Secrets

By Gin Savage

I want to introduce you to J.P. Henderson, Jazz Henderson, and Nick Jones. JP, a savvy businessman, never thought his secret would ever be disclosed. He loved Jazz. JP thought he and Jazz would be together for life. That was before his secret came out and destroyed their relationship.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Global Summit House
• Release date: Jan 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781637957172

Gin Savage

Gin Savage was born in Canton, Mississippi but at the age of five her father moved the family to Gulfport, Mississippi where she attended elementary and high school. She attended college in New Orleans, La. She married and is the mother of six girls all born in Gulfport, Mississippi. Although, she still considers herself a Mississippian Gin Savage has lived with her husband in Baltimore, Maryland for thirty years.

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Secrets

Book 1

Gin Savage

Copyright © 2021 Gin Savage.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by reviewers, who may quote brief passages in a review.

ISBN: 978-1-63795-718-9 (Paperback Edition)

ISBN: 978-1-63795-719-6 (Hardcover Edition)

ISBN: 978-1-63795-717-2 (E-book Edition)

Some characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Book Ordering Information

Phone Number: 315 288-7939 ext. 1000 or 347-901-4920

Email: [e-mail]

Global Summit House

www.globalsummithouse.com

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Chapter 1: Strangers

Chapter 2: Chicago

Chapter 3: John Paul Henderson

Chapter 4: The Meeting

Chapter 5: Our Own Little Corner Of The World

Chapter 6: Protect My Heart

Chapter 7: What?

Chapter 8: Conflict

Chapter 9: Please, Please

Chapter 10: Enough Said

Acknowledgments

First, I want to say thanks to God for all the glory belongs to Him and without Him I wouldn’t be here.

To my children, grandchildren, and great grands I love you to the moon and back. To my other family members and friends who are too many to name individually I want to say I appreciate and love you. I also, want to send special thanks out to the staff of Baltimore County Library the Loch Raven Branch who worked with me tirelessly.

Shanna Cox – Taylor this one’s for you!

Chapter 1

Strangers

T

he pitter patter of the rain continued to beat upon the glass of the window. Nick was standing at the window looking out oblivious to everything. Nick had worked very hard to build a relationship with Jazz. He knew what he needed to do but couldn’t not because of Jazz but because of his own dumb mistakes. Nick needed to talk with Jazz but couldn’t because his wife and family were at the hospital. Therefore, Nick couldn’t just show up acting like he was a family friend. They had crossed over that line long ago.

Nick was so deep in his thoughts that he didn’t hear the door bell ringing, his brother-in-law rang the doorbell four or five times. Yet, Nick didn’t respond. Finally, Ray looked through the patio glass only to see Nick standing there looking out the window. Since he didn’t know what was wrong Ray decided to use the key his sister had given him. Slowly, Ray opened the door entering inside but didn’t want to approach Nick without calling out to him first, especially since he didn’t know what the problem was. Ray didn’t know what was wrong however, he had never seen his brother-in-law in this condition. Ray knew right away that something was amidst.

Ray began speaking before he reached Nick, Nick, calling out to him but Nick was standing at the window in deep thought. Nick didn’t even hear Ray. Man, what’s wrong"? Ray asked. Nick turned from the window to look at him as though he was seeing him for the very first time. Something was seriously wrong with him, Ray could have sworn Nick had tears in his eyes but Nick quickly turned, walked to the guest bathroom in the hallway. Since Nick had walked to the hallway bathroom Ray thought he would talk to him then raised his voice a little louder so, he could hear him even with the bathroom door closed.

Man, did something else happen to Jazz that I don’t know about? Ray was asking but Nick didn’t respond. From the bathroom, Ray could hear Nick flush the toilet. Nick acted as though he had not heard the question Ray was asking. Nick went to the sink washed his face and hands then took the towel to dry off. When Nick dried his face, he looked in the mirror and realized he was somewhat out of sorts and didn’t want anyone to see him like this. Nick left the towel on the sink then left the bathroom to go into the dining room where his keys were on the table. Ray asked him the question again but Nick just said the family was all at the hospital, he hadn’t heard any new information. That’s when Nick asked Ray if he could stay at the house, so when his daughter got home from school someone would be there to let her in. I have somewhere to go. I can’t be late for this appointment, he told Ray so that he wouldn’t think anything strange about the way he was acting. Nick didn’t wait on the response, he walked around Ray picking up his keys on the dining room table, he was already grabbing his jacket to walk out the door. Ray said he would stay but by the time he answered, Nick was already out the door.

Nick was thinking hard but knew he had to get out of the house away from Ray or anyone before someone saw him in this condition. He also knew he had to go see Jazz at the hospital as soon as the family left but for right now, he just prayed Jazz would be all right. Through the years, Nick had messed up but nothing compared to how he had messed up this time. Keeping secrets is never a good thing especially keeping secrets from the one you love. Sometimes we think that we will hurt the one person you don’t want to hurt but secrets have a way of coming to the forefront so, if you love that person Nick knew from experience that you should tell them whatever, the secret may be.

