Recipe for Satisfacton(32)

“Lake in the middle?” Neil nodded. “Yes, he did.”

Neil would only go for the best. Jack wasn’t the least bit surprised he’d pick someone just as over-the-top in terms of vision.

“If everything goes as planned we should be set to break ground as soon as it thaws next spring.”

“Jack!”

All three brothers turned their attention to Devon, who walked across the dining area toward the front door with a bevy of female employees.

“We usually hit up some bars after our shifts are over.” Devon’s voice carried across the room. “You should join us.”

“No thanks, man.” Jack held up his hands. “Maybe another time.”

He had a beautiful woman who’d be waiting for him tomorrow evening.

When Jack returned his attention to his brothers they were eyeing each other curiously. “What?”

They mumbled, “Nothing,” in unison.

Neil handed over the rest of the documents that Cole had finished with.

“Listen, Jack…” Here it came. Neil’s famous lecture lead-in.

Jack crossed his arms over his chest in defense, ready to take whatever insults Neil hurled at him.

“I know you’re going to take off.”

He nodded. “I have a few things to take care of first…” Like having sex with a beautiful woman. “…but I have to get back to Chicago and relieve J.R. I’ll help you out as much as I can until I leave.”

“What things do you have to take care of, Club Rat?” Neil had given him that nickname when he turned twenty-one. It wasn’t a coincidence that Jack opened his first restaurant-bar hybrid shortly after.

“That’s my cue to leave.” Cole shoved his pen back in his pocket and pointed to Jack just before he turned and walked away, successfully avoiding the confrontation.

“I own restaurants. Not clubs,” Jack corrected. If he had a nickel for every time he had to correct one of them he’d be able to foster every child in the system. “And I have things. Like packing up Mom’s house.” He puffed out his chest. “I hired Sterling to help me.”

“Hey, Cole? Did you hear this?” Neil yelled, just in time to stop Cole from disappearing into the kitchen. “Jack’s packing up Mom’s things.”

Cole laughed and walked back to the bar. “Like picking out the stuff you want to take with you when you leave?”

“No, asshole.”

“Like throwing everything into garbage bags and storing it in the garage?” Neil asked.

Jack feigned laughter. “The house is a shrine. It’s time we moved on.” They all needed to move on. It was the best thing for all of them. “And Sterling will be the one to suggest how things should be stored. I’m just sitting back and cutting the check.” And fucking her into oblivion. How could he forget the best part? But it would also be nice to not come home to an empty house.

“Look at you all adult-y,” Cole said, rolling his eyes.

He looked up from the last contract he had to sign. “I’m an adult.” Jack was sick and tired of always being considered less of a Madewood because he took off. “I just didn’t follow the perfectly laid out plan the two of you did.” Different was good. He was more than just tattoos and gossip magazine articles. And he had Sterling to thank for that realization.

“I’m all done.” Jack righted the pages of the contracts and placed them in a pile in front of Neil.

“Thanks.” Neil gathered them up and slid them back into the manila envelope. “I’m off to Carmel to get Finn’s signature.” He turned slightly to stand, but hesitated.

Jack’s stomach tightened. Something bad was about to go down.

Neil rested his palm on the bar. “Jack, it’s good that you’re focused, but I just…” He glanced over to the foyer where Devon and the female staff members were laughing. “We just can’t survive a scandal right now, and with Sterling—”

He looked between both brothers. He was referring to Jack’s indiscretion overshadowing the death of his mother. Instead of paying tribute to a wonderful woman, they focused on Jack missing his mother’s passing because he was too busy getting laid. But that would never happen again. Jack would make sure of it.

“What I do with Sterling is none of your business.”

If looks could kill, Jack would be six feet under. Neil didn’t like to be questioned. He didn’t like to be called out. Usually, Jack would have loved to engage in a verbal spar with his brother but this time, he was going to be the bigger man. “I’m here. I’m helping out.” He turned to Cole.