“Hey, Ham,” Jake called out as he knocked on Hamilton’s Door. He heard “It’s Open, Come on in.”
Walking in Jake saw Ham lying on his bed with his artificial leg sitting on the floor next to it. “Therapy a bitch today, Ham,” Jake asked as he sat in the chair.
“Yeah you know how it is, Doc made me do new exercises, and my nub was fracking hurting man. On the good part, I kept it on most the day. They won’t clear me yet. Keep talking about medically retiring me. What the hell and I going to do Jake? The Corps is my life, I don’t know what I will do if they kick me out, not everyone has a rich Daddy that dies.”
Jake visibly flinched at Hamilton’s words. He didn’t take it to heart, but it still hurt hearing those words come out of his best friends’ mouth.
“Oh shit man, I am sorry. Don’t take anything I say seriously today I am just feeling sorry for myself, I know you didn’t want anything from your old man,” Hamilton said.
“No worries, Ham I know you didn’t mean it,” Jake replied.
Ham propped himself up and looked at Jake. “So, what was so important you had to drive here from Topsail? Did you get that job?”
“Yeah man, I got it that was one of the things I wanted to talk to you about. My boss might cause me some problems; she is hot as hell and has a sassy mouth to match it. She put me in place faster than any Gunny could have. I didn’t know if I wanted to kiss her or spank her to let her know who was in charge. I start tonight at 1600.”
“Sounds like she might be trouble to me Jake. Well, I guess keeping busy is good for you, that is what the Doc said right? So what’s the second thing? Must be pretty serious if you wouldn’t talk to the over the phone about it.”
“Well, I don’t know if you will go along with this Rich that is why I came by.”
“Why so serious? It can’t be that bad, man you scare me when you get all serious,” Hamilton said as he sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed and grabbed his artificial leg.
“Well, I wanted to ask if the Doc recommends that you are medically retired if you wanted to move to Topsail and live with me. I have more than enough room for six Marines. I mean hell my place is four stories and has an elevator. You can have the third floor and balcony; we can share the second floor where the kitchen and living room is. I can take the top floor. The first floor is just rec room and gym that extends out to the pool and spa. The elevator stops at each floor, plus it is still close enough for both of us to get care. You’re not just my best friend you’re my brother, and I have more money than I can spend in ten lifetimes. If it makes you feel better, you can pay the utilities and association fees.” Jake, looked at Rich trying to gage his reaction to what he just said.
Hamilton just shook his head as he started to smile, “So you’re gonna be my Sugar Daddy is that it Jake? Why didn’t you say so”?
As he started laughing Hamilton said, “Yeah man... if you’re serious and they do medically retire me, I will move in. We’re the only family each other have, so Sugar Daddy you got yourself a roommate.”
Jake stood up gave Ham a slap on the back. “Okay, man we got a deal. Now this Sugar Daddy has to go work, serious though I don’t want my boss to know I am loaded, I need this job for my sanity, keeping busy is good for me.”
“No problem Man, my lips are sealed. I will keep you updated on what Doc says. They told me today I should be done with therapy in five weeks, and then I will know for sure if I EAS or get to stay in, but I now think that EASing isn’t such a bad thing.”
Rich already had his prosthetic leg attached and was grabbing his cane and duffle bag. “Where are you going Ham,” Jake asked.
“Well,” Ham said with a cocky grin, “Since today is Friday and I don’t have to be back till Monday, I figured I might as well check out this hot boss of yours, have some dinner and relax at my soon to be home. Plus, I have never seen the beach house, that ok with you Mr. Peterson?”
“Come on Ham; let’s go to the Jeep,” Jake said. “I don’t know why I put up with your smartass.”
“I know” Ham replied, smiling more than Jake had seen him smile in months, “it’s because you love me Daddy Warbucks.”
Jake pulled up to the front of his beach house, hitting the garage opener as he drove forward into it. Jake needed Ham to know where he lived so he wouldn’t be sitting all night in the Bar waiting for him to get off work.
