Date: Mon, 30 May 2022 13:09:41 +0000 (UTC) From: Mike Simmons Subject: It was always about the bets 331 The day started with ugly weather and enough freezing rain and shit that we had a 2 hour delay and I decided to simply crawl back into bed and skip school all together. By 9:00 things were better and I showered and put on appropriate work clothes nd drove to the office. I checked in with security and scanned my pass and got on the elevator and chatted with Amy and went to my office. I was early and started my usual routine and checked the financials and then called Security and asked that the Chief stop by at her convenience as I wanted to talk with her briefly. Liam appeared and I asked him to please find Major Jim and asked him to stop in. He said no problem and asked if the real Mike was back? I shrugged and said working on it. Liam returned about 10 minutes later with the Major and he handed me a coffee. I said Liam, don't ever do that again but thanks. I picked up my phone and the coffee and sat in the club chairs and they all joined me and I simply dialed the the Mayor's private number and he answered by saying well congrats on the State Championship. I said thanks but what can I do for you? Well with the closing on Friday I will be issuing a press release stating how pleased I am with the new development on Second Avenue and how well we worked together in accomplishing the deal and how it is a major investment in the growth of the region. Well Mr. Mayor, if you do that the medial will be all over me for a comment and as I don't agree with what you say about the cooperation, I would reconsider the press release or any comments, if I were you. As for me I will be issuing no statement as I just want the closing to occur and quietly move on. Is there anything else? Mike, I need a win on this. Well Mr Mayor, you should have thought about that a month ago. Is there anything else? There was silence and I said Mr Mayor, this is my deal and I'm slow walking it. There are a lot of things that have changed and I need new plans and I'm enjoying my senior year. Have a good day and I hung up. The Major just shook his head and said well I'm guessing that didn't help a lot. I said Jim, I don't see anything starting till March at the earliest as we need firm plans to get the construction loan. So everyone, including me, needs to take a deep breath. It will happen but not next week. The Major asked, so I won't need a press release announcing the sale? Jim, that's correct and I won't be making any comments. It's a routine real estate closing one of many that will happen in the city on Friday. There were no winners on this and I'm not pretending. Liam laughed and said well Major, I think Mike is back. The meeting with Tim was short as I needed to sign some papers and move the money so we could have certified funds for the closing. When we were finished I asked that there be no public comments as I was not into moving this along too quickly. There would be plenty of time to pat ourselves on the back publicly and I was hoping Kirkpatrick and his buddies would make fools of them of themselves. Then I thought about Charlie and Chuck and called the kids mom. She was a bit distant and lightened up when I asked about Chuck. She laughed and said he is dealing with it but talks about you and JJ a lot. I asked if I could visit over the holidays and she said well sure as we will be at the Winery all week.I thanked her and said I'll get there and bring JJ. She was pleased with that. I called JJ thinking I would leave a message and he answered and said that with the delay he just stayed home. I asked if he wanted to meet me at the gym at 4:00 for a work out. He said sure and asked if we could go to the mall after and some shopping? I said yup and some food at the food court and he agreed. The Chief and my Financial Advisor arrived at the same time and I told the finance guy I would be right with him. Chief, I owe you an apology for yesterday and I assure you that I won't do that again. Mike, thanks for that and please remember the number of government contract we have and I don't ever need to be reminded that you control the company. I said Rodger that and that we are set to make you all employees on 1/1/1992. She smiled and said we are all ready. I thanked her for stopping in. With that done I went to Liam's office and retrieved the Financial guy and we went in my office and sat in the club seating. He looked at my wall and said, I see you are making changes. I smiled and said well that wall is always in flux but there are more medals and a different picture. Mike, your investments are doing well but I am concerned about you big holding of Apple. I smiled and said well they stay but not buying more, right now. Then I asked about Textron and he shrugged and asked, how do you come up with these companies? Well they own Bell Helicopters, just bought Beechcraft and will close on Cessna in January. We are doing some work for them and I bought a Jet from Cessna. So how about we buy $100,000 dollars worth? Well that would work as it diversifies you and you do have too much cash in the bank. He had a few ideas and I spent another 50k on various things. He packed up his things and said you still have too much cash. I thought for a second and asked what he thought about real estate In Blacksburg? Those college kids trash those buildings. If you do that hire a rental manager. I said thanks and he left. Once alone I called Kyle and asked if he had a minute and he said sure but would I mind coming to his office? I quickly agreed and started on my way. As soon as he saw me he waved me in and I laughed as he had club chairs like I did with a glass table. We sat in his very comfortable chairs and he asked, what's up? Kyle I just bought 