Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2020 22:48:12 +0000 (UTC) From: Mike Simmons Subject: It was always about the bets 148 Note: Things back on track, thanks for reading and if possible contribute to Nifty I woke to a beautiful, yet complicated Monday. I asked Jim if he was up for a run and he said, he wasn't sure he could keep up and I said, 3 miles at a reasonable pace. He agreed and I pounded on Coles door and said showers please and I'm going for a run. I got a groggy response from Cole and Jim and I took off. As it turned out Jim was in better shape than he indicated and we finished the run quickly. Jim and I were drinking coffee and I heard the shower running, so I knew at least one of my "guests" were up. I said, Jim we should use the basement shower as who the fuck knows what's going on upstairs. He laughed and we grabbed our clothes from my room and headed towards the basement. In the basement I turned the shower on and Jim asked, so who is first and I grabbed him and pulled him it the shower. I started soaping his back and we were both immediately rock hard. I turned him around and gave him a big kiss and said, I wish we had more time but let's never let it get us that far apart. I rubbed his head and said, rest assured that this Hokie will be looking to trash this Panther ass and we both laughed. Upstairs, I found Cole and Michel in the kitchen drinking coffee. I simply shook my head and said, the cab will be leaving in 10 minutes. Cole started to say something and I stopped him saying save that for dinner tonight, it's cool. I dropped Cole off and at school, choose a different parking area and went into the building using an entrance at the other end. Michel, said thanks and the three of us went to class. Carrie came into English at the last minute as she must have been waiting for me. I said good morning, babe it's a long story. Lunch was awesome as Jim was fully engaged as was Rob. JJ on the other hand was a little quieter than usual. On the way out he said, Mike the tribe is back? I said, it appears that's the case, does it bother you? He said, MJ you and Jim are close but you and I are close and in a deeper way. Actually Rob is the wild card, I don't know where he fits in. I said, JJ you are a musketeer and Cole, is becoming one. Jim is a wingman, somehow they are different. However, I need both especially you. Wingman or not, if he is the Panther QB this Hokie will pummel his ass every chance I get. We both laughed and went to class. I signed out of study hall and went to the stadium to workout. Both JJ and Jim arrived and I hoped that this would last as the workout was intense. I showered and Coach saw me and asked for a minute. I sat down in the coach's office and he asked if I knew what was going on with Jim? I said that punk assed future Panther QB? He laughed and said well that's one way to put it. He asked, so are you alright with that and I said, sure for a year. Mike, it will be longer than that, there is no way he plays much as a Freshman. I said well I hope he plays in his third year, which will be my last at VT. Coach said, whatever but what's up with Cole? I said he is going to transfer and his house is for sale and they are moving in with us, well Cole already has. Mike, people are already squawking, he is a pretty good golfer. I laughed and said well you are misinformed. He is one of the top rated, junior golfers in the world and shit, he didn't even know that. He was invited to play in a pro-am at Pebble Beach and has tournament scheduled all over the country this summer and if he qualifies for the Junior Amateur he won't be playing high school golf. Coach, why all the questions? Mike, he called today and asked for a meeting. I simply said good. I got up to leave and when I opened the door, Cole was standing there. I looked at coach and said that's unbelievable and I looked at Cole and said, I guess you need a ride home? He said, yes please. I said, I'll be in the bleachers working. I sat in the top row and looked at my phone and there were calls from, Carrie (3), dad, the Mayor and Tim and as I was looking it rang and it was dad. I said, damn it's nice to hear from you, how goes it? He said things were fine and when did I change the furniture here? I said, I didn't but it was a condition of the sale. How is the place? He said it's great and very upscale in a beach mode. I said perfect, but you didn't call to talk furniture. He said, well you said to call and Megan is napping after an intense session with here handler. I asked, are there any problems and dad said, no and that actually has people worried. Then he said any girls over yet and I said, well not me. He asked about Cole and I said rule 3, so ask him. He said, ok ask him to call me and I replied, you know his number call him yourself, I'm not involved. We chatted some and I said, don't forget the beer and he laughed. I was just starting on the emails and there were 12. The most important one was from the