CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
JACKIE
A few days later…
Jackie’s pipes had already frozen once since she’d come home, and the hot water heater had gone out twice this week.
Luckily, Juan got it working—for now. But she knew it wouldn’t last. Still, she couldn’t think about that right now.
Because in this moment? Her house was warm, and she was grateful.
And honestly? Jackie had survived worse.
This was her first full week back home, and despite everything, she was happy to be there.
Monty and Syxe’s house had felt like a luxury Airbnb, beautiful, comfortable and easy.
But it wasn’t home. And home? Was currently fighting her.
The heat barely worked outside of Fat Daddy’s room, the living room, and her bedroom.
Everywhere else was assed out. Still, Jackie made it work.
She and Kormia had spent the last few days weatherproofing the house as best they could.
They sealed the downstairs windows with plastic, attached door sweeps, and strategically plugged space heaters in certain corners of the room to pick up the slack.
It wasn’t freezing, at least not anymore.
But the house definitely had cold pockets, but Jackie refused to let the place feel uncomfortable.
Especially not tonight. The kitchen was warm from hours of cooking, music played low through the speaker on the counter, and the smell of garlic, butter, and lemon pound cake had settled deep into the walls enough to make the house feel alive again.
Jackie cooked Stuffed Chicken, fried cabbage, baked macaroni and cheese and a blueberry lemon pound cake.
It was a lot. But she needed something to do.
Anything to keep her mind off Najee. And how unresolved everything still felt with him.
I should call him. The thought came quick and uninvited.
Jackie wanted to explain herself. Clear everything up.
But her pride wouldn’t let her. So instead, she grabbed her plate, carried it over to the sofa, and tried to put all of it out her mind.
Kormia was stretched across the other end of the couch, with enough food to film a mukbang.
She had the food Jackie cooked, two biscuits from the gas station, a jar of olives, a four pack of Jamaican me Happy wine coolers, three bags of peach rings and a KitKat.
Kormia was eating her feelings, not because she was heartbroken, but because she was embarrassed.
Wheezy had gotten another girl pregnant, and the pictures from their maternity shoot had hit the timeline.
And of course—the streets were dragging.
Jackie knew, deep down, Kormia couldn’t care less who Wheezy was with.
They had not been together and damn near a year, at least not romantically.
But embarrassment? That was different. Especially when half the city was speaking on her name like she was the one who got played.
However, Wheezy wasn’t even the real issue.
Newdy was. Kormia hadn’t said it out loud, but she was feeling him.
And by the looks if it he was feeling Malaya.
They had been outside heavy lately, and it didn’t help that Jamila, and her new NFL player boo seemed to be everywhere alongside them doing the double dating thing.
Kormia hadn’t said much about it. But Jackie knew her cousin.
Which was exactly why she was currently knee-deep in Jackie’s business instead of dealing with her own.
“Nah, Jackie… you owe Dr. Umar an apology.” Kormia managed to say around a mouthful of chicken, one leg hanging off the armrest while she nursed a half-empty bottle of Jamaican-Me-Happy in her free hand.
“I get the shit that went down with you and Cassius that weekend was some Final Destination type shit,” she continued, shaking her head.
“But everything after that? That was on you.” Jackie cut her a look.
Because not Sally “Messy” Ralpheal giving lectures on accountability.
“Bye, Kormia,” Jackie muttered. “His name is Najee, and your drunk ass got a whole lotta opinions for somebody who don’t even know the full story.”
“First of all, I’m buzzed,” Kormia corrected. “And second, I know enough. Based on the facts presented before this court? Yo ass owe that man an apology.”
Jackie rolled her eyes hard as she settled deeper into the couch.
“And, not for nothing,” Kormia continued between chews.
“I been told you Fat Daddy was the feds. He the messiest six-year-old I ever met.”
“I’m seven!” Max yelled from upstairs. “Mind your business and play,” Jackie called back immediately. “Okay!” he yelled. Kormia turned slowly, eyebrows raised. “See? Messy. Just like his mama.” Jackie grabbed a throw pillow and launched it at her. Kormia laughed harder.
“I’m far from messy,” Jackie shot back. “Now loud? Maybe. But never messy. As matter of fact, Jackie Brown always keeps it P.” Kormia pointed at her with a greasy finger. “Well, this time you kept it M.” Jackie huffed a laugh despite herself. “Seriously though,” Kormia said, settling back again.
“Just call that man and apologize. He already spared your ass in that last conversation.
Because if it was me? And you was driving my cousin’s car, spending the night in his condo, eating ramen and drinking sake? Baby, I would’ve set fire to the rain.”
“Nothing happened,” Jackie muttered. “Mmhm.” Kormia responded unconvinced.
“I’m serious.”
“Girl, I don’t care if y’all played Uno all night. The optics look crazy as hell.”
Jackie sighed and cracked open a wine cooler.
“I tried giving Cash his car back several times,” she said after a sip.
“He won’t take it.”
“Clearly,” Kormia replied dryly, “that mean drive it like it’s yours.” Jackie leaned back against the couch cushions. “I tried to explain everything to Najee,” she admitted quietly.
“But he already had his mind made up.”
“Or” Kormia muttered, “you got defensive.” Jackie shot her a look instantly.
Kormia lifted both hands in mock surrender. “I’m just saying, cousin. You have the tendency to swing first when you feel cornered. And I understand why you like that. But that don’t automatically make you right.” Silence settled over the room after that. Not awkward. Just honest.
