The Follow Through (CTU Titans #2)

Chapter 1 – Jordan, Age 14

CHAPTER

ONE

Ihate visiting my sister at camp. Every summer, she spends two weeks up in the Appalachian Mountains—hiking, biking, swimming, and making friends.

It’s the only time we’re separated for more than a night.

When we were little, being apart from my twin was torture, but now as we get older, it’s nice to do our own thing.

She spends her time in the mountains, while I’m in the gym playing basketball.

Even though she is only a few hours away from home, my parents insist on coming for family night, and I am miserable every minute—especially this year.

My teammate Drew is throwing a pool party, and I’m missing it to watch my tone-deaf sister attempt to sing in the talent show.

I’m embarrassed for her as she finishes her version of a Taylor Swift song and everyone cheers loudly.

Reagan gives my parents a huge smile, braces and glasses on full display and I can’t help but clap for her. My sister is unapologetically herself.

The rest of the night crawls by at a snail’s pace.

We eat dinner in the “mess hall,” and while the food is good, pizza at Drew’s house sounds better.

In the midst of my one-man pity party, something hits my forehead, and a rogue grape lands on my plate.

My sister’s evil grin tells me she’s the culprit without me even asking.

“Jordan, where are you right now? I’ve been trying to get your attention for five minutes.”

“Sorry, Little Sister. What’s up?”

She scoffs before continuing, “You know I’m three minutes older than you, Little Brother. Why are you so grumpy tonight?” I don’t really want to tell her because I know she’ll feel bad. Reagan is one of the most compassionate people I know, and she always puts me first.

“It’s nothing, Rea Rea. I’m fine. What are we doing next?” I try to change the subject, but I should know better—my twin is stubborn.

“Just tell me! I want to know.” I take a deep breath before responding. She did ask for it.

“There is a pool party tonight, and I got invited, but we’re here with you. Please don’t feel bad. It’s fine. I’m over it.” Clearly, that’s a lie, and as soon as I say the words, her face crumples.

“Jordan! You should’ve stayed home. Y’all know you don’t have to come up here every year.

I love seeing you, but J, you didn’t have to.

” I look over at my parents, my dad giving me the look that tells me I better not make her feel any worse than she already does.

He also told me that under no circumstances was I missing this family trip when I begged him to let me stay behind.

“That’s why I didn’t want to say anything.

Don’t feel guilty—it’s not your fault.” It doesn’t matter what I say; she’ll still feel responsible.

I can practically see the gears turning as she tries to figure out the details of the party.

There are only a few kids besides us who have pools at their houses.

“Who was throwing the party?”

“Drew Cole.” Her face burns bright red. That reaction right there is why I didn’t want her to know.

My twin has been crushing on Drew since we joined the same AAU travel basketball team this summer, and he’ll be starting high school with us in the fall.

I don’t know if she’s ever really liked a guy before, but it’s painfully obvious she has a thing for Drew.

I don’t want them anywhere near each other.

It’s not that she doesn’t have a chance with him—it’s actually the opposite.

As soon as Drew met Reagan, he asked me if she had a boyfriend.

I told him there was no way on God’s green earth he’d be dating my sister.

He smiled like I was joking, but my glare—and threat of violence—have kept him away. For now.

My sister is the most incredible person I know, which is why I have to keep all the guys away.

No one is good enough for her, and by the looks of things, there may never be anyone who is.

I intervene for her own protection. He’s not the first guy to ask me about her, and he won’t be the last. The answer for all these morons will always be a resounding no.

My mom notices her blush and, of course, can’t let it drop. “Oh, Reagan, is there something going on with Drew? He’s a cute boy.” If it’s even possible, Reagan’s face burns brighter.

Seriously, Mom...

Before my twin can answer, Dad cuts in, “Princess, my sweet angel is far too young to be dating. Isn’t that right?” Both my mom and sister roll their eyes, and my dad chuckles in response.

“Don’t worry, Dad. There is nothing going on with Drew—or any boy for that matter.”

Her answer brings a smile to my dad’s face, followed by a nod in my direction. Ever since we were young, he’s told me it’s my job to protect my sister—and clearly, I’m the GOAT.

The conversation drifts after that, and eventually we all head out to a massive bonfire—which, I’ll admit, is pretty sweet.

A large clearing in a field with a tall, roaring fire surrounded by families.

Log benches circle it, with rows of camp chairs set up behind them.

Up here in the Carolina mountains, the stars are out in full force.

We don’t see skies like this back home, even though we live in a small town.

It looks like glitter scattered across a cloudless black sky.

They’ve got a shelter not too far away with picnic tables, a line already forming. The tables hold a massive s’mores bar and all kinds of other treats you can roast. My favorite combo is a Reese’s with burnt marshmallow between graham crackers, while my sister prefers the classic Hershey bar.

I’m up at the table, gathering supplies for my third—yes third—s’more.

I’m a growing boy, okay? As I reach for a marshmallow, my hand collides with someone else’s, and I instantly pull back.

