Author Note: I can never predict how stories will be received but I do try different things to see what works and what doesn't work. I also know that it can be hard to judge a story when it only the first part has been published but I thought this could be an interesting jumping off point for other authors. My bad, I won't do it again.
Also, I can't help if people interpret a story in some way I didn't intend to write it, but they do, and at the end of the day it's just a story, a work of fiction. While it is fiction, I have to point out that a few of these characters in this story are loosely based on real people and the events surrounding them. Sometimes truth can be stranger than fiction and well, I figured adding these little touches to characters might make things more interesting. Next time, I won't bother.
Thank you to all those kind enough to read my story and offer constructive feedback. I do appreciate it.
Chapter 3
Over the next few months, we of course had blow ups, tears and periods of uncertainty and that was just me with my girls. We went through the whole range of emotions, dealing with the fallout of my marriage to their mother, but we pulled through with the help of Skylar and Jessica. They even managed to rope another friend in, Constance Alvarez who was a dynamo and closer to Jessica's age than Skylar who was now twenty.
Kelly had moved out, only taking her clothes, jewellery and some photos of the kids. I asked if she wanted anything else, but she said no. This was about starting her new life fresh and without baggage. Yeah, baggage, we've all got it but apparently she doesn't. I don't know where she got all high and mighty from, unless she spent too much time with her parents. That was always a possibility given they were indifferent towards me. We argued over the mortgage, my business and her land development but once I made it clear I would want half of her profits, plus I could sight the fraudulent activity, she agreed to pay back the mortgage and not touch my business. I think she had it in her head she was going to make a fortune. She probably was but I didn't care. I just wanted out of the debt she put us in.
The details of the divorce were agreed to and in around ninety days I'd be a free man. I had worked things out well enough, still angry at Kelly but I had a family to raise, and I couldn't just be free to do whatever I wanted. They came first and decisions were made to protect them. My business was still going well and Stephanie was a godsend. Every day since the news broke that I was getting a divorce, Stephanie would hug me, hold me and tell me everything was going to be alright. I was actually starting to like it and hoped it would continue but that was the wrong way to think about it. I was going to talk with Steph once I got into the office and after Constance, or Connie as she liked to be called kicked my ass.
While Connie was the friend of Skylar and Jessica, she was also a personal trainer in her spare time. I could see it, given how hyped up she always seemed to be. Five feet five inches of Latino femininity, toned, sculpted, hips and ass like a goddess, flat stomach and tits that were clearly enhanced. Did I mention that they were big for her frame? Connie always had her hair up in a braid, the long dark strands formed perfectly into that strip of hair I was often watching sway as she ran in front of me, pointing down at her ass. Everyone thought it was a good idea to get me fit again, take my mind off my shitshow of a life, while getting me in shape. The girls also benefited, but I swear Connie wore the extra tight spandex crop top and leggings when it was just me and her.
"Nearly there!" Connie said cheerily as we rounded the corner towards my house.
"No shit," I said seeing as I knew my street. She just laughed, ran back to me and slapped my shoulder.
"Come on, this is great. It's so freeing to do this," Connie said with all the enthusiasm of someone who hadn't run half the city already.
"I know, I know," I said as we slowed to a walk near my house. I was dripping with sweat while she looked divine. How do women do that? My shirt clung to me, while her blue crop top darkened around her magnificent orbs, highlighting them to anyone who wanted a look. I dared not look at her ass, for fear of getting aroused. Her leggings were already pulled tight into her butt crack, forming the most magnificent shape known to man back there. "You staying for breakfast?"
"Sure, why not. I'm sure Jess has got something tasty cooking," Connie replied happily as we opened the gate. We were fast friends and with Connie it just seemed normal for her to be part of the new gang, so to speak.
"Okay, I'm sure the main bathroom is free for you to use. I'm going to hit the shower in mine and meet you all for breakfast," I said as we went inside the house.
"Sounds good," Connie said in her still upbeat tone.
I don't how she did it, unless it was cocaine, but I never saw any white powder around her nose, so who knows. Jessica was indeed cooking something tasty as I headed to get cleaned up. Once back in the kitchen, ready for work, I was served bacon and eggs with fried tomato and sausage. Skylar set out the drinks and I felt like I wasn't needed with how well this all seemed to be running.
