Manfax (Winter Brothers #2) - Jacob Chance Page 0,58

hairnet on, just like the Jesus character from the movie.

“Hey, buddy.” I throw the robe on and glance down at Roxanne beside me. “Not yet, but I want her to be. She needs some convincing, though. Maybe you can tell her I’m not a bad guy.”

“You’re the best guy,” he exclaims.

“Thanks for the endorsement, buddy. But don’t think this means that I’m not gonna kick your ass bowling.”

“I’m gonna kick your ass.” Randy points at me. “And do you know why?” He smiles and doesn’t wait for me to respond before quoting the movie. The line he says mentions two words that don’t go together—fucks and Jesus. I’m pretty sure Bonnie is about to have a breakdown over it. Randy repeats it two more times for good measure.

“Okay, gentlemen, let’s watch our language,” Bonnie scolds us. “I hope you’re happy. He’s been saying it pretty much nonstop since we arrived.”

“Come on, Adam, let’s show the ladies how it’s done.” Randy saves me from a lecture.

I lean over and press a kiss on Roxanne’s cheek, right in front of her ear. “I’m going to play a quick game with him and then you can show me your moves.”

She smiles before I brush a brief kiss on her lips. “Don’t go too hard on him, Randy,” she says.

“Oh, I’m gonna kick his ass,” Randy yells excitedly. “Because nobody—” I cover his mouth before he can shout the rest.

Bonnie rolls her eyes at me. “It’s a good thing I like you so much.”

“You’d be lost without me.” I turn to Randy and place my hand on his shoulder. “Come on, shit talker. We’ve got a game to play.”

“Yeah, but I’m still gonna kick your ass,” he insists.

“Well, that’s just like, your opinion, maaan.” I give him my best impression of The Dude.

“All rigghht.” Randy looks even happier now that I’ve joined in his fun.

We spend the next forty-five minutes bowling only a single game. Randy does a continuous imitation of The Jesus, dancing along the lane and quoting the movie for everyone around every time he rolls the ball.

Each time his ball pops through the return, he places it in a towel between his legs, crouches down, and polishes it vigorously just like in the movie. It’s borderline inappropriate and absolutely hysterical.

By the time we finish our game the entire alley is gathered around and cheering us on.

Randy’s commitment to the impersonation has won over the entire crowd, including the people who were annoyed only moments ago.

He takes a victory lap, running along the top of the lanes with his arms extended like an airplane. “Nobody fucks with—”

“No, no, no,” I shout to block out Randy’s escalating tone.

24

Roxanne

“And this is why I adore Adam. I’m so thankful he’s part of our program. He’s made such a difference in Randy. As much as I’d love to get after him for telling Randy to watch that movie, I can’t. Look at Randy’s face. Have you ever seen such pure unadulterated joy?”

I grin. “I can’t say I have. So, Adam told me you guys have been friends forever.”

She smiles. “We have. Our moms are close friends, so we had no choice.”

“Has he always been so…”

“Full of life? Mischievous? Hilarious? Yes. You can insert any one of these.” Bonnie laughs.

“I imagine he was pretty rambunctious as a child,” I say.

“You’re not kidding. He was full of energy and into everything. His poor mother had her hands full with all those boys.”

“She must be a saint,” I reply.

“She’s great. So, how did you two meet?”

“His brother, Rex, is marrying my best friend.”

“I thought Rex might remain a bachelor forever. I’m glad he found someone,” Bonnie says.

I nod. “They’re ridiculously happy.”

“His daughter, Ruby, is a great kid. Adam’s brought her to the home with him, and she’s fantastic with the residents, very patient and kind.”

My eyes land on my date, observing as he playfully ruffles Randy’s hair. “I know he adores her.”

“In all the time I’ve known Adam, I’ve never met a single female ‘friend’ of his. He must really like you.”

“I don’t know about that. Maybe he just likes the chase,” I offer, nonchalantly shrugging. Or at least I hope I’m coming off that way. But indifference is the last thing I’m feeling.

“No man looks at a woman like he looks at you unless they’re crazy about them,” she tells me.

“Yeah?” My eyes return to him, and my body hums with awareness. He struts up to release the ball, all cocky and silly at the same time, then