The Side Project

Chapter 9 - Kyle

Chapter 9 - Kyle

Recruiting Season

Recruiting Season

WARNING: Plot chapter. Mostly.

The humidity from the morning had largely burned off and it was a pleasant fall Sunday in Houston by the time Lexi and I got cleaned up. We left to meet Reed at the sports bar with a patio we liked to watch football at when the weather was nice. It was just around the corner from Reed's place, so we made the short drive back over and I left my car parked in his guest spot.

The early games were approaching halftime, but the Texans were playing in the late window so it was not too crowded and we were able to grab a good table on the patio. Lexi held it while I ordered our beers at the bar - a pumpkin ale for her; I was in an IPA mood.

"Thanks," Lexi said when I handed her her beer.

"A toast, to glorious victory and our upcoming holiday sipping wine in lovely Northern California sunshine," I proposed, raising my pint.

"Cheers! That was such an awesome game, I can't wait to play more," Lexi said after we touched glasses.

"I can't believe how well our little ploy went in the first set." I smiled at how surprised Reed and Katrina had been.

"I told you it would work to sandbag," Lexi said. It had been her idea that morning to see if we could trick our opponents.

"I never questioned you," I said. Which was true, I'd embraced the idea immediately.

"Yeah the only downside was how muggy it was. At least the humidity is mostly gone now. I can't wait for next weekend! What's the weather typically like in NorCal this time of year?" Lexi asked.

"Like this but probably 15-20 degrees cooler. Sweatshirt weather," I told her.

"Nice! I miss sweatshirt weather. Pass on Chicago winters, but I loved those crisp fall days before it gets really cold where a hoodie is just right to stay warm." We were dressed in jeans and t-shirts, it was just a touch too warm for anything more.

"Yeah I mean in some ways that was all year round in the Bay Area. I always took a hoodie when I went to A's games, even in July, because if you got the breeze off the Pacific it could get chilly. Moving away from Houston certainly is on the table you know, in our new circumstances," I pointed out.

"Yeah, I figured. Where would you go? Back to California?" Lexi asked with a bit of hesitation.

"Wrong pronoun," I said, smiling. I was going to remain firm about my desire to have Lexi along for the ride.

A shy smile crept across Lexi's face. "Ok, there is still a lot to figure out, but for now I'll play along. Where do you think WE should go?" Lexi asked.

"Well I've always thought the idea of owning some land would be cool. Like remember that wedding we went to last spring at a ranch? Something like that would be cool," I said. I was envisioning myself sitting on my front porch sipping a cocktail and watching the sun set behind the trees across my field with not another soul in sight. Except maybe Lexi. She was cool.

"I'm not really sure I see you as a farmer, no offense," Lexi said.

"None taken, I'm more interested in peace and quiet and not being able to see my neighbors from my front door, you're the dirt nerd," I replied. Lexi had been an environmental studies major at Northwestern and worked in the sustainability department at one of the oil and gas supermajors.

"I know the basics, I suppose, although I have not touched much agriculture stuff since college," Lexi said. Her work was primarily focused on management and measurement of greenhouse gas emissions.

"Anyway, that was one thought. As you know I do kind of like city life too, I mean you do too, right?" I asked.

"Yeah 100%, I mean, I agree with you the idea of idyllic rural living always sort of has that appeal, but realistically I'd ultimately get bored, same as you probably," Lexi said, sipping her beer.

"Right, exactly, same. So I'm thinking maybe somewhere where we could have like a nice condo or something downtown but also have something decently rural where we can hang out when we're more in a mood to relax, that's not a crazy drive away, would be my ideal. Oh and it would need more sweatshirt weather, of course." I smiled and took a sip of my own beer.

"Well I guess that rules Houston out," Lexi said, smirking.

"It would. I mean, I don't really feel like I have strong roots here. It's cheaper than California, which is nice, but humidity sucks. We've got some decent friends, but outside of Reed is there anybody you're really close with?" I asked.

"Not really. Like I have friends, but they're all people I met through work or rec sports. Present company excluded, I don't consider any of them deep friendships. Plus there's no pro hockey," Lexi said. Lexi loved hockey.

"Well put, any thoughts on where would be fun to move to?" I asked. Before she could answer I noticed Reed walking up and waved to him. Lexi turned in her seat and waved as well.

