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CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

BUZZ CUT SEASON

BOWIE

The morning sun filters through the old blinds at Men are from Mars Barber Shop, casting lines across the worn leather chairs. I stare at my reflection. I’ve gone through so many rough NFL seasons, thousands of stressful nights as a single dad, and countless days assuming that my life would never have a woman I love in it.

I woke up with a whim this morning and I’m here to go for it.

Jeffrey, my barber, hovers behind me, clippers in hand. He looks sick. “You’re sure you want to do this?” he asks for the third time.

I exhale slowly. “It’ll grow back.”

Something is shifting inside me, an acceptance that I’m changing…I want something I haven’t allowed myself to want.

Jeffrey sighs, shoulders drooping. “All right. But I’m blaming you if your fans riot.”

I offer a small grin. “I’ll handle it.”

There’s a buzz and my hair falls in piles to the floor. By the end, I’m left with stubble so short it barely registers as hair. The change is drastic, and in the mirror, I hardly recognize myself.

I’ve officially lost that bet.

When I step into Luminary Coffeehouse, Clara doesn’t even ask me to dance because she’s stunned speechless.

“Mornin’, Clara,” I say, as if nothing is out of the ordinary.

When I walk back to our room, the guys are already there waiting. The reaction is immediate. They all yell in shock, staring at me.

“Holy shit!” Penn blurts, nearly knocking over his coffee.

Rhodes grips the edge of the table and then stands, slowly coming over to slide his hand over my head. “You…you buzzed it all off. Does this mean what I think it does?”

Weston shakes his head as he comes over to feel it too, his eyes shining bright. “Congratulations, motherfucker.”

Henley comes over and we share a bro-clasp and hug.

“Settle down,” I say, when I back up. “I haven’t asked her to marry me,” I pause, knowing how badly I want her in my life permanently. “Yet. Hell, I still haven’t gotten her to agree to moving in with me…although I hope to tonight. Again.” I sh rug, smiling sheepishly. “But I’ve still lost the bet, because I am so far gone on this girl.”

They erupt in whistles and dramatic pounding on the table. Rhodes looks personally vindicated and the rest of them are grinning like they’ve won too.

“I knew it,” Rhodes says.

I laugh, shaking my head. “I never thought I’d be here, guys.”

“You deserve it more than anyone,” Weston says, and the rest of them add their agreement.

Penn taps The Single Dad Playbook that’s lying on the table, and I sit down, opening it up.

I can hardly believe I’m going to be a dad again.

In a way, it feels like starting over

because I’ve been past the baby phase

for such a long time.

And maybe because I’m older now too,

I’m appreciating it all the more.

I’m soaking up every moment.

With Tru. With the girls. With you guys.

Because I know now how fast the time goes.

So read the extra bedtime story,

Linger at the dinner table,

Take all the pictures…

Time is a vapor.

~Henley

I nod at Henley. “You’re not wrong, man.”

I look back at the book and keep reading .

Two things I’m learning about little boys…

1. Never underestimate their commitment to chaos.

2. Always have an extra pair of clothes handy.

~Weston

I laugh, looking at Weston. “What’s the story here?”

“There are too many stories there,” Weston says, laughing. “It doesn’t matter what we’re doing, he finds a way to make a mess and will inevitably need to change his clothes.” He lifts a shoulder. “Maybe little girls are like that too.”

Henley nods, grinning. “Pretty much. Except their clothing changes are more about wanting to put on something cuter…”

Everyone laughs at that.

I glance at my watch and wince. “I’m sorry to cut this short, but I’ve gotta go. I have to get some things ready for tonight.”

“Yeah, what’s this you’re planning for tonight?” Rhodes asks.

“Project Woo,” I say, pointing at Rhodes. “I’m going to woo the fuck out of this girl.”

They all laugh. It’s the advice Penn gave Rhodes about Elle…advice Henley and Weston adhered with Tru and Sadie too actually.

“I figure it’s worth a go since it worked for the three of you,” I say.

“Something tells me she’s already wooed, but you do this,” Weston says, laughing. “I can’t wait to hear what happens. ”

“Best advice I ever gave,” Penn says.

I snort. “Mm-hmm. I think you were heavily influenced by these jokers,” I point to Henley and Weston, “but it did work. Elle married the guy.”

Rhodes smiles proudly. “Damn straight she did.” He looks at me and his expression turns serious. “Make us proud, man. You’ve got this.”

“I’ll let you know how it goes.”

I leave and get to work, wanting everything to be perfect. Later that afternoon, I pick Poppy up and she gasps, her eyes going wide when she sees my haircut.

“What did you do ?” She laughs. She reaches forward to smooth a hand over my scalp. Her touch sets off sparks.

“Lost a bet with the guys. Still want to go out with me?”

I can tell she’s curious about the bet, but she doesn’t push for me to tell her.

“Absolutely,” she says. “You look different. Good different though.”

“It’ll grow back.” That’s going to be my line for the next month at least, I think.

We drive to the marina and I lead her to the boat I’ve rented. It’s a small, classic vessel adorned with an insane amount of flowers. They spill out over the edges of the boat, a flurry of white and pink and lavender that nearly fills the whole boat.

I might have overdone it with the flowers, but when she sees it, she lets out a gasp, her hand flying to her mouth.

“Bowie!” She turns to look at me, her eyes shining. “This is… wow .”

I grin, feeling a blush climb my neck. “I wanted it to be special.”

We step onto the boat and I help her sit. I sit across from her and the gentle sway of the water calms me, helping me focus on what I want to say. For now, we glide out onto the lake, sunlight dancing on the surface. I have a picnic basket filled with her favorite foods—fruit, cheese, her favorite bread, and desserts from Serendipity. We settle in, cushions and blankets softening the seats.

As we drift, my nerves pick up. But Poppy talks about her day at work, and I tell her about the way Becca’s been collecting funny-shaped leaves lately, even finding one that looks like a helicopter. Every moment feels like a step closer to what I need to say. I wait until after we’ve eaten to take her hand in mine.

“Poppy,” I begin, my throat tightening slightly. “These past few months have…changed everything for me. I don’t know if you realize just how opposed I was to a relationship, but you’ve changed all of that. I love spending time with you. I love everything about you. I’m in love with you.”

I hear the hitch in her breath, and the tremulous way her mouth gets when her eyes water.

“I’m in love with you too,” she whispers.

My heart thumps in response to that.

“When I drop you off at night, I’m sad to leave you. When I wake up in the morning, I miss you. I can’t stand to spend another day waking up without you. Would you please move in with me?” My eyes get big and I clasp my hands together. “ Please ?”

I haven’t forgotten how much she likes it when I say please .

Her lips part, a small “oh” escaping. Her eyes shine brighter than the water’s reflection.

“I’m so gone on you, Poppy,” I say, leaning in so we’re close, foreheads touching.

Her hands land on my face and we kiss. It’s the sweetest kiss, as if the whole world is holding its breath. The flowers sway in the breeze, the boat gently rocks, and a bird cries softly overhead.

Then Poppy pulls back and smiles, and her face is mesmerizing, it’s so radiant.

“Yes,” she says simply. “I’ll move in with you.”

“I love you,” I tell her again, relief flooding through me.

“I love you,” she says, and the words have never sounded better.