Union guy and there was an attachment. There was also an email from Jodie and an attachment. The message said, please review and call. I was reviewing some others and sending them to others to deal with. I called Ryan and we talked about the costs of the expansion and I sent him Jodie's email and asked him to review with Mason. Then he said, he had a meeting at school with his advisor and there were leftovers for dinner and I said thanks and hung up. Just then Cole appeared and I asked where he wanted to eat and as he didn't care, so we headed to Greentree. We were barely out of the school parking lot when his phone rand and Cole said, hi mom how are things? He was quiet for a while listening and finally he said, like before I got this and I'm careful. He was quiet again and then he said, I know what's at stake and I get the need for discretion so please don't push. Mom, I love you and he is my brother not my parent so if you need to talk to him, call him. Mom, I love you, good bye. Cole, looked at me and he was furious. I said dude, dad called me and all I told him was, rules 3 & 6. He smiled and said, I should have known. Cole, yes you should have. Just then my phone rang and I said, hi judge, I'm driving and Cole is in the car and you are on speaker. She laughed and said well I'm glad it took him 15 years to have brother. I said well he has one now, not a third rent. She said, ok big brother make sure he knows what a raincoat is and that he uses one all the time. I laughed and said, we both know what you are talking about, please know that both our ladies are on the pill and we both use protection for a lot of reasons. Anything else? She said, nope and hung up. Cole, looked at me and asked, if Carrie would be over? I said, Cole I have no plans to invite her over. He said, MJ just resolve this one way or the other, PLEASE. At the bar, we ordered iced tea and got beer and I ordered half an Italian delight and fries and Cole said, I'll have that as well. I asked about the talk with coach and he said, I was told it would be a shit show. Then I asked about golf and he said, the new pro was demanding, but knew his hit and had me tilting it farther with a very minor change. I asked, can you just change like that and he said, yup until there is pressure and then you revert back to the old shot. Finally, I asked so how the fuck did you pull last night off? He said her idea and she was at a girlfriend's place working on a school project. Ok, why did you let that happen? He said because, I was horny and I could. The food came and while we were eating, I asked are you bi or gay or what? M J we have discussed this, like you I want kids and would rather do dudes. Well actually anything that walks upright. I laughed and shook my head and we finished eating. On the way home he asked about Carrie and I said, Cole please not now. It was a good day and while I was waiting for you I looked at my phone and now I have all kind of shit to deal with. At home, I went outside and couldn't relax. I tried everything and it dawned on me it was the same feeling I had when Bill overdosed. I immediately went inside and called dad. When he answered I asked are you guys ok? He said, yes what's up? I said just a feeling that things are not right. I said, I love you and hung up. I found Cole and asked about his dad and he said they had chatted yesterday. I said please call him and say hi. PLEASE JUST DO IT. Then my fucking phone exploded and I returned Allen's call, the project foreman. He said, Mike there has been an accident at the building and a small fire. The fire is out and no damage but a guy tripped and knocked a ladder down and a guy fell about 20 feet. He will be ok but the OSHA People will be all over the place tomorrow. Ok, I'll have Tim and Mason there, which hospital and I was told Mercy. He said the guys was Max Saine and that he would be fine. I said thanks and grabbed my keys and drove to the hospital. At the hospital I went to the Emergency Room and asked about Max, I was told to have a seat and they would find out. Eventually I was told that he was in recovery as his broken leg required surgery. I asked about a room and was given the room number. In the room, I found his wife and teenage son and a younger daughter. I introduced my self and said that, no matter what coverage they had, I had the bills that were not covered and that he would have no loss of income. Then, I said that I would stop by tomorrow and leave the family to be together. I drove home and immediately called Tim and Mason. No sooner that I had finished those calls and Carrie called. I said, hi babe but this isn't a good time, I'm at Mercy hospital as a worker was hurt and a small fire at the project. I'll call later, she said, I love you and hung up. Cole, was listening and said, MJ that lie came awful easy and was very out of character, why can't you simply deal with her? Cole, you are right and if she had done that to me I would have thrown a fit. I'll