Matt the Barber: The Boyfriend by MattTheBarber

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My first story in here, please let me know what you think. Also my first story in english, so I had AI help me with some grammar.
And I am from europe, in case some people wondering about details in the story

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"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Charlotte pulled me into a bear hug the moment she opened the door.
"Please need to breathe" I laughed. She stepped back so I could get inside.
"I know how you feel about working on your day off, and I" she started while closing the door.
"It's alright. Lucky for you I love hanging out with you and the kids," I said as I set my bag down and took off my coat.
Then I turned around and noticed what Charlotte was wearing a blue work suit, her hair in a ponytail, and a couple of papers in her hand. Definitely not your average Saturday outfit.
"Are we going somewhere?" I asked.
Charlotte looked down and sighed with a tired smile. "This client, I swear, he's going to be the death of me. My boss has been on my ass, so I've been working day and night. That's why I had to ask you to come over on your day off. But now my client suddenly wants a meeting, so"
"so I'll just cut the kids' hair and be on my way?" I finished.
"Just Luke's hair this time, Uncle," Isabell said, giving me a hug from behind.
"Hey, sunshine," I said, turning around to her.
She was wearing her work uniform with her hair in a ponytail, looking just like her mother.
"Mom, I'll wait in the car," she said before heading out the door.
Charlotte nodded. "Right." She looked around and found her briefcase in the corner. "So yes, if you could cut Luke's hair. His hair is a mess. I really have to go, but if you could please stay I ordered a new couch for the living room and it should be delivered sometime today. And honestly, I don't trust that Luke will recognize anything that doesn't come from one of his video games."
She kept talking as she moved toward the door.
"Thank you so much. Don't worry, I'll only be gone a few hours. I'll bring pizza and wine, okay?"
I nodded, not really listening. "Sure. Have fun at your meeting. Waithow do you want Luke's hair cut?"
Charlotte stopped and thought for a moment.
"Well, they say it's going to be hot the next couple of weeks, so maybe something short. I'll let you be the boss of it."
She waved before closing the car door.
I waved back and watched them drive away, then shut the door behind me.
That's so typical Charlottetrying to balance a full-time job while being a single mom of two. Luckily for her, I love those kids like they're my own.
Isabell is almost eighteen now and has really grown into a strong young womanexploring the world while figuring out which path she wants to take.
And Luke well, he's your average thirteen-year-old boy. Passionate about football and video games, and permanently full of energy.
I noticed how quiet the house had become.
Speaking of the devil, I should probably find Luke.


I found him in his room.
When I opened the door, I was immediately hit by that smell only teenage boys' rooms seem to have. You know the onea mix of too much deodorant, sweat, stale air, and something vaguely indefinable.
The room was almost completely dark except for the TV screen showing someone getting shot in a video game and the back of someone's head, which I assumed was Luke.
I walked past him, pulled the curtains open, and opened the window so light and air could finally get into the room.
Luke looked up in surprise, his brown hair hanging over his eyes and sticking out in every direction.
Unlike his mom and sister, who were blonde as the sun, Luke had ordinary brown hairthick and straight.
"Oh hey, Uncle. When did you get here?" he said, already turning his attention back to the game. "No, not you guysI gotta go. I'll be right back."
He pulled off his headset and shook his head, which made it even clearer how badly he needed a haircutand probably a brush too.
"Just got here. Your mom and sister left, so it's just us for a couple hours," I said. "So what do you want to do today?"
He pretended to think about it before a cheeky smile spread across his face.
"Oh, I don't know. I mean, I can't imagine you want to play video games after the last time I wiped the floor with you."
I laughed.
"First of alllanguage. And second, I thought we agreed never to talk about that again. But sure, we can play. Your mom asked me to give you a haircut, though. So how about a few games and then a haircut?"
He grinned and handed me a controller.

One game turned into another, and then another.
"I've said it before and I'll say it againthere's definitely something wrong with my controller," I said after losing again.
"Right. The joystick. Sure," Luke replied with a grin.
"Well, I think we need a break and get started on that haircut. Any idea how you want it?"
I ruffled his hair.
"I don't know. Just make it so it's out of my eyes," he said while already starting another match. "Can I play a little longer while you set things up? Please?"
I laughed.
"I don't like how easily you have me wrapped around your finger. But fineI'll set up and call you in a few minutes."


