Like a Good Neighbor 14, 15 nd 16

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

For the next few weeks as the holidays approached Kate and I spent as much time together as we could. She was on days for the next few weeks, so I planned to eat lunch with her on Wednesday. She promised to give me about an hour’s notice so I could make my way over to the hospital. Everyone there ate in the cafeteria so that if they were needed, they could get back to the emergency room quickly. Kate sent me a text at about eleven thirty stating that her crew would take lunch at twelve thirty. I left the gym about quarter to twelve and was sitting in the cafeteria when Kate and her nurses came in the door.

Kate walked over and kissed me quickly then I followed her to the line that had formed. I told Kate that I would buy everyone’s lunch. Kate informed everyone which went over very well. Everyone received their lunch and I paid for everything then joined them at the table.

“Jace, these are my people. That’s Jill, Cindy, and Megan. Without them I would be lost for sure. Girls, this is Jace Johnson.”, Kate said, introducing all of us.

“Nice to meet you, ladies.”, I answered.

“Ladies……… you don’t know us well enough.”, Megan, the red head laughed.

“Uh……. Just so you know Jace, this group has no filter at all.”, Kate explained.

“I can deal with it, Kate.”, I laughed.

“Oh, I bet you can.”, Megan said, causing the entire group to laugh.

Lunch became a ritual for us with me joining the group at least twice a week sometimes more. The girls would always like to talk shit to me, but it was all in good fun. Kate would facetime me every break she would get and we would talk as long as she was able.

The gym was doing well and I had hired another guy to help in the day to day activities. That way I could alter my schedule to be available when Kate was off. Sometimes, I didn’t want to take the larger SUV so I had purchased a Jaguar XF which I really liked for about fifty five thousand. As soon as Kate saw it, she fell in love and anytime we went somewhere together she wanted to drive it.

We spent Thanksgiving with her family and I got to meet her grandparents on both sides of the family. Kate was still training extremely hard and still making good gains. Kate’s body was very proportionate with her legs and ass spectacular. Men would always break their necks trying to get a good look at her.

It was right after Thanksgiving that I received a call from Jennifer. She was back playing ball, but her father had dropped a bombshell on her. According to Jen, her parents had bought a house that was way over the top. In addition, her father had bought himself a new BMW which according to Jen was over one hundred thousand dollars. So, he sat her down and told her they needed to cut back on expenses which meant the pitching lessons, her batting coach and trainer all had to be dropped. She could still play softball but no more private lessons. Jennifer was ranked as the third best softball player in the city and the number two ranked pitcher. I told Jennifer that I would call her mother and discuss it.

A few days later around lunch time I decided to call Shelby about the situation. Shelby answered the phone quickly with that familiar hello I had heard so many times.

“Hey Shelby, do you have a minute to talk?”, I asked.

“Sure, what’s up?’, she answered.

“Jennifer called me about the softball situation, she seemed very upset.”, I stated.

“Yes, she is. Tim is being an ass as usual but not a lot I can do.”, she sighed.

“I can help out……… she needs to keep training and learning.”, I responded.

“Tim, I can’t let you do that. Besides, Tim would not allow it.”, she shot back.

“I’m offering to help and I could care less what Tim thinks. Just tell him the rest of the year is paid for so it costs him nothing. Find out how much it is for the remainder of the year and I’ll give you a check for cash to pay it all. No one needs to know anything except you and I.”, I responded.

“Jace, that is so sweet of you.”, Shelby said.

“Shelby, I love that little girl. She is like the baby sister I no longer have. Anything she needs, you let me know.”, I offered.

“Will do.”, Shelby said, hanging up.

We were able to pull it off without Tim finding all. Jennifer had to be told and she called me and thanked me almost in tears. I told her if she ever needed anything to let me know. Kate and I were at my house one evening and just talking in general when Kate brought up something.

“Oh, by the way…… my parents want us to join them for the annual gala at the Metronome this year.”, she stated.

“I went to that last year. Shelby’s parents will be there as well as her husband and his father. Should be a real shit show.”, I laughed.

With Christmas on the horizon, I knew I needed to start shopping for Kate. I had no idea what to get her, so I decided to keep things simple. I started at the Under Armor store by purchasing work out wear that she could use daily. I had everything gift wrapped and put in the trunk of my car. I then went to Victoria’s Secret and bought lingerie which Kate also loved and had it gift wrapped.

