Manfax (Winter Brothers #2) - Jacob Chance Page 0,3
hope you got good eats because I’m fucking starving.” I rub my growling stomach.
“There’s pizza, wings, and fries. Eat up, because if Marshall and his friends show up it won’t last long,” Jack says, referring to his college-aged son, my only nephew.
“God, I remember being that age. I couldn’t eat enough food, drink enough beer, or get enough pussy. Those were the days.” I smile as I load up a plate.
“How has your life changed at all?” Rex inquires from beside me as he grabs a slice of pizza. “You still live that way.”
I shrug. “You might be right. But I wasn’t doing backbreaking work every day back then.”
“How’s business going?” Jack asks.
“It’s thriving. We’re booked solid for the next year,” I explain as I sit on the couch and balance my plate in my lap.
“That’s great to hear, bro. I’m happy for you both.”
“How’s your break going so far? Are you wishing you hadn’t taken the summer off?”
Jack shakes his head. “I needed this. I’m not saying being a professor is the most difficult work in the world, but it’s not easy at times either.”
“What have you been doing to stay busy?” Rex asks.
“Not much yet. Mostly relaxing and spending as much time with Marshall and Maddie as I can.”
Jack has sole custody of his kids and dotes on them. When he and his wife split up, she went off the rails, regressing back to her single, no-responsibility ways. The kids still see her for an occasional dinner, but they don’t stay with her now that they’re both over eighteen.
“Are you all coming to the cabin for the Fourth of July?” Rex directs his question to all of us.
I nod. “I’ll be there. I can’t wait to breathe in that clean mountain air.”
“I’m coming too,” Larsen says before taking a deep pull from his beer bottle.
I tip my chin toward Jack. “What about you?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t decided yet.”
“What’s keeping you here?” Larsen asks.
“The kids. I don’t really want to leave the house in their hands and go to New Hampshire. They’ll throw a party, for sure.”
“Do your best to come with us. You could use the time away,” Rex tells him.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
I glance around at my brothers. “So, why isn’t anyone asking the important question?”
“What would that be?” Jack asks.
“How’s it going with Danika, bro?”
Rex scowls. “That’s your question? Everything’s great.”
“So, you’re hitting it on the regular now?” I prod.
“Fuck off.” Is his only reply.
“Shouldn’t you be in a better mood if you’re getting laid?” I tease, and he holds his middle finger up.
“Are you guys serious?” Larsen raises an eyebrow questioningly. “You really like this one?”
Rex nods. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone. And if you make some jackass comment right now, I’m gonna kick your ass.” He smirks and takes a sip of his beer.
“I’m happy for you, bro,” Jack says. “You deserve it.”
“That’s nice of you to say. I’ve never been so happy to get a parking ticket as I was the day I met Danika.”
“Now you know someone who can fix them for you. Hey, that’s why you’re dating her,” Larsen jokes.
“Yeah, it has nothing to do with the fact that she’s beautiful and puts up with him.” I shake my head.
“Puts up with me?” Rex pats his own chest. “I’m a fucking joy to be around.”
I tip the rim of my beer bottle his way. “Okay, if that’s the case, who’s the grouchy ass I work with every day?”
Rex shrugs. “I can only take so much of your company.”
I grin. “How did I know this would somehow be my fault?” I raise the bottle of beer to my lips, swallowing down the ice-cold liquid. “Not to mention, I’m the easiest going person you know.”
“Yeah, Rex, you can’t blame Adam for your short fuse. Everything pisses you off,” Larsen chimes in. “You’ve always been that way.”
“Who asked you, baby bro?” Rex growls. “Besides, I’m a changed man.”
“So you say, Rex. I guess we’ll see how long it lasts,” Larsen challenges.
“Old me would’ve punched you by now, but instead I’ll say fuck off.” Rex stares at Larsen. “Fuck off.”
“Danika must have a top shelf pussy, that’s all I can say,” Larsen continues, as if Rex never spoke. “She got you whipped in record time.”
A muscle flexes in Rex’s cheek, and I wait for him to explode. Dragging a deep breath into his lungs before exhaling slowly, he seems to be working on calming down.
“Play nice, boys.” In typical oldest