Page 67 of Game Changer

“But we getta get fancy nails!” Lily cheers.

“Getta get,” Sydney whispers. “Could she get any more adorable?”

“Could you?”

“Hey, Mom.” I clear my throat and sit up in the brown leather, Boone-sized recliner Syd ordered for me to add to her cute-as-hell living room.

“How you feelin’, Beau?”

“Dragging ass physically. Emotionally, I’m feeling a little bipolar. You?”

She sighs. “This marriage, you love this girl?”

“I’ve been falling for her since I first saw her. She’s sunshine personified.”

“Oh God,” Mom groans.

I laugh. “She drives a Jeep. Sydney and her girls are going out West, Jeeping this summer.”

“There’s hope.” She laughs softly.

“Did I mention her Jeep is pink?”

“No, and I wish you hadn’t,” she grumbles.

“All right then, I’ll let you make up your own mind, but you’ll love her.”

“I just want to make sure that you remember who you are. You’re my son, not his. You’ve proven that by the father you are and the one you want to be.”

I smile. “Yes, ma’am.”

I hear the sound of a screen door slap shut and know she’s coming in off the porch.

“All right, you’re on speaker. Your brothers are here and willing to do whatever to make tomorrow whatever you want it to be.”

“Trimmed beards, hair …” I pause. “I don’t give a shit. Just put a hat on—a winter hat, not ball cap. If you can’t get a trim or manage that shit—yes, I’m talking about you, Bronson and Benton.”

Benton chuckles. “You seen Bishop lately?”

Bishop pipes in, “Why you messing with me? Blane’s gonna need a chainsaw for his beard alone.

“Yo, Ma.” I laugh.

“They’ll be presentable,” she assures me.

“Can’t wait to see y’all. Lily’s gonna flip.”

“You keeping us a surprise?” Bronson asks.

“She needs all the good she can get right now,” I admit. “She’s on the same emotional rollercoaster as I am. Syds keeping her busy when I can’t.”

“She’s hot, man. Good catch,” Bishop says.

“The honk-honks on her?—”

Smack.

Oof.

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