"He's looking rather pleased with himself; last time I saw him acting this way was the night he hit senior associate," I observed.

"Is that the night he declared himself the legal authority on morality for the evening?" Lexi asked, vaguely remembering.

"It was," I confirmed.

"Good lord, he can be ridiculous," Lexi said, recalling his drunken shenanigans.

"You've never had any trouble holding your own," I pointed out. Lexi's banter with Reed always amused me. They had sort of a sibling rivalry type of relationship and bickered frequently, although always good naturedly.

"Thanks, I'm surprised he showed up. I figured he'd want more time with Katrina," Lexi said. She blushed slightly.

"Oh he did, but she was already pushing it claiming she played tennis for nearly four hours, she had to get home to Jimbo in order to avoid making him suspicious," I explained. I had asked Reed the same thing over text.

"Good day, my racquet-wielding fellows," Reed said in a smug tone as he strode up to our table and took his seat next to me.

"Champagne?" I asked, eyebrow raised, as I noted his drink of choice.

"I'm celebrating," Reed said.

"Celebrating what?" Lexi asked sarcastically. "You lost the match."

"Conquest, Alexis. You know you would have seen quite a bit more if you stuck around. Perhaps even learned a thing or two," Reed said haughtily and sipped his Champagne.

"I had somethingbiggerto take care of," Lexi retorted, emphasizing 'bigger' and winking at me theatrically. Reed choked on his Champagne and I laughed at her comeback.

"Despite your spurious claim of superior size, I trust your needs were properly attended to by your young suitor?" Reed asked once he was done laughing at Lexi's bomb. Apparently by virtue of being two months younger than Reed I qualified as young.

"Do I look anything like your poor, darling Katrina before you, uh, attended to her?" Lexi asked, stretching her arms out to the sides to emphasize her contentment.

"It seems you have done well, my friend," Reed said, turning to face me. "A toast?" He raised his glass. I grabbed my beer and we clinked cups.

"I don't get to join in?" Lexi asked with a mock pout.

"Not today my diminutive friend, for we are toasting to leaving our women properly satisfied, but perhaps one day in your future you may join our society," Reed said. Lexi blushed at that remark, which surprised me since Lexi was rarely affected by Reed and I's theatrics.

"Right, so then if you're done with your victory lap and pretending you're a 19th century aristocrat, we have some serious things to discuss," I said.

"Douchebag!" Lexi coughed into her hand, indicating what she thought of Reed's feigned arrogance.

Reed regarded her critically. "For a young lady who ostensibly attended such a fine academic institution your diction is rather crass. Perhaps a more rigorous course of study would have resulted in a better outcome," he mused. Reed enjoyed teasing Lexi about being a treehugger.

"Eat my asshole, corporate stooge," Lexi taunted. She had never been shy about mocking Reed's unapologetic professional ambition.

"You know, my new friend Katrina was actually quite complimentary of skills in that particular area, if you would like I would be happy to offer you a demonstration. You may even bring your young suitor as he would perhaps benefit from brushing up on his technique," Reed said. He really was full of himself today.

"I suppose that makes sense, seeing as you likely lacked the proper, ahem, equipment to satisfy her with anything other than your mouth," Lexi fired back. I laughed and leaned back, taking a sip of my beer. The verbal sparring between Lexi and Reed had me thoroughly entertained.

"The evidence would seem to suggest otherwise, my dear," Reed said. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and showed us a text message from Katrina.'I have not been fucked like that in years. Damn that was good. When are you free to meet up next?'

"It's cute she's trying to protect your fragile male ego," Lexi quipped.

"Lexi, it's ok to admit you lost a debate," Reed said, dropping the haughty tone and shifting to feigned sympathy.

"It seems to me like there were no losers today," Lexi observed.

"Ha, good point, ok I'll drink to that," Reed said, back in his normal tone of voice. He held up his glass and the three of us toasted.

"So what have you guys already talked about?" he asked.

"Not a ton, just potentially moving," I replied.

"I mean no love lost between me and Houston, you guys both know that, thoughts on where?" Reed asked.

"I've mentioned to you I sort of have a thing for owning land, plus we need to give dirt nerd something to do," I said, referring to Lexi.

"Permanently, probably not for me, but I like the idea of a place to get away to for a quiet weekend," Reed said.

