Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2022 20:53:28 +0000 (UTC) From: Mike Simmons Subject: It was always about the bets 341 When we got to my cabin I relit the fire and added a few more logs and sat on the loveseat. JJ returned from the refrigerator and handed me a beer and sat beside me. JJ took a drink and asked MJ, what do you think about Chuck? JJ he is one fucked up kid and his soon to be raging hormones complicate that. He is very comfortable telling adults what that want to hear and the only truthful thing he said was the he was collateral damage. Ultimately he will either get over it or be a fucked up rich kid and he will have more than enough. Our job is to let it ride out until he falls off the horse and pick him up and dispense some tough love. Somewhere inside that fucked up pre-teen is a good dude. MJ, what standing do we have in all this? Well right now I have the Trust that Charlie set up and eventually I will control all the money. Well in a sense as I will be trustee and as it stands now Chuck gets a lot of money at 21. I need to sit down with Beth and Charlie and make sure they are aware. I'll do whatever they want and simply move on. You should just be the good cop and you have a way to get him to do things that I can't. We sat there and talked and had a couple of beers and as the fire was dying we cleaned up and went to my room. We stripped and kissed and made out and before I knew it I was on all 4's and JJ was kneeling behind me and was slowly moving into my ass and when I felt his balls hit my ass he started to pound my ass. He had more stamina than usual and finally he pushed hard an I fell forward and JJ unloaded in my ass. We held each other and fell asleep. Sometime later I woke needing to piss, when I returned to the bed JJ was leaning on his elbow and said, I guess it is your turn. I lust laid there pointed to my cock and said make it hard and then jump on for a ride. JJ was more than willing and after a while I pulled him forward and still inside I'm we kissed and it caused me to unload. Laying there was great and we were soon asleep again. In the morning having coffee we decided that we were done drinking and that we would shoot for leaving Sunday and very early like 7:00 and we would be home way before noon. That would give both us plenty of time to get ready for the week. Then JJ said we needed to get some food and we left for breakfast. Finding a place to eat was easy enough and we had a big breakfast. Then we drove to the winery. I need to meet with Jace to write off the trip as business. Jace told me that some new equipment would be installed starting mid week and it would help make the entire process easier and that it shouldn't change the taste of the wine. Just make it easier. There was an increase in orders both the store and commercial orders. The indication was that finances were in great shape. Jace and I chatted for a while and the entire meeting took just under an hour. In the winery store I found JJ talking with Charlie. I went over and Charlie said Mike, Chuck is in a bad way and he cares about school and his girl and his buddies are not the type of friends he needs, right now or ever. Charlie why is school important? Mike, lacrosse and he wants to play football. Charlie will Beth be ok with him playing football? Mike, she won't have a choice as the kid will be totally out of control if she says no. Mike, he goes to a private school with an outstanding football program. I laughed and said I bet they do. So is the place all football or are academics important? Charlie said well both actually. I thought I would talk with Coach Weston and find a way to talk with their coach. I would see if we could get him involved with this. JJ and I had nothing to do so we decided on a ride around the area. There were a number of small towns and a couple of wineries.,some were open and other were closed some until the spring. I was glad that we were open as I thought the exposure, any exposure was good. I was glad JJ was driving and that we went to two lakes and I have no idea how many towns. At our last stop JJ tossed me the keys and said your driving back as I have to fly us home tomorrow fair is fair. We got in the car and immediately JJ said, find us a place to eat. We skipped lunch. I laughed and asked if he wanted to play tight end next year. MJ, I thought we both played tight end last night. Now I found that hysterical and added, neither of us are that tight anymore. In the next town we saw a place with a view of the lake and decide to give it a try but found that it was closed for the season. Eventually we found a pizza place and shared a large pepperoni and sausage pizza and had iced tea to drink. JJ asked about the upcoming week and I said, it is one of the most important weeks of my life as that hearing and how I deal with it will define my image for a long time. JJ was quiet as he chewed on a slice of pizza and then he said, fuck that by now you have an image, one you have worked on and earned. Besides you are done with the league and will be in Virginia. JJ, that's all true but I have building to build