by Jacob Chance
MANFAX
Winter Brothers #2
Jacob Chance
Copyright © 2020 Jacob Chance
All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This novel is a work of fiction. While reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to people either living or deceased, business establishments, events or locales is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
Any trademarks, service marks, product names or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are only used for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used.
Cover design by PopKitty Designs
Edited and Proofread by Ink Machine Editing
This book contains mature content.
I thought I was promiscuous, but it turns out I was just thorough.
Russell Brand
Contents
1. Roxanne
2. Adam
3. Roxanne
4. Adam
5. Roxanne
6. Adam
7. Roxanne
8. Adam
9. Roxanne
10. Adam
11. Roxanne
12. Adam
13. Roxanne
14. Adam
15. Roxanne
16. Adam
17. Adam
18. Roxanne
19. Adam
20. Roxanne
21. Adam
22. Roxanne
23. Adam
24. Roxanne
25. Adam
26. Adam
27. Roxanne
28. Adam
Epilogue
MANTRUM
Acknowledgments
About the Author
1
Roxanne
“Is this guy for real?” I mutter as I look over the report my company, Manfax, has run. In the past six months alone four women have requested information on him and his dating history. He’s our most frequent flyer, and he has no idea.
I pause, studying his information. What’s so special about this guy?
Name: Adam Winters.
It’s fine as names go, but nothing fantastic. Nothing that would lead you to believe he bed hops more than a bedbug. Gross. I shake my head to rid myself of the visual.
Height: Six feet two inches.
He’s definitely got the height advantage going for him.
Age: Thirty-five.
He’s not that young, but maturity-wise, he’s probably more like twenty-three.
It’s not until my gaze moves down to the close-up image that I truly understand what the big attraction for all these women is about—or at least part of it.
His medium brown hair is cut close on the sides, and the longer strands on top of his head are sexily tousled, like he recently finished making some lucky lady’s day between her thighs.
Forest green eyes suck me under like quicksand, and my stomach feels all fluttery. Frowning, I wrap an arm around my waist. I’m not usually a fluttery stomach kind of woman.
My eyes continue on their journey over the rest of his features, taking in the straight nose and a jawline that could’ve been chiseled from granite. There’s no doubt about it, Adam is drop-dead gorgeous.
Pausing on the roguish smile twisting his masculine lips, I wonder what sordid thoughts were running through his mind when this photo was taken.
Knuckles rap against my door jamb, snapping my attention to the petite woman poking her head in my office. “How’s it going?”
“Hey, Lisa. Here.” I pick up the stack of folders, and she moves forward, scooping them into her arms. “These investigations are all complete, so invoices with the remaining balances can be sent out.”
“Perfect. I’ll get them done before I get out of here.” She glances down at Adam’s folder on top. “Isn’t this the same guy we’ve had requests for before?”
I snort. “Yep. I feel like he should be getting rewarded for all the repeat business he brings us. He’s a legend here and he doesn’t even know. Maybe I should send him a gift card or something.”
“Nah. Don’t worry about it. He’s probably a tool. At the very least, he’s a serial dater. What’s he look like anyway?” She opens up the folder, thumbing through the pages. Her dark brows pop upward on her forehead, and I know she’s found his picture. “Oh, damn. I think I get it now.”
I laugh. “Right? He’s definitely eye candy. But guys that good-looking always seem to be the biggest commitment phobes around. Is it because there’s such a large volume of women out there for them to sample that they’re afraid they’ll miss out if they settle down?”
Lisa shrugs, her tight corkscrew curls bouncing on her shoulders. “Are you asking a rhetorical question or do you think I know the answer? My horrible dating history speaks for itself. I’m not qualified to state any opinions.”
“Your guess is as good as mine, if not better. I’m in the same position as you and I’m older, so my record is more pathetic. Just give me your opinion for shits and giggles.”
She rolls her lips inward before she forms her reply. “I think when a male or female is extremely attractive, there’s a certain amount of attention they grow accustomed to receiving. In fact, they may come to expect it. Maybe they’ll even crave it to a certain extent to make themselves feel validated.”