"Yeah, same, I'm thinking my ideal is like luxury condo downtown, ranch far enough it's not a long drive, but far enough out I have some privacy," I said, relaying our earlier discussion.

"What about you, Reed?" Lexi asked.

"I believe I have previously stated my plans upon becoming wealthy," Reed said, slipping back into that jokingly haughty tone.

"Lex, remember what I was saying about wealth changes people?" I joked.

"You hate to see it," Lexi tutted.

"So what's the aristocratic version of 'luxury villa in Vegas with a line of sluts out the door'?" I asked, recalling Reed's line from the previous weekend.

"A proper estate with a line of eager maidens seeking the duke's hand?" Lexi asked, using a terrible English accent, and laughing.

"It sounds way better when I say it." Reed protested, wrinkling his nose.

"No dude, no it does not," I informed him.

"Whatever, anyways, Vegas is a money town. I now have money, ergo Sin City calls," Reed said.

"What do you think, Lex? Over/under on how long it takes him to burn through $20 mil living in Vegas," I asked.

"I dunno, he miiigghtt be responsible enough to budget a tiny bit, maybe make some investments. Probably have a couple nights where he really scores at the roulette table. I'll give him five years until he's broke," Lexi said.

"Yeah I'm definitely taking the under on that," I said, laughing.

"I feel targeted," Reed protested, although he was chuckling. I think he knew we were right.

"So you guys definitely aren't going to keep working then, right?" Lexi asked.

"Uh, Lex, I just fucked a senior partner's wife. I mean, I assume he's not going to find out, but if he ever does I'd be fired immediately. I know we joke about it and my ambition and all that, but I also fucking hate my job, I only do it for the money. So yeah, I'm fucking out. I might be interested in some pro bono work or consulting here and there, but I am happy to pass on the corporate grind," Reed said. "I plan to tender my resignation tomorrow morning, rent a suite at the Marriott and see who of Katrina, Natalie and Ashley has time in their day for a little fun."

"Fair dude, I know you've put in some stupid hours over the years and dealt with some serious bullshit," I said. "I'm a tiny bit more hesitant on just quitting. I just feel weird rolling in tomorrow and saying peace out. I was thinking I might make up some bullshit about a death in the family and needing to take a sabbatical and work remote through the holiday season. See where we're at, then maybe formally resign and offer to work for like a consulting hourly rate when I feel like it."

"That's actually pretty smart, I like it," Reed said.

"You're welcome to steal it," I offered.

"Nah, wouldn't work for me. My firm is dog-eat-dog. If you aren't willing to be at the beck and call of the senior partners the sharks start circling. Better for me to just make a clean break and not burn any bridges. Well aside from Jimbo. Fuck that guy. What about you Lex, what are you thinking?" Reed asked.

"Uh I'm not rich like you guys," Lexi pointed out. She still had that trepidation about being part of all this.

"Well why the fuck not? Ky should have already have gifted you at least a mil just for putting up with his dumb ass for the last two years," Reed joked, although there was some admonishment in his tone I had not already offered Lexi some money.

"With friends like these, who needs enemies?" I asked, unable to resist the cliche. "But for real, Lexi is coming on this journey with us, she's being her typically difficult self accepting that."

"Lexi, difficult? Perish the thought," Reed joked. "Seriously though, all joking aside, Lex, you and Ky are good together. I know your relationship is a little unconventional but he's been way happier since you showed up in his life, and if what your friends have told me is right, you've been way happier too. Sometimes you just gotta trust." It was moments like this that reminded me Reed was a truly good friend.

Lexi scrunched up her face. I could tell she liked Reed's little speech, but was reluctant to just give in. "Alright, well there's no reason I can't work fully remotely, so maybe I'll think about something similar to Ky," she said.

"And we'll talk money later, Lex, Reed's making a good point. I know you trust me, but it's one thing to trust, it's another to actually have the money in your account, so we'll figure something out. Actually speaking of, what's the smart way to set this up legally?" I asked, turning to Reed.

"Well obviously this isn't my area of legal expertise, but probably the first thing is each need to set up trusts and an LLC. Having tons of money in personal accounts is just inviting lawsuits. If we're going to make any joint investments we would also want to create a separate, co-owned LLC for that," Reed said.

"Do you think that's something you would be interested in?" I asked.

"Yeah, why not? The smart strategy is put at least some of our money into assets we think will accumulate value and if we go in together we have more buying power," Reed said.

