New Girl in Town Pt. 20

"It's still not that bad," she told her little sister as she dabbed her face dry.

"I don't like it but I do like you helping me even if I have to do some things on my own now," she stated.

Jessica gave her a hug then kissed her little sister's clean forehead.

"You are growing up, Sarah, and I am so proud of you," she said. "And I will always be available to help you. Okay?"

Sarah nodded then hugged Jessica and kissed her cheek. Jessica smiled, patted her head then took her to say good night to their parents.

****

Monday

The Golden's walked into the ICU waiting area and spotted Jake's mom at the check in station. They walked over and greeted with with hugs.

"I just got here," she told them. "Wes let me sleep this morning since Jake is being watched over so diligently by all of your friends."

Jessica started to nod then was hugged my Jake's mom again.

"How are you feeling, Jessica?" she asked.

"I'm okay," Jess answered. "We're getting my wrist looked at again in a little while and I wanted to see Jake before we went up."

She then explained how Miss Langston had flown in to check on her. Mrs. Gibson smiled and nodded.

"I met them a few minutes ago, dear," she said. "They all went back to check in on Jake just a few minutes ago."

"They did?" Jessica asked surprised.

"They all seem like very sweet people," Mrs. Gibson said as the Golden's sat with her.

"Is it okay if I head back to see Jake?" Jessica asked.

"Of course, sweetheart," Mrs. Gibson said. "Staci was back there when your Miss Langston went back but I don't think the nurses will say anything if you go as well."

"If they do I'll send Staci out," Jessica said. "I think she's scared of Miss Langston anyway."

She explained the ma'am thing to Mrs. Gibson then headed to Jake's room. She ran into Staci who was on her way out.

"I was coming to check if you were here," Staci said as she hugged her best friend.

"Uh huh," Jessica smiled. "I think that you were trying to get away from Miss Langston."

"I was not!" Staci protested a bit too loudly.

She sheepishly looked around to see if anyone heard her then, when she saw that she was in the clear, continued quietly.

"She surprised me for sure when she and her friends walked into Jake's room and she introduced herself," she said.

"Surprised you, huh?" Jessica asked. "And just what were you doing when she walked in that surprised you, hmmm, Staci?"

"You caught me," Staci grinned. "I was giving Jake a handy when they walked in. I had cover him back up and..."

"You had better be messing with me, Staci," Jessica said. "I'm the only one that's going to give him handys."

"But you're out of commission," Staci said as she tapped her fingers on Jess's cast. "So I, being your bestest friend, saw that I needed to take on your burden."

"You've seen Jake naked, Staci," Jessica countered. "You know that is in no way a burden."

"That is very true," Staci grinned. "Now get in there and see your boy while I go get myself some Sar-bear time."

"Wash your hands first," Jess called out as Staci started to walk away.

"Ew, so gross, Jess!" Staci said then paused and pumped some antibacterial gel into her hands. "Just in case."

She winked at Jess then headed to the waiting area. Jessica smiled and shook her head at Staci's antics before she walked to Jake's room. Miss Langston smiled at Jessica when she entered then hugged her.

"Hey, Jess," she greeted her. "We were a little early so we thought that we would stop in and check on Jake."

"Thank you for thinking of him," Jessica said.

"How are you feeling this morning, Jessica?" Ashley asked.

"I'm okay," she answered. "A little anxious if I'm being honest."

"Why don't we give you a little time with Jake," Miss Langston suggested. "We'll be out with your family."

The California trio stood and started for the door but Jessica stopped Miss Langston.

"Can you stay with me?" she asked. "I wanted to ask you something."

"Of course," Miss Langston said then nodded to Ashley and Ken.

Once the pair of tall blondes were alone Jessica took a seat by Jake's bed and took his hand in hers. She told him that she was there with him and that Miss Langston was there too.

"They said that it was possible that he could hear us," Jessica explained. "So we talk to him."

"I'm sure that he can," Miss Langston assured her.

"This isn't usual is it?" Jessica asked. "You coming all the way out here to check on me, I mean."

"Well this is a unique circumstance, Jessica," she answered. "We would usually ask for x-rays or scans to be sent to our medical staff, evaluate the injury and make our recommendations for treatment."

"What makes this circumstance unique?" she asked. "Not that I don't appreciate you coming to see me but I know this isn't normal."