and the PAAA blows smoke at these legislators and some of them don't know it. Hell it's good politically to be on a committee helping kids. Ok MJ, when will you run for office? JJ it will be years before I am age eligible for anything meaningful. Then again I might just have a few kids and retire. JJ almost fell out of his seat laughing. JJ at any rate this week for me is doing an opening statement for Friday and I'll deal with the questions as I always do and it will be interesting as I wonder how long it will take them to ask questions that matter. Then I said JJ you know we need to get to VT soon or they will start to worry. JJ just shook his head in agreement. We finished eating and JJ paid the bill for dinner and we drove back to the cabin. When we pulled into what was now a parking area that was too big, I stopped in front of Cole's cabin and went inside and found the place completely weatherized. I was pleased that that was taken care of. I knew at some point he would be using the place a lot. Back at my cabin, JJ threw himself in the love sack and I emptied the refrigerator and took out the trash. With that done I left a note for the cleaning company thanking them and leaving a tip. I sat on the loveseat and grabbed my phone and called Winnie. As soon as JJ heard me say hi babe how are things he said shit and went to another part of the big room and I knew he was calling Mia. When I told her I would be home by noon I was asked if I wanted to come over for family dinner? I hesitated and she said Mick, I promise it is no business and just a relaxing time. With that it was either dinner or a break up and I willingly selected dinner. She said, great and I'll see you no later that 4:30 and we hung up. When JJ returned I asked Mia was mad? MJ, she doesn't get mad she just manages me and I let her. Well JJ, I'm going to family dinner tomorrow. Wow MJ, is it that serious? Nope, I'm guessing her Uncle want me there. We chatted for a while and I finally said that I was going to pack and get to bed. JJ agreed. I put or glasses in the dishwasher and went upstairs. Packing wasn't hard as we barely had any clothes and soon enough we were in bed naked and making out. Sex was simple mutual blowjobs and the alarm was set for 5:30. When the damn thing went off we both groaned and JJ flew into the shower, I dressed figuring I would clean up at home before dinner. I went downstairs and put coffee on. As soon as the coffee was ready JJ appeared and tossed my bag at me and said, you forgot this. We had a quick cup of coffee and were off to the airport. JJ was hell bent on getting on our way and we were in the air before 7:00. So JJ what's the hurry? Mia is home alone till noon and I'm horny for a different flavor, not that you weren't fun and special. MJ, are you mad? I laughed and said nope, just wondering what's going on. We both need time with the women in our lives. We were on the ground around 9:30 and I laughed when I saw the Wrangler. JJ was home before 10:00 and he went right inside and I was betting not for long. At my place I went into the house and Megan asked if I wanted breakfast and I said, no thanks as I just wanted to let you know I was back and I'm going to the gym for a light workout. I went to my place and dropped of my bad and found workout clothes and left for the gym. There was no one at the gym and the manger said if I needed a spotter he would be glad to help. I said thanks but an light workout as I'm easing into it. He told me the sauna was off and I said that's fine as I'll just shower at home. The light workout was just the ticket as it cleared my head and I sweated some. When I was finished I toweled off and changed to the jeans and hoodie I had worn. Outside I actually looked around for my ride and then laughed when I realized that it was the Wrangler. This long relaxing vacation was weighing on me as I wasn't focused and and too much was slipping by and know remembering what the fuck I was driving was a definite sign. Back at my place I stripped jumped into the shower and it was a long hot shower, the best shower in days. I dried off and shaved and actually blew my hair dry. I looked in the mirror and didn't see much change in how I looked but knew I need to get to work before my relaxed lifestyle took a toll. I weighed in at 225 and was still 6'4" but I was going to the gym Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. This fucking Harrisburg thing was taking a lot of time. I wasn't over dressing for dinner and it was black jeans and a sweater with a 1/4 pull down zipper. I turned on the TV and quickly found the Steeler game and they were playing Cleveland. That was a big rivalry but the fact remained that they weren't very good and would most likely not make the playoffs. More than likely it was time for a coaching change and that hasn't happened in a long time. While I watched the game I sent emails to Tim, the Major, Kyle and Liam and asked for a group meeting tomorrow in my office at 1:00. I added if that was inconvenient let me know. Then, I let the game on and went to my room and sat at the desk and started to get my thoughts