“Where are you?” asked Antonio. He peered at the screen, trying to make out something—anything—recognizable. There were clothes hangers in the background; it looked like PJ was sitting in a closet. “Are you home?”
PJ said nothing, simply nodded a confirmation.
Antonio had meetings scheduled, and he was sure Patrick wanted to chew his ass out, but everything could wait. If his son wanted his dad in his greatest moment of pain, then he was going to be there. Antonio was going to make damn sure he would live up to the title. He looked up to see Patrick and Donny staring at him.
“Son, I’m on my way.”
CHAPTER 44
Jackie watched in amusement as PeeWee ran around the dog park, zigzagging in and out of obstacles. He was truly on the mend—his stitches healed—and getting back to his playful self. She adjusted her coat as a breeze went through the air. Winter was on the horizon in more ways than one.
“Do you think PeeWee is a Black dog?” Gideon asked. He sat next to Jackie on a bench. “And by Black dog, you know what I mean.”
“Duh.” Jackie rolled her eyes. “Of course! Because he is my dog, by proximity, PeeWee Bark-Quan Miles is Black.”
Gideon looked at Jackie with amusement. “I know you didn’t give this dog a middle name. Bark-Quan, Jackie? Really?”
“What’s a better middle name for him? Rex?”
“Nah, he’s definitely a Bark-Quan. He sure can go,” remarked Gideon as his eyes followed the rambunctious pooch. “I’d never think a dog that chubby could move so fast. He’s like the Heavy D of dogs.”
“If you’re gonna sit here and compare my dog to the late, great, overweight lover, then you can bounce. I didn’t ask for the company.”
“It was either me or Uncle Roydell. And he wouldn’t have gotten here in time. You know he only takes Greyhound.”
“Hmph. I’d take Uncle Roydell over your annoying ass anytime.”
Gideon took a sip of his coffee. “I know you didn’t want any company, but Tanika told me that you have been moreattitudinalthan usual.” He paused, scratching his snowy-gray beard. “Is that a word? Whatever, I’m using it. So, I take it that the girls’ night the other night didn’t help?”
“Not really,” she sighed.
After her meeting with Patrick, Jackie had hoped some time with her girls would help her forget him andSports Ragz’s nonstop coverage of PJ’s arrest. Tanika brought over four bottles of rose. Mya picked up just about every flavor of wings from American Deli. And Bronwyn, well, she showed up for moral support. She did bring PeeWee a vegan “bone” chew toy, which he enjoyed. Jackie attempted to let them comfort her, but her mind was elsewhere most of the evening. She kept replaying her conversation with Patrick, PJ’s hurtful words, and her own harsh words to Antonio. It all stung like a million spider bites. After drinking too much wine and eating her weight in teriyaki wings, Jackie fell asleep on the couch, aSnappedmarathon playing as she snuggled with PeeWee.
That was a couple of weeks ago, and she was still sulking. She’d hoped spending a little time outside with PeeWee would clear her mind. She hadn’t planned on talking about her feelings with Gideon, who crashed their playdate.
Jackie took a sip of her Americano. “Gideon, you don’t have to sit here and babysit me. I’m fine.”
“No, you aren’t,” Gideon said. “I know you, Jack. I know how you are. You’re probably replaying everything over and over again in your mind, trying to figure out where you went wrong. Sometimes, Jack, shit happens for a reason.”
Damn, he was right—at least about the replaying everything part. But she wasn’t about to let Gideon gloat.
