CHAPTER NINETEEN

I got up very early the next morning and noticed Jennifer’s bedroom door was still closed. I fixed some breakfast all the while wondering how my relationship with Jennifer would change. I was no longer the father figure I had been in her mind. About an hour later, Jennifer came into the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee and sat at the bar. She was just wearing a long t-shirt and panties, but I let it slide at this moment because of the night before. She was trying to get a reaction out of me, and I had to remain strong. I was just starting the dishwasher when my cell phone rang, and it was Kate. Jennifer looked at the screen and then back up at me. I could see the doubt in her eyes as I answered the phone.

“Hey Kate, what’s up.”, I asked.

“Not much. How are the girls doing?”, she asked.

“Kaley was not able to make it. She came down with the flu so it’s only Jennifer here.”, I replied.

“Oh ok. What are you going to do today?’, Kate asked.

“Well, I promised to take Jen shopping at the mall. Other than that, I don’t know.”, I answered.

“Would the two of you mind if I tag along?”, Kate asked.

“No, not at all. We can pick you up later. I call and let you know when we are leaving.”, I stated.

“I hope you don’t mind but Kate will be coming with us.”, I told Jennifer.

“No, that’s ok.”, Jennifer replied.

“Jen, we need to talk about last night before we do anything else.”, I stated.

“Jace, please don’t freak out on me about last night………………. I begged you to sleep with me. I don’t regret it and I never will. Please don’t be sorry that you turned me down. Please don’t treat me any different than before.”, Jen pleaded.

“Jen, you know I love you so much. But things are different now……. I can’t explain it, but they just are. I see you in a different way now. You’re a beautiful young woman and that’s how I see you know. But I just don’t know where to go from here.”, I replied.

“Jace, I love you for you. I can’t imagine how my life would be if you had not picked up the pieces.”, Jen stated.

“Maybe you’re substituting love for gratitude. I know you’re grateful for what I have done for you, but I can’t ruin your young life and make a decision that I think we would both regret.

“Neither do I………. but I’m not sorry I asked. Look, we don’t have to figure this out right here and now. I’m going back to school and will be around a ton of boys. Kate is trying to get back together with you. I’m sure eventually I will be embarrassed that I asked you to sleep with me but right now, I’m not. I still want to fuck you. Are you ok knowing that?”, Jennifer asked.

“I think I have to be. Are you ok with me turning you down?”, I asked.

“Yes Jace, I’m very ok with that. I’m disappointed but you have always helped me make the right decision and I must trust you now.”, she promised.

“Jen, what if Kate and I do reconcile…… what then?”, I asked.

“Jace, I love you and I sincerely hope you do.”, Jennifer admitted.

At that very moment, I realized that Jennifer was wise beyond her years. But I also believed that what happened last night was Jennifer saying thank you for everything I had done for her. I was feeling extremely guilty for what I had done but Jen seemed perfectly fine with it. How do I act around Kate now with Jennifer here? This was going to be a problem.

About an hour later we were both dressed and ready to leave for the mall. I called Kate and she said she was ready to go as well. We went two streets over and I pulled into the driveway and got out. Jennifer got out as well it had been a while since she had seen Kate’s parents. I rang the doorbell and Kate’s mother Laura answered quickly.

“Hello Jace and oh Jennifer, I haven’t seen you in forever. My god how much have you grown?” Laura remarked hugging her.

We followed Laura to the family room where Kate’s father Thomas was in his large recliner watching a football recap show. He seemed very surprised to see me but stood and shook my hand.

“I never thought I would see you again son. What did my daughter do to get you over here?”, he asked.

“We talked a bit sir. We are here to pick her up and go shopping.”, I replied.

“Jennifer how are you……… you have grown up so much.”, he said.

“Thank you, Mr. McKinney, it’s nice to see you again.”, Jen answered.

“What are you doing with yourself these days?”, he asked.

“I’m in school at Clemson. Playing softball for them.”, she replied.

“Clemson……… that’s big time Jennifer.”, he said with praise.

