Thristy

Chapter Nine

For the past week, it has been very quiet. Jack and I have gotten closer since we have released all those demons inside that we were hiding from the world. Billy has been MIA that the police think that he may have skipped town and never attended the friend's wedding. I have been working from home to keep up with product sales and the release of the new product line.

I sat on Melissa's porch looking out at the lake as Jack stood in the doorway, “Hey there, Baby girl.” I smiled at him as I looked up at him, “Jack.” He looked at the lake, “What are you doing?” I winked at him, “At the moment, enjoying the view.” He laughed, “Before enjoying the view?” He walked over and sat next to me on the swing. I was plugging away on the laptop as he placed his arm around my shoulder and leaned over to my laptop, “Placing the place up for sale?” I nodded, “Just as a precaution.” I looked back at the house, “Melissa said I can stay here until I find a new place.” I looked at him and smiled, “My agent is already out there looking for a listing that fits what I want.”

He pulled me closer to him by my shoulders. “Tell me. What is your dream home?” I looked up at the sky, “It has to be near that water. Maybe on a private beach. But doesn’t need to be a mansion. I would like an indoor pool. That way we can go swimming all year long.” Jack lifted his eyebrow, “We?” I smirked, “Yes Jack. We. What is your dream home?” He smiled, “Indoor pool would not be a bad idea. Love the ocean. So, calming. I always wanted to live in a house that looked like a log cabin. Need to have four bedrooms.” He waggled his eyebrows, “That way we have rooms for kids.” I looked up at him, “Kids?” He nodded, “If that is what you want to have kids.” I shrugged my shoulders, “Maybe one day.”

He leaned over as he gave me a kiss on my cheek when my head started to think. “Kids. I don’t know. Jack is four years younger than me and I just hit thirty. I will be a good mom but… I am not feeling too well.” I placed my laptop on Jack’s lap as I ran into the bathroom. Jack lifted up from the swing, “Baby Girl, Are you okay?” He placed the laptop on the table then walked into the bathroom as he kneeled down to rub my back, “Wow. I didn’t think talking about kids would make you sick. We don’t have to have any if you don’t want them.” I lifted my head from the toilet, “No, I swear it is not that. I mean.” I took a deep breath, “I would like to have kids with you but like in a year or so.” He nodded his head, “I can agree with that.” He rubbed my back, “Remember if you don’t then we don’t have to. I want to be with you. With or Without kids.”

Once I was done puking up my stomach, I checked my email and yelled, “Jack.” He popped his head out on the porch, “Are you okay?” I shook my head as I laughed, “Sorry didn’t mean to scare you. Kim found a house that she said is perfect.” I smiled at him, “I would like for you to come with me to look at it.” He smiled, “Yes. I would love to.” I got up from the swing and wrapped my arms around his neck, “Great, I will tell Kim we are going to be on our way.” He smiled as I emailed Kim.

“WOW, it is on the ocean and looks like a log cabin.” He looked out of the windshield as we pulled up to the house. I smiled, “mmhmm, I gave Kim more ideas after we talked.” I looked over at the front door, “Here she comes.” We got out of the car as Kim walked towards, “Monica. It is always great to see you.” I smiled as she gave me a hug, “It is always great to see you, too.” She shook her head, “Still can’t believe you are selling the Mansion, that place was beautiful.” I bowed my head, “It was but unfortunately events happened that folded my hand into selling it.” She squeezed my arm, “I heard. How have you been handling things?” Jack walked up to my side as he placed his arm around my waist, “Oh Kim this is Jack.” She smiled at him as she shook his hand, “So this is the famous Jack that I have been hearing about.” He smiled back, “That is me.”