Miss Langston sighed as she leaned back in her chair. She smiled at Jessica as she started to explain.

"You're right, Jess," she said. "This isn't normal but, how do I explain this?"

Jessica gave Jake's hand a nervous squeeze while she waited for Miss Langston to continue.

"When I was around your age I got injured," Miss Langston said. "One day at practice I went up for a block and when I came down my knee just gave way. My ACL had snapped. I was determined to rehab and get myself back onto the court but that wasn't to be. I got a call from my recruiter who told me that the medical staff had looked over my scans and they determined that it was in their best interest to rescind their scholarship offer."

"Oh no," Jessica said. "I'm so sorry that happened to you."

"The roughest part was that I felt abandoned by them. One day I was their future star then in one second I was tossed aside like I didn't matter," she said. "When I got my job at UCLA I swore that I wouldn't do that to any of my girls. Ken knows this story and the second he heard that you had been in an accident he started looking for flights out here. I was still on the phone with you when he started as a matter of fact."

"Oh," Jessica said then looked down at her cast covered arm.

"I'm not here to take back your scholarship, Jess," she said. "Don't worry about that. Ashley and I talked at length about it last night and I decided that if worse comes to worse I will find a way to get you out to UCLA but we don't have to worry about that. You are fine. Your wrist will be fine and you'll make us Bruins and me proud. I feel it so don't worry about a thing. We've got you."

****

Dr. Golden stood with Ashley as they looked over Jessica's wrist x-ray on the light board while Jessica was examined by the orthopedic doctor. When Jessica was asked how she felt she mentioned that her shoulder felt sore which prompted Ashley to ask a question.

"Doctor, would you consider changing her from a plaster cast to a thermocast splint instead?" she asked.

"With Jessica's athletic background I wouldn't have a problem with that but by the time I ordered one and got it shipped to us what would be the point?" The orthopedic doctor asked.

"I happened to bring a few with me," Ashley stated. "Ken has them in his pack. With your permission I'll go grab them and get Jessica fitted."

"I have some questions," Dr. Golden spoke up. "What are the advantages of the thermocast splint?"

"They are lighter for one," Ashley said. "She won't need the sling while wearing it and it will save her shoulder strain which, to a volleyball player, is important. It can be taken off, cleaned and put back on when needed and if she gets an itch she will have the ability to scratch it. As long as she's very careful about it."

"What's the downside then," Dr. Golden said.

"That and it's a little tighter across her palm and knuckles than this cast is," Ashley explained. "She'll need some hand massages when she starts her physical therapy."

Jessica giggled at the mention of hand massages and so did her mother. Ashley looked confused for a moment then she smiled.

"Oh right," she said. "My Jess told me that your boyfriend is your personal masseuse. Is he well versed in hand massages?"

'His are the best," Jessica smiled.

"Well he'll have a job to do once he's up and around," Ashley smiled and patted Jessica's knee. "Shall I go grab my splints and see what you think?"

"If it helps my shoulder then yes, please," Jessica answered.

Ashley waited for a nod from Dr. Golden then went out to retrieve the splints. Ashley returned with the splints and Miss Langston with her.

"Jess wanted to make sure you didn't have any more questions about this procedure," Ashley said. "She doesn't trust me enough to take my word for it."

"I totally do and you know it, Ash," Miss Langston said. "I just want to be here for Jessica in case she has any questions while you apply the splint."

"We appreciate it," Dr. Golden said. "We appreciate the both of you."

"Right," Jessica agreed. "So what do we do now?"

"First we need to get this cast cut off you then I'll take some quick measurements so I can get the right sized splint on you," Ashley said as she laid the splints out. "From looking at your x-ray I want to put you in one like this; see how it covers your thumb and runs a little higher on your palm? This will keep your fingers straight most of the time which will be a little uncomfortable for you but your shoulder will thank us in the long run."

"So hand massages will be a must," Miss Langston smiled. "You had better let your boyfriend know that you will be keeping him occupied once this comes off of you."

"I doubt that will be a problem," Dr. Golden stated. "They have a tough time keeping their hands off of each other as it is."

"MOM!" Jessica exclaimed as her cheeks flushed pink.

Miss Langston smiled and patted Jessica on her knee.

"Don't worry, sweetie. We've all been in relationships like that," she assured her. "Ready to get this thing off and see how you like the new one?"