“Yes sir, but it’s a grind. We start at six in the morning, and I go to sleep around ten at night. It’s nice to have a small break.”, she admitted.

Thankfully just about that time Kate walked into the room and Jennifer ran over and gave her a huge hug. They exchanged a few words then Kate said she was ready to go. We said goodbye to her parents and went out to my car.

“I always wanted to drive the Jag……. How about it, dad?”, Jen laughed.

“Sure……”, I replied tossing her the key fob.

I let Kate get in the front with Jen and I climbed into the back seat. Jennifer started the car and we headed towards the mall. Kate and Jennifer dominated the conversation with Jen telling Kate all about college life. It was very apparent that Jennifer was having the time of her life at school. About forty-five minutes later we arrived at the mall and Jennifer found a parking spot. It was packed due to Christmas being just a few days away.

It had been a long time since I had been shopping so I let the women lead on. We started at Rag and Bone where Jennifer started trying on blue jeans. I sat in the chair by the dressing room and just observed women obsessing over clothing. After picking out jeans by several different designers I gave my credit card to Jennifer where she paid for the items. I found it outrageous that a pair of blue jeans would be one hundred seventy-five dollars each but eight hundred dollars later we walked out of the store with me carrying the bag. The next store was Alice + Olivia where tops and blouses for the jeans were obtained. Then we wandered across the corridor to Jimmy Choo’s which I knew was going to cost me. We had made a deal though and everything we bought would be Jennifer’s Christmas gifts. After all, I had no one else at this time to buy for.

The first pair of boots that Jennifer got excited about looked like an army issue boot. She mentioned to Kate that it was a Chike Flat whatever the hell that was. She then found a Kinsey Ankle boot in black to go with her jeans. I noticed Kate admiring a brown boot that was a Mavie 85. Everyone tried on various shoes, but Jen stuck with the Chike Flat which was twelve hundred dollars and the Kinsey Ankle boot which was nine hundred dollars. I told Kate that I would buy her the Mavie 85 boots as well as a Christmas gift. She refused right away but I bought them anyway.

Then Jennifer led us to the one store I really felt awkward about it. We walked through the entrance of Victoria’s Secret with me carrying five different bags with Jen and Kate in front of me. There was an extremely young- and good-looking woman working the floor and she immediately came up to us. She asked Jen and Kate how she could help them, but her eyes were on me.

Jennifer said she needed some underwear and wanted to see what was available. The woman escorted her to a huge counter where just about every style of panties were laid out. I quickly found a chair about fifty feet away and sat down. The woman kept making eye contact with me and smiling. Once, I could have sworn that she even licked her bottom lip. Jennifer picked out quite a few items as did Kate. I knew Jennifer couldn’t help herself and was going to try to embarrass me.

“Dad, what do you think about these?”, Jennifer asked, holding up a white lace boy shortie.

“Wait, that’s your dad?”, the saleswoman asked.

“Yes, he is.”, Jen responded.

“No offense but you had to be young when she was born. I mean really young.”, she stuttered causing Jen and Kate to laugh.

“It’s complicated…….”, I answered.

“I bet you are……”, the woman replied, smiling.

We checked out and paid for everything and the only other store Jennifer wanted to go to was the Under Armor store which was not in the mall. So, we headed back outside, and I put all of the bags in the trunk, and we drove across town to the Under Armor store.

“Jace, that woman was hitting on you big time.”, Kate laughed.

“Just now?”, I asked acting like I had no clue.

“Oh, come on Jace. I thought she was going to invite you into the dressing room.”, Jennifer giggled.

They made several other remarks about the situation but thankfully we arrived at the Under Armor store which I knew well. We went in and Jennifer was able to get some Vanish Softball pants to practice in and a half dozen pair of sliding shorts. Then she found some Heat Gear leggings with some sports bras to finish off. We then finished off with three pairs of running shoes in various colors.