Her answer impressed me. “Wow. You sound like you’ve given this some thought.”
“Doesn’t every woman have a hot commitment phobe in their past who makes them rethink their poor life choices?”
“Unfortunately, for me, I’ve always been the one to shy away from any permanence in my relationships.”
“Yeah, and you’re hot too. Maybe you thrive on the attention you get from men and want the chase to keep going on.”
“Oh, God.” I wave my hand, “It’s been a long day. Much too long to try to figure out my own issues. No one’s got time for that.” I smile. “That involves copious amounts of alcohol and chocolate, and I’m doing keto now, so both of those treats are out.”
Lisa arches a brow. “What are you dieting for?”
“Summer’s here, and I plan to spend as much time in a bathing suit as I can.”
“Wouldn’t that involve you taking a day or two off? You practically live here.”
“I know, but I promised Danika I’d go to the White Mountains with her and Violet next week. And I figured now is as good a time as any to start finding a better balance in my life between work and play.”
“Good for you, and it’s about damn time. I’m here if you need me to step up at all.”
I smile. “I may take you up on that. At the least, you might have to answer all the calls I’ll be making to be sure everything’s running smoothly when I’m away.”
“Are you kidding me? You’ve got this business functioning like a well oiled machine. And I only see it growing in the years to come.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Lisa nods. “I am. We offer a service no one else does. See you tomorrow, boss.” She waves as she leaves.
Leaning back in my executive style leather chair, I fold my hands over my stomach. Looking around my large office, pride washes over me. Manfax was started on a whim. At the time, I hated my job. Grossly overwork
ed and underpaid, I could barely sustain my Dunks coffee habit in addition to keeping a roof over my head. A few of my friends were ending bad relationships then, and I remember thinking it’s too bad there’s no service where you can check out a man’s past dating history before you become emotionally attached to them.
When you purchase a used car, you can run a report to make sure you’re not getting fed a bunch of lies or buying a lemon.
Why couldn’t you do that for men too?
I soon became obsessed with the thought of owning my own business. Add helping other single women find their happy ever after and I was convinced there was a need for my help.
At first, I worked out of my apartment and had a private investigator friend who cut me a break on his hourly rate. But between a little bit of advertising and word-of-mouth referrals, it took off quickly.
And now, I rent office space in a prime location in Brookline. I employ two full-time private investigators, in addition to Lisa, my right hand girl.
Not too shabby for a poor girl from Lowell.
“What kind of clothes should we bring with us?” Violet asks Danika.
“I’d bring a mix of stuff. You can hike if you want to. There’s land all around the cabin to explore.”
“Hike?” I turn my lip up. “How many times have you known me to hike?”
Danika giggles. “Never.”
“Exactly. Sweating looks horrible on me. What happened to working on our tans?” When she mentioned a few days at the cabin, I had an image of lying around, basking in the fresh mountain air and sunshine.
“There’s an inground pool, so you’re welcome to use that too,” Danika reassures.
I close my eyes and sigh. “It sounds heavenly. No neighbors, hot guys, and a pool.”
“Hot guys?” Violet questions, and my eyes snap open.
“Yeah, remember, Rex said he’d introduce us to his brothers.” I look to Dani. “Unless that’s not happening?”
“As far as I know it is. Rex mentioned they always head up there for the Fourth of July, so I’d imagine this year will be no different.”
“How are things with you and sexy Rexy anyway?” I inquire.
She beams. “Great. I can’t even believe how happy I am.”
I rub her arm. “I’m so glad things are going well for you guys. You deserve it.” Danika went through a divorce a few years back and hadn’t dated at all until she met Rex a little over three months ago. It’s wonderful to see her looking so radiant and hearing how content she is. He seems like a great guy for her. I can’t wait to observe them together some more when we go away.
“Violet, how’s your work going?” I ask. She doesn’t like to talk about herself a lot. We have to prod her to get her to share.
“Eh, it’s okay. I’m up for a promotion soon.”
“That’s awesome,” Danika replies
“We’ll see if I get it. The competition is stiff.”
