Chapter 31

On the drive to my house, Michael spoke up, "You handled that meeting very well, John. I said it before and I'll say it again, you don't act like you just came into money."

"I have a long background in Project Management. I've done scheduling, cost controls, and contract administration. I've worked on some very large projects. I just have never had to do it with my own money. I'll be hiring someone to look out for our investments in the same manner. I learned a long time ago, it's not what you know, but who you know that knows what you need," I replied.

"If you'll have me, I'd love to tag along on all your deals," he said.

"I think Eagle Investments will take on its own life," I said. "I don't know if Phil and Blaine feel the same way. If they want to get bought out in the future, I'll oblige them. In case you don't realize it, I can back this entire deal with only a part of my money."

"I guess I never thought of it that way," he said.

"I wanted to be a part of a venture. I wanted to get my feet wet slowly. I just didn't realize that McKenzie wanted my head wet as well," I joked.

We pulled into the entrance of my gated community and I talked to the guard on duty. I informed him that I was having a party and there would be many guests. Most of the guests knew to mention my name and party, but there may be some who won't know the procedure. I asked him to be gentle. He laughed and we drove on to my house. I pulled in the drive but could not get into the garage. Lena's car was in front of the door.

Michael said he would go get the keys. I waited until he came out and moved her car. My driveway would hold eight vehicles and the cul-de-sac would accommodate another six. I hoped this would be enough space.

Tamara greeted me at the gate, "How did it go?"

"After the orgy, we did manage to conduct some business," I said.

"You had an orgy and didn't invite me? You're cut off for five minutes. Then meet me in the bedroom!" she teased.

"Everything is going great. What about the party plans? Is there anything that I need to do?" I asked.

"Trish is handling everything like a professional. I'm really impressed with her," she added. "Cindy is in the kitchen helping her. Lena, Stephanie, and Christina are in there also."

"Okay then I'm going to go change," I replied and headed to my bedroom. I said hi to all the ladies bustling around the kitchen.

I had just taken off my pants when Tamara came in the bedroom. "Hmmm... can I have a little snack before the party?" she asked.

"Come here, you little vixen." I pulled her into an embrace and then kissed her very lightly. I teasingly gave her little kisses.

"I'm only kidding about the snack, but I love how you seem to always know what I need to feel and hear," she told me. "Actually, I wanted to ask your opinion of my attire for the evening."

She stepped back and undid the skirt wrap. She had on a relatively conservative one-piece swimsuit that was a halter-top style and opened in a V to just below her navel. It was sexy yet not too revealing. "You look beautiful. To paraphrase what you told me, you seem to always know the appropriate attire for the occasion. I love that you came into my life."

"Me too, John," she said. "I feel whole again."

"I'll feel your hole if you don't get out of here and let me get ready," I said and chased her out of the room.

I took out one of the swimsuit sets I had. You know the flowered suit with the matching shirt. I looked like the "tourist from hell" on Maui.

I walked back into the den when I saw Dee walk in. I went over and hugged her. I think she was the only one there who was more petite than Tamara. She was the same height, but didn't have the curves Tamara had. I would've guessed Dee was an A-maybe in the tit department, but she has sexy legs and was showing them off. I assumed she had her swimsuit on under a smock top.

Her crew brought in the food and I saw a couple of guys setting up a propane grill in the back. Dee spoke up, "I'm keeping two grillers and two servers. Is that enough?"

"Should be," I said. "I'm glad you could make it. By the way, make sure you party tonight. Let your crew chief handle things. You're here as my friend."

She hugged me and went over to the kitchen. I felt a pair of hands cover my eyes from behind. I assumed they belonged to a female and judging from the angle and pressure, she was taller than Tamara. I turned around and I saw it was Cat. She attended the University and worked part time for Dee. I hugged her and she said, "When Dee told me she was catering for you, I had to come."

