Page 219 of ClickBack

He opens the fuel door, pays at the pump, and fills the tank. I stand beside him, watching the numbers rise. The display keeps changing whether I look at it or not.

“Thank you,” I say.

He puts his hand at the back of my neck and draws me close enough to kiss my forehead.

“You ate?”

“Earlier.”

He looks at me.

“I’m not hungry, J.”

“I asked. I heard you.”

The pump clicks off. He replaces the nozzle and closes the fuel door.

“Will you drive?” I ask.

“Yeah.”

I hand him the fob. He opens the passenger door, then goes to tell Graves we’re taking my car. When he comes back, he adjusts the seat and mirror, starts the engine, and checks that I’m ready.

“Home?”

“Home.”

He pulls away with Graves following. I rest my hand on the console. Once we are out of the lot, he covers it with his.

At my house, he parks, walks back to the SUV, and returns with a black duffel. Graves lowers his window to say goodnight. I thank him. He nods, waits until we are inside, and leaves.

Jarrett locks the door. I set my bag down and go back to him.

He drops the duffel by the stairs and puts his arms around me again. There is no question I have to answer to stay there.

“Rae asked me to let her know I got home,” I say against his shirt.

“Do that.”

I take out my phone.

Home. Jarrett drove me. I love you.

Her answer comes while I am still holding it.

Love you, too, Ma. Get some sleep.

I show him. He reads it, then puts his hand over mine.

“Come upstairs.”

I follow him. In the bedroom, I wash my face while he changes. I come back to find the lamp on and the covers pulled down. He waits until I’m beside him before turning out the light.

“You want to know,” I say.

“Yeah.”

“I don’t know how to say it again tonight.”