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-DurtyRiter
The Man with the Jeep
Chapter 46
Over the next few days, Andrew was so captivated with the possibility of launching his nursery that he found it harder to concentrate at work than usual. It was easy to envision making money doing what he loved, but he was enough of a realist to know that was just a pipe dream without lots of preparation and a good mindset.
When he wasn't working, he began to parse out a business plan for it. He was surprised to find that even though he felt he had a reasonable overall agenda, articulating it coherently and definitively proved a challenge. He wrote it all out the best he could and set it aside so he could look at it again later more objectively. He was dismayed at how shallow and inadequate it was when he re-read it the next day. What now?
He decided he was going to have to delve more into how to run a successful small business before he made that leap. He spoke to a couple people he knew who had their own businesses and asked for help. The advice he got was widely divergent, but a common recommendation was to read a book called "The E-Myth," so he checked it out from the local library.
It was an easy enough book to read, though he was impatient with the seemingly "fluffy" first couple chapters. And then it got good. He promptly returned the library book and bought his own copy (the "Revisited" edition, no less) so he could write notes and highlight things as he went. Just doing that shocked him, because it was so instilled in him to never deface a book. But he decided he would rather do that than keep a notebook and then need to cross-reference between them later. He knew he was going to be doing that a lot. He finished reading it by the end of the day he bought it. And then started over the next.
Things clicked into place, and he found himself even more excited about the project. He knew he could do this, and he was determined to do it right the first time.
All of a sudden, it was easy to write everything out and make plans. From the very start, he didn't have any problems with the pragmatic elements like finding a building, setting it up, lining up wholesale sources for products, and outlining a marketing strategy. Now he had an entire separate train of thought for how the business could/should/would be run.
He poured all his effort into making the most succinct business outline he couldÑ-even profiling future expansion moves if the company expanded that far. By the end, he was quite pleased and confident with his business plan.
He had John go over the completed program to get his feedback.
"Wow, Andrew," he breathed. "This is really good! I never did any of this myself, but it looks really well put together. I can tell you've put a lot of thought into what you want to do, how you plan to get there, and even backup plans for a lot of it. Kudos to you!"
"Thanks, John," a pleased Andrew replied. "You think I could get a business loan for it now?"
"I already told you I'd back you," answered a confused John. "You didn't need to do all this for me!"
"I know. Honestly, it was more for me. You asked if I had a plan, and I said yes, but when I started writing it out, I realized it wasn't as flushed out as I thought, so I decided to do some more homework."
"Well, it certainly shows! It looks brilliant to me!"
"Thanks." Andrew paused for a moment. "I've been thinking about you investing in it, and I think I'd rather hold off on that for now, if that's okay."
"Really? Why?"
"A couple reasons. The first is that I know you would actually be investing in meÑ-which I appreciate more than you can possibly knowÑ-rather than for the sake of the business. And secondly (and don't get upset with me here), what if something were to happen between us? That would make the entire thing super awkward, and I never want to resent you for anything. Does that make sense?"
John had work very hard not to be dismayed. Hadn't he done everything he could to prove to Andrew that he was here for the long haul? And now for Andrew to purposely shut him out of what could possibly be the most significant change in his lifeÑ-a career move that John himself had championed-Ñwas hard to take.
Why would he do that? Unless he still thought that he was a failure waiting to happen. What would it take to get through to him that John loved him regardless of his faults?
"So you still aren't convinced that you're worthy or whatever of being happy with me? I thought we've been working on that. It sounded like we'd finally started moving past that point."
"We have! That's not it at all!"
If that wasn't the reason, what could it be? Was Andrew still primed to bolt on him? After everything they've gone through and all the effort they put into setting the foundation for a good relationship, was it still that precarious? John was reaching the end of what he knew to do. He was not one to give up, but there does come a point when you realize that what you are aiming for is never going to happen. And he hated wasted effort on anything.
"Then what is it? Because all I hear is that you still have one foot out the door in your head. I don't know how much more of that I can take, Andrew."
"I'm sorry."
`"I'm sorry?" Really?!? Just like that? He's just giving up? I thought he was changing for the better and starting to give himself his proper worth. He kept saying his low self-esteem was what was driving his doubts about us being together. I thought we'd addressed that! I've always known it wouldn't be an overnight turnaround, but I thought he'd put some effort in to be better before he bailed. Unless I was wrong all along and he's just an emotional leech. Yeah, I won't stand for that for a single moment. But here he was cutting everything off with a blissful "sorry"! And he clearly wasn't joking. How could I have been so stupid to spend so much effort on someone who was so closed to change? To think I had thought this one was The One! I even bottomed for this guy! And for him to just throw it all away...'
