Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2021 20:42:48 +0000 (UTC) From: Mike Simmons Subject: It was always about the bets 260 I thanked Amy and went in the conference room and sat down. Dad said Mike, I know you would rather have gone out to eat but since I'm buying I get to decide? I laughed and said well I'm more than capable of buying lunch. Dad had ribs and he had ordered me a chicken salad and we started to eat. Mike, I have the feeling you are pissed at me? Dad, not at all simply confused as you are different. Mike, we are both different. I have this baby coming and you are so fucking busy you have a hard time relaxing, I'm just trying to help with that. Dad you drop hints and leave me to figure them out, how does that help me relax? Mike, I'm letting you know I'm paying attention and that I'm here to help and yet letting you run the show. Damn Mike, when was the last time you had bad press? I laughed at that and said well that would be this morning and it was a shit show. I messed up a couple of plays and I asked coach if I could just work out? He agreed and sent JJ along so I would not be too intense. We continued eating and dad asked so I take it you are not ready to talk about yesterday's lunch. I said that's correct. It is worth a lot of money and naturally very complicated. So Mike, you would actually turn down a couple of million because it is complicated? Dad , I'm not sure and it isn't a couple of million. Well Mike, once you get into it you will see that it is and you will never have to think about Standard Properties again, just rake in the money. I finished the salad and said dad, can you just be my dad for a while and not my business advisor? Michael, I am always your dad first. I said I know. We then talked about football, my girl friend, flying and he was not thrilled about jets. I laughed and said well I could be home in 90 minutes and 20 of that would be in a car. Then we talked about Megan and the baby and Cole and it was nice to do all that and it took longer that either of us expected. When we were finished it was hugs and back to work issues. In my office I scheduled a meeting with Tim for first thing in the morning. I checked with Maggie and she said Hillgrove would be there at noon and she said she had also alerted Tim. I said thanks and realized it was time to get to practice. At school, I was at my locker and Josh came up and said, what the fuck was that yesterday? Josh, I had a bad practice as I simply couldn't focus and Coach took me out. We talked about it and as I wasn't going back in, I asked if I could work out. He sent JJ along to make sure I didn't go overboard. So Mike, will that work for the rest of us? I smiled and said, I don't know and pulled my shoulder pads over my head. On the way to the field I found Josh and said dude, your right, won't happen again. Josh smiled and said dude, I was just saying no one is special. I put my arm around him and said, it never hurts to ask and he laughed. So Josh, we good? He said yup, just doing my job as a captain and learning from the master. Practice was long and we ran the plays in this week's playbook over and over. Jim was looking good but never more than medium long passes and JJ was doing a slow burn. Wyatt was simply running the plays he was given and gave no indication that all these short and medium passes bothered him. It was a good practice and mistakes were rare. I was sure we were ready but it all depended on the Quarterbacks and if defense could stop their run game. There was nothing left to do as tomorrow was a quick film review and special teams. As usual we gathered together before leaving the field and I said guys, all the hard work is done and many of us know how hard it is to wait and how much the tension will build. Make sure you all get enough rest. Then I yelled ONE FOR ALL and they responded ONE FOR ALL. The locker room was quiet but very business like. Then I noticed Wyatt in the coaches office. I saw a tense conversation that was more serious than nasty. I saw Wyatt stand up and when he left I saw a slight smile. I jumped into the shower and was almost dressed when Wyatt asked if I could ride him home. I said sure and we started to the car. I put the roof down and we started for his place. It was actually close enough that we could have walked, taking a short cut through the Country club. Wyatt laughed when I pulled into my driveway and I said, I'm guessing you want to talk. We went inside my place and I went to the refrigerator and was pleased to see someone had it filled up. I tossed Wyatt a bottle of water and grabbed one for me as well. I joined him on the love seat and asked, what's up? Mike, my grandfather and I break down plays for fun and I'm sure our game plan is way too conservative. They will run the ball all night and limit our opportunities. Ok Wyatt, why are we so conservative? He smiled and said because Jim can only throw accurately about 20 yards and the sideline passes are out. Wyatt, what do you think about that? Mike he is a senior and a past winner, he deserves a chance. Wyatt what did you and coach talk about? Mike that was his meeting and I need you and JJ to look at three plays that are not in this weeks book. Coach told me to be ready to play the second half. He figures it will still be close and we will need to open things up. Wyatt that's just nuts and with those plays the line needs to know and this secret shit is stupid. Mike, I'm talking to the linemen at some point tomorrow. Only Jim won't know and when I call those plays, I'll be blasted by the coach. So you are trying to protect Jim's ego? He simply said, that's what coach wants to do. Personally, I