It took everything Nick had not to knock some sense into his pompous brother. How dare he talk to him like that? Nick took a deep breath as he spoke.
"Hear tell you're a regular at the Pool Emporium."
"And?"
"So you're not denying it?"
Jarrod leaned forward in his chair slightly hovering over his desk as he answered, "What I do on my personal time is not open for discussion." Jarrod leaned back in his chair waiting for Nick's response.
Nick spat, "Well I'm making it mine."
Jarrod turned his back to Nick as he replied, "It's none of your business what I do."
Nick roared, "Oh is that how it works now? You stay out all hours of the night while we're working?"
Jarrod whirled around in his chair with a scowl on his face that made Nick flinch. "Don't like it do you Brother Nick? Well welcome to my world the last ten years. What do you think I was doing while you made your weekly trip to Harry's and Big Annie's? I was doing all the ranch paperwork. I told you I would continue to handle all of the legal responsibilities for the ranch during business hours. If that is not acceptable to you then we have nothing else to talk about." Jarrod turned his chair back around.
Nick slammed his fist on the table and roared, "It's your job Jarrod, not mine or mother's."
Jarrod was out of chair and in front of Nick before Nick knew what was happening. He stood over Nick as he pointed his finger at him and yelled, "It is NOT my job Nick. Mother used to do all the bookkeeping and accounting and at one time you were responsible for the contracts. In case you haven't noticed I have my own business that needs my attention."
Nick jumped up to stand in Jarrod's face as he spat, "Your own business?" Nick looked around and said, "Looks pretty dead in here to me, what could you possibly need help with? In case you have forgotten the ranch is a FAMILY BUSINESS, which means we all work."
Jarrod pushed Nick out of his face and shouted, "I have worked many nights, weekends and holidays doing numerous things for the FAMILY BUSINESS in case you have forgotten."
Nick advanced towards his older brother and bellowed, "You can't just walk away because you want too."
"Because I want too? Seriously Nick get your head out of your ass. I may not have done all the physical work you and Heath have done but I sure as hell have put in as many hours as both of you have if not more. And while I was working all those nights, weekends and holidays what were you doing Brother Nick? If my memory serves me correctly you were nowhere to be found."
Nick frowned at Jarrod and said, "It's still a FAMILY BUSINESS Jarrod which means all family members work."
Jarrod glared at Nick and spat, "Because it's a working ranch?"
Nick took a deep breath and before he knew what he was doing he sent Jarrod flying over his desk when he hit him square on the chin. As soon as he threw the punch he regretted it immediately. Once again Nick let his temper control him.
Jarrod jumped over his desk as he lunged at Nick. He knocked Nick back into the couch and landed a few blows to his brother's midsection.
Jarrod suddenly stopped and walked away from his brother. He wiped his bloody lip with his shirt sleeve and bellowed at Nick, "Get out NOW!"
Nick tried to say something but once again Jarrod roared at Nick, "GET OUT NOW!"
Nick hung his head as he walked slowly out of Jarrod's office. He knew as soon as he hit Jarrod he had made a huge mistake. He turned around to look in his brother's office once again and noticed Jarrod glaring at him.
Nick mumbled, "I'm..." Jarrod slammed the door shut in Nick's face.
Nick sighed as he walked out of Jarrod's office and went to get Coco. What would he tell his mother? She would be upset once she found out about the fight and she would have every right to be mad at him. But Jarrod had goaded him until Nick could not take it any longer.
As Nick walked to the livery stable he figured he may as well stop by Harry's for another drink or two.
Jarrod paced angrily in his office. He knew Nick had been upset when Jarrod decided to quit handling the ranch business but he had no idea he was this upset. It was none of Nick's business what Jarrod did or where he been or who he had been with. Jarrod never questioned Nick when he would disappear for hours at a time, so what gave Nick the right to question him.
Jarrod suddenly remembered the contract that had to be turned in today and hoped that was the reason Nick was been in town. This was by far one of the larger contracts the Barkley's had and they could not afford to lose it or renegotiate with the buyers.
As Jarrod straightened up the mess from the scuffle with Nick he thought about going by the Miller's to make sure Nick had dropped off the contract but he vetoed that idea. Surely Nick would take care of that since all he had to do was deliver the contract.
Jarrod's thoughts went to Sam Harris. They had a nice lunch earlier and she had invited him to the VIP area of the Pool Emporium which he was looking forward to quite a bit. He had convinced her to change her appointment with him to this week since they were both in town and he could always 'forget' something and contact her again in San Francisco. He chuckled at that thought.
He sighed as he recalled his encounter with Sally. He had gone by her house after his lunch with Sam and informed her he would not be calling on her any longer. She whined and cried and acted like a spoiled child which further cemented Jarrod's decision to not see her any longer. After her temper tantrum he even thought about telling Nick not to pursue her.
The thought of his brother brought another scowl to his face. He rubbed his chin knowing Sam would see the fresh bruise on his face and question him about it. He wasn't sure what he would tell her but he would figure it out then as he started getting ready for his dinner date.