“Holy shit man, this place is a fucking huge! You were right about at least six Marines could live in this place, Ham exclaimed.”
“You’re what three maybe four blocks from Teufel Hundens? I can walk that even missing a limb.”
“Come on Ham... let me show you around, we only have bout fifteen minutes then I got to get to work,” Jake said with a smile.
He was glad that things were going well. Jake knew Ham wouldn’t want to leave once he saw the inside.
Getting out of the Jeep, Jake went to Ham’s side just in case he needed help getting out. Rich being the Marine that he was adapted quickly and didn’t even stumbled as he got out.
“This way, Ham” Jake said as he showed him to the elevator.
“There are steps around the front that lead to the front door which opens to the second floor. This is much easier, and I don’t have to worry about having to relock the doors,” he said typing in 0311812 in the keypad. The doors to the elevator opened and they got inside, “Hit the three man that’s your floor. I told you what is on the bottom floor back at Lejeune; you can check all that out later.”
Ham was in awe as the door opened; revealing an open floor plan, with a wondrous view of the ocean. Off to the right was a small basic kitchen with a wrap-around bar.
“This is your main room as you can see it is bare. Since it is yours, you can decorate it as you like. Your bedroom is all the way to the end of the hall. There is a full bed there and some linens but nothing else. When you get your bedroom set picked out, we can have that bed moved into the spare room on the right. There is also a second smaller room that could be an office or even a game room. You also have a walk in closet and master bath equipped with both a walk-in shower and a huge spa tub. There is a spare bath in the hall for your guests.”
Jake continued to rattle on as Ham stood there not believing how lucky he was to have such a great friend.
“So what do you think Ham,” Jake asked, “will it work for you?”
Ham looked at Jake, “If this is just my part of the house I can’t wait to see the rest, thank you man this is great, just great.”
“Ok, then let’s check out the second floor where I can bet you will spend most of your time,” Jake said. “Oh before I forget the code for the elevator only needs to be put in the keypad when you are in the garage, it is easy to remember it is our MOS and birthday good thing we share both.”
As they got into the elevator and went to the second floor, Ham looked at Jake and said, “Seriously Jake, I can’t thank you enough for this, not many people would do what you are doing.”
As the elevator doors opened and they got out, Jake said, “What would I do with the money Ham? You’re the closest thing I have to a brother. I have no family besides my Uncle Pete, and he is even more loaded than I am. With all we have been though together don’t you think we deserve the good life?”
The second floor had the same open floor plan as Ham’s floor but floor to ceiling windows and sliding doors giving a clear view of the ocean and easy access to the balcony and stairway down to the beach. The entertainment system in the living room was top of the line with all the video games and systems you could want, a pool table sat in one corner over by the bar, and a huge kitchen and dining table took up the other side. Where there were bedrooms on Ham’s floor the only room on this floor was the bathroom, everything else was open.
“Yep, Ham said with a huge grin, “I definitely will be spending my time on this floor brother. To answer your question, yes we do deserve a good life.”
“Crap, look at the time! Ham, we
got to leave or I will be late. Glad you like the place, now let’s go,” he said as they made their way down to the Jeep.”
Five minutes later they were at Teufel Hundens Bar and Grill. Jake grabbed his paperwork and went to see his sexy new boss, telling Ham to grab a seat at the Bar, and he will see him in a minute.”
Walking through the kitchen Jake acknowledged Big Al, with a salute as he lifted the paperwork in his hand to let him know he was going to see Blondie. He rounded the corner and paused at her office door giving a light rap on the door jam.
Jake smiled when Blondie looked up with a forkful of cheesecake going into her mouth, “I got that paperwork for you Ms. Blondie, I signed it all and I am ready to work.”
Blondie shook her head as she held one finger up letting him know just a second. What was she thinking hiring this cocky marine? And now he just caught her stuffing her face. At least, she knew working with Jake would never be boring.