I grabbed my bag and headed into the kitchen, the biggest room in the house. I prefer having space when I work.
I placed my bag on the table and opened it.
Out came my clippers, scissors, combs, spray bottle, and cape. I lined everything up neatly so I could see it all.
Charlotte used to tease me about my perfectionism, but honestlyshouldn't you strive for perfection when you're working on people? Happy customers mean I get to eat.
When everything was ready, I pulled a chair into the middle of the room.
"Luke! Everything's ready!"
"Okay! One minute!" he shouted back.
A few minutes later he walked into the kitchen. When he saw the setup his eyes widened.
"Wow, Uncle did you bring your whole shop with you?"
He sat down and I fastened the black cape around his neck.
"Well, your mom is lucky I had my gear at home," I said as I started combing his hair. "By the way, when was your last haircut?"
"I don't know a month ago? Maybe two?" he said.
Combed out, his hair reached the tip of his nose, covered his ears, and brushed his collar.
I picked up my clippers and looked through the guards.
"Your hair's always grown fast. Your mom said something short for the summer, which I think is a smart idea."
I attached a 3 guard and turned around to see Luke peeking at me through his bangs.
"How about a crew cut?" I asked.
Luke shrugged.
"Sure."
I placed a hand on his head.
"Chin down."
He obeyed as I turned the clippers on.
The buzzing filled the room.
I cleared the hair at the nape of his neck and pushed the clippers upward. They roared as they chewed through the thick hair.
Long brown locks fell to the floor.
Luke started talking about his latest football game while I made another pass, sending more hair drifting down.
Soon the back was cleared, and I moved to his right side, guiding the clippers over his ear.
Hair fell onto Luke's shoulder before sliding down into his lap.
"Wow, Uncle, are you leaving me any hair at all?"
"Don't worryyou've got plenty of it," I said.
After finishing both sides, I changed the guard and tightened the fade along the sides and back.


Suddenly the doorbell rang.
"That must be your mom's new couch. Stay here," I said, heading to the door.
On the other side stood a young man in his early twenties with broad shoulders and auburn hair tied in a man bun.
We both looked surprised to see each othermostly me, since he clearly wasn't carrying a couch.
"Can I help you?" I asked.
"Well yeah. I'm here to see Isabell."
"Oh," I said. "And you are?"
"Patrick, sir. I'm her boyfriend. Is she home?"
"Her boyfriend? Well, today just keeps getting more interesting," I said with a smile, shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Matta friend of the family. Isabell's at work but should be home in a couple of hours. You're welcome to wait inside if you want."
He followed me inside as I returned to the kitchen where Luke was still sitting.
Patrick stepped in and stopped when he saw the haircut in progress.
"Hey Luke. Wow, that's quite the haircut you're getting."
Luke waved. "Hey Patrick."
Then he looked at me. "Uncle, can we hurry up? My friends are waiting for me to get back online."
I laughed.
"Well, we can't keep them waiting, Your Majesty. We're almost donejust the top."
I ruffled his longer hair.
"Patrick, feel free to have a seat. There should be something to drink in the fridge."
"Thanks, but I actually need to use the restroom first. I'll be right back," Patrick said before leaving the kitchen.

I combed Luke's hair forward and lifted his bangs, trimming them so they landed around the middle of his forehead.
"Alright, Luke, quick update. What do we think about Patrick?" I whispered.
Even though I was standing behind him, I knew he was wearing that same cheeky grin.
"He's alright. Treats Isabell well enough. But Mom doesn't think he's good enough. Something about him not having a plan for his life or something. I don't know."
"I see. Good to know."
I finished Luke's haircut - a slightly longer crew cut.
After brushing the loose hair from his neck and shoulders, I removed the cape, sending another pile of hair to the floor.
Just then Patrick returned.
"Looking good, Luke. Ready for summer."
Luke ran his hands over the short sides.
"Damn, that's short. But nice not having it in my eyes anymore."
He stood up.
"Can I go play, Uncle?"
I nodded.
"Just grab the broom and clean up your hair first."
He swept quickly and disappeared before I could say another word.