I apologize at the same time as I hear, “Sorry,” a voice that echoes straight through me, and I instantly turn to see who it belongs to.

The most beautiful girl in the world stands there, staring up at me. I’m already almost six feet tall, and this girl, while taller than my sister, still has to crane her neck to meet my eyes. When she does, her striking blue eyes do something to me. My vision narrows and all I see is her.

Blonde hair brushes the top of her shoulders, pin straight, with one side tucked behind her ear. Freckles dot her cheeks and nose—and then she smiles, and I’m pretty sure I just fell in love. Her lips tip up, her cheeks go pink, and I can’t help but grin back.

“Hi.” I say to this beautiful creature standing in front of me.

The blush on her cheeks deepens as she responds softly, “Hi.”

Before I can say anything else, my twin runs up and grabs my future wife in a huge hug.

My forehead wrinkles, my eyes widen at their interaction. Wait. Reagan knows her. This could either work in my favor—or turn into a complete dumpster fire.

“Mackenzie! I’m so glad I found you. I see you met my twin, Jordan.” Mackenzie—the beautiful girl—stares back at me, her eyes a little wider than before.

“You’re Jordan?” she says it, and thankfully, it’s not with a sneer or disgust. I guess my sister’s been talking nice about me this summer.

I give her my best smirk, trying to play it cool while internally freaking out that this gorgeous girl is talking to me.

“Yeah, I’m Jordan. It’s nice to meet you.

” I stick my hand out to shake hers, like a freaking old man, but she immediately sticks hers out, and our hands clasp.

A jolt rips through me at the contact. I don’t know what’s happening, but fire is running through my insides—and I kind of love it.

I pull back quickly and see it in her eyes—she felt it too. We stand there, locked on each other, while my sister blabs on and on about who knows what. I’d really like her to leave—but I’m not that lucky.

I finally tune in when Reagan says my name. “J, Mackenzie just moved to Carolina a few weeks ago. She’s going to Piedmont this year.” I give myself an internal high five. Piedmont is another high school in our county, just a few towns over. Looks like I’ll be seeing more of Miss Mackenzie.

“Is that right? I have some friends that are going there this year. I can introduce you to them sometime if you want.” Yeah, I am one hundred percent not introducing her to any of those guys, but if it means I get to be around her again, I’m all in.

“Thanks, I’d love that.” There goes that blush and I think I would do just about anything to see it again.

My ever-oblivious sister continues like she isn’t ruining our moment.

“So, our parents are already talking over there and I think we are going to have y’all over for the Fourth of July next week!

We can totally have sleepovers, too.” Reagan doesn’t have many close girlfriends because we have a famous dad, and people want to get close to him—and sometimes even me.

Mackenzie gives my sister a genuine smile and while I want to get to know her for myself, I’m happy that she seems like a real friend to my twin.

From across the way, I hear my mom. “Jordan, it’s time to go!” Of course, when I decide I don’t hate being here, she decides we’re leaving.

I hug my sister, then give Mackenzie a weird side hug that’s incredibly awkward, but also I got to touch her, so I’ll take the win. “See you in a few days, Sister. Nice to meet you, Mack.”

“Oh, you’re officially in, Mackenzie.” My sister gives her new friend a giant braces-filled smile. “Once Jordan gives you a nickname, there’s no escaping our group.” They both laugh, and I gotta say—this girl, Mack, she has the best laugh I’ve ever heard.

“Nice to meet you too, J.” She gives my nickname back to me and I’m flying high.

About an hour into our drive home, Mom turns around in her seat. “What did you think of Reagan’s new friend?”

I think I’m going to marry her. That’s definitely not what I say. Trying to play my role I respond with a bored tone, “Which one?”

My dad starts laughing as he eyes me from the rearview mirror. “The one you were drooling over at the bonfire, Son. Mackenzie.”

Thanks for that, Pops. Now Mom is going to be all over it, and I’ll never be able to talk about anything else with her.

“Jordan! You like her?” I have never shown much interest in girls as anything more than friends because basketball takes up all my free time and then some.

“Mom. I’m not five. She’s cool and I think she’ll be a great friend to Rea.” There, hopefully that diffuses the situation a little.

“Uh-huh…” Dad. Throw me a bone here, dude. Bro code. I give him a glare, and he busts into a laugh that eventually makes my mom and I join him. The man’s an NBA legend but still has the goofiest hyena cackle around. You can’t help but laugh in return.

We pull into the driveway not much later and I head up the stairs to my room.

My parents let us redecorate them this summer since we’re starting high school.

Royal blue walls are covered in posters of all my favorite NBA players, from Jordan to Kobe to Curry.

My dad built a few shelves that hold trophies and other awards I’ve received for playing.

I outgrew a twin bed about a year ago, so now a king-size, four-poster bed takes up most of the space with a small side table and a desk over in the opposite corner.

It's too late to try to make an appearance at the party, so I change into sweats and a CTU Titans t-shirt before climbing into bed. Sleep evades me, and all I can think about is the blonde hair, blue eyes, and pink cheeks of the girl I can’t wait to see again.