100k worth of Textron stock he laughed and said well I just bought 40k. Kyle, do we know something about the company that isn't simply out there? Mike we are good as the Cessna thing has been out there for a while. I laughed and said well Tim will be relieved. Kyle said Mike, he checked it out for me so I'm sure you are good, thanks for the heads up. I was going to ask you something anyway, can I put up a wall like yours, I need more privacy. Kyle what about your view. He said look and he had a great view of the river and the Oakland skyline. I said sure and I'll but facilities on it and have it done over the weekend. He said thanks and we spent time talking about Riley and he said he already fought Maggie about it. I laughed and said better you than me. Back at my office I asked Liam to schedule the Architects and Bruce at the same time and ask Bruce to bring a designer with her, I might want to make changes in my office. He shrugged and said sure. With that I packed up the office and checked out of the building and drove to the gym. Once there I paid for 6 month membership for JJ. The manager said that if I was doing my usual workouts I needed a spotter and I smiled and said I just paid for one. The manager laughed and said good. JJ appeared and I handed him his membership card and he looked at it and asked, why? Well JJ, I need a spotter and in return for me running track you are doing that. He laughed and said fuck, I thought it would be worse than a place to work out. We quickly changed clothes and damn my usual workout was more than a bit of a struggle. Somehow JJ breezed through his workout and damn I needed to keep up. We went to the locker and stripped grabbed a towel and went to the sauna. We sat well apart and sure enough that same guy came in and sat beside JJ. When he edged closer JJ stood up dropped his towel and said ok asshole lock as that's all you are getting as if you fucking touch me you will be a ink spot on the floor, now get out of here before I yell rape. The poor dude couldn't move fast enough and JJ totally nude sat beside me. I smiled and said not here but right after shopping. JJ simply covered up and move a bit away from me. We stayed in the sauna as long as we could and it was a quick shower and as we had separate cars we drove to my place and I jumped into JJ's truck and it was off to the mall. We went right to the food court and we ordered a large pepperoni and sausage pizza and a large iced tea. That was quickly devoured and it was off to do some shopping. JJ headed right to the Jewelry shop and asked for a gold chain 22" long and then he selected a gold 24 and looked at me and said Merry Christmas. I said thanks and asked for the same chain and said pick your number and he chose his number 26 and I said Merry Christmas. We paid for the chains and put them on. Outside the shop we looked at each other and I said well that didn't help much. He asked what I was getting Cole and I said I was flying him to Bay Hill for a round of golf and dad is getting a couple bottles of scotch and Megan is getting a massage and a day away from Ashley. I just have to figure out Winnie. So what you getting Mia? He smiled and said a necklace that cost a lot less than I spent on your ass. I laughed and said well that wasn't much help. JJ did find the perfect necklace and it was just under $40 and he was thrilled. I still had nothing when JJ bought a charm bracelet for his sister and his mom was getting wine from my Winery and his dad, well JJ wasn't sure. We left the mall and we each had one problem to solve. We drove to JJ's and walked to my place opened a beer and sat on the loveseat. We were making out and when the beers were finished I locked the door and we went to my room and we had a very romantic time kissing and sucking and exploring each other and I eventually slid my cock into JJ's wet ass after having eaten it till it was dripping wet. It was a gentle time in his ass and it took a long time and he was begging me to unload and with one hard thrust and balls beep I unloaded. We laid there kissing and talking and eventually he had to go. I laughed when I realized that the only thing either of us had on was the necklace we bought each other. We kissed good night and he left for home. It was a little before 10:00 and I called Winnie and she answered and asked if I was ok? I told her I was good and she said don't bull shit me. You have been two very different people this week. Monday you were dressed like a homeless person and today like a junior executive. What's going on? I hope you changed before you went to the office on Monday? Well babe, actually I didn't and blew right past security. Liam wouldn't let me out of my office and even fetched coffee. Mick, why did you do that and I noticed that you were more than a little boned up in Science and for the first time that actually discussed me. Babe, I was having a hard time letting go and what lies ahead athletically scares me and I reacted poorly. None of that will happen like that again and today is who I am, back in control of myself and some of the things around me. Mick, when that happens or something like that I'm hear for you. Babe thanks for saying that. The she said, look ass hole, I mean it and if I ever have to say that again we are done. I took a beep breath and asked, what you doing for Christmas? She laughed and said, damn I might be dating a future POTUS. I laughed and she said well every time the topic gets too serious you pivot and you are better at that almost anyone. I laughed and said babe, I get it and just so you know you are very special to me and I have never felt like this about a girl before and yes that means Carrie. So what you doing for Christmas? Mick, we leave the 23rd for Columbus, Ohio and return late