"Yeah, that's something I've been thinking a lot about, like how much money do we leave in Bitcoin? Because it seems like it just keeps going up. How much do we pull and put in really safe stuff like T-bills? How much do we put in risky stuff like stocks? How much do we use to do things like buy real estate?" I mused.

"That's where you guys need to hire a real financial advisor, maybe a CPA as well, I think," Lexi said.

"Yeah, good call, the tax law around crypto is still pretty basic, but we definitely do not want to pull out huge amounts and spend it or we'll attract IRS attention," Reed said.

"Ok, let's put the money stuff on ice until tomorrow, either of you know any good finance people?" I asked.

"Some of the senior partners at my firm who I don't hate are pretty up there in terms of net worth, I could probably ask them for a recommendation," Reed said.

"Nice. Let us know how that goes tomorrow. So back to the relocation discussion, you're committed to Vegas?" I asked Reed.

"I mean, I'm still getting a penthouse with a view of The Strip, but yes, you're probably right me there full time is a bad idea," Reed admitted. "I actually think a penthouse won't be a bad investment, there's these condos with hotel service. I'm sure I can pay someone to rent it when I'm not going to be there, and I think the real estate value should go up."

"Makes sense, so what are you thinking for home base then?" I asked.

"Actually the first place that came to mind when you were talking earlier was Nashville. Fun party city, pro sports teams, but not huge. If you drive an hour from downtown I bet you can get out in the country," Reed said.

"Interesting idea, I've never been, have you?" I asked.

"Couple times. Haven't really left the downtown though, so don't know if you could find a place within a reasonable drive," Reed said.

"I have an idea," Lexi said. "What if we create like a shortlist of places we want to try and make like scouting trips, see how we like the vibes?"

"I like it, good idea!" I said.

"This sort of thinking is why we need you around, Lexi," Reed said. I appreciated him helping me make that case.

"So Nashville next weekend?" I asked.

"Why wait for the weekend?" Reed asked.

"Don't you think we'd get a better feel for the vibes on a weekend?" Lexi pointed out.

"So actually, no, I don't. We are not going to be constrained by weekends from here on out. I want to find a place where I can find a party any day of the week if I'm in the mood," Reed said.

"Huh, interesting perspective, but I kind of agree with it," I said. "Probably need a couple days to sort shit here, maybe we fly out Wednesday?"

"I can book the flights," Lexi offered. I kind of felt like she was trying to take on a 'helper' role but wasn't going to complain about not having to figure out such things myself.

"Fuck things are about to get wild, aren't they?" I commented to nobody in particular.

"So, so much. It's going to be a wild, but awesome ride, bro," Reed said, grinning.

- - - - -

- - - - -

We had been hanging out and drinking for several hours. At some point I had switched to Lexi's side of the table and she had been getting increasingly handsy with me as she drank. I was starting to wonder if we should head back instead of waiting for the games to finish, which was our normal custom on Sundays. The late games were approaching halftime when Lexi asked a question that surprised me.

"Yo, Reed, you think you want a little afternoon delight or did Katrina take everything out of you?" Lexi asked teasingly.

"I'm insulted you even asked me that question," Reed replied, although he was smiling.

"Think I got a girl for ya, check out over your left shoulder, discreetly," Lexi instructed. "Cutie with the blue top."

Reed casually glanced over his shoulder. My eyes followed his. The girl in question was definitely good looking. She was at a standing table with a couple other guys, one of whom was obviously her husband or boyfriend based on how close they were standing.

"Ok, she's hot, no question, but she's clearly here with her guy, what's the angle?" Reed asked, turning back to face Lexi and I.

"She's fucking fed up with him. First clue is she's wearing Rams colors. That's a subtle dig because her guy is obviously a diehard Texans fan based on how he's acting. She's smart enough to know wearing the opposing team's colors will annoy him, but I bet she acted clueless and just said she thought blue looked cute. Second, he is absolutely shithoused already even though it's only about to be halftime. You can tell from her expression this is a normal Sunday for them. I'd venture to guess he does this every Sunday and she ends up dealing with his drunk ass. I think she would be more than happy to slip away for a little fun," Lexi said.

"Hmmm ok, I'm intrigued. Still, not the easiest to make an approach when she's at a table with three dudes," Reed pointed out.