Patrick stood there a little awkwardly, adjusting his man bun so that one loose strand hung in front of his face. He brushed it behind his ear.
"You can sit if you want," I said as I grabbed two beers from the fridge.
"How old are you?" I asked.
"Twenty," Patrick said, sitting at the kitchen table.
"Good. Then I won't get in trouble for offering you a beer."
I handed him one and he thanked me.
We sat across from each other and took a sip.
Finally he broke the silence.
"So I guess you're the famous uncle. Isabell talks about you a lot."
"Then I suppose I should apologize," I reply, raising my beer in a toast.
Patrick laughs. "Only good things, sir. She really looks up to you."
"Yeah, the kids' mother and I were childhood friends, so I've been there their whole lives. I love them as if they were my own." I look Patrick in the eyes until he looks down and takes a sip of his beer. "So what do you do, Patrick?"
He looks up and straightens a bit in his chair. "Uh, well, I work at the same place as Isabell. That's how we met and"
"What about education?" I ask, taking a sip of my beer.
"Uh, I'm still figuring that out, you know. What I want to do and all that."
I nod. That explains why Charlotte has been so critical. She's been burned by that type beforeguys like Patrick.
Patrick glances to the side, revealing his man bun again. Judging by its size, his hair must be long and thick. He looks back at me. "And, uh you're a barber?" he asks.
I smile. "What gave me away?"
Patrick laughs at that.
"But yeah, I've been one my whole life. Kind of randomly got into the trade. School wasn't really for me, and when I was young I inherited a bunch of money, which I used to start my own place."
"That's really coollike that you found your thing. And I can definitely relate about school."
I nod and finish my beer in one go. Then I think about switching the topic to something that's caught my attention.
"And I'm guessing you don't have much experience going to a barber?"
Patrick raises his eyebrows before giving a small smile. "What gave me away?"
This time it's me who chuckles.
"No, I can't really say I do. Not since I was really little. Now I just trim it myself from time to time, or get my mom to do it."
"Yeah, that's a really impressive bun you've got there. Sorryit's a bit of an occupational hazard checking out people's hair."
Patrick smiles. "Thanks. I can promise you it can be a battle to manage sometimes."
"Yeah, I bet it's time-consuming, even if it looks great right now."
Patrick touches his hair, tucks a strand behind his ear again, and I notice he's starting to blush a little. I run a hand over my own haira short buzz cutand say, "But I'm pretty happy with short hair. You save a lot of time and energy not having to style it all the time."
"I can believe that. Your hair looks sharp too. Must be nice in this heat," Patrick says.


"Absolutely. Very liberating." I pause for a moment before continuing. "If you want, I could give you a haircut right now. Get you ready for the summer heat."
Patrick looks surprised again, like a deer caught in headlights, and I can't help enjoying it a little.
"Oh, uh that's really kind of you, but I don't want to be a bother," he replies.
"Nonsense. I've got my tools here anyway, and we've got time to kill before the others get home."
Before Patrick can say anything, I get up and walk over to the sink with my empty beer bottle, grabbing the cape on the way back. Quickly, I snap it open over Patrick and fasten it around his neck.
I take his man bun and unwind the elastic holding it, letting his hair fall down along his back. It's longer than I first thoughtreaching the middle of his back. His hair is a beautiful auburn color, wavy and full of volume. There's no doubt Patrick takes good care of it.
I grab my comb and start brushing it out.
"That's really beautiful hair you've got there, Patrick," I say, combing it down over his face.
"Uh, thanks, but I really don't want to be a bother," he stammers, clearly confused about how he ended up here.
"It's no trouble at all. It's a pleasure cutting hair like this. Don't worryyou'll be summer-ready."
I comb the last of it forward so his vision is completely blocked by hair. A real hair monster wearing a black cape.
I pause and consider my options.
I could be nice and just trim the endsthey probably need itbut that would be boring. I also really want to grab my clippers and give him a short buzz. But that would be over too quickly.
I pick up a pair of scissors and start trimming the ends here and there. I'm going to enjoy this.
"So Patrick, tell me what you like. What are your interests?"
I can sense Patrick starting to relax as he talks. Things he does with friends, but also things he does alone. Apparently he's quite creative and likes building things in his father's workshop.
That's what I love about being a barbergetting to know people.
While Patrick talks, I trim the ends, and small auburn hairs begin covering his shoulders, the cape, and the floor.
On to the next step.

I comb the hair at the back a couple of times and sneak the scissors in, cutting several centimeters off. All along Patrick's back, long locks fall to the floor, so his hair now reaches his shoulder blades.
"Uh how much are you cutting off?" Patrick asks, but I choose to ignore him.
Instead I ask, "You sound like you enjoy making things. Have you thought about pursuing that?"
"Yeah, I have, but" Patrick falls quiet as I cut another couple centimeters off the back so it now reaches the tops of his shoulders. "my parents are a bit old-fashioned, you know. Academics themselves, and maybe they have trouble seeing beyond that traditional education path."
"I know what you mean. My parents were the same. It's tough feeling pushed toward something you know deep down isn't right for you."
Patrick stays quiet.
"But what I found out," I continue, "is that it comes from love. You just have to show them that you're serious about itthat you're not just trying to take the easy way out, and that you actually believe in your plan, even if you don't think it's fully figured out yet."
I take the scissors and begin cutting his hair all the way around. Long locks fall down around Patrick until all his hair is the same length. Patrick takes a surprised breath but doesn't say anything.
I step back.