Nick drove around for an hour but then found himself at the house he and Jazz had shared for the pass thirteen years. Nick walked through the kitchen to the den after making sure the garage doors were safely locked, not wanting anyone to see his ride. Nick crossed into the den to get a drink, putting one of their favorite songs on, he sat, lying back in the chair as memories flooded his head. Nick knew he needed something to settle his nerves but he wasn’t even going there he would not go back on his word to Jazz. From the moment, he saw her hurt, lying on the bathroom floor in a pool of blood he whispered into her ear just please Jazz come through this for me. I will never use again all while dialing 911. Nick had said this so many times before, he had even gone to rehab a couple of times. However, he meant it this time and wasn’t going to ever use. All he could think about now was how messed up things in his life had gotten. Jazz had held him together for the most part of his life. Nick had poured himself a drink, took a sip, then Nick looked down at the picture he was holding of her. Thinking about how many times he wanted to leave everything to be with her but she wouldn’t hear of it.

Nick and Jazz had a special relationship that only a few people knew about. They had been together for so many years. Nick remembered their first meeting; he was only seventeen when he formally introduced himself to Jazz. He was with some of his friends when he saw her through a grocery store window. Nick, although introverted, was never afraid to ask for what he wanted so he left his friends, walked into the store pretending to get a drink. Then getting near her Nick asked, do you need someone to push your cart? She turned around looked at Nick on the side of her cart smiled and politely said, No thanks, Jazz thought he was just another teenager playing around. Quickly he could tell what she was thinking so, Nick began to tell her he might be a teenager but he wasn’t your everyday, run of the mill teenager he was going to school, working but most of all Nick knew what he wanted, he was determined to get her, not only was he going to have her for his lady but he was going to keep her. Jazz was looking at Nick like he had two heads. Nick said what he had to say went to the cashier paid for his ice tea, then he walked away. Jazz was left reeling she couldn’t even believe what had just happened. Jazz looked at his swag as he walked away in his Gucci jogging suit, his clothes were expensive so was his cologne, Jazz wondered if he was a drug dealer. She had seen this young man in the neighborhood but had never exchanged words with him. Jazz thought sometimes he was staring at her but she didn’t take him serious, not at all but something in the way he spoke to her today made her know that this was more than she had anticipated. Jazz, paid for her grocery then went out the door, getting into her car she could swear she felt someone watching her, however, when she turned around no one was there. Nick had been watching her but was gone for now anyway, after talking to her he knew he wanted to talk with her again. Nick had followed Jazz from the beauty shop a couple of weeks ago, so, he knew where she lived it was just going to be a matter of time before he arrived at her house.

Through a lot of investigating, Nick found out that Jazz had a birthday coming up which was perfect. This would be his opportunity to get near her. He quickly figured out a plan, went to the bank ATM drew out some money to put his plan in action. Right after school he went to the florist to order a dozen long stem pink roses to be delivered but Nick wanted them to be delivered on the last run for the day. Nick, also wanted the driver to call him when he was headed to the house, the later the better then he would buy a box of Godiva chocolates. Nick then went to the jewelers to order a half heart shaped necklace with one diamond but he had a special design in mind he had everything planned just putting everything together. Nick couldn’t wait for Jazz birthday to arrive but now that it was finally here he must admit he was a little nervous that was before smoking to calm himself down. Putting on his clothes he was ready for the show to begin and to see Jazz reaction.

Jazz had gone down to her mother’s in Ocean City, Maryland because she was carrying her out for a breakfast brunch. Jazz and her mother, Marge, were very close. Her father died before she graduated from high school. Therefore, it was the two of them throughout the years watching out for each other. After spending time with her mother, receiving her gifts, walking on the beach, and talking she headed back home. Jazz didn’t know that there was anything else for her to do so, Jazz had planned to go home to rest.

Lying on the oversized sofa in the den Jazz heard her doorbell ring then in a flicker of a moment she thought it might be J.P. since her mom had informed her that he was out of prison. J.P. hadn’t been to visit Marge but one of her church members had informed her that he was home. Jazz went to the door but right on point when the florist delivered the flowers, Nick stepped from behind him. Jazz was truly caught off guard, all she could do was stand there. Jazz looked in Nick’s eyes wondering how Nick even knew where she lived. Nick moved her back, turned, tipped the florist who was still standing there and continued inside like he lived there. Jazz, was still looking at Nick as he began to say Happy Birthday Baby then leaned in for a quick kiss which he got but Jazz soon turned and walked to get the vase for the flowers. Just as she opened the kitchen closet door Jazz turned but had to ask, Are you stalking me?

Do you want me too? Nick came in closer to Jazz at that moment. Nick, reminded her of Leon, with that devilish smile from the corner of his mouth but he was penning her up to the closet wall by the kitchen sink. Nick bent down kissed her softly on her lips, she didn’t want to but all she could do was surrender. Composing herself, she pushed him back from the kiss and firmly said, We need to talk then led him to the dining room table. Jazz didn’t know that Nick wanted to talk also, one on one to lay some ground rules.