That weekend Kate and I put up the tree I had bought years before and decorated it. It was in the family room and when we were done it looked amazing. Kate placed the skirt around the tree and we were done but she had to go to the emergency room for her shift. After she left, I went out to my car and emptied all of the presents out and arranged them around the tree. After I was finished, Kate already had eighteen gifts scattered under the tree. I knew Jennifer’s bat size, so I decided to get her the best softball bat available.,

After talking with several people including her pitching coach, I bought an Easton Ghost Advanced Fastpitch bat. It was five hundred fifty dollars but had great reviews. I wrapped it up and put it under the tree as well.

We were about two weeks before Christmas and the gifts under our tree had multiplied fivefold. There were presents stacked on top of presents everywhere. Kate had been shopping for her family as well and everything was under the tree for them as well. I still wanted to get Kate something that signified she was successful and very accomplished in her field. After looking at the Seko watch that she wore every day I decided to get her a new one.

I went to the jewelry store where I had bought Shelby’s engagement ring. I was shown several high-end watches and finally chose a Rolex DATEJUST Gold Automatic watch which was twenty-five thousand dollars. Yes, that was a crazy amount of money to spend but I barely ever spent any significant money. I had over thirty thousand dollars a month coming in just in interested. My checking account was at eight hundred seventy-five thousand and growing. I also purchased a set of diamond earring like the ones I had given Shelby. As I drove home, I felt good about what I had bought for Kate.

We were about a week away from the gala at the Metronome when Kate asked if I wanted to go shopping for a new dress. I agreed and of course Kate had the drive the Jaguar. We went to Neiman Marcus because Kate knew a woman in the sales department. Fortunately, she was working so her and Kate went to work. Kate tried on several dresses never really approving of any of them.

Then she came out in an Alex Perry ledger Strapless Satin Crepe gown in white. The dress was split up the left side almost to the top of her thigh. Kate’s gorgeous legs were in full view, and she looked amazing. She liked the dress as well and bought a pair of white heels to match. I still had my black tux to wear so I was all set. The only drawback to the event would be seeing Shelby, her parents, Tim and his family. Of course, Kate’s parents would have their own table since her father was huge in the business.

Kate asked me if I would take her to the hairdresser the Saturday morning of the gala. So, I accompanied her to the salon where she met with Trish, her stylist.

“Hello Kate, long time no see. And who do we have here.”, she greeted looking me over.

“Hey Trish, this is Jace. Jace is my uh……. significant other?”, Kate explained.

“Well, wherever you got him let me know. I want one too.”, Trish giggled.

I sat in one of the large chairs up front while Kate had her hair cut and colored. She got what was called a Boss Pixie which looked really good on her. She had Trish apply just some minimum honey blonde streaks in her hair which came out amazing. She had her nails and feet done. We left after about two and a half hours of me waiting.

We went home and relaxed a bit then took showers to get ready for the event. We arrived at the Metronome a few minutes before eight o’clock. We have the valet take the car and we walked through the lobby hand in hand. We handed the hostess our invitation and starting walking down the center aisleway between the hundreds of tables that were placed on the left and the right. A quick glance affirmed that the Phillips table was in the same place although most were not there. Kate spotted her parents, and we started walking in that direction. We sat down with them and they remarked how lovely Kate looked.

Thirty minutes later, the place was packed. Shelby’s parents were about five tables to our right and Shelby, Tim and his parents were on the far side of the room. What actually surprised me is that Jennifer was here with a young man dressed in a tux. I was not aware Jennifer had a boyfriend but then again, I was no longer in the loop, so to speak. About a half hour later we were just talking with Kate’s parents when Jennifer and the young man came up to our table. Jennifer leaned over and hugged me then gently kissed my cheek.

“Hey Jace, I miss you.”, she said softly.

“I miss you too, Jen.”, I admitted.

“Jace, this is my friend Lance from school.”, she stated.

“Nice to meet you, Lance. Just so you know this young lady right here means the world to me. You hurt her and you will deal with me.”, I said, shaking his hand.

“No problem……”, he muttered.

“Oh Jen, I have your Christmas present at my house. Next time I see you I will give it to you.”, I promised.

“Thanks Jace, oh by the way Luke doesn’t dance so would you dance one time with me?”, Jennifer asked.

“I would love too just let me know when.”, I offered.

Jennifer and her new boyfriend went back to her parents table and sat down. I returned to the conversation that was going on at our table. Laura McKinney leaned over and almost whispered something in my ear.

“Jace, you are wise beyond your years. I just don’t see young people with the values that you have today. That little girl adores you and she is not even yours. Don’t ever lose track of who you are. That would be a shame.”, she commented.

“Thank you, ma’am.”, I replied.

