I'll Come out Fighting

Chapter 4

Ryder

When you find out that your Uncle is not well and is needing help at his branch of the family business, you have to man up and help. I’m Ryder Jacobson of Jacobson Construction, a family run business for the last forty plus years. The company was started by my grandfather and his brother and they in turn left the business to my father and his three brothers.

Over the years they have expanded and now have three different branches all over the country. I currently work at my dad’s branch, but I am having to go and help my Uncle Harry out at his branch. He has been diagnosed with cancer and will be getting treatment. Uncle Harry never had any children of his own, so he has no family to pass his branch down to.

My oldest brother Matthew is not keen on moving to the other city to take it over as he has just got married and has a kid on the way. I, on the other hand, have nothing stopping me from moving.

This is what the meeting is about. My move to the other side of the country. I’m looking forward to it, a new adventure.

“When will I be moving?” I ask my father, Uncle Frank and Uncle Harry who are present in the meeting along with my brother and cousin from Uncle Franks side of the family.

“As soon as possible. Things are running fine at the moment, but they need to have some sort of boss there to over see everything. We can get an apartment for you in the next couple of days” Uncle Harry says. He really does look ill.  “It will be a permanent move. I will be retiring as of next month.” He announces.

“Ok. I appreciate the opportunity Uncle Harry and I promise I will keep your legacy going for years to come” I say as I give him a man hug and handshake.

After the meeting me and my dad sit and discuss me moving. I may be nearly 25 year’s old, but I have always stayed at home. I started to look at places a few months back, but my dad persuaded me to hold off. It was almost like he knew this was coming, like he predicted that I would be moving.

In a way I am pretty thankful that this move is happening now. I have lived in this city all my life and I am bored now. All the decent chicks are either engaged or married, you could say I am a bit of a player. I don’t do commitment, I sleep around and get my fill with most of the chicks around here. I do love it when the tourists come in the summer months though. Nothing beats a bit of foreign p***y.

The last few days have been a bit mental between packing my stuff from my room and finishing things off on the office. I’ve had to leave a few projects to my brother to finish off for me, I won’t be here to see them through. I move onto my new apartment next week and I can not wait.

Moving to a town only knowing a handful of people is a bit crazy sometimes. It is all I really know though. My parents always moved around with business, so I have lived pretty much everywhere. I have been here a few times before and when dad told me I was going to be fully in charge of this project I jumped at the chance.

I have been working under my father since I left University, it is a family business after all and not just my parents working for the same firm. I mean all my family, uncles and Aunties and cousins all have something to do with the business.

We are one of the biggest construction firms in the country and we just keep getting bigger and bigger.  I have just finished a meeting at the office with all the managers from different departments and we are heading to an Italian place along the road from the office for some much needed food.

“So you settle into your apartment then Ryder” my mate, Aaron asks.  I nod my head as I sip my beer.

“Yeah, did that over the weekend. Was planning on going clubbing and leaving it, but my folks turned up on Saturday afternoon and didn’t leave until it was too late to go out.”  I tell him as a stunning woman walks into the restaurant.  What a vision she is. Curvy and I am hoping au-natural, I don’t do fake anything, apart from hair colour. I don’t mind if they have fake hair, but the body is a definite no.

We sit and chat while we eat but I just can’t take my eyes of that stunner. I really hope the guy she is with is not her boyfriend. They don’t seem to be acting like they are on a date, maybe it’s a brother.  She has her back to me and I am so desperate to see her smile again.

When she walked in and was speaking to the owner of this place, her smile was stunning. A genuine smile, one of those ones you just can’t help but smile back.  Oh, s**t. She is walking this way. Oh bloody hell, she is sexy and hot. I want her. I see her checking out the table, but she hasn’t made eye contact yet. Just as she pushes the door open for the bathrooms, she makes eye contact with me, I give her my signature smirk and she just walks away. Not fazed by it all. What the hell?  That has never happened before, normally chicks giggle and blush with this smirk.

The guys I’m with so called mates, are all laughing. 

“What the f**k?” I whisper yell at them.  They keep at it the whole time we finish our drinks and get ready to leave.

“Your charms clearly didn’t work on her, you might need to work harder next time.” Aaron elbows me in the side as we walk past the table she was sitting at with that guy.  He is watching us from the corner of his eye, chuckling to himself. I wonder if he saw me eyeing her up earlier.  Never mind, won’t matter anyway. Doubtful I’ll see her again.

We head to the pub next Antonio’s for a quick drink before we all head home.  We only stayed for one drink, and it wasn’t even that nice, almost tasted like it had been watered down, the pub is a bit of a dive being honest, it wouldn’t surprise me.  I was kind of hoping JJ’s was going to be open, I’m throwing a function there as a sort of welcome and a chance to meet and greet all the staff from the business.

