Page 102 of Take This Heart
“You’re right.” I sniffle.
Dylan hands me tissues and I blow my nose.
“You guys don’t need to do this,” Dad says.
His lip trembles and then he straightens his shoulders and his eyes brighten the way they do when he’s about to tease us.
“I don’t need to impress anyone,” he says. “Youguys still need to find the ladies.”
Camden and Tully smirk, smoothing their hands over their heads.
“With these faces, I think we’ll be okay,” Tully says, studying himself in the mirror. He pats Dad’s cheek. “And you’re still a stud, Dad. You could get any lady you wanted to.”
“No way,” Dad says, laughing.
Camden takes a selfie of the three of them.
“Everybody okay?” Milo calls.
“I’ll go get him. We have to keep this on the down-low until we’re done or the grandmas will protest,” Noah says.
“You’re not wrong,” Dylan says. “They’re gonna lose their shit when they see all of us.”
“Let me touch, Daddy,” Grayson says.
Noah leans over and Grayson cackles.
“I do mine too,” he says. “Please, Auntie.”
“If your dad says it’s okay, I’ll do it.”
Noah sighs. “It’ll be a while before it grows back. Are you sure you’re okay with that?”
Grayson nods excitedly and when Noah stands up, Grayson takes his place.
“Can I do a little mohawk?” I show him where I’d leave a little hair and he shakes his head.
“Like Dad and Papa and the uncles!” he says.
“Okay!”
He makes us all laugh with the way he squeals and cracks up with each swipe I do over his scalp.
“Hold still!” I say, giggling.
More selfies are taken when he’s done. My face is one big red splotch in the photos, but I’m smiling so big at Grayson, it doesn’t matter.
Dylan is the last one to sit down.
Kevin winds through everyone’s legs and rolls around in the hair.
“Oh my goodness, Kevin, you’re gonna be a mess!” I fuss at him.
Dad points at me as I’m shaving Dylan’s head and Milo walks in to hear him say, “Don’t you dare shave yours off, buttercup. That would break my heart.”
I open my mouth to protest and he shakes his head. I’ve always wanted to do whatever my brothers are doing and this time is no different.
“But, we’re in this together—” I start.