organized about Friday and a statement to start things off. I wanted to start off with something that they had done reasonably well and settled on what was know as Title IX which opened things up for woman sports. Next would be about their Non-Profit status and their budget and finally accountability and openness. I wanted to state facts and have those facts pose questions and in the opening statement stay away from personal opinions as there would be plenty of time for that. I even jotted down on a legal pad some items I wanted to explore. As usual I was was over involved and looked at the time and grabbed my leather bombers jacket and left for Winnie's place, grabbing a bottle of wine on my way out. I didn't even have to knock as the door opened as soon as I got out of the Wrangler. Winnie immediately started laughing and said, that's a different ride but in a lot of ways it suits you. I said thanks and I was going to hug her when I got a big kiss. Inside I shook hands with her dad and gave her mother the wine sayin, I had no idea what was for dinner so I just grabbed a bottle from the winery. She said thanks and that was going in her private stock. I was offered a beer and declined and asked for ice water or iced tea and it was iced tea. We were just sitting there chatting but I was being asked a lot of questions and alarms were starting to go off in my head. Then her mom said, it appears that you and Winnie will be going to the same school next year, have you two discussed that? Well, all I know based on my Christmas gift is that your daughter will be joining me at VT. As first year students we will be in dorms and football requires me to be in an athletic dorm. So what's the concern? Her dad said well we were wondering if that is a package deal? Look, I have been committed to the place for over a year and I have had no discussion with your daughter about how she reached her school choice, it seems to me that is a discussion you should have with her. Well Mike, we have and you and her tell a very similar story. Ok, so you are questioning our integrity? No one does that to me. Yes your daughter and I have sex and we are very close and you didn't seem to have an issue with that as you let her go to the winery trip and spend two nights. She is special to me in many ways and if your asking do I lover her, the honest answer is not yet but that could easily occur. Anything else? As they were regrouping I said look, you enabled this relationship and encouraged the path it took, therefore you don't have input about next year. We have no idea where this relationship will ultimately lead to. As for school I could tear an ACL and be at CMU this time next year. Again anything else? I was furious and Winnie was almost in tears. Finally Winnie said you lied to me as this was to be a pleasant evening and you spring this crap on us. Then she looked at me and asked if I was still up for dinner? I shrugged and said it's up to them, you and I can always grab a bite to eat elsewhere. With that Winnie flew upstairs crying. Just then Uncle Bill came in and Winnie slammed a door upstairs and Bill looked at us and asked what the heck just happened? Then he looked at Winnie's parents and shook his head. He started upstairs and I said Bill, I got this and I went upstairs. I knocked on the door and Winnie screamed, GO AWAY. I chuckled and asked does that include me? The door opened and she jumped in my arms and we hugged. We closed the door and sat on her bed and I asked babe, what's the real issue? Mick, I believe it is that I'm not going to Pitt and will be going away. I want to go away to school and VT has the program I wanted. I was looking there before we started dating. Sorry bud but you are not why I'm going there. It has a good program and they can't just bop in on me as it's a 6 hour drive. Winnie, does your uncle have a role in this? Mick, he wants what I want. I laughed and said well he can't have me. Winnie laughed and dried her eyes and took my hand and we went downstairs. Down stairs Winnie looked at her parents and said, I need you two in the kitchen right now. That took 15 minutes and Uncle Bill just waited without saying a word. Winnie appeared and said Mick, my rents would like to see you, in the kitchen. In the kitchen John apologized as he has no problem with me and Winnie and our relationship. He wanted to make sure that I wasn't unduly involved with her school choice. Well, all you had to do was ask and to be candid, I'm pissed that you upset her so much. Thanks for the apology but I am going to talk with you daughter and see what we are doing about dinner. I just went to the living room. I ignored her uncle and said bade, how about I stay for dinner and try to move on? Mick, would you do that? Babe only if you want me to stay? I got a giant kiss and she said please. Dinner was tense but included a salad and garlic bread and a really good lasagna. Winnie tried to let her parents off the hook and eventually that helped. Uncle Bill was very quiet and he seemed to be simply laying low. In my mind he was gaining points, with Winnie and I. I was thinking that this guy