Jayden shivered. “Ew, goats.”
Even I cracked a smile at that. Jayden had a rocky past with goats. Particularly Buttinsky Jr., the goat that had attacked him on both a plane and during goat yoga. It’s a long story. Suffice it to say, Jayden avoided goats at all costs, even metaphorical scapegoats.
As much as Bain’s explanation made sense, it didn’t make me feel any better.
“I’ve given her sixteen years of my life, reserving my heart for her and not allowing myself to give anyone else a chance, and she can’t just tell me what’s bothering her?”
The guys gave me looks of pity I fuckin’ hated. I was too beat down by the last week to even attempt to act like I wasn’t completely and totally ruled by the whims of a dark-haired beauty with a mouth on her. Pussy-whipped? Hell yes, I was.
“It may have been sixteen years for you, but she’s just recently come to see you in that way. You can’t be mad at her for not being on the same page as you so quickly. You’ve been dating, what? A month? She’s still trying to work things out in her head now that your relationship dynamic has changed.” Charlie, the quiet one of the group, also made a good point.
I rubbed my chin, thinking it through. “I just want her to be happy. I thought for so long that us being together would do that, but maybe I’m just delusional. Maybe it’s not possible for her and me to be happy at the same time.” I snorted. “Besides, her dad’s not too happy with us being together, so maybe it’s all for the best.”
“I don’t think we can solve this for you, but we’re here for you, man.” Bain nodded at me.
I tried to smile back. “Thanks. I’m not even sure if we’re broken up, but based on the radio silence all week, I’d guess that’s a yes.”
Jayden clapped his hands, startling me. “I know what you need to pick yourself back up. It’s time for your dare.”
I grimaced while the other guys whooped and hollered. “That’s definitely not what I need.”
“Yep, it really is. Nothing like a dare to shake things up and get you out of a funk.” Bain stood and headed to Jayden’s chair, conferring with him in a whisper I couldn’t quite hear.
Bain and Jayden had started all the dare foolishness, bringing it to our group when they moved to Auburn Hill. The guys all whispered like a bunch of girls with a secret while I poked a stick at the roaring fire. They could dare me all they wanted. Didn’t mean I’d do it. Although shaking things up sounded pretty good right about then.
Bain, the leader of the dares, turned to address me, his eyes gleaming. “Okay, here’s our dare. Shave your head. Time to retire the mullet.”
My hands instantly went up into my hair like they could stave off the razor. “But I like it,” I whined.
Rip smirked. “We know. But it’s time to show off a new Titus. Girls always do this shit, so it must work. New hair, new life. It’s totally a thing.”
I pet the back of my hair that hung over my neck. “I’ll give it some thought.”
Bain whipped something out of his pocket with an evil smile. It vibrated to life in his hands. “I even brought a razor.”
Fuck. I was trapped. The guys crowded around me as Bain approached, the razor outstretched like a weapon. He paused with it a foot away from my head. That fucker must have been planning it all along. Get me out to a remote bonfire and outnumber me.
“Do you accept our dare?”
There must have been a little alcohol still left in my system at that point because a surge of defiance crashed like a tidal wave. It absolutely was time for a new Titus. One who didn’t base his life choices around Amelia. One who fearlessly went after his dreams whether she was along for the ride or not. Now I knew why Amelia tagged the Welcome to Auburn Hill sign. The adrenaline rush was powerful, indeed.
“New hair, new me, boys.”
Rip and Jayden yelled so loud the seagulls vacated the area around us with a loud squawk. Charlie clapped me on the shoulder in support, or maybe it was to hold me still, because in the next second, Bain’s razor was gliding along my scalp and pieces of my golden hair were falling in my lap. With each piece that fell away, I felt like I was shedding the weight of living my life for Amelia. I still loved her—hell, in my heart I knew I always would—but I wasn’t going to wait for her any longer. If she wanted me, she’d have to chase me because I was ready to find a wife, build a family, a home. I was ready to settle into my life. Sans mullet.
When Bain was done, I ran my hand over my head, feeling that he’d left a decent buzz on the sides with the hair a little longer on top. But the back of my neck was conspicuously hair-free.
“Dude, you got a mullet tan,” Rip snickered.
I shoved him, a smile on my face despite the way my heart still limped along. “Shut the hell up. And we’re not done here. I’ve got a dare of my own to complete.”
Bain tilted his head, putting the razor back in his pocket. “Like what?”
I stood and rubbed my hands together, the idea coming together in startling clarity. “I know a great place just one town over that’s still open. My virgin skin is getting a tattoo tonight.”
Charlie. “Oh, boy…”
“You’re gonna regret that,” Jayden muttered.
I grinned from ear to ear. “Nah. It’s just what I need.”
24
Amelia
It turns out drinking your heartache away only works when the guy was a dirtbag who deserved to be forgotten about. Alcohol only pronounced the shit you messed up when you