Jackie stared down at the bottle in her hand for a second before exhaling.
“I think we past the point of no return now anyway.”
“Why? “Kormia frowned. Jackie hesitated. “I canceled our breakout session today.” Kormia sat up so fast she almost dropped her chicken. “Why would you go and do that?” Jackie groaned softly.
“I was in my feelings.” Kormia smiled slowly. “Well. Acceptance is the first step.”
Jackie rolled her eyes but didn’t argue.
Instead, she reached for her phone, opened Instagram, and tapped through her feed until she landed on his story.
The screen filled with low lighting, soft music, and what looked like one expensive ass dinner.
Then the camera shifted. And there he was.
Najee. Jackie’s breath caught slightly. He was dressed in all black, sitting back in his chair looking clean, calm, and fine as hell in a tailored suit that probably cost a bag.
But that wasn’t what caught her attention.
It was the woman sitting next to him. Covered modestly in a silk overgarment, a beautifully beaded hijab framing soft features Jackie recognized almost immediately.
“She look familiar,” Jackie murmured. Then it clicked.
“The field,” she said. “She was with Zambia.” Kormia leaned closer, squinting at the screen. Oh, I know her. That’s Fatima.”
“She’s Zambia’s older sister. I used to do her nails back when I worked at Bri’s shop.”
“That was a million years ago though,” Jackie said. “Yeah,” Kormia nodded.
“But you never forget the big tippers. Fatima used to cash me out.”
Jackie looked back down at the story, taking the woman on the screen in a little more carefully this time.
Fatima was beautiful, maybe a shade or two darker than Zambia, with piercing brown eyes, glass skin, and immaculate bone structure.
She was naturally beautiful. Nothing about her looked altered or manufactured.
She was just… striking. And Jackie couldn’t even front.
Her and Najee looked damn near perfect sitting next to each other, like the picture made sense before you even understood the context behind it.
That made something uncomfortable skip through Jackie’s chest.
“She good peoples too,” Kormia added. “Nothing like Zambia’s stuck-up ass.
Fatima always been quiet, down to earth, and low-key.
Well…” Kormia dragged out slightly, “that’s until she went away to school.
” Jackie glanced over, “What happened when she went away?” Kormia snorted softly before taking another sip of her wine cooler.
“You know how them super religious good-girl types be once they finally get freedom,” she said.
“They overdose on that independence and start throwing that ass in a circle.” Jackie huffed a small laugh.
“Fatima ain’t do all that,” Kormia continued.
“But she definitely started living and having fun.” She shrugged.
“And apparently she had a little too much fun.”
Jackie’s brows pulled together slightly. “So what happened?” she finally asked.
Kormia took another sip of her wine cooler before continuing.
“Homegirl ended up pregnant by some little wannabe drill rapper. And that was all she fucking wrote. Her marriage back home was called off almost overnight and her ass got excommunicated after that.” Jackie stared at the screen a second longer, watching the story replay.
Najee looked relaxed and comfortable. Like his mind was already on to the next.
Kormia side-eyed her knowingly. “I’m honestly surprised to see her back around,” she continued.
“Last thing I heard, she was somewhere in Delaware doing scam taxes.” Then came the smirk.
“Either way…” Kormia dragged out. “She look real comfortable next to your man.”
Jackie shot her a look immediately. “He’s not my man.”
“Yet.” Kormia said between sips of her cooler.
Jackie rolled her eyes, but the heat crawling up her neck betrayed her immediately.
“That’s a good man, Savannah,” Kormia added.
“You better act like you know.” Jackie didn’t respond.
Because she didn’t really know what to say.
Kormia’s words sat with her longer than she wanted them to.
She was right, Najee was a good man. An intentional man.
And even if he wasn’t technically hers…yet—that was about to change.
Jackie closed Instagram and opened their text thread instead.
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. Not typing.
Not moving. Just there. Kormia fake stretched beside her, clearly trying to peek at the screen.
Jackie clocked her instantly. “I told Max I was gonna take him to the Telly so he could go swimming,” Kormia said casually.
“The reservations were supposed to be for tomorrow, but I can call my hotel plug and switch it for tonight if you need the crib.” Jackie looked over slowly.
Kormia shrugged. “Just say the word.” Jackie thought about it for a second.
Didn’t say anything. Just bit her bottom lip and shifted in her seat. And apparently that was enough.
“Fat Daddy!” Kormia yelled toward the stairs. “Pack a bag! We going swimming!”
“Mommy!” Max yelled back instantly, excitement all in his voice now.
“Where my swim trunks?”
“In your bottom drawer!” Jackie called back. Then she looked over at Kormia and mouthed, thank you. Kormia grinned. “Always.” Jackie let out a slow breath, looked back down at her phone, and opened the messages. Found Najee’s name. Paused. Then finally, she said fuck it—and started typing.
Jackie: I’m sorry…The typing bubble appeared almost immediately.
Najee: For? Jackie stared at the screen for a second before exhaling.
Jackie: …everything. Another pause. Then:
Najee: Expound. Jackie frowned.
Jackie: Really, Najee??? This response came faster.
Najee: Nah. I accept. Jackie blinked despite herself.
Jackie: wyd? A few seconds passed.
Najee: Auntie turned 58 today so we outside… lol.
Jackie bit the inside of her cheek. Then typed.
Jackie: Well, I would like to reschedule my session.
Najee: Yeah… when?
Jackie stared at the screen, her thumb hovering for a second before she finally typed back.
Jackie: Tonight!