might be more than I thought. I would have Tim check him out. Desert was Klondikes, a square of ice cream covered in chocolate, a Pittsburgh favorite. I passed on coffee and Winnie, Bill and I went into the living room and it was general chat about my weekend and the cabin. As soon as Winnie's parents were done in the kitchen, I thanked them for dinner and said that I was up at 5:00 and needed sleep. I looked at Bill and quietly said call me. I kissed Winnie and drove to my place. I had really expected drama at the dinner but Winnie's parents shocked the crap out of me. Then I was surprised how much I cared for Winnie. I needed to put this new drama out of my mind as I needed to get ready for Friday. Monday would be school, the meeting at work and then nothing else until I had that opening statement done. I wanted it done by Wednesday afternoon so that the Major and Megan could review it. Then I reminded myself it was designed to be factual and yet make them ask questions. Just as I sat at my desk Winnie called asking if I was still mad. Winnie, it was just that I had no idea where all that came from and I was blindsided. Mick, I told you were I wanted to go to school next year before I told them. They don't know that of course. They fully expected me to do what they did and stay home and go to Pitt. I had never seriously considered Pitt. I need to go away for school. They didn't believe that you had nothing to do with it. After you left Uncle Bill ripped into them and told them that for what I wanted to study VT was a much better school than Pitt. Then he said that more than likely you would rather not bring a full time GF to school with him as he will have more than enough things to do. Mick, is that true? I laughed and said well he is right about one thing and that is I'll have enough on my plate. As for you being there all I can say is that it will be what it becomes. This time next year we will be very different people than we are right now and we might not like what each other grow into. Now how about we say good night and let's get ready for school and the last 5 month of high school. I laughed when she said goodnight Mick and hung up. Next morning I dressed for the run and put some coffee on and when I opened the door I just started to laugh as there was about 4" of snow and I had forgot about that possibly. I turned on the TV and the weather dude said we would get 6 to 8 inches and then I noticed the list of school closings scrolling on the bottom of the screen and I poured a cup of coffee and waited. Sure enough there was our district and we were closed but teachers should report. I had mixed emotions about that as I wanted back to normal and then the information I needed was in two places, my desk at work and w with Doc Johnson. Well I would see how the roads were at 10:00 and hopefully get to the office before 11:00. Being bored I dragged out the owner's manual for the Wrangler and when I got to the 4 wheel drive part. I jumped in the shower and dressed for work. Hell it was basically an off road vehicle so a few inches of snow would be no problem. It turned out the snow wasn't an issue but traffic was awful. I was glad to see that the parking lot was cleared off and that there were a lot of cars in the lot. I thanked security for the clean parking lot and noticed that the security procedure were the same but that they were in khakis and a blue polo shirt that left no doubt that they were security. I told them about the new ride and headed for the HR department. Maggi wasn't in and her secretary said she was snowed in. I laughed but asked for the applicants for Riley's position. Mike, they are in a locked file cabinet in her office. I told her that there were no locks that security didn't have a key for and that I needed that file by noon. By the time I got coffee and to my office security had the file open and the folder with applications were on my desk, I was impresses. Equally impressive was the pile of information on my desk about the PAAA. It was the last two budgets, the constitution and bylaws, the minutes from the last 4 Board of Directors' meetings and the mission statement. I set that all aside and started to look at the applicants. I picked 3 that I thought I could live with and made copies. Then I redacted the copies so that they were impossible to identify then made 5 copies of the redacted versions. I found Kyle and handed him the redacted applications and said I'll see you at 1:00 with your thoughts. Dillon, Tim, the Major and Liam were also given copies. I was most interested in the two budgets and the general income and expenses of the PAAA. It seemed like every year they took in a lot more than they spent. I circled football and basketball in both budgets and then looked at the other sports and it was obvious that the girls' sports barely broke even. I was sure they would mention that as they rebutted my income questions. All of a sudden there were 5 guys standing around the conference table. Nothing here seated 6 so I said pull up a couple of conference chairs and let's set here. Kyle immediately took over and asked how many