John's face visibly changed, and Andrew knew instantly that John had misinterpreted his apology.
"No, no, no!" Andrew cried. "Hear me out! I'm apologizing for all my past wishy-washiness, that's all! I promise!"
John's expression didn't soften much, but Andrew was grateful he was still listening. Another point in his favor to add to the long list was that John actually listened.
"Okay..." replied a rarely stoic John.
"You know the old saying about never going into business with your friends?"
"Yeah."
"That's all this is. I never want this to even have the possibility of growing into a wedge between us. I swear that's it."
"It does make some sense when you put it like that," John admitted.
His glower had softened, but there was still some of that dark cloud to it. Andrew hated seeing that. He wanted his happy, supportive, and confident John back.
"I swear that's all I'm thinking about here," Andrew said again as he moved to John and meekly put his arms around him. John completed the hug, but there was something about it that lacked the feel-good element upon which Andrew had come to rely.
"I get it," he finally replied. "You want this to be a purely business thing."
"Yes," came the muffled reply.
"Okay."
Andrew dared not break the embrace lest he see a detached look in John's eyes.
The next time he spoke, John seemed to have most of his verve back.
"Have you already talked to the banks for backing?"
"Not yet," Andrew replied. "I wanted you to look over everything first to see if I might have missed something."
"I didn't notice anything. It honestly does look like the most complete proposal I've ever seen," John said.
"Cool. I'm going to call around and see if I can an appointment for tomorrow."
"What are you using for collateral?"
"Oh yeah," Andrew said. "I hadn't thought of that. My car's not worth enough, but I might have enough equity in the house."
"You really are going all in on this, aren't you?"
"I decided why not. I see it as looking into whether they WOULD back me. I don't need to take it out instantly, right?"
"They would certainly expect you to," John replied.
It almost sounded like an attempt at humor, but there was no accompanying chuckle, and it still came across as flat. Andrew really hoped he hadn't ruined everything with John just when he had buckled down to walk away from his reticence and doubt about their potential future together.
"Have you been able to get ahold of the guy who owns that greenhouse?"
"I talked to him briefly, but he said he needed to find the paperwork for it and think about it."
"I guess that's fair."
"It is," John agreed. "We did kind of spring it on him out of the blue."
Andrew instantly recognized that John used the word "we" and felt a huge surge of relief that he apparently hadn't permanently damaged their relationship.
"Do you think I should wait until we hear back from him?"
"I would. Whatever rent or lease payment we work out with him will affect the amount you'll need from the lender."
"Oh yeah," replied Andrew, feeling like a dunderhead.
"Let me call him again and see if he's had a chance to think it over."
"I'd appreciate that."
John reluctantly let go of Andrew and fished out his phone from his pocket to dial.
"Hey Mr. Bradshaw, this is John Finnegan."
"Yes sir! I was wondering if you'd had a chance to think about what you'd like to do with the shop."
"That would be amazing, thank you! I presume that includes the shop and the greenhouse, right?
"What about the house?"
"No kidding! Wow, that is so generous! Thank you so much!"
"I'm absolutely humbled, sir. We'll take good care of it, I promise!"
Thanks again, sir!"
John tapped the button to end the call and turned to Andrew.
"You're not going to believe this..." he began, and then told Andrew that the owner was willing to sell it to them as long as it would revert back to him if they defaulted on the payments.
"So, basically, it's a rent-to-own property?" asked Andrew.
"Essentially," John agreed. "His kids are just getting ready to go to college, so he decided he'd like the monthly income rather than a lump sum. He knows my family, so he trusts we will be trustworthy, but if we fall behind, then he will sell it outright to someone else."
"That is awfully nice of him!"
"It really is!" John agreed. "And here's the kicker: that's for the entire property, farmhouse and all!"
"Holy smokes!"
John just looked at him and laughed at that. "`Holy smokes?'"
"My grandpa used to say that all the time," Andrew admitted bashfully. "It just came out."
"I see. Anyway, I have another thought that I don't know if you want to consider or not."
"Okay..."
"Since the deal includes the house, you could sell yours and use the profits to get started rather than take out a bank loan. That way, you wouldn't have to worry about making two rent payments, or the interest charges on the loan."
"It would also cut out my commute if I quit my job too."
"It would. It's risky, of course, and I'm pretty sure we'd need to fix some stuff with the old farmhouse, but I'd be happy to lend a hand with that. It would really give you a quick boost. And with all that research you've just done, I bet you know just to do next."
Andrew's head swam. "This is all happening way too fast all of a sudden."
"Hey, you don't have to decide instantly. In fact, you shouldn't. Let it percolate and see how it settles with you."