“Does JJ’s not open on a Monday?” I ask Aaron as we head out and go to the car which is parked at the back of JJ’s.

“Nope. Monday is the only night it is shut.  Thursday to Sunday are the days you want to go there. The place is bouncing all the time. It’s a bloody amazing place” he goes on to tell me as we reach the parking lot and there she is.  The stunner from the restaurant with that same guy. They are standing talking beside a black Z4, not my style of car but whatever floats your boat.

The guy leaves her as he heads to the back of the club, I see him going inside. He must be the owner then.  I wonder if I can get to chat to this chick while he is away.

 “Hi” I say from a few steps away, not wanting to scare her completely. The guys I’m with keep heading to the car, leaving me alone with this stunner.  She only nods her head, but hell she is a beauty.

“Can I help you?” oh my god that voice, it sends shivers down my spine.

“Yeah, do you know they owner of this place, is that the guy that just went in the back door there?” I ask pointing to the door where that guy went.

“The guy, Jeff, is the manager. The owner of JJ’s is a female, seemingly a bit of a b***h. Why do you ask?”  Female owner, nice. She doesn’t seem to be too keen on chatting, I wonder if that Jeff guy is her boyfriend then.

“It’s just I’m new in town and I have a function booked in here on Friday, was just wanting to check if everything was organised as I was in the area.”    Lame Ryder, Christ. You can do better than that.  She again just nods her head.

“Here you are” Jeff hands her a phone. She says goodbye and leaves. Well that’s my chance blown.

“You alright there mate?”  This Jeff dude asks me.  I nod my head

“Yeah, is that your girlfriend?”  might as well find out myself. Seeing as she just left

“Ah. No. She is not. She is my best friend and business partner of sorts. I wouldn’t waste your time pal. She won’t be interested.”  Oh she will be interested she just doesn’t know it yet. 

“You the manager here though yeah, I’ve got a function booked on Friday just wanted to check seeing as I was passing If everything is organised for it?”  get back to business, you will find out more about that girl later.  She maybe works here as a barmaid.

“Yeah, Jayne ordered the extra drinks you asked for in your email today and catering was sorted as well”  he tells me. Jayne must be the owner then.   We chat a little longer then he heads of saying something about a night with two chicks.  OK man, too much information.

When I get to my car Aaron is standing shaking his head, clearly finding it amusing that the stunner just up and left, immune to my charm. Its early days. I’m not writing it off just yet.

My first week in charge here has actually been not too bad. I met a few clients that we are still in the process of finishing of the construction and they seem happy with the job that has been getting done.  I’ve had meetings with the design teams who are trying to get up to speed with the new site that starts next month.

I will say that my Uncle was not thinking straight when he hired some of the staff, not a single one of them under the age of thirty and they are all either married or just not worth my time. Meaning not a single female to flirt with to make my days go better.

I’m just finishing off some paperwork in my office when Aaron pops in to catch up. Aaron is a project manager and is in and out of the office all the time. He visits all the sites to make sure things are running well. He is the same age as me and we hit it off great when I come here for meetings before my Uncle fell ill.

“You all set for tonight?”  he asks as he sits in the chair opposite my desk

“Yeah, can’t wait. I need a good night out. Been stuck in here or my apartment all week” I tell him as I finish up and switch off my laptop getting it put away in my bag.  “Heading home now to get some food and shower and change for tonight. You still coming tonight yeah?” I say to him as we head out of my office.

“Night Rosie”  I say to my secretary, my forty year old secretary. See not a single person for me to bang in this office.

“Night Mr Jacobson”  she replies, with her motherly tone. Oh god. I need to hire a new, prettier and younger secretary.

“Hell yeah.  I’m telling you JJ’s is the best place to be at the weekends. It never gets boring and the bar staff are well fit”  he chuckles as we head downstairs to the parking lot.

“if you say so. I’m sure Mia will love to hear you talking like that. I know a few of the older members of staff weren’t too keen on the venue”  I say to him once we reach our cars.

“Yeah, but the function rooms are amazing though, just like a small hall with a bar. They can’t complain really. Wait and see and I bet they will end up loving it”  he tells me as he waves me off and I head home.

Walking into an empty apartment after a long week at work is not the greatest. I may be nearly 26 years old, but this is the first time I have lived on my own.  Kind of missed my parents a little.

I definitely need to get a chick back here, get the rooms christened.  I’m kind of hoping to maybe bump into that little stunner from the other night. I really should have asked for her number or at least her name or something. I don’t normally have to chase after a chick, not blowing my own trumpet but I’m a good looking guy. Tall, a well-toned body and my package is big, if you know what I mean. Just thinking about her gives me a boner. Her smile is amazing and her curves, hell, I want my hands on her so bad.

