1. Like a Good Neighbor 24


    Date: 7/30/2024, Categories: Fiction Author: Rhiannon57

    ... screen and off and one night……. you know.”, she sighed.
    
    “It’s ok Alexis………... I understand. You live in a much different world than I do. I can’t ask you to give all of that up for someone as simple as me.”, I replied.
    
    “Jace, please don’t say that. You’re the nicest guy I have ever been with.”, she replied.
    
    “Seems like that wasn’t enough though. Keep in touch Alexis and good luck with the new series. I hope it does well.”, I stated.
    
    I did what I always had when things go wrong……… I stayed at the gym. I pushed myself as hard as ever and my workouts were probably the hardest of my life. I was pushing weights that I had never attempted before and after a few months I was in the best shape of my life.
    
    I had reached two hundred and thirty-eight pounds of muscle with little body fat. I was working out twice a day and working from six in the morning to close to eight o’clock at night. Even though Jennifer was living with me, I tried my best to keep it low key. Since Alexis was gone, I did not want Jennifer to possibly bring up starting a relationship between the two of us.
    
    Everyone at the gym who knew me felt that something was wrong but no brought it up. I was beginning to think that the odds were stacked against me when it came to women. I had lost Shelby tragically and I would probably never get over it. Then things were going well with Kate, and it fell apart and now Alexis.
    
    Two weeks later, Jennifer decided to go back to school and resume playing softball. ...
    ... Clemson had graciously taken her back although she would be evaluated again before reinstating her scholarship. She left right away to try and get back into shape as soon as possible. In a way, I think she left to get away from me and ease the tension. Either way, I was glad she was going back to school to further her education and play ball.
    
    So now, I found myself alone with just work to keep me busy. Those were always the times I drove myself so hard. One day led into another with the same routine day in and day out. I had not spoken to Alexis in months, and I would speak to Jen once or twice a week. She had adjusted well to school again and the time off had seemed to renew Jen’s arm because she was throwing harder than ever.
    
    I decided to run an ad trying to replace Jennifer in the gym. We were as busy as ever and I wanted to make sure that our customers were always well taken care of. In fact, that was the basis of our success. Clients always raved about the customer support they were given.
    
    Several people answered the ad, but I did not care for any of the applicants. Someone who did nothing but talk about themselves was not the type of person I wanted to be around much less deal with my clients. I was about to leave on a Wednesday evening when a young woman came in inquiring about the job.
    
    She was extremely attractive with short blonde hair cut in a razor pixie cut. She had a great body which was important for our customer perception although a little on the ...
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