Antonio stood in front of Jackie’s office door, contemplating whether he should knock.
He’d spent most of the morning avoiding the other agents and dodging Marilyn, who had been calling him nonstop. When he finally answered, she went off, saying she’d known something was up, accusing him of weaseling his way into PJ’s life by any means, going so low as to sleep with his agent. Antonio rolled his eyes, because that was entirely laughable. When he tried to explain he’d known Jackie for ten years, Marilyn didn’t care to hear any of it. Not once during her tirade had she expressed concern about PJ’s wellbeing. What Marilyn cared about were the deals on the table, and the money she had yet to get her hands on.
“I wouldn’t go in there if I were you,” Calvin warned.
Reluctantly, Antonio decided to take Calvin’s advice. He didn’t need another woman yelling at him today. “Thanks,” Antonio said, turning to head back toward his office.
As he headed down the hall, his phone rang. It was PJ, calling on FaceTime. He rarely did that. Concerned, Antonio ducked into a corner off the main hallway to answer his phone.
“PJ? You good?” asked Antonio, his voice low. PJ’s face was ashen, and his eyes were red-rimmed. Even though Antonio was still pissed at PJ for how he’d treated Jackie, seeing his son suffer broke his heart into pieces.
“I’m suspended. Ten games,” PJ said, sniffing between words.
Antonio winced. That was harsh, especially for a first offense. He’d hoped for two or three games tops. “Sorry, kid. You had to know there would be consequences.”
“I know. It’s ten games unless my drug test comes back positive; then I’m suspended a year. But I swear, I was just drinking. If I took anything, I don’t remember. I swear to God!”
For some reason, Antonio believed him. But PJ got too relaxed around folks. It was possible someone had spiked his drink.
PJ pushed his locs out of his face. “This is fucked up! What am I supposed to do if I’m not playing? I’m gonna miss the Christmas game. Then, All-Star Weekend will be here soon. I don’t even know if I’ll be in the rookie game. Shit, I might not even be in the running for Rookie of the Year anymore.”
Antonio leaned against the wall. “I know it hurts, son. But rules are rules. Especially in the league. As for the Rookie of the Year, you never know. One misstep doesn’t always affect things.”
PJ wiped his eyes and nose on his sleeve. “Ball is all I know. I live and breathe it. Ten games? What am I supposed to do? Can’t you help me?”
Antonio sighed, his heart aching with each word his son spoke. “PJ, there isn’t anything I can do. You can talk to your player rep. Plus, I’m not your agent.”
“Why can’t you be my agent?”
Antonio rubbed his forehead. “I thought we said we didn’t want the lines blurred. Besides, I don’t need things worse between Jackie and me.” In all honesty, Antonio wasn’t sure if thingscouldget worse. Jackie hadn’t spoken to him in days—not since the blow up at the county jail. Regardless, he wasn’t trying to go back to square one with her.
“Jackie probably hates me,” PJ said. “I said some foul shit.”
“You did,” Antonio said gently. “But it’s never too late to say you’re sorry. Hire her back. Being out here without representation isn’t good.”
“But what about you and Jackie?”
“What about us?”
“I thought you all were kicking it. I mean, you took her on that elaborate murder date or whatever.”
Antonio chuckled. “It was a true crime tour.” The memories of the weekend came flooding back. It was one of the best weekends of his life.
Not now. Focus.
PJ sucked his teeth. “Whatever. I just thought you all were vibing.”
“We were. But sometimes what we want isn’t in alignment with reality. Gotta be the right place and the right time. Now maybe isn’t our time.” Antonio stared at his son’s confused face. “You mean more to us than anything. I can’t speak for Jackie, but I’m not trying to ruin my relationship with you because I crossed the line with the one person I probably shouldn’t have.”
PJ went quiet for a second. He wiped his nose again. “I done fucked it up for you all over again, huh?”
“Again? You didn’t mess things up. Not the first time, and not this time. Don’t even think that.”
“But it’s true,” PJ’s eyes began to water. The sight of his tears made Antonio’s chest ache. “I…don’t know what to do. Mom won’t return my calls. She’s pissed. India blocked me. Coach chewed me out. Now Jackie…I…” He wiped his teary eyes with the back of his hand. “Dad, I need you. I don’t know what to do. Please. I know I fucked up.”
Dad.
A lump formed in Antonio’s throat upon hearing that word, a word he’d so desperately wanted to hear from PJ for years. Notbruh. NotAntonio. Dad.