We went into the house and I can tell that Jack was already in love with it. We went from room to room. We looked at the indoor pool as Jack had a grin on his face. He looked out at the ocean from the pool sided as he nodded at me. We went to the wide-open kitchen as Kim looked at me, “You know this wasn’t easy to find. When you emailed me the details, I thought it was going to be impossible.” She opened her arms, “But I did it. Four rooms, three full bathrooms, Indoor pool, cabin styler with a guest house on the property.” She laughed, “I almost fainted when I got the listing for this. How do the two of you like it?” I looked around and smiled, “It is beautiful.” I looked at Jack and smiled, “Jack, how do you like it?” He smiled, “It's like this is a dream come true. I must say I am in love with it, Baby Girl.” Kim waggled her eyebrow, “Monica, you want to place a number down on it?”

I tilted my head, “I don’t know. What do you think, Jack?” He looked at me confused, “Me?” Kim looked at the two of us, “I will give you two a second. Just let me know.” She started to walk outside when she stopped at the door, “This will not last long. If you wanted it. I need to know by the end of the day. As of right now, You two are the only ones that have looked at it.” I smiled and nodded my head as she walked outside. Jack walked into the living room as he ran his finger across the top of the fireplace as I leaned up against the wall, “So? Talk to me. What are you thinking?” He sighed, “Baby Girl. Is this your way of asking me to move in with you?”

I walked over to him, “I know it is soon.” I looked down, “I feel that we have this connection that I can’t explain.” I looked into his eyes as I placed my hand on his arm, “It only feels right with you here with me. I know it is a lot. What do you think?” He smiled as he looked up at the ceiling, “One condition” I straightened up, “Name it.” He pulled me into him, “I do all the maintenance and I am allowed to cook breakfast every morning.” He waggled his eyebrows, “Naked.” I chuckled, “Are those your terms, Mr. Jack Jackson.” His face leaned towards mine, “They are.” I leaned forward so our lips are inches from each other, “I don’t know Mr. Jackson. You drive a tough bargain.” He laughed as he brushed his lips against mine, “I do.” His hand went up my back to my hair as he grabbed a bunch of hair then tugged it down, so my neck tilted and gave him access as he placed his lips on my neck. I gave him a moan as I whispered, “Well, Mr. Jackson. I think we have a deal.” I felt his lips turn into a smirk.

We jumped when we heard Kim come into the living room, “Okay, You two. Let’s get the paperwork done and get the sellers to agree on the amount so you two can break in your new home.” He smiled while not letting go of my hips as he gave me a nod. I looked over to Kim, “Make the call. We will take it.” She Smiled, “Great. Let’s get the paperwork done at the office and I will call the sellers on the way.” She turned towards the door, “Asking price, Monica?” I smiled as I looked into Jack’s eyes, “Of course.”

We followed Kim to her office as I started to feel sick again as Jack looked at me, “Hey there, you are looking a little pale.” I nodded my head, “Pull over.” I pointed to my phone as he pulled the car over, “Call Kim and tell her we will be a minute behind.” As soon as he stopped the car, I ran out behind a tree and allowed my stomach release. When I was done, I walked to the car when Jack leaned against the door of the passenger side. He held up a bottle of water and a piece of gum, “Bottle of water to rinse out your mouth and a piece of gum to freshen your breath. Baby Girl.” I smiled as I took the bottle of water, “What would I do without you?”

He smiled as he opened the door of the car then we were off to Kim’s office. We finished the paperwork and called Abby and Rick to meet us at Thirsty to celebrate. We felt that it was time to allow ourselves to get back at Thirsty since Billy had run off. Jack has been itching to get back to work also. We arrived at the club as we met Abby and Rick, “Abby!” She hugged me, “Monica.” We walked up to one of the VIP tables as the boys followed behind. We sat down when Jack started to rub my back, “You feeling, Okay?” I nodded my head, “Better since I let it all out. I'm just going to stick with water tonight just in case.” I shook my head, “I don’t want to mix drinks if my stomach is acting up.” He nodded in agreement as Leo walked up to the table.