applicants did we have? Well there were 8 in the file folder I had security get out of Ruth's office. Mike, are the other 5 applications available and I looked at him and said, yes. Kyle in my opinion those are the best 3 and if it's one of those 3 I will agree with what you 5 decide. I assume you guys have already discussed this so which one did you pick? I was handed an application and I looked at it and smiled. So what was the vote? I was told that they all agreed. I asked who knows who this individual is and Kyle responded only me. Kyle did you have difficulty convincing these guys? Dillon answered saying no and he didn't push. I went to my desk picked up the phone and told Amy that I needed to see her. I handed Liam the unredacted application and he looked and said awesome. I looked at Kyle and said tell Maggie she will get paid the same as Riley and there is no probation period. Well Mike, you will hear the explosion up here. Well that will teach her to stay at home because of some snow. With that done and Amy needing to find a replacement I asked if they had anything else to discuss. There were a number of issued that were minor and that would need Amy's attention so I asked Liam to work with her and get them resolved but understand she should not rely on you more than necessary. We chatted about our holidays and how Christmas should always be on a Wednesday. When Amy appeared she seemed shocked and said what can I do for all of you. I looked at Kyle and he nodded and said Amy have a seat. She looked around and went to the conference table an rolled over a chair. Kyle relayed in detail the process and the number of applications and said that we voted 5-0 to offer you the position. She said really I was sure it would be Liam. Amy, I was never an applicant and Mike said no to me on day one. I've been told that I am to be at your disposal for two weeks and then you are own your own and Kyle and Dillon will help you out. Ok guys, I have one final issue to discuss and that is the new buildings. I can't decide on an exterior for either the office building or the drone and robotics building. I would like to have a competition for the exterior design. Just renderings of the new buildings and my only requirement is that they have a office in the United States. Any thoughts? We will supply surveys and they can deal with the rest. I'm thinking announcements in every major publication and I'm betting I can get it on the ABC Evening News. Hell, the local media will eat this up and I'll hold a press conference on Monday. Kyle looked at Liam and said dude, this is where you ask for a raise. The Major was all in and would start right away and leak it tomorrow morning. Then I said, I'm leaving at 7:00 PM Thursday and there are two seats free on the plane, let me know if anyone wants to go. Tim, the Major and Liam were already going. The meeting ended and Amy and Liam went right to his office. I immediately went to the PAAA stuff and around 4:00 my office phone rang and someone said Mr. Simmons There is an Uncle Bill on the phone he says you are expecting his call. I laughed and said put it through. Bill immediately said how about I stop by your office around 4:30 and we can chat? Well how about w meet at South Hills at 5:30 for dinner. He said fine, I'll change and I laughed and said so will I and we hung up. The club was open for dinner only on Mondays and with a reduced menu. As a result the place was very quiet when I walked in at 5:30 and the manager said that my guest was already seated. Bill was already drinking and Jake asked what I was having and I asked for an Arnold Palmer. Jake nodded knowing that I wasn't drinking. Once my drink arrived Bill ordered shrimp scampi and I ordered a Caesar Salad with chicken. As soon as we were alone Bill apologized saying my sister is having a hard time letting go and my brother-in-lad might be one of the best bean counters around and he has a real knack for finding hidden money but he is a nerd. I laughed and asked, so what did you want to talk about as the rents highjacked your meeting? Well Mike, that homestead project is a go and I'm in charge but it will take a year to tear down the old mill and level the ground. Im looking at some freelance work to keep me busy. I took a sip of my drink and was looking at the snow covered golf course then smiled and said, I might have something but there are conditions. Bill can we talk next week, I have a big meeting in Harrisburg on Friday and I need to be ready. He said sure and we talked about our individual projects and local politics. The meals came and it turned into a quick dinner and I said call me on Monday and we can meet. It was a quick dinner and by 6:45 I was on my way home. I grabbed some gym clothes and left for the gym. This time it was a full workout and I was showered and home by 9:00. I spent the next three hours educating my self on the PAAA's approach to high school sports. At midnight I was ready to put pen to paper and start, well start Tuesday as I was exhausted. Thanks for reading and for the comments and please if you can find a way to make a donation to Nifty.org.