Finding Carson Lee (Oh Captain, My Captain 3)

“Good. Walk me through it then.”

Wordlessly, we head inside, taking in everything he and his crew has done. It looks better than I envisioned. The rink, the changing rooms, the bar, and everything else. I nod my head as he explains everything he’s completed since the last time I checked in. Once we finish, I turn to face him.

“Looks good, Charlie. Hey, I’m looking to add a few rooms onto my house. Anyone you would recommend?”

“Yeah, yeah,” he nods, reaching into his back pocket. After fumbling through his business cards, he hands me one. “Elliott Blake is the man you need to speak to. He’s good, thorough, and does great work. He actually just finished doing some work on my own home, so I know firsthand.”

“Great. Thanks. I’ll give him a call.”

When I get in my car, I have a little time, so I go ahead and call Elliott as I drive back to my house. With my name and who I wish to speak to, the receptionist connects me through.

“Mr. Lee, how can I help you?” he greets.

“I’m looking to get some rooms added onto my house and Charlie Williams gave me your name. Think I could take an hour of your time right now to give you all the details?”

He clears his throat. “Right this minute today?”

“Yep. I don’t have a lot of time on my hands. Considering the size of this project, the timeframe I want it done in, and the fact that I’ll add in a bonus if you compete it in that time, I’m sure you’ll have no problem meeting me. Unless you rather I find someone else?”

“What’s your address?”

That’s what I thought, I smirk to myself. I do have to confess that I’m impressed when he arrives within twenty minutes of ending our call. I walk him to the back area of the house, noticing that he keeps looking around, observing the house. He’s definitely a construction worker though because he’s built like one.

“So, I want, for lack of a better term, a man cave. Big room, big TVs, big couch, big bar, and pool table, air hockey table, and the likes. I also want a workout room.” I glance at him to see what he thinks.

He strokes his imaginary beard, thinking apparently. “If I’m understanding correctly, you want a teenager’s dream bachelor pad?”

“If that’s how you want to word it, sure.” I used the term man for a reason. “Think you can do it?”

“Sure. Would you like me to add some bikini clad women to the wall too?” he attempts to joke, but this is business and I’m not joking. Plus, he’s not funny.

“I’m perfectly capable of getting real women in bikinis in this house, so no thanks.”

“No offense, Mr. Lee, I’m well aware of who you are and your reputation in Birmingham.?

?? His eyes squint, crinkling at the corners, and I faintly wonder if it’s simply because of my reputation or if I’ve slept with someone he knows personally. “I can start next week,” he finishes.

“Next week? Monday then, I’m assuming?”

Elliott shakes his head. “Mr. Lee, I need to do measurements, get my laborers ready, and let’s not forget, ordering the material. Plus, I haven’t even given you an estimate yet. Unless you’re going to pay for overtime, then I was thinking more like Friday of next week.”

Might as well push it off an additional week then.

I cross my arms over my chest and straighten my posture, knowing that it’ll make me even taller, which is perfect for intimidation. “Since you are well aware of who I am and my reputation, then you know I don’t mind spending money and I like things done as soon as possible. I have the blueprints already. Just need to get the work done.”

“Um, well then. Monday it is,” he stammers.

“Good. I have some other things to do. I’m sure you can find your way out.”

“Thank you, sir. I’ll get it done, no problem.” He shakes my hand before leaving. Money and a well-known name does payoff sometimes, that’s for sure.

Chapter Five

Kinley

“Well, I can see that this campaign is going to go down the crapper before the first shot is taken.” My boss tosses the plans back at me that I had stayed up all night creating. “Kinley, I thought you could handle this. That’s why you got this promotion. Now, the photographer has quit because of what Carson Lee did to the last guy and this plan you have is worthless. Get it together or find another job.” He storms out of the room, leaving me alone.

“What the hell?” I mumble. I need to start over. I need to get ahead of this game. How am I going to do this?