Page 6 of Crazy Love

Walter shakes his head. “Back in my day, we didn’t even have these cushy helmets. We played with grit! Not like these wimps who need a commercial break every five minutes.”

I smirk as I approach, but before I can pass, Marv’s eyes lock onto me. “Well, look who it is. We saw some footage of you guys at training camp on the news last night. You care to explain why everyone’s forgotten how to tackle?”

Walter jumps in before I can reply. “Or why they’re tripping on their shoelaces out there? Are you clowns gonna be ready when the season starts?”

I chuckle, pausing at their table. I don’t bother to correct them. Training camp hasn’t officially started, but our workoutshave increased and the news team came out while we were messing around yesterday.

“Good morning to you too, gentlemen. I assure you, we will be more than ready when the time comes.”

Marv snorts, pointing a gnarled finger at me. “You better be. We want you back in the Super Bowl this year.”

“I want that too, trust me.”

“Do it while you’ve got knees that still work, Penn,” Walter says, leaning back in his chair.

“Myknees still work,” Marv says. “Maybe not out on a football field anymore, but these knees smoked you at bowling last week.” He points at Walter, who’s shaking his head and waving him off.

“Bowling doesn’t count,” Walter mutters.

I tap the table and point at Walter. “Bowling totally counts, and I’ll take your words under advisement. Super Bowl, while the knees work, no hugging tackles,” I tick off the list.

I think I might see a crack of a smile from Marv as I head back to our private room, where the guys are already waiting. My best friends and teammates. The Single Dad Players. I’ve given them so much crap for calling themselves that. Rhodes, Henley, and Bowie were single dads who started getting together to talk about their kids and fatherhood, and Weston and I looked up to them so much that we started showing up at their little meetings.

I’m happy to be playing the field…in all the ways. But it’s starting to feel strange to be the odd man out. The only non-dad. The only single one. Once upon a time, we were in the same boat together. Now they’ve all gone and gotten themselves hitched and procreated.

Henley’s the veteran of the group, balancing his podcast and his job as a football commentator with fatherhood like some kind of superhero. He has four daughters now—three from hisfirst marriage…Cassidy, Audrey, and Gracie—and a new baby girl, Avery, with Tru, the love of his life.

Weston has Caleb, his mini-me, and he’s so far gone over Sadie, it’s almost comical. The man glows when she walks into the room. It’s sickeningly sweet, but I can’t give him too much grief for it because they’re actually perfect together.

Rhodes has the funniest little dude, Levi, and he finally wised up and married Elle, his best friend. Let’s face it, she’s the only person who could put up with him long term. We all saw the writing on the wall and knew they were meant to be together, but it took them a hell of a long time to get there. It’s only a matter of time before they announce a baby’s on the way, I just know it.

And then there’s Bowie. My last hope. The one I thought would hold the line with me in singledom forever. But nope. Bowie’s daughter Becca is almost ten and I think she knew before anyone that Poppy and Bowie should be together. Now Bowie and Poppy have a seven-month-old son, Jonas. And in case that wasn’t a shocker enough, Poppy’s pregnantagain. The guy who never dated anyone is now a walking diaper commercial.

It’s like some cosmic joke. I’ve been thinking there’s something in the water, but now? I’m convinced it’s the coffee. Whatever Clara’s brewing in this place, it’s turning these guys into Hallmark movie dads…with filthier mouths, of course.

When I open the door to the smaller room at the back of Luminary, they’re deep in conversation, but the moment I walk in, their attention shifts to me.

“What’s up with the sad vibes?” Henley asks when I sit down. “You’re usually the one bringing the energy.”

When I don’t say anything right away, Weston’s eyes narrow. “You’ve been off for months. What’s going on, Penn? Spill.”

I hesitate, staring into my coffee. The truth is, I haven’t brought it up lately because I feel like a hypocrite. I’ve spentyears teasing them about being lovesick fools, and now here I am—moody, distracted, and hung up on a girl I kissed…months ago.

It’s absolutely ridiculous is what it is.

“Penn,” Rhodes says, snapping his fingers in front of my face. “Fess up.”

“Okay, fine.” I sigh. “You want the truth?”

“Always,” Bowie says.

“I can’t stop thinking about that girl.” I’ve already told them about her, but I definitely downplayed what I felt. “In the Bahamas, the night before Bowie and Poppy’s wedding…” I look around the table and they all lean in, clearly intrigued. “I met Addy,” I admit. “We talked. It was easy and fun. She was beautiful and hilarious and so fucking charming. We kissed, and…it was…I can’t stop thinking about her.”

Weston’s eyebrows shoot up. “You’re still hung up on that girl? And you didn’t tell us sooner because…?”

“Because I felt so stupid,” I say, running a hand through my hair. “I’ve given all of you so much grief, and here I am, wrecked over a girl I’ll never see again. And why her? Why the hell can I not forget her?”

Rhodes smirks. “So the pretty boy’s got a heart after all.”

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