Around eight thirty the music began playing and a few couples braved the dance floor. I danced once with Kate and noticed that Shelby stared at us the entire time. I’m sure by now she knew who Kate was and how we had met. Every now and then, I would think about Shelby and wonder what went so wrong. About that time Kate leaned into my ear and whispered.

“My ex-husband is here sitting at one of the tables in the back. He must be working in the financial field now. He keeps staring at me.’, she giggled.

“Uh Kate, news flash……… all of the men are staring at you.”, I laughed.

“Yea, I noticed that.”, she said, winking at me.

It was a little after nine thirty when Come Away with Me came on sung by Nora Jones. I was just about to ask Kate to dance when Jennifer showed up at my table.

“I want to dance to this one.”, she stated, holding out her hand.

“Excuse me, I have a beautiful young lady to dance with.”, I commented before getting up.

All eyes were upon us as we both walked out to the dance hand in hand. Jennifer was probably about five foot six and maybe a one hundred pounds. I was six foot tall and two hundred and fifty-five pounds. I’m sure we made a sharply contrasting appearance on the floor. Jennifer had turned into a beautiful young woman taking after Shelby completely. She stepped into my arms and we began to slowly move across the floor.

“My dad is so pissed off right now.”, she whispered.

“Why because I’m dancing with you?”, I asked.

“No because when I told him I was going to dance with you he asked me to dance with him as well. I told him no.”, she smiled.

“Maybe that was not a good idea, Jen.”, I responded.

“Jace, my mom is miserable. I hear them arguing sometimes about the same things they did before. She thinks he has another girl friend, and he probably does. At first, he was home early every day. Now he comes in very late almost every night.”, she answered.

“I’m sorry to hear that. I still can’t figure out why your mom went back to him.”, I stated.

“Neither can I……… Living with you was the best time I have had so far. You and my mom got along so well. I know she still loves you. I hear her crying at night sometimes in her bed.”, Jennifer said.

“I tried to talk to her a few times after she left. She made no indication that she wanted to get back together. And now with Kate, well it’s almost impossible.”, I replied.

“It’s not your fault Jace. She did it to herself thinking he was going to change. My dad will never change. The only person that he cares about is himself.”, Jennifer stated.

We finished our dance and I leaned over and gently kissed Jennifer on the cheek. She had turned into an amazing young lady and a very accomplished softball player. I watched as she walked back to her table and Shelby mouthed the words thank you. I went back to our table and Kate leaned over and kissed me quickly on the lips.

“You’re an amazing man Jace Johnson.”, she said smiling.

“Well, I have to be to go out with the most gorgeous doctor at the hospital.”, I replied.

Kate and I danced several more times and I even danced with Kate’s mother once as she danced with her father. The McKinney’s were good people and treated me very well whenever I was around. In fact, we had invited them over for Christmas Eve so we could exchange gifts. Then Christmas day we were going to their house.

Kate and I were at the bar when her ex-husband came walking over. I could see by Kate’s facial expression she did not want to deal with him, but she put a smile on and greeted him warmly.

“Hey Kate, how have you been?”, he asked.

“I’m doing well. How about you?”, she replied.

“I can’t get over what you have done to yourself. You’re working out now, right?”, he inquired.

“Yes, I am. By the way this is Jace Johnson. He owns Power Plant Fitness and is my personal trainer as well. Jace, this is my ex-husband, Justin.”, she stated.

“Nice to meet you, Justin.”, I replied, shaking his hand.

“Same here.”, he responded.

“Kate, I’m going back to the table so the two of you can talk.”, I offered.

“No, you’re not.”, Kate laughed grabbing my hand.

“Ah, so you have a bodyguard now huh?”, Jason laughed.

“You’re fucking right and he’s a huge motherfucker.”, Kate responded laughing.

“So, are you two dating or something?”, he asked.

“Is that a problem?”, Kate asked smiling.

“Well, I guess it could be if I asked you out.”, he said with a smirk on his face.

“You’re asking me out on a date?”, Kate asked surprised.

“Well…… um yea I guess.”, he stuttered.

“I’m really stunned Justin. When we were married you threw me away without giving it much thought at all. “ Kate replied.

“I know but you look so different now.”, he confessed.

“Well, I’m sorry Justin but Jace and I have been together for a while now. It’s good to see you again though. We need to get back to my parents, take care.”, Kate answered, turning and walking away.

When we got back to the table she sat down and told her parents that Justin had actually asked her out. Honestly, I really thought he was confident she would say yes. Kate’s parents actually got a good laugh out of the story.

