I twirl my phone around on the table by tapping the corner of it. I'd waited to make this call because I didn't want to make it, to ask certain favors of my father, but I had to.

I want to bring Monica to Vegas for her birthday. I want to surprise her by sharing my life with her. I want to lavish her with nice things, with some luxury, on her day. Flying Monica on my father's private jet was definitely a way to do that. Well, one of his private jets.

Technically he'd told me they were at my disposal whenever I'd like to use them, but I'm pretty sure that deal flew out the window the day I decided to use my trust to open up a shop. Not just that, I used it to move out and buy myself a house.

I am used to finer things in life. Hell, I grew up with them. I may not want to walk in my father's shoes as far as the business part goes, but having nice things is definitely not something I'm above. In a strange way, I want to get Monica's take on it— my life, what I do when I'm not with her. She has yet to see me in my own element.

I figure part of her birthday weekend could be spent showing her my life and everything that comes along with that. The shop. The home. My friends. My family. Everything that makes me me. I want her to know it all, to want it all.

That being said, I am a bit uneasy to bring her here because being a Rearick hasn't always been easy. It's shown a light on me and my family my entire life. If Monica wants to be a part of it then she'll have to get used to that too. She's not like girls like Coraline, girls who want to bask in the limelight, enjoy the attention; use it and me.

What if she wants nothing to do with you after coming to Vegas? What if she wants nothing to do with your lifestyle? That's not going to happen. Monica loves me. I know she'll take the good with the bad. But how can you be certain? Because I would for her. What if she ends up using you? She wouldn't. She would never.

I grab my phone while internally telling my mental voice to go and fuck itself. It's been having me second guess way too much shit lately. I scroll down to my father's name and press it. Glancing at my reflection in the window beside me, I wait for him to pick up.

"Boston, what can I do for you, son?" I hate that he sounds like he already knows why I'm calling. Because you usually only call him to ask for something. True.

"I have a favor to ask you." I'm met with silence. I continue, "it's my girlfriend's birthday next weekend and—"

He interrupts with, "you are still with Monica, then." Why does his voice sound so perturbed by that fact?

"Yes, we're still together." More silence. "I want to fly her out here for her birthday, take her out for a night on the town. I wanted to make it special so I was wondering if—"

"You want to use one of the jets."

If he would let me fucking finish. 

"Yes."

"I'm surprised you haven't just bought one at this point. You've spent all of my money so frivolously."

" I always thought it was my money, to better myself and build my future. At least that's what you had always said to me while growing up."

"Well, do you think you have done that with the funds provided?"

"Maybe not in the way you wanted or expected. Maybe I don't wear a tailored suit and lord over people, but yes, Rhoen Rearick, I did that." He hates when I call him by his full name, but if he insists on trying to subtly mock me, then two can play at that.

"You know me. As you have pointed out— I'm a man who's all about business. So let's talk business. I have a proposition for you." Of fucking course he does. "You know I have the annual gala coming up. It usually takes place in November but I made some changes and am planning to do it on Halloween this year. You know, since it lands on a Saturday evening and whatnot." I can see him leaning back in his chair and waving offhandedly in my head.

"Okay... what about it?"

"I want you to attend."

No fucking thank you.

"You know I hate those black-tie events and I'm going to stick out like a sore thumb at something like that. I'm sure your uptight business associates and colleagues will appreciate my piercings and ink." I can't even remember the last time I went to one of those events. Before the days of all my ink, that's for sure. I can only imagine the arrogant scoffing now.

"If you want to use the jet then I expect you to attend." My jaw ticks in irritation knowing I'm going to have to go to this fucking thing. "I'm assuming your girlfriend won't be able to attend with you, will she?"

"I'm not sure," I grit the words out, thinking he better not be going where I think he's going with this.

"Well, if she won't be in attendance, Louisa Thompson is going to be there and I was thinking you could ask her to be your date. The two of you always got on well."

"Nope. I have a girlfriend." The entire reason for this conversation.

"Son, it's just as an acquaintance, nothing more. We need to make nice with their family after some contracts fell through. There's no better way then for the two of you to be seen together, it will make good press. Show a united front." Just as I'm about to pipe up he keeps going. "And speaking of families to make nice with, Monica's brother Jamie will be there with his father. It will be a good opportunity for you to get to know him on a personal level, maybe even a business level, make a good impression and all. I don't think it's a big ask and it benefits us both, more so you I imagine."

"Yeah, I don't think it will make the best first impression on her brother if I'm there with someone else."

"As an acquaintance," He deadpanned the words. "The two of you used to be good friends. That's it. Nothing more. Nothing less. You're just making nice." I let out a deep breath, combing my hand through my hair. "I'll make sure the plane is stocked with the finest. Top notch."

I deliberate over it for a minute but ultimately concede with, "make sure it's the absolute finest."

"Food and drink to impress the best, absolutely." I can practically see the smirk on his face, the one he gets every time he lands a deal.

"Fine. I'll go to the gala."

"Louisa Thompson?"

"If Monica can't go. Only if."

"Perfect. I'm glad we could come to an agreement. Shoot me the dates you'll need the jet and I'll make it happen."

"Will do." I hang up the phone feeling satisfied and uneasy all at the same time.

✩✩✩

This past week seemed like it lasted a lifetime. Monica had a lot of school work which meant very little time in the naughty department. By the time I got out of work she was beat, already asleep. These last seven or so days I've cursed time differences.

She knows I'm flying in to see her but she doesn't know the rest. She doesn't know we'll be going back to Vegas and she sure as shit doesn't know it will be on a luxury jet. One that my father had gone all out on. He'd definitely kept up his end of the bargain.

I was a bit surprised when he'd given me the jet with a queen-sized bed in it. Not only that, he'd had rose petals tossed over the duvet. It was a bit presumptions but I'm not complaining. I plan on making good use of it during our near five hour flight back.

My cock aches just thinking about all the things I want to do to her. It had ached pretty much the entire flight here. Stop thinking about having sex. You don't want to greet your girlfriend with a raging hard-on. Valid point.

  I take a puff from my cigarette, scanning the field to see if I see her. Checking my phone for the millionth time, I see that not even two minutes have gone by since I'd text her I was waiting on our bench.

Why is time moving so damn slow?

What feels like an eternity later, Monica appears with her weekend bag slung over her shoulder. The minute she spots me she stops, beaming a radiant smile at me, before she starts running. I flick my cigarette away and stand to my feet just in time for her to launch herself into my arms.

"I missed you so much!" She peppers my face with kisses. "So so so much!" More kisses. They're on my neck now.

"Is it my birthday or what?" I chuckle as she continues. "Baby, give me a proper kiss." She pulls away and I wrap my hand around the back of her neck before pulling her in to me. I give her a kiss that's soft and slow. One that shows her just how much I've missed her, tentatively pushing my tongue into her mouth.

When we've finally finished our kiss she pulls away with a grin. "So, what're we doing? Where are we going? Are we staying at the same place we did while you were here last time? Hmm? We have fond memories there." She wriggles her brow.

Oh yes we do. Very fond.

"No, it's a surprise. I told you that." I bump my nose to hers before setting her down on her feet. "Come on, beautiful." I jerk my head towards the car. "They're waiting for us."

She holds out her hand and I take it, missing the feeling of it in mine. Missing everything about the girl beside me.

A/N:
Happy Monday!
How are we all feeling about that talk between Boston and his father?