I tap my head. “If they’re smart, they’ll give you the job. And if they don’t, fuck ’em.”
“If I don’t get it, I’ll deal until something better comes along. I like my job now, but I’m ready for more responsibility. And the raise would be nice, for sure.”
It’s times like these when I’m reminded how amazing it is to be working for myself. It was scary at first, making the leap without knowing if Manfax would pay off or not. Luckily for me, it paid off big time and changed my life for the better. I never take how fortunate I am for granted. I know circumstances can quickly change, and not always for the better. That’s why I make the most of each day, and I’m not afraid to be bold when it comes to men.
Which is also part of my relationship troubles. Guys like women to be assertive at first, but then they prefer a meek woman who’s going to agree with everything they say. That’s not me. I’m outspoken, and if I don’t like something, I’m going to tell you, whether you want to hear it or not. I think that can be emasculating for some men and make them feel insecure about their role in our relationship.
But if a guy can’t handle me at my strongest, I certainly don’t want to lean on him when I’m at my weakest. The only way I can see myself marrying is if I find someone who’s with me all the way, no matter the circumstances.
Unconditional love at it’s purest is what I’m looking for. It’s like looking for a unicorn or a pink elephant. I’m not sure it exists, but the thought that it might is like bait dangling on a hook in front of a fish. It keeps me swimming forward and hoping for a little magic in my own life.
2
Adam
“Bro, that looks awesome,” Rex, my older brother, calls out as I nail the next board up.
Stepping back, I check out the horizontal pattern of boards on the accent wall. “I really like this look. It’s a rustic detail that will contrast nicely with all the modern touches in this kitchen.”
Rex nods. “I agree. There’s a lot of glass, tile, and granite in here. And it’s a great way to use up all the recycled wood.”
“Right? Saves us having to cart it off the job, and it’s original to this house.” This kitchen renovation is being done on a house that’s one hundred and fifty years old.
“I still can’t believe they didn’t want to keep the original hardwoods. What a crime.”
“I agree, but it’s not our house,” Rex replies.
Unfortunately, sometimes we don’t always agree with the design choices the customer wants. We repurposed wood from the original hardwood floor after they had us replace it with tile, which seems like a crime to both of us. We sanded each individual board down, then sealed them with a coat of polyurethane and let them dry overnight. And now I’m about to put the last few boards up. The sound of my nail gun keeps Rex and me from conversing anymore until I’m finished.
Rex whistles long and low. “Nice, brother. Great idea.”
“Thanks. What do you want to tackle next on our list? I was thinking we should get the appliances in. Once we do that, we need to touch up a few places with paint and the kitchen is finished.” I swipe my forearm over my forehead, mopping up the beads of sweat.
“Sounds good.”
I spend the next hour installing a dishwasher while Rex and one of our employees move the new fridge and stove in from the garage. By five o’clock, we’re done, and the kitchen gleams with everything new. We sweep the floor and give the appliances and counters a quick once over.
The homeowners arrive shortly after we’ve finished. “Oh my God.” Mrs. Jackson covers her mouth and nose with her hands. “It’s so beautiful.” She starts to cry.
Her husband puts his arm around her shoulders. “You guys did an amazing job. It’s better than we imagined.”
I step forward and shake his hand and then Mrs. Jackson throws her arms around me. “Thank you so much.”
I smile down at her when we part and then it’s Rex’s turn to be hugged.
“We'll be back in the morning to start in on the bathroom,” I inform them.
“I can’t wait to see what you guys do with that room,” Mr. Jackson tells us.
“It’ll look great when we’re done,” I state.
“Have a nice night,” Rex calls out as we step outside. We pause to bump fists for a job well done.
“What’s the plan tonight? Are we meeting up with Larsen at Jack’s house?” I question.
“Yeah, we’re supposed to but not until seven. I’m heading home to shower first. I’ll see you there.” Rex climbs into his truck, and I do the same, getting into mine. I’m off with a quick salute of my middle finger toward my brother and a grin on my lips.
“I 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.”