We ended the evening right at midnight and walked out with her parents. We got into the Jaguar and began the drive home. I had just pulled on the highway when Kate leaned over and placed her hand over mine.

“I’m really fucking horny right now.”, she said softly.

“Well, I can take care of that when we get home.”, I laughed.

“Or, I can take care of that right now.”, Kate giggled.

She unbuckled the seat belt and slightly turned in the seat so that her head was resting on the passenger side door glass. She opened her legs up slightly and raised her dress exposing her white lace panties.

“See anything you like?”, Kate asked, smiling.

“Uh huh….”, I responded.

Kate slipped her right hand into her panties and began to slowly stroke her pussy. Kate’s eyes were on me as I attempted to drive a vehicle with this gorgeous creature next to me playing with herself. Kate was correct when she said she was horny because she had two orgasms in less than five minutes. But by the time we got home she was ready again.

It was sometime after two in the morning when my cell phone rang. I reached over and picked it up and answered it still half asleep.

“Mr. Johnson, this is Kevin at the front gate. I have a young lady here that wants to see you. She is really upset at this point. Her name is Jennifer Phillips.”, he stated.

“Jennifer…. What the hell. Kevin, keep her there I’m on the way.”, I ordered.

“What is it baby……”, Kate asked.

“I have no clue, but Jennifer is at the front gate and it’s two twenty in the morning. That can’t be good.”, I said putting on a t-shirt.

I drove straight to the gate and found Jennifer sitting on the bench outside the guard shack. I got out and went up to her and I could see she was visibly upset. I told Kevin I would handle it and helped her to the car. On the ride back she made no sense just babbling about her mom and dad. I got her inside and took her to the sofa where Kate was waiting.

“Jennifer, calm down and tell me what is going on……please.”, I stated.

“My dad and mom were arguing with each other. It got really loud, so I went into the kitchen where they were. My dad was drunk as usual. He pushed my mom, so I went to help her. I grabbed him from behind and he elbowed me in my side then grabbed me and threw me against the kitchen counter.” She started.

“Then my mom came over and grabbed him and he turned and punched her in the face. She fell and I think she hit her head on the countertop but I’m not sure. I ran out the door and just kept running. I did not know where to go so I walked over here.”, she said.

“You walk all the way here?”, I asked.

“Yes, I didn’t know where to go.”, Jennifer admitted.

“Let me look at you Jennifer……”, Kate asked getting up.

Kate walked over to Jennifer and asked her where she struck the countertop. Jennifer lifted her t-shirt and her ribs were already severely bruised. She also had a large bruise on her left shoulder. Kate pressed on Jennifer’s ribs causing her to jump.

“I need to take her to the ER and check her out. She may have a fracture.”, Kate suggested.

“I’m going to Shelby’s and beat the shit out of Tim.”, I said as angry as I had ever been.

“No Jace, call the police. I don’t want you getting arrested for assault. On second thought I’m calling them.”, Kate stated.

Kate called 911 and reported the incident as Jennifer had described it. Jennifer relayed the address to Kate for the dispatcher. Kate informed the dispatcher that she was Dr. McKinney from the hospital and she was taking the child to the emergency room where they could contact her.

We all got in my vehicle and drove straight to the hospital emergency room parking lot. Jennifer was having some difficulty breathing which was consistent with a rib injury. As much as I was concerned about Jennifer, I still wanted to be alone with Tim Phillips for just a few minutes. I felt that this would happen and in a way felt somewhat responsible.

Kate walked in the emergency room and took Jennifer immediately into one of the rooms. I sat outside in the waiting room. About thirty minutes later Kate came out and informed me that Jennifer had several fractured ribs and a severe contusion on her left shoulder. Kate had taken x-rays and an MRI to see how severe the damage was. All in all, Jennifer would be fine in about six weeks. Kate was going to prescribe an anti-inflammatory and a mild pain reliever. She walked to the back to finish up with Jen when two police officers walked in. They asked at the nurse’s station and the nurse pointed over towards me. The two of them then walked over.

“I’m Deputy Sheriff Hogan and would like to talk to the juvenile that’s here.”, he asked.

“She’s in the emergency room with Dr. McKinney but she should be out in a minute. Is the mother, ok?”, I asked.

“We have several units at the location, but it appears for now the house is vacant. We are waiting on rank to forcibly enter but before we can I need to speak to the child.”, he replied.

Thankfully several minutes later, Kate and Jennifer came from the back and walked over to us. When asked by the officer Jennifer relayed the same story to them as she had told Kate and I earlier. Since she had stated there was a chance that her mother was hurt, they had permission to forcibly enter the home.