call her and I'll be down in a few months. He shook his head and said, now I bet you will have to have sex with her. I went to my room and called Carrie. When she answered, I said babe a few minutes ago, I lied when I said I was still at the hospital and I regret doing that, you deserve better. She was quiet for a while and finally said, Mike thanks for calling back. It seems like it has come to this between us as I haven't always been honest with you. She said and my lies are much more serious than where I am at a particular moment. I said, Carrie it's the same with me and please let's not talk about it and move on. Once we are in a better state we can deal with it. She said, I had sex with Adam and I added I had sex at VT and came to the room and had sex with you. So if anyone is keeping score we are both losers. Carrie, I for one can get past this but think about it and let me know. She said well for now she was in the same place. I said goodnight and hung up. I simply laid on the bed and was trying to figure things out when Cole came in sat on the bed and said, so is she on the way over for makeup sex? I said not at all and that most likely will never happen again. He laid down next tome and turned and his lips and nose were just inches away and he asked, in a very low voice, so when did you have sex last? I smiled and said, I don't remember and he reached for my cock and I said and not tonight as I have work to do. He smiled and said later then. I continued to lay there trying to figure out how things got so fucked up. On one had I have it under control and the other hand, nothing is going well. It makes no sense, well to me. I guess I just need to hold off 2 days and see what happens with Dr. Drennan. Then I remember the email attachments and sent them to the printer in dad's office. I looked in on Cole and he asked, what's up? I said, Im getting ready to look for some rules. He laughed and said, that he had them well hidden. I said that sounds good to me and I went into dad's office and started reading. The drawings from Jodie looked very concentrated, but it would not add to the rent. The second floor, well half of it was a better solution, if they would rent half. I looked at the email from the Union President and was amazes, I read it a second and a third time and called dad. He said, damn Mike this is the third time today. We discussed the accident at Project 1. He said well that was a non serious one. Dad, the the Union want to rent floor 3 on Project 2. They want to start right away. I have a meeting tomorrow and I'll let you know what happens in the meantime I'll send you the email. He said, great and we hung up. I was stoked and thinking damn, a whole floor rented and income. Then I thought one thing at a time, a signed lease and a then a start. Another tenant would be more than ideal but damn things were falling into place very quickly. Then it might be too easy and too quick. I thought use the usual approach and don't rush things. I was absolutely exhausted and Cole came in sat on the bed and said, damn Mike you look tired. I said very and there is a lot going on. Not only Carrie but now business and damn dad is not around. Mike, why do you need him? I said Cole, just to be here as I know he will stop me from doing something stupid. I said well like my binkie. Cole laughed and said well if you need something to suck on, I have something. I laughed and said, so do I and I'm surprised you want anything, so how many time did you cum last night? He said well three. Thanks for the ride to school and the discrete entrance. I laughed and said and that caused a fight with Carrie. He said, you two assholes fight over the silliest shit. I laughed and said IT SEEMS THAT WE DO. Then Cole said, Mike it's not like you to be tired are you feeling ok? I said, yup just need a good nights rest as Jim was here, we didn't do anything but I could have slept better. Cole, I have a work meeting tomorrow and want to workout right after and I'm sure Ryan is busy just order something in and I'll be home around 7 and yes we are running tomorrow. Cole said, good night and went to his room. I took a long hot shower and jumped into bed nude. I fell asleep immediately and woke up before the alarm to an awful weather day and the run was eliminated so I stretched and took a shower and went downstairs to find Cole drinking coffee and eating fruit. I poured a cup of coffee and got some fruit, thinking I could get used to this. I dropped him off at school and parked in my usual spot and went into the building and there was no Carrie. It was the same all morning. Lunch has settled into a new routine and was a lot more fun. I looked around and no Carrie. As soon as I could I signed out for work and drove to the office. Once there Ruth said, Mike once again there are a lot of people that need your time. I said Ruth, please tell Mason I need to see him, then Kyle. She said fine. On my desk was a thicker folder, marked personal and