Cat was a sexy twenty-year-old that had been the object of a few of my fantasies over the past two years. She is bubbly and extremely desirable. She had about ten pounds of baby fat that were in all the right places. I told her that she could join in the pool festivities after the catering part was over. She thanked me and went back to the kitchen. I watched her walk to the kitchen and felt another pair of hands cover my eyes.

I knew this was Tamara. I turned and she had an evil grin. "She wants you. And from the look in your eyes, you have the same desire."

"Yes and no. Cat is a great kid. I have known her for a couple of years. I feel like a lecherous uncle," I said with a little sad reality in my voice. "Baby, I love the ladies. I love to see a sexy lady walk by and wonder if she is as good as she looks. If I didn't think that way, you and I'd never have gotten together."

"I know, big boy. Remember, I've seen you in action. I have also seen you pass up opportunities to delve into your fantasies. You're my man; a very special man," she said and kissed me.

"What is this shit?" I heard from the patio door. I turned and saw Jerry standing there with a twelve-pack of Bud Light Pounders.

I walked over and greeted him, "Glad you could make it. Where's Steve?"

"He's parking the Explorer. Did you rent this place for the party?" he asked.

"I'll explain when Steve gets in here. Cat!" I called out.

Cat came over and I gave her Jerry's beer. Jerry grabbed two before she took them to the kitchen. Steve walked in as Cat turned away.

"Damn!" Steve said. "Who is that?"

"That's the hired help and my adopted daughter!" I said. "Keep your tongue in your mouth. Come on out to the pool. We need to talk."

I grabbed an MGD out of the cooler on the patio and headed to the backside of the pool.

"Grab a seat," I said as I motioned them to the chaise lounges.

"What did it cost you for this party?" Jerry asked. "What's the occasion? Are you trying to impress Tamara?"

"Whoa boy," I said. "Give me a second and I'll explain."

"Do you realize that I have never been to either of your apartments? Nor have you ever been to mine. We have always met somewhere to do whatever," I said.

Jerry said, "My place isn't exactly the Ritz. After I separated from my wife, I found a place to hang my hat. I can live there but I wasn't comfortable entertaining there."

"Exactly," I said. "This house is mine."

"You're shitting me!" Jerry and Steve said almost at the same time.

"I wouldn't shit you two. You're my favorite turds!" I shot back.

"Do you remember last year when a local won the lottery?" I asked. "It was me."

"And we bought you beer?!?" Jerry said.

"I also bought you beer as well. It was my tab that you got drunk on a few times," I said. Jerry nodded and so did Steve.

"I wasn't trying to make you think I was poor. I just didn't want money to be a factor for our friendship. Trish didn't know until she had the problems with Jim," I said.

"So this is where she and Stephanie have been staying?" Jerry asked.

"Yes, and I asked her not to tell you," I said, "for several reasons, but mainly because I know how you feel about her and I didn't want you to get stupid, especially after your DUI incident."

Jerry almost started crying, "John, I really appreciate you getting me a lawyer and getting me out of jail. I figured I was going to have to sit in there for quite a while." He reached out his hand and we shook. Guys just don't hug that often and Jerry wasn't one to show affection to guys.

Steve rescued us, "So, John, how much money do you have?"

"I really don't want to talk about that but suffice it to say, that my kids' kids are going to be comfortable." I said.

"Wow!" he said.

"Very few people knew before I got together with Tamara. I was leading a dual life; I didn't like it," I said. "I need you guys in my life. Just the way it was before I came into the money."

"That hurts," Steve said. "It's like you couldn't trust us."

"Not at all," I said. "Look at Jerry. Every time one of us would come into extra money, he would say, 'Buy me a beer.' Every relative hit me up when they found out. Even a few long lost friends from Texas called me; for everything from money for dental work to wacky investment schemes."

"Okay, you sold us," Steve said. "So where are the wild women and dancing girls?"

"Here's to friends," Jerry toasted. We clinked the beers and got up and walked back to the den.