think Jim knows he isn't up for a full season. I want him to have what he can get. I'll have a lot of time to do my thing. Wyatt, tell coach Jim is a big boy and man up and tell him where he stands and I would bet Jim knows. I asked if he was ready to get home and he said well, one mor thing. I laughed and said Wyatt the visit from Coach B was a meet and greet. He is interested and yet he knows there will be a ton of people after you. I chose VT because of their Computer Science program and their willingness to partner with CMU. Then there is the coach as with everyone wanting me he would push back and let me know where I stood. You should make no decisions this early and just feel your way. He laughed and asked have you been talking to my dad? I said yup but not about you. He said thanks for the talk and I can walk home from here. I shrugged and said enjoy the evening. Once I was alone, I called the coach and said I just had a nice conversation with Wyatt and while I'll do what is being asked, I think it is bullshit. Jim already knows what's up and it will be best if you simply treat him like an adult. He will his playing time and hopefully two metals. Coach just laughed and said Mike, Jim knows and the person out of the loop is Wyatt as this is a statement game and I need him preoccupied with doing something nice. Thanks for the call and level with JJ. I simply said good night shaking my head. I called JJ and told him the entire story. When I told him the three plays he yelled THANK YOU JESUS. I laughed and said well I'll pass that along. JJ laughed and said good night. Damn, it seems like even JJ is getting into game mode. I spend about 30 minutes reviewing the playbook. The rest of the evening was thinking about my meeting with Tim tomorrow. I was still unsure about what the final decision would be about proceeding. A lot would depend on Tim and I was taking my time about this. What I was sure of after thinking about it was that I was not taking the meeting with Hillgrove. I didn't want him thinking he had the upper hand as I was sure he knew what was going on. Once that was a settled as much as possible, I went looking for Cole. I went right to what was my old room and knocked on the door and heard MJ, just come in. Inside the room was a total mess and I threw some clothes off one of the leather chairs and sat down. So how was golf? He laughed and said I shot 34 (2 under) with a three putt. At least the coach concentrated on others. He did spend a good bit of time watching me play from a ways off. MJ he is becoming a believer. Cole is that important to you? He simply laughed and said not at all. I asked about Jessica and he smiled and said really looking forward to Sunday. So who is the 4th? I shrugged and said most likely Mary Ann and we will see if the relationship survives. Do you want to fly up or drive? Wow would you actually fly up? I said yes and I see about the plane and will a 9:00 tee time it will be wheels up at 7:00. He said fine and I asked if AP was aware of the visit and he said yes and there will be a late lunch or early dinner. I said great and left for my place. Thinking about the golf, Saturday would be Wyatt, me, Josh and Sean and I had a 9:00 tee time at both courses. Sunday would be Cole and Jessica and Mary Ann and me. I thought I better ask Mary Ann about that. I called and got a hard time about calling two days in a row. I said Cole and Jessica would like us to fly to Latrobe for golf and dinner. She hesitated for a second and said shit I'll have to shop for clothes. I laughed and said wheels up at 7:00. Great, I'll be there and have a great game Friday. Are we going to the Tavern and I said well if we win. With that we said good night. With tomorrow set in my mind and the weekend all organized I was ready for bed. Being ready for bed and being able to sleet are sometime two different things and that was the case tonight this time it was Jim that had me awake. I was feeling so sorry for him. He is a good dude and this not only ruins his senior high school year but any chance of playing college ball. That made me realize that we all are an injury away from not playing. I knew I couldn't let that stay in my head, just play hard and it will be what it becomes. I tossed and turned all night and even woke check the time and fell back asleep. I must have settled into a deep sleep as the alarm woke me but I was tired and in an ugly mood, I put coffee on and took a longish shower. Once I was dress and had some coffee in me I started to feel better. Not wanting to be late, I threw my coffee cup in the dishwasher and filled my travel mug and was off to a very uncertain day. On the way to work I realized that it wasn't Jim, although that was sad, of a possible injury it was this potential project and that I had no sense of it and what would be involved. It wasn't that complicated building two buildings but there was a lot of help. On this it would only be Tim and possibly Hillgrove. At the office I immediately called Maggie and informed her that her and Tim would be dealing with Hillgrove and that I didn't want him to get the impression that he had the upper hand. She said fine and that it was actually a good idea. I went to the cafeteria and got my third cup of coffee and back in my office I found Tim waiting. We chatted for a while and then I moved to the first of three topics on my agenda which was Hillgrove. I asked Tim if he and Maggie would take the meeting with him. That I wanted to send him a message that this was not a negotiation and that while he was welcome back it would be at the same terms as before and that he would have a free reign with hires and approach. Tim and I