CHAPTER 31
Jackie’s anxiety was getting the best of her.
It was mid-November. It had been three weeks since she’d sent Guzman the email pitching Mo’s big comeback fight.
She’d sent a follow-up note and had Calvin call Guzman’s office to confirm he’d received her messages, but she didn’t want to harass him any further, lest she get put on the spam list and never hear from him again.
The continued absence of a voice was making her job hard as hell.
She’d been back to the doctor twice since returning from Mexico and had even been put under anesthesia so they could get a better look at her vocal chords—no answers yet.
But even if she could speak, what would she say—especially to Antonio?
Jackie Miles and vulnerability weren’t familiar with each other.
She was walking on her under-desk treadmill, picking up the pace as the chorus of “Let Her Cook” got going, when her cellphone rang. It was PeeWee’s vet. She nearly fell off the walking pad trying to answer in a hurry.
“Ms. Miles? This is Dr. Martin, calling about PeeWee. I have some good news—we were finally able to conclude that PeeWee’s mass is not cancerous. We’ll want to repeat his bloodwork and scans in a few months, but for now, your sweet pup is in the clear.”
Jackie wanted to shout with joy, but before she could try, the door to her office flew open. She took one look at Calvin’s frazzled face and took out her earbuds.
“Ms. Miles, I tried to tell him you’re busy, but—”
A gruff voice interrupted. “Aye, either you let me through, slim, or I move you out the fucking way.”
It was Mo, and clearly, he wasn’t too happy.
Jackie waved her hand, signaling for Calvin to let Mo in. Mo was dressed in all black from head to toe. He looked like he was about to either rob someone or kill someone. Or both.
“You sure?” Calvin looked slightly terrified. “I can always get security.”
“Security?” Mo chuckled dryly. “I’m Mo Williams, dawg. Security can’t do shit to me.”
Jackie tilted her head twice, letting Calvin know that he should leave.
“I’ll…I’ll be right outside,” Calvin said shakily as he closed the door behind him.
Mo took a seat on Jackie’s couch. “You been avoiding me, Short Stack.”
Jackie leaned against her desk and typed in her app. “I’m sorry, Mo. But I still don’t have an answer from Guzman. Trust me, I’m trying.”
“Oh.” Mo’s eyes softened a bit. “Still no voice? Damn, shorty. No clue what’s going on?”
Jackie shrugged. “No clue,” the app responded.
“Maybe you need a reset—some more time in Mexico might do the trick?” Mo winked.
Or some more Antonio, thought Jackie. She silently cursed Mya for giving her these intrusive thoughts, shook her head, and typed, “I’m working on Guzman. I think his icing me out is a power play.”
Mo rubbed his hands together. “Yeah, he’s a dick. I’m just eager to get back out there, Jackie. I feel like I’m wasting my skills, you know? These young jawns out here getting all the glory without being really battle-tested. Any fighter worth his salt would want some real competition.”
Jackie nodded, understanding. She typed, “I know. Which is why I’m working on it. In the meantime, I got something I want you to look at.” Jackie went to her desk and pulled out a stack of papers. She handed them to Mo and watched as his eyes scanned the pages.
“Is this for real?” Mo asked.
Jackie was so excited to tell Mo about this deal, she was getting a cramp in her thumb trying to type her response faster.
“Everlast wants to do a whole campaign centered around your comeback. Mostly sponsored posts on your social media platforms, but we can work it in naturally. They’re willing to take a chance on you. ”
Mo flipped to the last page of the contract. “Damn! That’s a lot of zeros, Short Stack!”
“And this is just the beginning,” Jackie typed. “I got a couple of health and supplement suppliers hitting me up. How do you feel about a commercial for Planet Fitness?”
Mo flashed Jackie a grin, his tongue running over his grill. “You know, I always said I wanted to be in more commercials. I’m a handsome muthafucker. Folks need to see this face.”
Jackie laughed. Mo was cocky and brash. Maybe that’s why she dug him.
“Aight then, Lil’ Bit. I see you coming with facts and figures. Give me a pen.”
Jackie raised a brow. “You sure? I haven’t guaranteed you the fight yet.”