I know I’m sounding like a total creep, but it’s been nearly three weeks since I got any. Just been too busy moving into my new place and settling into the office. The days I’ve been here I’ve not seen one single bit of ass that would be worth my time. My mate Aaron has lived here all his life and he knows where all the hot girls hang out and this club, JJ's is seemingly the place to be.

Aaron may be married but he is my wingman until I get settled in this town. His wife works in the office, she is a designer and probably the only good looking chick in the office at that.

I need to get a move on now. Got an hour til this function. Sounds a bit lame but we kind if all need it. Since my uncle has been ill the office turned into a bit of a mess. They need this night to know that I’m here to take over and sort all the issues out. I’m looking forward to taking this branch further, obviously with the help from the staff. They have all been loyal to my uncle, I just hope their loyalty sticks with me.

I arrive at JJ's just before 630pm, I want to make sure everything is going as planned and it might give me a chance to find that stunner I’ve been thinking about all week.

Walking into the club, the atmosphere is just like any other bar. There’s no loud music, not many punters either. I suppose it may be a bit early for the clubbers to be out.  I spot Jeff behind the bar, with a few other workers.

“hey Jeff, everything ready for tonight?” I ask him as he shakes my hand.

“Sure is Mr Jacobson, I’ll take you up now. The caterers have just arrived and are setting up. The doorman will show your guests up as they arrive. You’ll have two bar staff at all times but if there are any issues just come find me" he tells me as he leads me upstairs and through a set of double doors.

This place is massive. Pretty much a three leveled building. Half way up the stairs, to the right it leads to the VIP area and what looks like an office at the left. At the top of the stairs there is two sets of double doors.

“Excellent.  Thanks Jeff.” I say as I shake his hand before he leaves.   I head inside, seeing the caterers in the little kitchen area, I check on them before getting myself a drink.  The young female bartender is cute but way too young for me. We chat a little bit making small talk but I’m just not feeling it.

As the hall fills up with my staff from the office, I mingle with them all. It may be a business function but I’m trying to not talk about work too much. I need to make them all feel comfortable and build their trust so they can approach me back in the office.

As I had said before most of the staff are a little older and not quite clubbers, but they are impressed with the function room for this evenings venue.

When I know all the staff are here. I get everyone’s attention and do a little speech. You know a little praise here and there, letting them know I’m not here to make huge changes unless needed, I will continue my uncles work as he would have wanted it. My door is always open, all that sort of thing.  Just as I’m finishing my little speech, that’s when I spot her coming in the door. My little stunner.

She is looking hot as hell tonight, black skinny jeans and a purple polo shirt must be the uniform for this place as I saw all the chicks are wearing it where the male workers wear black. So she is a barmaid here. Nice. I’ll be able to chat with her as the night goes on.

Now my speech is done, a few members of staff approach me saying they are pleased with how things are going and will catch up in the office. It’s been a few hours now and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. I can see my stunner working behind the bar, giving out hugs to the Johnson brothers Jay and Jamie. Wonder how she knows them? She’s soon left chatting to Aaron and his wife. I wonder if they know her.  Aaron never said anything the other night when we saw her at the restaurant.

I’ll head over and try join in the conversation.

“Hey guys. You enjoying yourselves?” I ask just as she goes to get their drinks.

“Yeah. It’s not bad. I’m surprised how many are still here considering they are all old" Aaron says as he pays for his drinks.  I look up and see her. God she really is stunning.

“Can I get a bottle of beer please, sweetheart" I ask her sending her a wink. Again she doesn’t react to my charm. She’s going to be a hard nut to crack.

I stand and chat to Aaron and his wife, Mia. As I pay for my drink, giving her my most charming smile again she doesn’t react.

“You are wasting your time Ryder. Your charm won’t work on her" Mia whispers in my ear.

“Do you know her?” I ask her as the stunner leaves and starts collecting glasses.

“That is Jayne Johnson, owner of JJ's, I went to school with her." Mia tells me and my jaw nearly drops of.  She is the owner. s**t no wonder she pretty much laughed in my face the other night when I thought Jeff was the owner. s**t, I feel like a total fool now.

“Her brothers are Jay and Jamie?” I ask, figuring out the connection, same surname.

“Yip and there is also Jackson, but he is a school teacher. I’m telling you, you are best leave alone. She’s had a s**t time in the past, and I know your history" Aaron tells me. Interesting. I nod my head agreeing to leave it alone, but I’ll get her talking to me eventually.