Wiping her mouth with a napkin and pushing her plate aside, Blondie said, “Ok Jake, here’s your clock card. She handed the slip of paper to Jake, their fingers touching as he took it out of her hand. A shiver of excitement passed through her at the touch, “Go clock in, I will be behind the bar in a few minutes.”
“Yes, Ma’am” he responded as he turned and walked out of her office. Blondie couldn’t help but notice how good Jake’s ass looked in his jeans, giving herself a minute to gather her wits she then stood up and walked out of her office, bars didn’t tend themselves after all.
Chapter Three
“Hey Handsome, you must be the Marine, Al was telling me about. Your name is Jake right?” The lone bartender said as Jake walked behind the bar.
“Yes, Ma’am, that would be me. You have me at quite the disadvantage because I don’t know your name,” Jake said with a smile.
“I’m Jane, I work the day shift, but if you stay around I might switch with Nikki so I can spend some extra time with you. You are one sexy Marine, boy and I could teach you some things,” Jane said with a wink, patting him on his ass as she walked by. “Though in all honesty I have my eye on the light haired one at the end of the bar, he one of your buddies?
Jake looked towards the end of the bar, and there sat Ham looking over the menu. Laughing he replied, “Well Lady Jane, that would be Ham, and I guess I would have to claim him, more of a brother than a buddy. He will be staying for dinner then heading back to my place. Although you never know with him, you might be able to teach him something.”
“Oh… Lady Jane… I like that name. Nobody has ever accused me of being a lady, but no worries Jake, your Ham is safe. A girl my age can always wish right?” Jake laughed at her light-hearted comment.
“Ok now,” she continued. “Let me show you how to work the register before Mary-Alice shows up and we are gabbing and not working. It is all computerized and easy to use, so I don’t think you will have a problem catching on. By the way, welcome to the family Jake.”
“See,” Jane said as she angled her head towards the left. “Told Ya, here comes boss lady now, so time to get to work,” as she showed Jake how to cash out and log into the system.
“Hey Jane, see you are teaching Jake how to work the registers?”
“Yes Mary-Alice, Jane replied. “It is about time for me to leave so I was going to do this real quick before y'all get busy.”
“Sounds like a plan, Jane, Has the guy at the end of the bar ordered?”
“Nope, not yet he was looking over the menu.”
“Ok, I will get him and leave you both to the register. Jake if you have any questions just ask.”
Jake watched as Blondie walked to Ham, he couldn’t help but appreciate how good her ass swayed as she walked away, plus he couldn’t wait to hear what Ham thought about her.
Jane cleared her throat, and Jake looked at her feeling the redness enter his face, who knew getting caught looking at the boss’s ass would cause him to blush.
“It’s ok, Handsome, I won’t tell the boss lady you were ogling her ass, now let’s get you trained on this register so I can go home and put my feet up.”
“Thanks, Lady Jane, I really appreciate that.”
Blondie stopped in front of the Marine at the end of the bar, she could feel Jake’s gaze on her ass and for once it didn’t bother her, she knew it was wrong but she wanted him to look.
Focused now at the Marine at the end of the bar she said, “Hello my name is Blondie, I will be serving you tonight did you find anything you would like from the menu?”
The blonde Marine looked up and said, “It’s my first time out in a while, and anything is better than hospital or chow hall food, so what do you suggest.”
“Well, everything that Big Al makes is awesome, but I have to say my favorite is the Angus Burger. We will put whatever you want on it. Drink wise we have coke products and can make almost any liquor drink you want.”
Ham thought about it for a minute and said, I think I will get the Angus Burger Medium with American cheese, catsup, lettuce, extra pickles, loaded cheese fries and a Coke. Can you do me a favor, and make sure your new bartender gets my bill; he told me my meal was on him. My name is Rich, by the way, it is nice to meet the Lady who put my buddy in his place. There are not very many people that can do that to Jake.”
Blondie took a close look at the marine in front of her; she could see the tenseness and fatigue in his face even with the huge smile he was giving her. It said something about his friendship to her new bartender that he was sitting her at her bar in pain, checking her out.
