“Alright,” Nick murmured. “I was going to ask you about living accommodations.”
Rand continued, “As a matter of fact, the office space in downtown Crystal Rock has just been remodeled. It’s an older building and we’ve been trying to keep the historical value intact, and it just so happens there are two apartments available upstairs. I figured I would offer the both of you living accommodations for free as one of the perks, as well as health insurance and retirement options.”
Nick was looking at Rand strangely.
“What?” Rand asked. “You’re looking at me like I have two heads.”
“He’s beginning to wonder if you do,” Jack answered, grinning. “One that plays at being a bad boy, womanizing jock, and the other with a head for business.”
“Exactly,” Nick murmured, seemingly dazed.
“I told my Dad I was interested in working with him when I was fifteen years old,” Rand growled. “And he wouldn’t have a thing to do with me. Jake Loughlin came along and showed me the ropes. I think half my determination to succeed in the same business my father was in had to do with me wanting to be able to throw it in is face one day.”
“I don’t blame you for being bitter,” Jack answered. He probably would have felt the same way himself.
“It’s like an obsession with me,” Rand answered. “I’ve come to hate my dad, even though I had a great life being raised by my grandparents.”
Rand shook his head, appearing distracted.
Jack understood that Rand sometimes went to a dark place, which overtook his thoughts, because Jack occasionally had the same problem himself.
“But enough of that,” Rand muttered.
“So. you’re sure about hiring both of us?” Jack asked. “I’ll put my notice in as soon as I return to work.”
“Damn right. The two of you can report to work during the week of December 12th. How does that sound? That’ll give you a few weeks to get moved from Virginia and into your apartments. We’ll pay your moving expenses as well. Since I won’t be there to show you the ropes, Mike can do it when he’s around. I doubt that either one of you will have problems though. It’s pretty laid back there in Crystal Rock. You’ll both need your realtor’s license, which shouldn’t be much trouble. The office can officially open to the public in January.”
“What’s the name of our place of business again?” Nick asked with a grin.
“Northwest Realty and Property Management,” Rand answered.
Just then, Nick and Jack’s flight number echoed through the air.
The three of them stood from their seats, and Nick and Jack each held out a hand.
Rand snorted, giving Nick a quick hug with a slap on the back first, before doing the same for Jack.
“Thanks for everything, Rand,” Jack murmured as he and Nick headed toward the boarding line.
Nick halted, turning back to Rand. “I hope it works out for you and Ciara, Rand.”
Rand smiled wryly. “Me too, Nick.”
Jack boarded the plane behind Nick, looking back at Rand one last time. And what he saw surprised him, because there was intensity in Rand’s expression that scared him.
Chapter Eight
Jack was exhausted after spending twenty-one hours on a plane back to Richmond, so when the cab pulled up to his apartment building on Sunday afternoon, he planned on sleeping for as long as he could before returning to work on Monday and giving his notice.
His apartment was small, so it wouldn’t take him long to pack. He’d transfer what he didn’t want to take along with him now into storage. Eventually, he could rent a truck and have everything moved to Crystal Rock.
But when he started pulling his luggage from the backseat along with the help of the cabbie, he realized he had an unexpected visitor waiting for him on the steps of his apartment building.
After paying the cabbie, Jack gave his younger brother a hard stare. “Sam? What’s wrong?”
Sam stood, both hands stuffed in his jean’s pockets. “I’ve been having those nightmares again, ever since I got home from Iraq. And this time I saw something new.”
Jack asked, “Got anything going on?”
“Nah,” Sam answered. “Mom doesn’t even know I’m back.”
“Grab one of my bags and come along with me upstairs. We can talk.”
“You sure? I heard you just got back from a trip to Bali.”
“I told you,” Jack growled, heading toward the door leading into his apartment lobby. “I always have time for you when you need to talk.”
Jack lived in a small apartment which had been renovated five years earlier. Although the building was old, it had been well maintained, even before the renovations.”
Sam followed Jack up the staircase to the second floor, where his apartment was located at the very end of the hallway. Although it was only a one bedroom, it was one of the few with a terrace which overlooked a park nearby.
“I’ll miss this place,” Jack said, unlocking the door leading inside the apartment. “I’ve had a job offer Sam. It looks like I’m moving to Wisconsin.”
Sam snorted, looking at him in shock after following him inside. “Wisconsin? What kind of job?”
“Land development and real estate. Rand has been pulling one over on us. He owns the place and wants Nick and I to manage it.”
“If you want, Sean and I can take over the apartment
