Page 75 of All In

“Just saying,” he replied evenly. “Optics matter, right? Or maybe that only applies when it’s not him.” That one cut deeperthan she wanted it to. “Not that I owe you an explanation,” Jackie shot back, her tone sharpening, “but let’s be very fucking clear. You couldn’t pursue me publicly anyway. You’re on Max’s treatment team, remember? This whole situation is a conflict of interest. Your words not mine.” Najee’s smile widened slightly, but there was nothing soft in it. “You sound real defensive for somebody who don’t owe nobody an explanation.” Jackie opened her mouth, already ready to go off, but Najee cut in before she could. “Let me start here.” Something about the shift in his tone made Jackie still automatically. “You lied to me, Jackie.” Silence settled between them instantly.

“I understand why you did it,” he continued calmly. “But you still lied. And then you kept lying.” Jackie’s chest pulled. “And you’re absolutely right,” he said. “Us being together publicly right now would absolutely be a conflict of interest. That’s exactly why I handled what needed to be handled.” His eyes stayed locked on hers. “Contrary to popular belief, I don’t say things I don’t intend to stand on.” The room went quiet again, but this time the silence felt heavier.

Jackie kept her arms crossed, though her posture shifted slightly like she was bracing herself against something she hadn’t expected him to say out loud. “And I do?” she muttered.

Najee didn’t rise to it. Didn’t react emotionally at all. He just looked at her steadily.

“You’re defensive,” he said finally, his tone more observant than accusatory.

“And honestly, I understand why.” That hit quicker than yelling probably would’ve.

“I’m not—”

“You are,” he interrupted calmly. “And I get it.” Jackie stopped talking after that.

Because for the first time since this conversation started, she realized hewasn’ttrying to scold her. He was trying tounderstand her. “You had a lot going on,” Najee continued. “Syxe, Max, life and whatever else you carrying right now. And you ain’t handle everything the cleanest way, but I’m not here to rake you over the coals for that.” Jackie pressed her lips together tightly because she couldn’t even argue with him. “I’m also not asking you to explain yourself to me,” he added.

“But don’t confuse my silence with confusion Jackie.” His gaze held hers steadily. “I meant what I said to you. Every part of it.” Something in Jackie’s chest shifted at that.

“And I haven’t moved off that.” There wasn’t hesitation in his voice. No uncertainty either, just calm, unwavering honesty. Najee stepped forward slightly then, not enough to crowd her but enough for Jackie to feel the shift in the room anyway. “I don’t do in-between, Jackie,” he said quietly. “And I don’t deal with people who do. I’m not halfway about you. I’m not on the fence. And I’m not about to start now.” Jackie’s fingers flexed at her sides because his delivery wasn’t harsh or cruel, just real in a way she wasn’t used to. The room fell quiet again, but this time the silence didn’t feel tense. It felt clear. Jackie slowly lowered her arms. “I wasn’t unsure about you,” she continued finally, her voice softer now. Najee didn’t interrupt he just watched her carefully.

“I was unsure about everything and everyone else,” she admitted. Her fingers brushed lightly against her thigh, grounding herself. “But you?” she said shaking her head. “You weren’t complicated. You were easy. Too easy even.” Something subtle shifted behind Najee’s eyes then.

“And I didn’t trust that” Jackie admitted. “Because nothing in my life ever comes easy.”

The space between them felt different now, level instead of strained. Najee nodded slowly like he understood exactly what she meant. “I hear you,” he said simply. Jackie exhaled carefully. “So now what?” Najee held her gaze for a long second beforeanswering. “Now?” he repeated quietly. “You figure out what you standing on. And who you wanna stand with.”

That was it, and somehow that truth hit harder than confusion ever could. Najee straightened then, slipping back into professionalism so smoothly it almost gave her whiplash. “We’ll reschedule Max’s follow-up,” he said evenly. “My assistant will reach out.”

He was standing on business, that much was clear. Jackie knew a boundary when she saw one, and rather than just apologize. She swallowed, nodded once and straightened her shoulders in an attempt to match his energy. But when she went to speak, all she could muster was a bitch ass, “okay.” Najee gave her one last look before walking past her toward the door. It wasn’t indifferent, lingering, or searching. It was steady, and that stilled her.Nobody put Jackie in the corner, yet somehow this nerdy ass nigga with glasses, boundaries, and a cardigan had her sitting there completely on mute.

When Najee finally walked out the room, Jackie was left sitting with herself in a way she hadn’t expected. And for the first time in a long time, she had to admit that maybe she really was part of the problem.When it came to men, confusion had always been familiar to her. In some twisted way, she had adjusted to it. Learned how to function inside inconsistency, mixed signals, and emotional chaos without questioning it too hard.But Najee was different. He communicated too clearly, moved with intention, and said exactly what he meant and stood on it every single time. And somehow, that level of certainty weighed a lot heavier on Jackie than confusion ever did.

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—fornow.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 ofJamaican me Happywine coolers, three bags of peach rings and a KitKat. Kormia was eating her feelings, not because she was heartbroken, but because she wasembarrassed.Wheezy had gotten another girl pregnant, and the pictures from their maternity shoot had hit the timeline. And of course—the streetswere 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.Newdywas.Kormia hadn’t said it out loud, but she was feeling him. And by the looks if it he was feelingMalaya.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 leghanging 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 someFinal Destinationtype 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.”