“Not really a big drinker,” Antonio lied as he attempted to side-step and head down the hall. But Donny was making that impossible.
“Well, maybe we can catch a game. Or maybe the strip club is your thing. I know you probably hit up Magic City a time or two when you were in the league. Maybe we can—”
Antonio frowned. What was this dude’s problem? Clearly, he wasn’t taking the hint. “I gotta get back to work on this merger.” Antonio gave Donny hard pat on the shoulder, making the guy wince. “Good to meet you,Don.”
Antonio nudged past Donny, making his way back to his office. A few boxes were piled in the corner, and the walls were lined with plaques. The room wasn’t arranged like he liked it. Even though it would be temporary, he wanted to make it feel a little homey.
He slumped at his desk. If all the dudes at this place were like Donny, there was absolutely no telling the crap Jackie had been going through. What a jackass. He felt his phone buzz in his jacket pocket.
PJ:How’d day 1 go?
Antonio smiled, brain jumping to his private interaction with Jackie. If he had kissed her, it would have been inappropriate and messy. But on another level, it would have been a perfect start to his time here…
ANT:It was cool.
PJ:Aiight. U talk to Jackie?
ANT:Kind of.
PJ:WTFDTM?
Antonio grunted. He hated trying to figure out these new-age acronyms. He wished folks would just spell stuff out.
ANT:We got interrupted.
PJ:So you didn’t tell her?
No. I was too focused on her lips.
Antonio erased that message. PJ didn’t need to know that.
His stomach roiled at the thought of the talk he still needed to have with Jackie. He didn’t know how she’d take it. Would she feel deceived? She didn’t like him for a myriad of reasons. He didn’t need to add fuel to the fire right now. After the dust settled with the merger, he’d tell her the truth.
One: Despite all that had transpired between them, he’d never stopped loving her.
And two: Despite Jackie’s annoyance, he’d never be out of PJ’s life. He would always be there for the kid. It was non-negotiable.
Antonio refocused his attention on the text thread with PJ.
ANTONIO:Tell her what? That I am not trying to steal you as a client? Repeatedly.
PJ:You know what I’m talking about. Tell her the truth.
ANT:Honestly, I don’t think this is the time. Does it matter, really? Maybe your mom is right.
PJ:No offense, but this is my life. I don’t care what my mom wants. Jackie has to know.
ANT:Then why haven’t you said anything?
PJ:Because…Marilyn scares me.
Antonio had to laugh. When it came to PJ’s mom,scarywas an understatement. Marilyn Dawson was a terror, most of the time.
ANT:I’ll make it a top priority. But this merger comes first.
PJ:The merger is the main reason you need to do this. Shit is gonna get weird.
ANT:You’re right. I’ll handle it.
