6. Ian
Chapter 6
Ian
I heard Rick from accounting make plans with Mia and, for some strange reason, my blood began to boil before Mia reminded me that Rick has a life partner. What the hell is wrong with me lately? Ever since I met her yesterday, she’s been on my mind and I’m feeling this strange possessive feeling over her.
“What’ll it be?” Steph, the bartender at Hooplas, asks me as I sit down at the bar.
“Beer, please.”
“You got it.”
Hooplas is owned by five of my lifelong friends. Actually, there are twelve of us that basically grew up together, but five of them went into this bar and grill business called Hooplas. It’s only been open since March, but the place has been packed almost every night.
I’m glad I invested when I did. Anything I can do for these guys, I will. They are some of the most irritating and obnoxious men I’ve ever known, but they’re true friends that call me out on my shit whenever I need it. Whatever they need, they get because I know they’d do the same for me, too.
When you have the kind of money I do, it’s hard to find someone that’ll call you out when you need it. Most people feel like they need to agree with everything I say. My parents give me shit, my brother gives me shit, and these eleven guys give me shit. They all keep me grounded and I love every single one of them for it. Most days.
“Dude, sorry I’m late. I got caught up at the office.” Garrett says, slapping me on the back as he sits on the barstool next to me.
“No worries, man. I just got here.” Steph brings me my beer. “Thank you.”
“Can I get one of those when you come back this way?” Garrett asks her.
“Of course. Coming right up.” She walks down the bar and brings him back a beer. “Here you go. Let me know when you’re ready for another one.”
“Will do, Steph. Thanks.” Garrett takes a big gulp of his beer. “So, tell me about this deal you’ve got brewing.”
Garrett, like Sawyer and I, was raised with family money. His parents and ours wanted all of us to be down-to-earth people that understood the value of hard work and what it takes to earn our way in life. They sent us to public schools, gave us chores, and held us accountable for our idiotic actions. If they hadn’t done any of that, we all probably would be just like the trust fund kids you see in the tabloids and online. Or worse.
Instead, the three of us have more money than we could ever need and the work ethic to prove it. Plus, we never would have become friends.
“I was out in the Bahamas over the weekend with Sawyer and Dad and saw this real estate opportunity. It’s an old resort. I thought I could transform it back to a high-end resort.”
Garrett looks at me. “How much is it?”
“Three million.”
“Okay… I don’t understand what you’re asking me. Sounds perfect. Buy it, renovate it, and market it as utopia in the Atlantic Ocean. What’s the problem?”
“The problem is that the only people on the island used to work for the resort, but since it closed, they’re living in absolute poverty. The owner of the island for sale only wants to sell the resort island, not the neighboring islands. I need you to work some of your magic to help get him to sell me the surrounding islands.”
“Why?” Garrett’s interested now because that’s his forte… negotiations. It’s how he’s made his billions. People call him in when they have a sensitive or difficult negotiation to get done. He’s the best there is, and I use him whenever I can.
“The guy owns three other islands, and I’d like to connect them together. I want to not only redevelop the resort, but basically create a town for the staff. Schools, parks, entertainment… the works. Give them a better life so that they want to work at the resort.”
Garrett nods his head, and I can see him processing all that I’m telling him. He’s trying to see my vision.
“I think that if I can create some infrastructure, the workforce for the resort will be self-fulfilling. Happy employees make happy customers.”
I watch him take a sip of his beer. “This is pretty ambitious, you know that, right?”
Nodding, “Yep, but completely doable. I’d use Sawyer’s company to do the redevelopment of the resort and the people of the islands to do the infrastructure.”
“What’s the timeline you’re looking to get this completed?”
I take a deep breath, “Well, if I can get all four islands, resort island included, by the end of this year,” I look around the bar, but I don’t really see anything as I’m calculating dates in my head. “…maybe have everything done in five years. Although, I’d want the resort island and at least housing on another island done within the first year. That way, the employees aren’t living in shacks and the resort will then help fund the rest of the infrastructure.”
Steph comes by with two more beers and takes away our empty bottles as I let Garrett do what he does… think.
“It’s a good plan although, how are you planning on paying for the initial investment?”
“If I can get all four islands, then this deal with Sutherland in New York will be a positive cash flow to Gallo Enterprise’s bottom line.”
Garrett nods, “Sounds like a solid plan. Different from what you usually do, though. Why?”
I shrug. “Just seeing how the island people were living really bothered me. I don’t know why the resort failed, although I suspect there were management issues and the hurricane that came through a few years ago damaging the structure didn’t help. There’s a real opportunity here to make a difference and to make some money.”
Garrett nods, “Sounds like a great opportunity. Have Mrs. Wilcox send the information over to my assistant and I’ll get started on it.”
“Will do.”
“On one condition, though.”
I look at him expectantly.
“I want in.”
That took me by surprise. “Really? Why?”
He shrugs as he drinks his beer. “Diversification, my friend. Diversification.” He looks at me and smiles.
“Okay, then. You’re in, but you need to work your magic because the seller keeps telling me he’s not interested in selling all four islands; only the one with the resort.”
“You leave that to me. Everyone has a price.” He laughs.
He’s not wrong there.
“What are you assholes doing here?” Elijah asks as he slaps the both of us on the back.
“Dude, where have you been lately? I haven’t seen you in weeks.” Garrett asks Elijah as we all shake hands.
Elijah has a beard, which wasn’t there the last time I saw him.
“Working undercover down south.” He scratches his face, and I can hear his whiskers. “I’m just waiting for one more arrest before I can shave this face blanket off.”
“Can you talk about it yet?” I ask, because I’ve always been curious about his cases.
He shakes his head. “No, not yet. Just suffice it to say, just say no to drugs.” He waves down Steph. “Can I get one of those?” He points to our beers.
She nods and brings him a beer.
“Thanks, love.” He drinks almost half the beer. “God, that tastes good. So, what are you two up to these days?”
“Nothing as exciting as you.” Garrett says. “Did you hear Hudson has a real for real date tomorrow?” Garrett can be worse than a teenage girl when it comes to gossip.
“Please tell me it’s not with that skank, Renee. Please.”
“Nope, not according to Kane. Some coffee shop owner.”
“Good. I always hated that chick he was dating. Hope this one isn’t like the last one.” Elijah says distractedly as he watches three women walk in the front door. “Gotta go. I believe I’ll be needed wherever those lovely ladies will be.” He gives us a stupid grin and walks over to them.
“What a dog.”
I nod in agreement with Garrett, but secretly I’m thinking about Mia and wondering what she’s doing right now. Hopefully, not out with someone like Elijah.
What is my problem?