CHAPTER THREE
The plane touches down. Fully awake now, I brace myself for the momentum of the brakes. When the plane taxis down the runway, I pinch the bridge of my nose and let the raw emotions that the dream left settle back down. Leaning my head back, pushing them down deep inside, not forgotten, but not harbored, I gain control. They are a part of who I am now. I take a deep cleansing breath.War fucking sucks balls, but Warriors win.
I unbuckle and visit the restroom. When I return, my food has been served. The flight attendant stands by the seat, smiling at me. "Mr. Moore, what would you like to drink? Coffee? Water? Or perhaps something else? We have Crown Royal in the freezer."
That makes me smile. It’s always nice when your preferred drink of choice is remembered. "I’m good with water. Thank you."
I spend the remainder of the flight to Vegas going over the architect’s plans for the farmhouse in Alabama and making notes on the changes I want. About an hour out, I text Kip to let him know.When the plane touches down, I’m caught up and ready to move forward.
Walking down the steps, I see Kip. He throws his hand up and I wave back.
When I arrive at his car, he shakes my hand and slaps my back in a bro hug. "Aurei, it’s good to see you, brother." He takes my bag and throws it in the trunk.
"Likewise, buddy."
Kip is not only my real estate agent, but he’s a close friend. When I first began investing in the real estate market in Vegas, he was a fireman dabbling in real estate remodeling on his off days. Kip showed me his first 'fixer-upper' and I negotiated with him to do the work. Since then, he manages my portfolio, buying and flipping fixer-uppers, while his wife manages my rental units.
"Bianca sends her love."
"How’s she doing?"
"Ornery as ever." Kip smiles.
"That’s why you’re still together. She don’t take shit off you."
Kip laughs. "True dat. She’s one tough little bitch."
I laugh. "Does she know you call her that?"
"Hell no! And don’t you go telling her either." He changes the subject. "So, do you want to do the house tour now, or do you want to go to your place first and rest. We’ll head to Been Jammin' around midnight. If Surreal is performing, we don’t want to miss her."
"I’m up for a tour now. I slept on the plane, but I want to be back to the house to see the sunset. I’ll meet you at Been Jammin'."
"Good deal. Let’s start with the latest purchases and we’ll work our way down the list." Kip gives me the rundown as he drives. "This last batch of remodels are almost ready to flip. I think this team of subs is doing a better job than the last one. I have a group of fifteen houses I’m putting together to show to some Japanese investors." We spend the afternoon looking at properties, crisscrossing blocks and suburbs.
When we’ve seen the last one, I ask him as he drives me back to my place. "Have you gone to Been Jammin' before?"
"Yeah. It’s a happening place. Have you been yet?"
"No, I haven’t. Tell me what you know about it."
"It’s the hottest gentlemen’s club in Vegas. I had to call in some favors to get us in tonight."
"Thanks for that. I appreciate it."
"Are you hoping to catch a Surreal Show? 'Cause they don’t announce them ahead of time."
"No. I was wondering if you are familiar with the dancers?"
He cuts his eyes at me and his eyebrows are raised. His voice is cautiously curious. "Somewhat. I’m not the regular I used to be since I hooked up with Bianca. She’s coming tonight, by the way. She insisted." He laughs and mimics her voice, making me laugh. "'You’ll be horny as hell within an hour and no one’s riding that hose but me.' But I know it’s really to see you."
I crack up at that, knowing it’s true and thankful it’s open between us. Kip and Bianca are into BDSM and belong to a private club. She has been determined to get me to join them for a threesome for a long time now, but I ain’t into that.
He chuckles. "She won’t stop you know."
I laugh. "I know, but it ain’t happening."
He laughs now too. "I keep telling her that if you haven’t already caved in to her, you aren’t going to, but she is a pitbull at heart."
