Page 147 of Crazy Love

Weston shrugs.

“We could go with something simple,” Rhodes says. “Like just…The Dads?”

There’s a pause.

“I don’t hate it,” Bowie admits.

“But it’s kind of boring,” Rhodes says.

“Or classic,” Weston says.

I look down at my caramel macchiato and space out for a few seconds, thinking about all the things I love about these guys, the range of topics we cover when we’re together, and how I know I can count on them for absolutely anything.

“What about…The Brotherhood?” I say. “That’s what I think of when I think of us. You’re the brothers I never had. The brothers that I’ve claimed for life.”

There’s a weighted silence as they all take it in.

Bowie sniffs. “I like it,” he says hoarsely.

Weston nods, reaching out to squeeze my shoulder. “Me too.”

Rhodes smiles at me from across the table. “The Brotherhood. I think it’s fitting.”

“The Brotherhood,” Henley repeats. “It works.”

I slap the table. “It’s settled. From this day forward, we are no longer the Single Dad Players. We are The Brotherhood.”

Weston raises his coffee cup. “To The Brotherhood.”

We all clink our cups together.

“Now,” I say, pulling out our Single Dad Playbook. “I don’t know why, but it feels wrong to change the name of this.” I wave the book. “But I guess since this one is almost filled up, it might be time to rename our book too. The Brotherhood Playbook?”

“It’ll always be The Single Dad Playbook to me,” Henley says.

The rest of us nod and then glance around the table.

“Lots of great memories here,” Weston says. “Whatever our name, let’s agree to always make more memories together.”

“Agreed.”

I flip open the book.

I see one of my entries and grin.

Is parenthood really just faking it till you make it?

Because I feel like I still don’t have a clue,

But I sure as hell act like I do.

~Penn

I feel this way more now than I did when I wrote it.

Levi will think something is disgusting.

Unless he sees it on my plate.

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