From there we went to get lunch at The Hillside Tavern where Jennifer loved the hamburgers which were their specialty. We ate and talked for close to ninety minutes before we left. Thankfully, Kate agreed to go home with us and talk for a while. That would at least deflect the tension between Jennifer and I for a few hours. I really had the suspicion that Jennifer would ask me again.

We arrived back at the house, and I carried all of the bags inside to the sofa. Jennifer pulled everything out and laid it all out. Kate and I sat down and watched Jennifer admire her new clothing.

“I’m going to need another suitcase to take all of this back with me.”, Jennifer commented.

“You could let Jace Fed-Ex to you once you get back. He could do it overnight and you would have it the next day.”, Kate responded.

“That would be great. Right before I leave, I will box it all up for you.”, Jennifer promised. Jennifer picked up all of her items and took them to her bedroom. She left me alone with Kate which honestly made me feel very awkward. Thankfully Kate started up the conversation.

“Jace, that was so nice of you to take her shopping. And I want to thank you again for the boots you bought me.”, she stated.

“You’re welcome, Kate. It’s no big deal really.”, I replied.

“I’m dreading going back to work in the morning. The holidays are always very tough. When someone gets the flu or something else, they come to us hoping we can cure them immediately then they can enjoy the rest of the holiday. Unfortunately, in most cases that is not the case.”, she sighed.

“I guess it’s hard to be a miracle worker every day. I can’t imagine doing what you do.”, I replied.

“It’s rewarding most of the time but when you lose a patient it’s tough. Especially if they’re young.”, she answered.

We talked for a while but honestly it seemed like we might have just been going through the motions. I think Kate felt it too, but I was not sure. After about an hour, she asked me to bring her home, which I did. She promised to call me during the week, and we could decide what to do about Christmas.

The new week came and so did the holidays. Kate called me a few times, but we were never able to get together for Christmas due to her schedule. Jennifer went back to school making me promise to keep her offer in my head. She just about stated that she wanted to be in a relationship with me after she graduated from college. I promised her I might just to appease the situation but made her promise that if she met someone, she would give them a chance. I still could hear the last words she said before she went down the ramp to board her plane.

“Jace, I know you think I’m much too young to understand what I want. Please don’t be fooled into thinking I’m a child. I’m looking at you right now and I know I will make you mine.”, she promised.

There was so much of Shelby inside of Jennifer that it was difficult not to do what she had asked. But the one thing that kept haunting me was that I would be betraying everything I had promised Shelby. This was her little girl and a relationship with me was not possible.

Over the next month or so Kate’s phone calls and texts slowed down and we barely saw each other. After a while, I think I may have been a little relieved about not getting back into a quick relationship with her. I was working full-time at the gym and trying to keep up with Jennifer, which made me very busy.

I was lifting several hours a day then training in Muy Thai for several more. I would then shower and work with clients and do paperwork until we closed. The months passed by and I had completely stopped talking to Kate, which was strange, but she always told me she was busy. After a while I just quit texting and calling her. But the more I thought about it the more I realized what Shelby had meant to me.

I was walking around the gym on a Friday night when I heard what seemed like an argument coming from the area where the treadmills were. I quickly walked in that direction to see a young couple having a fairly heated argument. By the time I was close everyone was staring in that direction. The young man reached out and grabbed the woman’s arm trying to pull her closer. She was trying to pull away from him.

“Let her go.”, I stated as I walked up.

“This don’t concern you man……. This is my wife. Back the fuck off.”, he demanded.

“This is my gym…… let her go now.”, I replied.

He let her go and turned to face me with an angry look on his face. After a few seconds of him trying to stare me down I knew he was going to be a problem. He tried to throw a right hook which I blocked immediately. He then followed up with a left hand that I brushed off easily. I reached out with two hands pushing him hard on the chest causing him to stumble and fall backwards.

“Get your things and leave the gym. Don’t come back until you can control yourself.”, I demanded.

He got up and faced his wife telling her this was not over. He then stormed out of the front door and across the parking lot. I walked over to the young woman who I knew was a regular at the gym.