The poor kid is in the middle of quite the transformation. Long locks lie around him on the floor, and the cape is filled with hair in different lengths.
I step in front of Patrick and hold the scissors just above his eyes. I cut the hair, and slowly it falls into his lap, lock by lock.
Patrick and I make eye contact, and I see something in his eyes that I can't quite place. So instead I ask
"So what are your intentions with Isabell?"
"I love her," Patrick answers quickly, before stammering, "I know what you must think. I haven't even told her yet. But I will. I'm trying to get her mom to like me, but"
"She can be difficult," I reply.
I move behind Patrick again and begin cutting his hair with scissors over comb. Locks fall like rain.
"That's also why I hoped to get your blessing," he says quietly.
I stop cutting.
"You mean the world to Isabell. I really want the best for her."
I can't help smiling as I start cutting again. Hair gathers on his shoulders and on the floor, tufts and locks everywhere. I trim the sides and begin cutting down the top.
He's getting a warrior cut like Brad Pitt, I think to myself.
"You're a good kid," I say. "I can feel that."
Patrick takes a deep breath.
"But your life needs some direction. You don't have to have all the answers, but you have to show that you're trying."

I step back and look at Patrick.
Buckets of cut hair lie around him and on him, and he sits there with a much shorter hairstyle - vulnerable, but more mature.
I take some hair wax, work it into his hair, and style it. Then I study him again.
The short hair really brings out his jawline, and suddenly I notice his clear blue eyes.
I walk over and remove the cape, and the remaining hair falls to the floor.
Patrick stands up and runs his hands through his hair.
"Wow it's short," he says.
I smile. "You look good. But listen," I say, writing down a phone number and handing it to him. "I know Mr. Schmidt. He's one of my customers. He's a carpenter in town and could use a young guy with potential and a willingness to learn. Tell him you know me and that you have my recommendation."
Patrick's eyes grow so wide they could pop out.
"Your parents just need a little help seeing where your skills might fit in. That's the kind of security Mr. Schmidt can provide."
Patrick takes the note.
"He's old-fashioned, so you'll have to keep the short haircut if you want a foot in the door. If you do that, I'll help you with Charlotte. And now go into the bathroom and look at your new hairstyle. It's quite a transformation I've put you through."
Patrick bows his head, whispers a thank you, and slips into the bathroom.
Shortly after, I hear a loud "Holy s**t!" from inside, and I can't help smiling.

I start sweeping up Patrick's hair when I hear a car pulling into the driveway. Charlotte and Isabell walk into the kitchen shortly after.
"Hi Matt, how is... holy hell, that's a lot of hair!" Charlotte exclaims. "Did you leave anything at all on Luke's head?!"
At that exact moment Luke walks downstairs.
"Hi Mom. When are we eating?"
"Hi sweetheart, stop for a second and let me see you. You look so handsome with your new hair. But whose hair is all that?" Charlotte says.
At that exact moment Patrick walks out of the bathroom.
"Babe?!" Isabell exclaims. "Your hair! It's so short?!"
She rushes over and runs her hands through his hair, looking like she's seen a ghost.
"Yeah, your uncle gave me quite the transformation. Which I probably needed. What do you think?" he says, the last part with vulnerability and honesty.
"It's definitely different. But honestly, it really suits you. You look pretty hot."
"I was a bit inspired by Brad Pitt from Fight Club," I say with a smile.
Both Patrick and Isabell look at me with confusion.
"From what?" they say at the same time.
"Okay, I cannot allow that. Movie night tonight," I say, clapping my hands to signal the decision is final.
Charlotte smiles, while both Isabell and Patrick shrug. They head upstairs to the bedroom, followed by Luke.
Charlotte looks at me.
"So you and Patrick just suddenly agreed to cut all his hair off?"
"What can I say? I was bored," I say with a smile. "You promised me wine, by the way."
Charlotte laughs and takes out a bottle.
"But he's a good kid. You should give him a chance."
Charlotte sighs.
"The new haircut helps. Anyway, if you clean up after your fun, I'll order pizza."

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