle of ketchup. She immediately picked a ring up and bit into it, groaning with delight.
“Good, huh?” I asked.
She gestured toward her plate. “Want one? They’re delicious.”
“No, thanks.”