"That's some good advice."
"Happy to be here to give it! And while you're thinking about it, let me throw one more optional log on the fire for you to consider."
"What's that?"
"Remember how I'm wanting to get into property management?"
"Yeah."
"I could start on that by buying your place from you. That shouldn't violate your no-business-with-friends policy."
"What I'm hearing is that you've figured out a way to invest in me without being a direct investor in my nursery," Andrew observed.
"I suppose I have," John laughed. "But you can say no and I'll understand."
"I appreciate that. I definitely have some thinking to do."
"I know how happy that makes you," laughed John. "And with that, I shall bid you a very fond farewell and see myself out."
"What? Already?"
"Yeah, I have a bunch of stuff to do for tomorrow."
"Oh," said a disappointed Andrew. "I was hoping you would spend the night here tonight."
"As much as I'd love to, my projects are all at home. Besides, I doubt I'd give you much chance to ponder all your business options if I stayed," he said, cupping his crotch with a wink.
"You're probably right about that," Andrew agreed with a smile. "When are we going to head back to camp?"
"Hmmm," said John, scrubbing his scruffy chin. "I seem to recall an imminent birthday party coming up..."
"Oh yeah," Andrew remembered. "That's this Sunday."
"I'm excited to finally meet some of your people! But we could go up just for the day and then come back for the party, or we can push our next visit back a week."
"But what about that restaurant girl's grandma's party?"
"Ugh! People need to stop having birthdays," John complained. "But at least Ya-Ya's party is the following Monday, so we should be good for hitting the Jacks that weekend."
"In that case, let's just hold off this weekend. Who knows? We might find things to do here in town just as well."
"That is a possibility," John laughed. He leaned over and gave Andrew a kiss.
"Speaking of things to do, do you really have to leave now?"
"It pains me, but I really should," chuckled John. "Not that I wouldn't much rather share this with you," he added as he grasped Andrew's instantly twitching junk in his palm.
Andrew sighed.
"I will make it up to you, though: I promise."
"I'm going to hold you to that."
"Please do! But for now, I will see you later," John said, giving Andrew another kiss.
John made is way out and was gone in a few minutes, but Andrew was restless. Thanks to John's grasping hands, his cock was up and being a serious distraction.
Knowing he wouldn't be getting anything more done until he took care of it, he went over to sit in his desk chair and woke up his computer.
Since John wasn't available, he'd just have to take matters into his own hands for today.
He pulled up his favorite porn site and started scrolling through the options, trying to guess which links would lead to videos of hot guys doing hot things. He started and cut short several before he realized he was in the mood to see something more aggressive than his usual picks.
He pulled up the category options in the list on the side of the screen. Bareback...twinks...straight guys...daddies...groupsl...big dicks...creampies...blowjobs...solos...cumshots...handjobs...rough...fetish...
Fetish. Hmm, he hadn't really checked out any of that before. Maybe that would be fun.
He clicked on a few to try, and found fisting, chastity, torture, and feet, and again ended up cutting them short pretty quickly. They all proved somewhat uninspiring. It seemed that nothing would do for him today.
He discovered having interesting live sex with a hot boyfriend tended to mute the appeal of porn in general. Not that he didn't still appreciate all the sexy men or hot scenarios that could be found, but John made everything seem a bit pale in comparison.
He found some with leather, ropes, and chains, and those were a little better.
He stumbled across one with a skinny blonde guy chained to be spread eagled on top of a table being struck with a black leather flogger until his skin was red. Andrew wasn't sure why he didn't dismiss this particular one as quickly as the others. It was probably curiosity more than anything, but it was somehow intriguing. He stroked his cock slowly as he watched.
It slowly dawned on him that this wasn't too far removed from the things that he'd been exploring with John lately.
The camera angle switched to show the guy's hole being stretched and readied with two hands while the flogging continued. Andrew realized there were two guys working this guy over, and it got a little more interesting. He started moving faster as he stroked.
Once the twink's hole was nice and loosened up, those hands slathered some lube on a thick veiny cock.
By now, the captive was rosy red over most of his body.
Even loosened up, the blonde's ass looked way too small to take that big pole. But it lined itself up anyway and speared the smaller guy in one powerful thrust, pushing the receiver to the edge of his restraints. Andrew was into it now.
The guy on camera cried out at the sudden penetration when the view switched to watch the dominator go at it with gusto.
There, in all his glory, was John.
I'd love to hear from you if you have any questions or any suggestions for where this story should go :)
Also, if you'd like me to let you know when a new chapter goes up, just send me a message and I will keep you posted. Thanks for reading, and I hope you have great day!
DurtyRiter@protonmail.com