Page 149 of Crazy Love

and clapped so hard.

It’s the coolest I’ve ever felt.

~Bowie

“Ahh, that little guy is gonna have an arm on him,” Weston says. “He’s all about the ball.”

Bowie nods. “He is obsessed with playing ball…any kind.”

Wanna know how I’ve realized I’m getting old?

I’m leaning into the dad jokes.

I can’tnotsay things like:

It’s nacho problem.

Eggs can’t take a yolk.

Who’s the sheep that can sing and dance? Lady Ba Ba

And the worst part?

I LAUGH AT MYSELF.

I’m calling it a rite of passage.

~Weston

I close the book and pass it to Weston.

“That is solid work right there, guys,” I say, still laughing.

Henley stretches. “We’re starting to sound like professionals.”

“We’ve had practice,” Rhodes says, grinning.

“We’re heading for a new chapter, boys,” I say. “Are you ready?”

We all click our coffee mugs together.

Ready.

EPILOGUE

SAM

Six years later…

I’m stuffing a suitcase with too many hoodies when Mom’s sniffle from the doorway makes me pause.

“Mom,” I say, without turning around, because if I see her face, I might cry myself. “You’re not crying again, are you?”

“No,” she says, her voice wobbling. “I’m fine. I’m just…really proud of you.”

Dad clears his throat. He’s been doing that a lot today—hovering nearby, trying to be helpful, and then disappearing when things get too emotional. He comes back with his face red and splotchy, so it’s no secret that he’s going off to cry too.

Winnie is sprawled across my bed, her face buried in my pillow. “I don’t think I’m going to survive this.”

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