"Yes, please," Jessica nodded and held out her arm.

****

"How does the new cast feel, Jess?" Miss Langston asked as she and her group sat at a table at Smitty's with the Golden's.

The Golden's had invited Miss Langston and her friends out to dinner once Jessica had been fitted then placed in her new splint cast.

"It felt weird at first when they used the heat gun to kind of seal my hand in place but now that it's cooled down it feels so much better than the bulky one," Jessica said as she easily moved her less restricted arm. "It feels a little more constricted on my hand but you all said that would be the case."

"It's so the bone stays aligned correctly," Ashley said as she popped a fry into her mouth. "Wow, these are really good!"

"You can get your own, Ash," Ken said as he pulled his tray closer to his side of the table.

"Why would I when Jess and I could just share yours?" She asked with a smile and snatched another fry. "You have to try one, Jess."

"I will if you'll stop taking them all," she laughed then took a pair from his tray for herself.

"You should probably go ahead and buy some more," Sarah giggled to Ken. "They go fast once you get a taste for them."

"And they certainly have a taste for them," Ken agreed.

"I'll get you some more," Jessica volunteered and started to get up but he stopped her.

"Stay and chat with Jess, well the other Jess, and Ashley," he said as he got to his feet. "I'll get them."

"I'll help," Sarah announced and hopped to her feet.

"No ice cream, Sarah," Mr. Golden called out as Sarah hurried toward the counter. "Don't let her sucker you in with her puppy dog eyes, Ken. She's way too good at them for as young as she is."

"I think her big sister had a hand in that," Dr. Golden stated.

"I have no idea what you are talking about, Mom," Jessica said. "I am totally innocent."

"If I had a dollar for every time I heard a certain other Jessica proclaim her innocence I would be one wealthy woman," Ashley laughed.

"Those sound like some stories that I should hear," Jessica giggled.

"No way, Jess," Miss Langston laughed. "A girl has to have her secrets. Especially when her best friend has a leaky mouth problem."

"I have no problem whatsoever sharing your secrets, Jessica," Ashley stated. "There was this one spring break we were on and this one here..."

"You are going to cost me my job," Miss Langston grumbled.

"Nonsense," Ashley said as she turned to Jessica. "So we go down to the beach and this one forgets our room key. Now one would think that she would just go to the front desk and explain what happened but no..."

"I so don't like you right now," Miss Langston sighed as Ashley continued her story.

"Whoa, you don't look happy," Ken noted as he and Sarah returned with two fresh bags of fries. "Maybe these will help."

He took one of the bags and placed it on Jessica's tray. Ashley reached for a fry and received a gentle slap on her hand for her transgression.

"Oh no, none for you, Ashley," Miss Langston told her then turned to Ken who had added fries to Sarah's tray. "I will be thanking you in a few minutes. That is, if I survive Ashley telling stories about me."

"She's got to that stage huh?" Ken asked. "Careful, Ash, there are young ears at the table now."

"This one wasn't one of those stories," Ashley said.

"Wait," Miss Langston said then looked at Ken. "Has she told you any of those stories, Ken?"

Ken blushed slightly and looked away. She then glared at Ashley who smiled and shrugged.

"Anyway, she didn't go to the front desk like any normal person," Ashley continued the story. "She goes and knocks on the door of the room beside ours. I go up and find her in these guy's room trying to talk one of them into hopping from their balcony to ours because she hadn't locked that door. Yes, that she remembers but the key to get back inside, forget it."

"I had a blonde moment," Miss Langston told the Goldens.

"I have those too," Sarah stated. "Like the time I told Mrs. Smitty that Jake put a..."

"Whoa, that's enough of that story, Sar-bear," Jessica interrupted quickly as she blushed.

"That is one story that I think that Jess and I need to hear later on, Jessica," Ashley stated with a smile. "So I go and find my Jess is trying to talk one of these guys into climbing out a window on the twentieth floor of this hotel..."

"We were on the third floor, Ash," Miss Langston interrupted. "I swear, you add ten floors to the hotel every time you embellish this story."

"Still," Ashley commented then continued on. "I find her and drag her out of there then explain to her that we could go to the front desk."

"They were really nice guys though," Miss Langston said. "If I remember right they were military guys so they could have easily got over there but whatever, they were sweet. Got to have at least one crazy Vegas story, right?"

