Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“What about you?” Peyton asks Noah.
“Of course,” he says, but does so as if he’s asking his wife for permission. I know Peyton will never tell him no. Not when it comes to family.
“Do you want me to do it?” she asks.
Noah shakes his head. “No, we’re going to take turns.”
“Okay, just remember Oliver is using the deck to play so make sure you guys clean up all the hair,” Peyton says. Noah tells her they will and leans down to kiss her. I should avert my eyes, but the love they have for each other is what you read about in romance books. It’s so pure and unadulterated. I’m jealous that Ben and I have to work to have what Noah and Peyton have. They’ve always been in sync with each other, long before they ever got together.
“Is he out there now?”
“Oh, no,” Peyton says. “He’s sleeping.”
“We’ll clean up. I promise,” Noah kisses her again and heads to the kitchen to go outside with the rest of the guys.
Peyton and I decide we need to see the shenanigans and join them outside. Quinn already has a chair set up and grandpa has brought out the broom and dustpan. “Grandpa,” I say, getting his attention. “Are you going to let the boys shave your head?”
He laughs and runs his hands over what’s left of his hair. “Not much left,” he says. “And if I shave it off, it won’t grow back.”
Ben stands next to me, and I put my arm around his waist. “Did you have fun earlier?”
He nods. “We did. Lots of guy talk.”
“Oh, boy.”
He laughs. “It’s all good.”
“Who’s first?” Quinn asks before turning the shaver on. I don’t know why, but Quinn and this mechanical clipper thing gives me anxiety. I join Peyton at the front of the chair, with our phones poised ready to capture all of this. Someday, we’ll share this moment, but not anytime soon. Maybe when Ben has a clean bill of health, then it’ll be time to celebrate, and we can look back on this and laugh.
I’m surprised when Liam sits down and tells Quinn to cut it all off. Strip by strip, Liam’s hair falls to the deck. When he’s done, Mack sits down next. After Noah cuts his hair, Mack takes a bunch of selfies, making us all laugh. He’s a cute kid, and I can see why Betty Paige is smitten with him. Quinn’s next and Mack does the honors.
Ben announces it’s his turn. He sits down, removes his hat, and my heart sinks a bit. He’s already lost some hair. I’ve seen the clumps in the bathroom garbage but haven’t said anything.
Quinn takes over the shaver from Mack, and I start to record. Each swipe brings a wave of tears from me. Ben’s not the sporty type, like Noah or Liam, who have had their heads shaved time and time again. He loves his hair and has always prided himself on having the latest style. I’ve always loved the slight curl the ends have and will miss playing with them. Some say, after chemo and hair starts to grow back, it’ll come back differently. Either in color or texture. I can’t imagine Ben as a blond or with straight hair. I’m so used to the dark locks.
Ben stands and runs his hand over his somewhat smooth head. Everyone claps for him, except me. I hug him tightly. His tears wet my shoulder. I tell him everything will be okay. I don’t know if it will be, but I have to keep telling myself things are going to turn out for the best. If I dwell on the negative, those thoughts are going to eat away at me, and Ben doesn’t need that from me.
Ben kisses the top of my head. I use this as my cue to step away. I hide my tears from him. He knows I’m crying, but I still turn away. When I look back at him, I smile. “Bald looks good on you.”
He laughs. “Remind me to buy some more hats. I think I need a new collection.”
“Absolutely. Maybe Peyton will send you some new Pioneers gear.”
“Yes, I’ll do that as soon as Noah’s done shaving his head.”
Ben stands next to me while Liam shaves Noah’s head. Peyton’s broadcasting live from Noah’s Instagram account. She doesn’t tell his fans why he’s doing it, out of respect for Ben, but tells everyone they need to go make a donation to The V Foundation. I join the live and watch the comments pour in, asking if Noah has cancer or if it’s his dad. Peyton answers them by saying it’s a family friend and their concern turns to Ben, although they have no idea who they’re praying for. Someone suggests this should’ve been a fan event, and while that could’ve raised money for the foundation, no one had thought that far ahead. When Noah’s hair is all on the ground, he gives his fans a close-up, and more comments pour in.