“You’re the first person who’s believed in me in a long time, Jackie. If you rocking with me, I’m rocking with you. Title fight or not. I know you gonna have my back. So, let’s do this.”
Jackie typed into the app, pressed SPEAK, and extended her hand. “I’ll have a formal contract ready for you in about twenty-four hours.” Mo pulled her in for a bear hug, forgoing the handshake. Jackie could barely breathe, but she was happy.
Just as Mo released her from the hug, she heard a throat-clearing sound from the doorway. She looked up to see Antonio had let himself in—and made a mental note to lecture Calvin about privacy.
Antonio looked between Jackie and Mo. “You good, Jackie? Calvin told me Mo came in here unannounced.”
“Well, well, well,” Mo snarled. “If it ain’t Lil’ Bit’s bodyguard. Was wondering if I was gonna see you, Steele. Seems like Jackie can’t go nowhere without your big ass popping up.” He leaned over and whispered to Jackie. “And you say y’all just friends, huh?”
Jackie couldn’t do anything but chuckle at that. But the look in Antonio’s eyes stopped her laughter. He looked annoyed. Jackie squinted. I know he’s not jealous, she thought. She had absolutely no interest in Mo outside of signing him as a client. Ant knew that, right?
Mo rubbed his beard as he looked between Jackie and Antonio. “Imma head out. Let me hit up South City Kitchen before I get back on the plane. Scratch that. I’m heading to Blue Flame. I want lemon pepper wings… Jackie, I’ll holler at you.” He gave Jackie a side hug.
“Stay out of trouble,” Jackie typed.
Mo gave a nod before walking out, leaving Jackie and Antonio alone for the first time since their trip to Mexico. Antonio’s eyes lingered on her a little too long. Jackie could feel her body heat rise. She typed, “You didn’t need to come and rescue me. I told you, that annoys me.”
Antonio smirked. “But I like annoying you, Jacqueline.”
Clearly. Jackie folded her arms across her chest. She shouldn’t have done that; his eyes went straight to her ample bosom.
Antonio put his hands in his pockets, stretching the material across his thighs.
They must have been going gaze for gaze, because Jackie’s eyes went straight to his crotch.
My God, even relaxed the man is dangerous.
“Eyes up here, Miles,” he teased. Then his face turned serious. “So, Mo showed up because there’s been no word from Guzman, huh? I bet Guzman’s trying to make you sweat.”
Jackie nodded. “Mo wants to sign with me,” she typed. “He and I are good. But I’m starting to think I sold him a false bill of goods.” Jackie stared down at the floor. She couldn’t believe she’d told Antonio that. It wasn’t in her nature to give anyone a glimpse of her self-doubt.
Antonio stepped closer. He gently lifted her chin with his index finger. “Don’t do that, sweetheart. You always get what you want. You’re Jackie fucking Miles. Or did you forget that, Lucky?”
Jackie stared up into his eyes. She inhaled, smelling his cologne, and that same electric rush she’d felt when they touched in Mexico came back to her all at once.
Just as she was contemplating letting Antonio take her right on her desk, an alert on her phone began to ring.
Shit. Her doctor’s appointment. She’d almost forgotten about it.
She leapt away from Antonio as if he were a bed of coals, clambering for her phone.
She couldn’t miss this appointment. She had to get her voice back.
She looked down at Antonio’s slacks. But Dr. Feelgood is right here.
“Dang! I see where you’re looking, Miles,” Antonio said with a devilish smirk. “You trying to break this desk next?”
Jackie grabbed her purse and phone. She went to give Antonio a quick hug, wanting to signal a truce, but he leaned closer to her ear. “This is the last time I don’t hear a word from you. Next time, Imma make you scream, Lucky.”
It was a threat mixed with a promise. His words made Jackie’s nipples hard.
She had to get the hell up out of there before she fucked that man in her office and became fodder for agency gossip.
She opened her mouth to verbally say goodbye but couldn’t, so she threw up her hand and quickly exited the room.
Jackie was sure to avoid eye contact with Calvin on her way out; she didn’t need him asking why she’d left Antonio standing in the middle of her office.