Nick, I barely know you yet you show up for my birthday with presents like we are long-time friends. I don’t understand, what is it you want from me? Nick smiled from the corner of his mouth again. He looked straight into her eyes, then said, I want you, rubbing his finger across her cheek, your body, mind and soul. Jazz, baby, I know what you are thinking but it is not like that with me. You look confused but remember then you asked the question. I am answering YOUR question. I have watched you for two years, when I saw you in the store it wasn’t the first time I had seen you. I first saw you when I was sixteen, you had just moved into the neighborhood but I knew you wouldn’t let me say anything to you at sixteen so, I waited until you were in the store by then I was seventeen, still seventeen but soon to be eighteen and finishing school. Now, the next gift, he went into his pocket, pulled out the jeweler’s box then passed it to Jazz.

Jazz, opened her mouth but at first wouldn’t anything come out. Jazz tore the wrapping off opened the box when she saw the beautiful half heart shaped necklace she cleared her throat and began to speak. I am older than you Nick there can be no you and I. Nick took the necklace out of her hand and continued to put it around her neck because Nick already knew there was a you and I. The music was playing as Jazz was still reeling when she looked back up at Nick, who was listening to her words but was leading her to the sofa. Just before he reached the sofa he began kissing her he could feel her heartbeat beating faster and faster. Jazz couldn’t stand anymore she had to sit thank God, the sofa was right behind her. Jazz sat on the oversized sofa however, Nick sat beside her leaning her all the way back to where she was laying down then started with another kiss as he lay on top of her. Nick looked deep into her eyes, I am not going any further and this is the last kiss before I leave. Just when he finished with the kiss he raised up from Jazz and headed towards the door leaving his telephone number on the dining room table. Just like he came in he was out the door in the wind but this wasn’t going to be his last appearance. He was going to make another appearance even better and have an entertaining night with her. Nick needed to know if Jazz was going to use the telephone number to call him. However, deep inside he knew she would. Because whether she knew it or not she wanted him as much or more than he wanted her. Nick knew there was no man in her life.

A week went by yet Jazz had not called which was fine he was having test at school all this week but by next weekend he would see her. Nick was determined to make Jazz his but he knew there was one danger in this. Out of the two years he had been watching her he hadn’t seen anyone or should he say any other man around her. He didn’t want to get her prepared for him then some other man walked in to take over the situation. He knew everyone would think he just had a teenage crush but he knew better, this was much more than that. He wanted to see her every day although he did see her he didn’t get close to her like that. He watched her from afar sometimes with binoculars, he followed her home a couple of times and waited to see if any other man was near her but never saw any man so, at this present time he knew she didn’t have one.

Testing was over at school! Nick had covered himself by telling his parents he was spending the night at his friend Justin’s house. Nick packed a few things in a bag and was out the door. After riding around for a couple of hours Nick along with his friends decided to go to the club, they had the I.D. although forged and was dressed. They arrived at the club right on time almost 12am, it was crowded but Nick’s friend had saved a table for him and his friends in one of the booths in the VIP section of the club. Just as Nick sat down Nick happened to look around and who was at the club but Jazz. Nick did a double take because at first, he thought he was seeing someone else that might just look like Jazz especially since this young lady was with a man. Nick was not going to act out in a public place he couldn’t afford to. Nick had way too much to lose for that. He had to think about he was in school, he also, had to think about his family then last but not lest he didn’t want to mess up his scholarship for college, especially in front of his closest friends but he was beginning to see red. The one thing he didn’t ever want to see was another man with Jazz hell he didn’t want to see another man near her. He had fallen in love with Jazz but he had waited patiently to make Jazz his lady. Nick lay money on the table to pay for his drink as everyone was waiting for the cocktail waitress Nick slowly got up from the table then headed to Jazz table. Nick held his hand out and politely asked if he could have this dance. Jazz looked up as though she had seen a ghost but not knowing what to expect with Nick she figured it would be better to get up to have the dance. Thank God it was a slow dance because he needed to hold her close to him so, he could let her know what was on his mind that he would see her when she came home unless she wanted to leave the club with him right now. Nick wasn’t playing, You can make an excuse any excuse will be ok. Jazz looked up at Nick, into his deep dark brown eyes and decided to leave with him right then, she didn’t want to cause a scene in front of one of the employees from her job. He walked back over to the table with Jazz as she gathered her things and explained she would need a rain check because she had an emergency at home. Tim stood, I will see you at work. Jazz nodded, then headed out the door with Nick holding her by the hand and leading her to the car out of the side exit. He reached the cool air which he needed to calm himself down. When Nick reached the passenger side of the car he opened the door without speaking a word to Jazz, after she got in he closed the door then walked around to the driver’s side of the car and let himself in.

Jazz thought about how Nick was reacting to her in this situation and wondered what was wrong but decided she would ask him when she arrived at home. To her surprise, Nick didn’t talk to her on the ride home even turned the car radio up. Nick was trying to calm himself down when they arrived at her house, Nick was the perfect gentleman opening the door letting her out of the car, walking her to her door, he didn’t come in, didn’t try to kiss her or anything just turned to walk back to the car. What was this about? Before Nick could walk all the way down the sidewalk to