He smiled, “Here are my four-favorite people.” Jack laughed, “We are your only people. Leo laughed and smacked Jack’s arm for him to move into the booth for him to sit next to him, “How have you been, Jack?” Jack smiled, “Good. I actually got good news that will get me out of your hair soon.” Leo leaned back and smiled, “Please tell me you are not quitting on me?” I chuckled, “Leo, don’t worry. I need some me time which means I will never allow him to leave you and this club alone.” Jack rolled his eyes and let out a laugh. He reached over my shoulders and pulled me into him, “You heard the lady. I am not quitting. I am moving out of the loft. Monica and I just bought a house.”

Leo shook his hand, “Congratulations. I was wondering how long it would take for the two of you to move in or have her move into the loft.” Leo’s face went serious, “I remember you saying that you had a little savings set up.” Jack leaned over to him, “Man, you are scaring me. I know the club is doing well. I do the bookkeeping and don’t think of hitting up my Baby Girl for money. You are out of your mind if you think you are.” Leo shook his head, “No. I would never dream of doing that. The club is doing well, very well.” Leo smiled at him, “I was offered to expand the brand. I had investors here and they would like to expand Thirsty to other states and even internationally.” Jack looked at him in confusion as Leo continued, “I was hoping that you could invest with me and I will let you have the Boston Site.” Jack looked at me, “What do you think, Baby Girl? Give me your professional option.” He smiled, “Should I hand over my last dollar over to this man?”

I looked up tilted my head, “I don’t know. It is a new business so there is a great risk.” I tilted my head to the other side, “It is doing extremely well for a new business. You also know the business inside and out.” I smiled at Jack, “You know your customer and you are good with them and with the vendors. I think you should go for it, but I have one condition.” 

Jack threw his head back in a laugh, “And what are your terms be, Baby Girl?” He lifted his eyebrow as I smiled, “My friends Abby and Rick drinks for free and once a month we do something for us. No businesses.” He leaned his head forward, “Baby girl, you drive a hard bargain.” I placed my hand on his leg then slowly gilded it towards the budge in his pants, “I do.” He started to blushed as Leo laughed, “You got it. Free drinks for the two best friends and once a month for a week, I am yours.” He grabbed my hand from going any further then looked at Leo, “I accept your offer.” Leo smiled, “Great. Come to my office tomorrow afternoon. I will have a contract written up for you.”  Jack smiled, “I will bring the checkbook.”

Leo got up from the table, “Let me get around for the four of you.” I held up my hand, “Water for me please.” Leo smiled, “You got it, Baby Girl.” Jack snapped his head giving Leo a sharp look as Leo threw up his hands, “Only Kidding, I wouldn’t dream of trying to steal the great Ms. Winters from you. That is a death wish coming to anyone that tries.” Jack leaned forward to him, “Don’t you forget it.” Leo left the area and went to give our orders to the waiters.

Abby leaned over to me, “What is the water thing about?” You never turn a good drink down.” I shrugged my shoulders, “My stomach has been off a little today.” She rolled her eyes, “Sure.” I snapped back at her, “What does that suppose mean?” She laughed, “Oh nothing or time will tell.” I lifted my eyebrow to wonder what she was trying to get at as she looked back at me, “What?” I shook my head, “Nothing or time will tell?” We laughed as Rick and Jack got up from the table as they looked over the club.

I could hear them whisper as I Rick placed his hand on Jack’s shoulders, “It is all yours, Now.” Jack nodded, “It is.” Rick chuckled, “Any room for a promotion?” Jack laughed as he whispered back, “You got it buddy. How about the Head of Security?” Rick smiled as he looked at Jack, “I will not let you down.” Jack looked over the club, “I know you won’t, Buddy.” Jack patted his hand on Rick’s shoulder. After a couple minutes of looking over Jack’s club they turned to lean up against the railing when Rick whispered something into his ear when Jack almost sip out his beer then looked at me weirdly.