"One, yeah," Ashley giggled.

"And on that note we should be getting back to our hotel," Miss Langston announced hurriedly. "If Ashley starts telling more stories I'm afraid that you great folks will send your daughter to USC."

"I don't think so," Jessica said. "I look way better in blue and gold."

****

"Aren't you going to get your goodnight kiss, Jessica?" Ashley teased as she pushed open their hotel door.

She nodded down the hallway to where Ken stood as if waiting to make sure that they got inside their room okay.

"He looks awful lonely all the way down there," Ashley giggled.

"I hate how much I hate you right now," Jessica whispered under her breath as Ashley waved at Ken.

He waved back as Jessica pushed Ashley into their room. The door closed behind her and she leaned against it then sighed while Ashley laughed.

"I haven't seen you like this in like forever," Ashley commented as she flounced onto the bed closest to the door. "It's adorable."

"It's annoying," Jessica stated. "Why did I ever tell you that I kissed him?"

"Blonde moment," Ashley laughed.

"Obviously," she said. "You're blonde too so don't even start with me on my blondeness, Ashley."

Jessica pushed herself off the door and started for the far bed when she stopped and cursed.

"What?" Ashley asked.

"I meant to ask Ken if he knew where Jess's school is," she said. "I want to go there tomorrow, meet her coach and team. She's going to set it up for me but I don't remember if I told Kenny or not."

"That's not the best excuse I ever heard but it's not the worst either I don't guess," Ashley said. "Go get your kiss but don't drag him back here for any funny business, Jess. I saw enough of that while I was your roommate at the sorority house."

"I wasn't that bad!" Jessica stated.

"Maybe not but you are fun to mess with," she giggled. "Go see your man toy then come back and give me all the dirty details."

"You're impossible," Jessica sighed as she turned toward the door. "Of course I'll give you the details though I doubt they'll be all that dirty."

"You're no fun," Ashley sighed as she turned on the television.

Jessica left her and walked down the hallway to Ken's room. She reached up to knock then paused and wondered if Ken would think she was there for more than just her question.

"Am I here for more than that?" She wondered herself then knocked when she couldn't come up with an answer.

Ken opened the door a couple of moments later and a large smile blossomed on his face when he saw Jess. She noted that he had started to get undressed and answered the door with his shirt slightly unbuttoned. The side of her mouth went up in a half smile as he stepped back so she could enter.

"I'm sorry, Ken, I..." She started to say as the door closed.

He cut her off when he pulled her into his arms and kissed her firmly. His arms wrapped around her lithe body and pulled her closer. She gasped into his mouth when her hands slid up his back and she found it was far more muscular than she had thought. Her lips parted as the kiss intensified then her fingers started to work the buttons that were still buttoned on his shirt. She felt his hands grip her wrists firmly. He held them in place for a moment then pushed her back until she was pressed against the door.

"Yes," she moaned out as she lifted one of her legs to his waist.

Ken reached down to her jean clad thigh and rubbed up then around to her perfectly toned ass which he gave a squeeze. She pulled his mouth back to hers and kissed him passionately until she felt his erection as it pressed against her. Part of her wanted to grind out and find out how big it was but the logical part of her head, that sounded annoyingly like Ashley, yelled at her that she needed to put the brakes on this. When Ken squeezed her butt again and pressed her harder into the wall she felt his cock. It was hard and she wanted it badly but she pulled her mouth from his.

"Kenny," she gasped then momentarily forgot why she had stopped so she kissed him again then pulled back. "Kenny, we've got to slow down here."

"Slow down?" Ken asked breathlessly.

He still held her with their bodies pressed together but he moved his head back a little and looked into her eyes.

"We can do that I think," he said after a moment but he didn't move.

"Um, Ken," she said then giggled as he shook his head for a moment then stepped back and let her slip from his arms.

"Sorry about that, Jess," he apologized. "I got kind of caught up in the moment."

"Don't apologize for that," she told him. "I really liked how you took charge of me. It was pretty hot if I'm being honest."

"You did huh?" he smiled.

"I did," she smiled back then shook her head, "but I want to take whatever this thing is between us slow. You know that I've rushed into things in the past and I got burned. I don't want that here."

"I don't either, Jess," he assured her. "We'll take things slow."