Hey, I’m coming to town for a game tomorrow. Sorry about the short notice. But I’d like to meet if you can work me in. Thanks, Nick Barnes

When that text crossed the screen on my phone, I almost thought it was a hoax. But since I’d met Lucinda, I knew better. Not gonna lie, it made my heart pump faster.

Another day at the Rectory when my All-Star basketball player brother decided to stop by. It wasn’t that different from how Lucinda had dropped in on me. Maybe when you were a Barnes you just did stuff like that.

Honestly if I had any interest in meeting any of the Barneses, it would have been Nick.

I was a basketball fan, a coach, a former player, and that dude—he was living the dream we’d all had when we were twelve.

I texted him back that I looked forward to meeting him, and we scheduled a time for him to drop by my office.

Even though I knew he was coming, nothing could have prepared me for having the good-looking six-foot-seven pro basketball player in my office.

When Kay buzzed me to say he was outside, I asked her to send him in.

He had to duck slightly to get through the door, and when I stood up and crossed the room to shake his hand, he pulled me into a hug. Right then I realized the six-inch difference between our heights was a game changer. For an instant I pictured my five-foot-one Hispanic mother versus Lucinda who was probably about five ten and I attempted not to covet Nick’s genetic victory.

“What’s up, man? I can’t believe we’re related,” he said, releasing me. “I mean, allegedly.”

“I know. Have a seat. Can I get you anything to drink?” I asked before I realized the only thing we had at the Rectory was some lemonade for the kids in nursery.

“Nah, man, thanks. I’m good.”

It felt surreal the way he was taking me in, but, to be fair, I’d been seeing Nick Barnes on my TV for years. This was his first time seeing me.

“Man, we look so much alike. Lucinda’s been telling me that, but seeing it for myself is something else. You never noticed that, I mean, seeing me on TV and stuff?”

I shrugged. “Why would I? I had no idea we were related until a few weeks ago.”

His lips formed a thin line and he shook his head. “Yeah. Why would you?” Then he laughed nervously. “So, what else do you do? Besides church services.”

“Actually, I coach a basketball team.” Yep, I was pandering, but I didn’t care. It wasn’t every day Nick Barnes came through your door, interested in you.

“No kidding?” he asked.

“No kidding.”

“Man, you ball?”

I nodded. “Played starting small forward on my college team.”

“Nice. Wanna play?”

The thought of me playing basketball with Nick Barnes was the only part of Lucinda’s news that had me interested in my long-lost siblings. Before I’d known the guy was my brother I’d have considered playing basketball with him the opportunity of a lifetime.

“C’mon,” he coaxed. “Consider it a favor. My other brother’s a musician. He hasn’t played with me since I forced him into a game of horse when he was seven. Humor me.”

“We do have a gym . . .” I pointed in the direction of the adjacent school gymnasium.

He grinned. “And I’ve got a ball.”

When we got to the gym, a P.E. class was going on, but once the instructor saw who I had with me, he was more than thrilled to let me and Nick play basketball with them.

Most of the kids knew Nick from TV and shoe promotions. In fact, several of the kids proudly displayed their Nick B’s, which was what they called Nick’s specialty shoe brand. It was fun seeing the looks on the kids’ faces when Nick passed them the ball. They kept egging him on, wanting him to dunk for them. When he finally did, the gym echoed with cheers, and the youngsters had to practically be dragged out of there once the bell rang.

After they’d left, and it was just me and him in the gym, he asked, “Wanna play a little one-on-one?”

I did. As competitive as I was, I figured it would be a pleasure to be crossed-up by a player as great as him so I nodded.

At first I could tell he was taking it easy on me, but once I drained a basket from down town, he started playing harder.

“Nice shot you got there, Padre.”

“Thanks. When you’re my size you’ve got to make adjustments, you know?”

He nodded, dribbling past me and driving hard to the hole.

Two points. “I do. I’ve got to do the same.”

“Touché,” I said and dribbled back.

We played for about an hour. He was almost impossible to guard for a man my size, but I did my best. The score was pretty lopsided, but I’d held my own and he seemed impressed.

“You’ve got great footwork, and your shot is primo,” he said. “I know some guards who could use a stroke like yours.”

“Thanks. I’d tell you how great you are, but it might be redundant.”

He put an arm around my shoulder. “No matter how good you are, you always have haters, man. That’s part of the game.”

Of course, he was right. I’d never thought of it that way, but he was under fire every night he played, and when he screwed up, his critics definitely let him hear about it. Living with that kind of scrutiny took a strength I wasn’t sure I possessed.

As we walked out of the gym, Nick asked, “Did I hear Lucinda right that you recently got married?”

I hadn’t been in touch with Lucinda since the day she’d come to my office, and I certainly hadn’t told her about Chloe or our wedding. The woman was actually spying on me.

“I did, but I didn’t tell her.”

Nick sighed. “My mother is a unique woman. Sounds like she’s got somebody keeping tabs on you. Pretty creepy, but don’t let it freak you out too bad. She has a misguided way of trying to control people. Don’t take it personally.”

“Thanks for the advice.”

“Don’t mention it. Now, can I meet your wife? I can get you two tickets for the game.”

I must have hesitated, because he added, “Just think how pissed Lucinda will be when I tell her that I’ve met your new bride and she hasn’t?” A devilish smile spread across his face, and I was flooded with relief. In my brother I’d found an ally.

“It would be my pleasure.”