confidential and was sealed. The seal had my name on it, I knew immediately it was the report on Riley Carson. I set it aside as Mason was at the door. I said have a seat, the Union President emailed and he claims he wants to lease the third floor in Project 2. Mason said, Mike yes he does, he just doesn't want to pay enough for it. I said well what does he want to pay and Mason said $10 a sq ft. Mike we need $13 and if we build it out $18. Mason, have you talked this over with Tim and Ryan? He said yes and they feel these numbers are correct. Mason, I get the sense, you resent me asking that, why? He said, because I developed those numbers and they rubber stamped them, just trust me. I smiled and said eventually and thanks. So do you have any ideas for the second floor? He said, no and the third floor isn't rented yet. Mason, please understand, this project is a huge risk so it's not that I'm not trusting you I'm being careful. Please be back her at 5:00. He said sure and as he was leaving Kyle appeared. He sat down and I said so how is it going? He said good and we have 30 offers out but now it gets hard. He said, Dillon was doing everything asked of him. I said great as Mason is developing an ego. Mike understand he is working his ass off, like you, he doesn't like to be questioned, so a fight is on the horizon. Make it a tie or only a slight win for you. Mike, he will be a star, but he is sales and already has that ego. Figure it out, he is worth it. I said, thanks and I get it. I had time and decided to look at the background report. Damn, I wish I knew how they got all this. She was top 3% of her class, went to Oakland Catholic and then Pitt. Was a good high school athlete, there was an apartment she shared with a girlfriend, no mention of a boyfriend. Her parents were upper middle class, life long north hills resident. Dad was an insurance executive and mom was a teacher. There were two younger brothers. I picked up the phone and asked Ruth to see if Riley Carson was available tomorrow afternoon. It was then time for the Union President. Mason appeared right on time and him and I moved to the conference room. We sat down and I said Mason, I'm going to ask for $23 a sq ft with build-outs. He said well your the boss. Just then the Union President came in with his attorney, we shook hands and I went and asked Ruth to please have Brian come here ASAP. I went back in the room as started with small talk. Thankfully, Brian arrived and sat down. I introduced him as our corporate attorney. I started immediately by saying, I would love to have you guys as tenants, however it has to work financially for Enterprises. We are building two building with union workers, we have gone out of our way to provide extras. We paid your guys when the job was shut down. I value Union workers and certainly the training facility you are planning along with the office space is important to you and your growth. Therefore, I would like to propose a built out space that includes new furniture for $23 a square foot for 5 years and an option for another 5 years at $21 a square foot. There was no reaction and Brian was looking at me shaking his head. The union attorney said, well that's ridiculous I'm out of here. I laughed and said, fine you weren't invited anyway. Your boss and I can work this out without all of you. Can Marvin and I have the room? Marvin said sure, I like this approach. Once we were alone Marvin said kid you have more balls than enough. First of all shove the furniture up your ass. So now what do you want or need? I said, $20 first 5 years and $21.50 Second 5. He said, damn, it's not fun dealing with someone whose done their homework. How about 20 & 20.50. We shook hands and I said let's let the legal people firm this up? He said that's perfect. He said we can start as soon as you are ready and we will be working with Standard Property. I said one more thing. The Mayor's pissed and I've been avoiding him, it has to deal with the transfer from Technologies to Enterprises, I assure you it's legal and will blow up soon. Marvin laughed and said if you deal with him like you dealt with our attorney, I want to watch. I got up and invited everyone back in. Marvin said Mike and I have a deal your job is to work it out. It's built out, no fucking furniture and $20 then $20.50 a sq ft. Any issues? I looked at Brian and asked, can you and Tim work on this? He smiled and said, absolutely. Every one left and Brian hung back. Once we were alone, he said that was fucking amazing. I was upset at first as I didn't want you in the furniture business and these numbers will work. Brian, I gave away the furniture which I didn't want anyhow. I said, just keep the build outs reasonable. He said well those will cost about $1 so like I said you did well and there was no blood. I said thanks. As I was leaving for the gym, I ran into Mason. He came up and asked, Mike how did you move that guy up so much, so easily. I said, Mason I simply didn't