however would have approval before and deal was final. Tim suggested a monetary value on that and I said that I knew there had to be some give and take on that. Tim, I would need to approve the purchase of pens and paper. Tim just laughed. He had no problems with that approach as I should only be involved in personal hires, like an assistant. Tim, this Highmark thing has been driving me nuts as I have no feel for it. Tim looked right at me and said YES YOU DO! Break it down to its components. I said property acquisition, design and construction. I stopped and was thinking and Tim said Mike, that's it. All that is subject to Highmark approval. So we get Standard Property up and running, interview 3 architects, major firms, set up a construction company and ask Allen to run it and shove the details down Rocco's throat as he is back as Union President. Tim smiled and I asked how much money can we make? He said commissions on the 5 purchases, Highmark pays the architects, we bill them for the construction costs and labor and 1.5 for our time I would say 2.5. I was liking what we were discussing and I asked, so Tim how did an all morning meeting take 45 minutes. He laughed and said Mike, we are all doing that to you. Your dad started it dropping a hint and you laser in and it happens. You are just so busy you just need a jump start. I smiled and said, just so it works. Mike, we all understand the pressure you are under and you have so many compartments you store thing in you don't realize the pressure. You deal with shit and put it out of your mind and dude, be careful as there is a lot of compartments in your head. Tim, I know and I view them as boxes. Mike it is great that you understand that. Now if you don't mind I need to try to get on the same page with that nut Maggie. I found that hysterically funny. Tim left and I chatted with Amy for a minute and in my office I called Jim. I asked how he was and he laughed and said well I'm on my way to the doctors and I'm about 75% and I think you know that. What's with the doctor? MJ, just a follow up and I'll start but Wyatt better be ready. Jim, is there a fix for this? MJ, the fix is dangerous and I could have useless right arm and football isn't worth the risk. Jim, I asked that very question last night, is it worth it, I have had one concussion last year. Mike, we all thought you were dead. Jim, so basically you can't hurt it and it it hard to fix? Jim simply said correct. Well Jim, I'll see you tonight and we hung up. I immediately starting to look at architects knowing it had to be top firms and very large. I decided to pick 5 forms and have Tim review them and have Highmark select three for proposals. I had three firms for sure and was looking for the others when Tim knocked on the door and took a seat. I laughed and asked, going that well? Tim shook his head and said well he had demands and Maggie and I said no. What's going on is that I'm checking with you. Well if I can get you out of your meeting. I laughed and said, you two are running this show. Tim said well if he comes back it's on the same financial terms as the first time. Tim, tell him I said to work harder and make more money as there is no cap. Tim smiled and said good point. He sat there for about 5 minutes chatting and then went back to the meeting. I couldn't stand it any longer as the length of that meeting was silly. I started for the conference room when Amy stopped me and said, Kyle is looking for you. I laughed and said well he hasn't been looking very hard and thanks for not sending me to my room but are right, I shouldn't go in. Amy, have a great weekend and I'll see you Monday. With that I drove home. I only had an hour so I poured an iced tea and opened a bag of COMBOS, my favorite snack, and just enjoyed the air conditioning. I really hated Thursday practice as it was tee shirts and helmets and going over special teams. That simply resulting in me standing around. I did like the film reviews of the opposition. The hour flew by with no word from Tim so I simply drove to school. At school I walked into a tense locker room as the game was weighing on all of us and special teams slots would give people a chance to play. We started with the Kickoff slots and it was almost all Juniors and a few sophomores and the mystery kicker kicked everything into the end zone. When we got to kick return JJ was back as a return guy on kickoffs. I chuckled when JJ was the return guy on punts? On the way inside he came up to me and said, shit I'll never come off the field. I laughed and said just deal with it and you will get more offers. Hell the military schools might even show an interest. JJ found that hysterical. Inside with the films there were only a few plays that coach wanted to stress. We talked in depth about the play with the TELL. Coach said he agreed it was a set up. We decided to play it like we knew the play and if the first time was the set up coach asked JJ to play it safe and run it down. JJ said he could do that if he wasn't too tired from all the special team assignments. Everyone laughed and that was good. Once we were done I skipped the shower and drove home. At home I locked the door and took a long hot and relaxing shower. I dried off turned the AC to make it chilly. Then I grabbed a couple of covers and jumped into bed nude. Everyone knew it was game day and to leave me alone. PLEASE!! contribute to the continuing operations of the Nifty Erotic Stories Archive website using a credit card or other methods of donation, we encourage our supporters to make a donation to the Nifty Archive Alliance. Please consider doing this, it is important. THANKS FOR READING AND THE COMMENTS