Smiling she said, “No problem Rich, I will put your order in and give Jake the bill… Question, are you going to be here all night watching over Jake or just eating and going. If you are staying, I will put you at a table closer to one of the TV’s, so you are more comfortable. I can see you are in pain and that just doesn’t fly in my bar.”
Rich was caught off guard, “No Ms. Blondie I am eating and then going back to Jake’s I had therapy today, so I am a little sore. Should have figured if you could put Jake in his place you would do it to me. I just want good food then I am gonna hit the rack. Jake is sharing a room at his place with me for the weekend.”
Ham remembered what Jake said he doesn’t want Blondie to know he has money… So sharing a room for the weekend was better than having a whole floor.
“Ok then, she said touching his arm, “I will put your order in and one of the servers will bring it out in a bit.”
Jake watched Ham and Blondie out of the corner of his eye, when she touched Ham’s arm Jake felt the pull of jealousy, but there was nothing to be jealous about. Blondie wasn’t his in any way shape or form. He turned his attention back to Jane and finished setting up the register for tonight’s shift.
“Ok Jake, I think that about does it, you are all set for tonight... I will see ya tomorrow,” Jane said patting Jake on the back.
“Enjoy your night Lady Jane,” Jake said with a smile.
“Oh I will Handsome don’t you worry about that; this old lady has plans for tonight. I’m done Mary-Alice,” Jane said as Blondie walked by.
“Sounds great Jane. Do think you can take this order back to Al for me please. So I can stay up here.”
“No problem, I need to talk to that man anyway, See ya tomorrow. Night all.”
“Hey Jake, I don’t want to get in your business, but I couldn’t help but notice your Marine buddy is in pain. Is he going to drive or walk to your house?” Blondie asked with genuine concern in her eyes.
Jake looked down the bar at Ham, and the ass had the gall to blow him kisses faces right as Blondie looked over as well… Jake shook his head, “Oh no Ms. Blondie, Ham can walk the three blocks or so to my place, he might be in pain, but he can handle it. Did he tell you I would be paying for his dinner?”
“Ham?” Blondie said with a confused look on her face. “He told me his name was Rich… why do you call him, Ham? Is it because he acts like one and yes he told me you were paying. That is very nice of
you.”
“His name is Richard Hamilton. Therefore, he got the nickname Ham, and he does tend to act like one. He is like a brother to me buying his dinner is nothing; he would do the same if the roles were reversed.”
“Sounds like you both are very close, well I hope he enjoys his burger… it looks like Sally just dropped it off with him.”
Looking down the bar Jake could see, sure enough, a waitress placed an enormous burger in front of Ham, and he was about to start eating.”
They worked well together and even started to joke around, Jake really enjoyed how easy going Blondie was and the waitress all seemed to really respect her and like working there. Jake saw Ham flag him down and went to the end of the bar.
“What’s up… how was your burger?”
“It was awesome, give my compliments to the chef, I just wanted to let you know that I was leaving. I will text ya when I get to your place, but I am beat and need to hit the rack. I do have to say though that Blondie is a real looker, can’t be too hard working with her.” He looked down at Jake’s pants laughing “Well I bet some parts are hard… Am I right Jake?
“Get on home Ham, I will see ya in the morning, don’t forget to take your pills,” Jake said shaking his head. “I got to get back to work.”
“Whatever you say Sugar Daddy, see ya in the morning,” Ham replied as he grabbed his cane and got off the bar stool.
“Sugar Daddy?” Blondie said right behind Jake, “Do I even want to know what that is about.”
“No, you really don’t, Ham is just messing because I bought him dinner, He is funny like that,” Jake said.
Well, I didn’t outright lie, to her, Jake thought to himself, I did buy Ham dinner and Ham does joke around a lot, so technically it was the truth.
“Well I like Ham,” Blondie said. “He is funny and very upbeat… He can come here for dinner anytime.”
Field Stripped: 15 Steamy Military Romances Page 54