care, I like the Union relationship but there is no rush as we haven't broken ground yet. He knew that and he also knew that I'm not in a hurry on this. Now it will be a zoo with lots of eggs at risk. You helped by laying it all out for me and I appreciate that. There will come a time when you will see all that and more importantly be is a position to get it done, I just hope it is with us. He smiled and said thanks. At the gym, it was my usual workout and fuck it felt great. As there were not many people around I decided to shower. I was feeling great but was starving. I was hoping there was at least leftovers. As I was walking to the car my phone rang and it was Carrie. She said, Mike we both cheated and lied to each other, where does that leave us? I said, babe I think we both know the answer to that and don't want to admit it. She said, Mike I think we should take a break and see if we find our was back to each other. This really hurts because I love you. I said Carrie, I love you too but you are right. We need to grow up some more and see what happens. We will both have people lined up to date us, understand I'm in no hurry to go down that path. Thanks for the call and I'll see you in school tomorrow, well if you are coming. She said she would be there and offered no explanation as to where she was today and I felt I had no reason to ask. Thinking about Carrie and the new situation I felt we were kicking it down the road. However it will be what it becomes. The reality is that if I don't get hooked up with a new girl, I'll have some much needed time for Mike and the business. The possibility of having both properties built and rented before I left for VT actually excited me. Then my phone brought me back to reality as it was the Mayor. I pulled over and said good evening Mr. Mayor. He said I should have known you were up to something as you were so quiet and unavailable. I laughed and said, so what did I do now? Well first there was the deed transfer. I laughed out loud and said well there was other value given. He said, I know you changed the lease terms to limit the transfer taxes, correct? I said what other item has you upset? It was his turn to laugh and he said, I hear you are starting the second project. I said, correct and my legal team would have contact you tomorrow, we just finalized a tenant earlier today. He was quiet for a while and said, I didn't know that, who is this tenant. I said, it isn't final yet so I'm not sharing, there will be a press release and naturally we will be looking for your cooperation. Then I said you will get a heads up as we will be starting as soon as this deal is inked. I thanked him for the call and continued the drive home. At home, I found Cole sitting in the kitchen eating a slab of lasagna and a salad. He said well how was your day? I said very interesting, is there any more? He said absolutely check the refrigerator. While the food was reheating Cole asked so how was your day interesting? I said I rented an entire floor of the second building, talked with the Mayor, got an insight to Mason and Carrie and I mutually agreed to a long term break. He laughed and said so is there a line of chicks outside already? I said don't be a jerk and I'm not doing a Carley event again. This will be slow, very show. He laughed and said, I doubt that very much. The food was ready and I asked about his day. When I was finished eating, we cleaned up and went to separate rooms. I thought I would call dad and update him and damn my phone rang and it was dad. I said hey dad and he said great job, how the hell did you pull off the lease with the Union with terms that really work for you? I said dad, they really work for us. I asked about Megan and he said many hours getting ready for the confirmation hearings. He asked about Carrie and I went into detail. He said so how do you feel about all that? I said not sure and I have an appointment with Dr. Brennan. He simply said good. Then I said I'm taking it very slow moving forward, well with girls. Then dad said Michael if you think this is over your nuts. Dad, over or not it will never be the same. He laughed and said, young love is special, you simply did what you always do you grew up too fast and have the money to pull it off. I said, good night, this grown up has school work. Oh, I'm going to offer Riley Carson that job. Same terms as when Mason was hired. Last thing, he is developing fast, possibly too fast. He laughed and said just say good night. So I said, good night and hung up. At that point I decided to just put the headphones on and this time it was country music. I fell asleep and woke to find Cole, looking at me. He said, Michael call your Doctor, you are either growing again or you are sick. I said, I am sleeping a lot and many more naps. Well I have a head doctor appointment Thursday and Dr. Jenkins is in the same building, I'll make an appointment. I got up took a shower and was in bed by 10:30 and was immediately asleep.