on the 26th. What you doing? Well I guess I jacking off and she found that hysterical. When she stopped laughing she asked what I was doing and I said just hanging here with the family. Then at the end of the week I'm hosting a wedding at Oakmont for Jack and Riley. They both work for me and will be leaving for Texas as Jack is an astronaut. So would you like to be my date? It's on the 30th. Well you better not be taking someone else. Oh, I'm in the wedding and I'm wearing a Tuxedo. She laughed at that. With all that done we said good night and hung up. Then I checked the weather and the low would be -3 so I called JJ and Cole and told them to sleep in as that was too cold to run. I loved cold weather for sleeping and it was usually sleeping nude with a lot of covers and a heavy quilt. I laid there all warm and thought about my chat with Winnie and realized that it was another step forward and she noticed I had an issue and weighed in. Sure we talked about sex but in a casual way and in many ways, I needed both her and JJ for sex and a lot more. Was I simply fucked up with that or was Winnie and girls in general just my need to have kids. Given a choice I would pick JJ as the relationship was less complicated. Then I wondered if it would become complicated between us if we were exclusive? I simply fell asleep with that thought. I was up way before the alarm and put a jock strap on, made coffee and started with a 100 jumping jacks which was followed by 50 push-ups and finally 60 sit-ups. Then it was a shower and coffee. I dressed in black jeans and a grey long sleeved crew neck, which was tight enough to show off my build. I knew that the Major would be unhappy but I really didn't care. Thinking about that I added a long sleeve loose fitting shirt. I was however determined to be me, whatever that was becoming. With my usual morning complete I drove to school and went straight to guidance and was told that Mr. Ramo would see me Monday, second period. I thanks the secretary and it was a ver normal day at school. Winnie and I flirted the entire class but managed to get a lot of the assignment done. On the way out I ran into Heather and said want to bet you get a surprise Friday morning. I smiled and said, well at least I won't have to see you and I went to my car. The temperature was still around +1 and the rag top wasn't designed for that but the heater quickly fixed that. The entire way to the office I wondered if Heather was serious about a surprise at the closing. As soon as I cleared Security I went lookin for Tim. He was easily found in his office and I asked about the closing and he said all good but I need to see you before tour meetings, I'll be up in a couple of minutes. I was wondering if things were good what he wanted to meet about. I tried to put it out of my mind when I saw dad was in and I stopped and asked him why he was spending so much time in the office. Well Mike, I'm just keeping track of my salespeople and unfortunately I need to let one go as he isn't performing hardly at all. Wanting no part of that I said, well I better let you get to it and went to my office and I found Dillon and Liam chatting in the club chairs. As soon as I sat down Dillon told me that the Beta Test for the Naval Academy was ready and that we would run the entire Sophomore Class. Then he asked if I wanted to come and I told him I was booked pretty solid through mid January. He said that will work as and I'll check with you as there is a lot of data to enter and their semester starts then and we will be up and running. I agreed to make the trip and that he needed to keep Liam up to speed on the trip details. Once Dillon was gone Liam said Mike, that concept is a home run and Dillon is working his ass off and you need to pay some attention to what he is doing or at least pretend to notice. I shook my head in agreement and said thanks. Jim appeared carrying a bulky folder and he said Mike, I asked the closing officer for the papers so I could review them and to help make the closing quick and painless. It is all in order but I thought you might want to see the investors and he handed me the list. There was Kirkpatrick, David, Heather and the President of City Council. I looked at Tim and he said Mike, please take a deep breath and don't do anything until the damn papers are signed and the money is exchanged. I smiled and said Tim, I'm good and I went to my desk, picked up the phone and called the Major and asked him to set up a press conference here tomorrow. I stood there in silence as he said nope, we won't be doing that and calm down. It really doesn't matter. You won and we will need to work with them. Besides you will get to see your ex at the closing. Jim, I see that bitch every day in school. I slammed the phone down and looked at Tim and asked, if I had to be at the closing? He smiled and said no but you are going and you will be professional. Is that understood? I glared at him and said, fine. Tim looked at Liam and said I need a moment alone with Mike. I looked at Liam and said, you are not going anywhere as you might learn something as Tim tries to manage me. Tim sat back down and calmly said, I'm not going to fucking manage you, I just told you what you needed to do and now you are going to grow a set, put on you big boy pants and do what you need to do and understand the dress is suit and tie. With that he got up and walked out. Liam laughed and said damn, that dude has balls. I smiled and said well Liam it helped his case as he was right. I looked at Liam and said I'll be right back I need some coffee. Actually I needed more than coffee so I took a longish walk around the building. I ran into Al Clarkson (his son hated me and left our school and is a VT recruit) I asked how he was doing and he