"Lunches are sorted, I'm taking Grace to practice this afternoon and dinner is already organised," Skylar said happily. I just looked at her and the words tumbled out.
"What would I do without you?" I said more as a statement than a question, but it earned me a huge smile.
"I don't know, but I'm sure we'd figure it out," Skylar said touching my shoulder. Then she was back to flitting around the kitchen as the girls came and sat down for breakfast. They were all dressed, all ready to go and it was early. Things had definitely improved of late.
We ate, Connie being the life of the party with Jess and Skylar chipping in before we all cleaned up, fled the scene of the crime and headed off to our respective jobs. I took the girls to school, got hugs and kissed from all three of them before I headed into the office. I think they realised what their mother had done, given she had only seen them once since leaving. We became closer but I still noticed Grace was attached to Jessica more so than Skylar.
I got into the office and as usual, Stephanie was there, looking professional in her work blouse, that struggled to stayed buttoned and her navy-blue work pants. It was her idea to have some type of uniform for our business but I always joked with her that she picked it just to flatter her curves. Something she never denied.
"Hey," I said before she came up to me, pushed those mammoth tits into my body and hugged me. I even earned a kiss on the cheek.
"Hey back," Stephanie said happily.
I looked at her sideways and then smirked.
"Did Walter get lucky last night?" I asked with a laugh causing her to laugh with me.
"He might have. Why? Can't I be happy to see you?" Stephanie replied before sitting down.
"Well, of course. I'm always happy to see me, it's just I guess I'm not used to you hugging and kissing me all the time, that's all," I said with a smile. "Did I do something to earn that?"
She looked at me, her mouth screwed to one side while contemplating her answer before she took a breath.
"I just love you, alright," Stephanie said but could see I was going to say something and jumped back in. "Don't, make me say it again. I mean it. I can't help wanting to mother you a bit, okay?"
"Okay, I get it. It's okay, I love you too," I said which seemed to get her a little emotional for a split second. "Just mothering though?"
The cheeky little smirk came back as her recomposed herself.
"If I wasn't married to Walt, we'd be doing it on this desk, right here," Stephanie said testing the strength of it by pushing down on it. I know she was joking and so was I but I got up, touched her face gently and kissed her lips.
I then looked into her eyes and gently stroked her cheek with my thumb.
"You're my best friend, you know that?" I said which made her jump up and wrap her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly. I put my arms around her and held her tight as we had a moment. Something changed inside of me. I don't know what, but it did.
I gently put her down and she looked at me, tears down her cheeks as she wiped them away.
"Thank you, Rock. You're mine too," Stephanie said with a smile. "And I damn well better get more of those kisses, and I don't care what Walt says!"
"Sure thing Steph," I said as we broke up into laughter. I guess it was something I needed because it was like the last few months of shit since Kelly said she was leaving, evaporated. It was like I suddenly realised I had to get back on with my life. I know, odd right, but it was just something that happened.
Chapter 4
That morning with Stephanie seemed to have had a positive effect on everyone else as well. That or I perceived it that way. My girls were happier, I was happier and even my tenants were happier. Connie kept trying to kill me in the morning but I just turned it into a joke which only amped her up more. But who cares, I didn't, I felt free. It must have been something because one morning about two weeks later Connie stopped me near the house and stood in front of me. I was concerned something was up when she looked at me like she was lost. It didn't take long to find out why.
"Rock?" Connie said looking up at me.
"Yeah?"
I know, awesome reply, right? It must have been the crop top distracting me.
"What are you doing Friday night?" Connie asked suddenly nervous.
"Nothing, why?" I replied with a shrug.
"Do you want to have dinner with me?" Connie asked and then it suddenly hit me. She was asking me out. I looked at her, saw her nervous and then realised that it might be nice to get back out there. Why not with someone you know? Sure, it seemed a bit quick but it had been months before Kelly left that everything started to go South. I definitely wasn't looking for anything serious and getting out with someone I knew might be just what I needed.
"Sure, that'd be great," I replied which brought her smile back.
"Great, I know this little Mexican place and then we can go dancing, then we can go to my favourite place," Connie said happily as she turned and looked over her shoulder at me, her eyes darting down to her ass and then back at me. Her smirk let me know what she wanted before she started jogging again in front of me. This Friday was going to be interesting.