said that he was great and that he was a lead on the Grade Book thing with Dillon. He went on for about two minutes how great Dillon was to work for. I asked if he was going to the Naval Academy and he said yes nd I understand you might be flying us there. I said Al, I'm trying to clear my schedule. So is you son still going to VT and I was told definitely. I said, please have him call me as I met a kid from York last weekend and he is going as well, I'm thinking we should go down together. Al said I'll definitely have Allen call you. I said thanks and got on the elevator chatted with Amy and in my office found 3 people from WTW Architects and Bruce and his designer. I knew we needed a bigger table and Liam checked and the first floor conference room was open so we went down there. That caused a stir as I have used that room once and being glass it was very open. Liam asked if I wanted the blinds down and I said nope, that will only cause more chatter. I started by saying that by the time we finish Technologies would take the top 2 floors and I was thinking 4 floors total and that there should be no blocking the views from this building. That I'm wanted something to reflect where we were going as I was tired paying homage to where we were. New and dramatically different material and that the industrial building should me a mini version of the new building and that I wanted to show people how to build an industrial building that functioned and looked great. I was asked about a budget and said the big building 10 Million and the smaller building half that at the most. Ideas were flying and I was bored out of my mind as I needed to see sketches. After about an hour I stopped things and said can some of these ideas be drawn. The Architect said well very rough drawings and I said great let me know what you come up with sooner than later. With that I left Liam in control and went to my office. I got off the elevator on 4 and found Riley waiting for the elevator. She said Mike, I was looking for you hoping we could talk. I said sure and let's go to my office. Once there I said have a seat and indicated the club chairs and said I'll be right back and went to the mens room. She laughed and said well at least you are not sitting behind your desk and I'm in a guest chair. I laughed and said well I still do that but what do you want to talk about. Mike, I got the impression that you were unhappy when I requested a leave. Riley, understand I would rather have you here as you do a great job but I understand. Jack has the space itch and you two are in love. What angered me was that sweet smile you gave me before you asked for the leave. That's my baggage as I dated and actually loved someone that pulled that shit all the time. I shouldn't have been mad, but I was. Riley every week we get bigger and every time we grow even a bit, I lose more control. We have a policy for everything and I can't deviate from that. Hell Maggie and Tim would throw me off my patio out there. So I can get you 9 months. Mike Jack got more than that and he isn't at my level. Riley, he works for Enterprises. Mike, can I be COO at Enterprises? Riley you will be in Texas. Well, I'll fly up every Monday evening and fly back every Thursday afternoon. Riley, that will be exhausting and expensive. Mike, I'll pay for the travel. I took a beep breath and said Riley, concentrate on you wedding and let me think about all this. She said that's all I can ask for. I do have another question, why did you bail on the bachelor party. Riley, I'm not mad and if I fly up I can't drink and I won't fit is as I'm way younger than those guys . She simply said ok and thanks for the time. Back down in the conference room things were wrapping up and there were 4 hand drawn sketches. Each was very different but nothing blew me away. I thanked them and asked that when we meet tomorrow could they have some exterior material ideas and some real building pictures that we could edit. They agreed and I held Bruce back and asked can we get the same deal on furniture. I got a firm No and he explained that there was now a GSA agreement but that he would check to see if there was a different deal available. Once he was gone Liam sat down and gave me my laptop and my case. Then he said Mike, I got the Architects tomorrow and Heidikamp just cancelled as he has an urgent meeting at Highmark and he wanted to reschedule and I set that up for Monday. You really could take a day and recover and if you don't mind me saying it you need a break. Thanks Liam, I'll think about that. There was no way I was taking a day off and it would be a shorter day as it is because I would leave for the workouts. Besides there was no way I would have nothing to do while I waited on the closing. It would be worse than game day. Then I realized this closing was way more important than any football game. I was betting a lot of eggs on this expansion and the only thing that had gone well was the cost of the land. Then I realized that none of the sellers, except Heather, were stupid and they realized I got too good of a price and they were trying to get me to drop out of the deal. Well I could respect all that and that's the second time I got a good deal down there. I checked out with security and started for the car. At my place I went in the house and discovered that dad was at the club and Megan was still at work and Ashley was asleep. I laughed as everyone seemed to have a life. I called Winnie and it went to voicemail. So with that I spent the evening doing some shit for CMU. Thanks for continuing with the story and for the notes, I'm sorry I mixed up the Ruth character (dad's old secretary) and Nancy the AD secretary. Please remember nifty next time you open your wallet, they can always use your help.