1. McKenna
The packed bleachers are a sight I’m familiar with, seeing as I’m the captain of our three-time, championship-winning volleyball team. However, tonight, the gym has a stage with a podium, a large projector screen, and seats currently occupied by our principal, teachers, and other faculty members.
My leg shakes, exposing my nerves, as I await my turn to stand and make my way toward the makeshift stage. I must not have realized how much I was shaking because I jump as my twin brother Carson’s hand smacks down on my right knee.
“Chill out, Mack. You’re going to freak out Wilson even more than he already is,” Carson says as he reaches his left arm behind me to smack Jackson Wilson in the back of the head.
“Why did I think today would be a good day to wear heels for the first time?”
Carson doesn’t try to hide his chuckles. “I’ve got no clue, seeing as you’re the clumsiest girl I’ve ever met whenever you’re off the court.”
“I’m seriously freaking out right now, Carse. Where’s the reassurance I’ll do fine?”
Carson rolls his eyes and attempts to appease me. “Mack, I’m going to strut across that stage, grab my diploma, and scream for you on the other side, just like I did while waiting for you to hurry up and come into the world.”
“You’re only older by two minutes; it’s not like you had to wait long.” I sigh. “I wish Principal Lennon would’ve let us walk across together like we asked.”
“Mack Attack and Carse Man—the dynamic duo—it would’ve been epic,” he announces, waving his hand through the air.
“Katie Turner,” the speaker announces my best friend’s name. Carse and I go crazy, screaming and cheering as she crosses the stage to get her diploma. The only people to out-shout us are her dad and older brother, Griffin.
My eyes move away from Katie and glance up in the top left section where Katie’s dad and Griffin sit beside my parents. How has Griffin gotten even more irresistible since I saw him two summers ago?
He pushes back his dark hair—it looks like he’s cut it since the hockey season—and he’s clean-shaven, making his sharp jawline look delectable.
I’m so distracted by this swoon-worthy man I don’t realize it’s our row’s turn to line up beside the stage. Carson grabs my hand as we walk toward the stage, squeezing it as we climb the steps.
“Carson Wilder.”
I can’t contain my volume as I cheer and pump my fists as Carse grabs his diploma. Turning around, Carson waits for me on the other side of the stage with a smile that takes up almost his entire face.
“McKenna Wilder.”
I force myself to put one unsteady foot before the other as I cross the stage toward Principal Lennon. I shake her hand, close the distance between me and Carson, and wrap him in the tightest hug.
“We fucking did it! We’re done with this place and moving onto the next stage, and together, no less.” Carson beams.
I don’t say a word, and instead, soak up this moment with my twin. We’ve been through everything in life together—he’s my forever best friend, and we’ve been each other’s biggest fans. I can’t contain my excitement for this final summer before we go to college together this fall.
Abbott University, the largest college in our home state of Minnesota, has always been our first choice. Luckily, I’ll play volleyball there, while he lives out his dream of playing hockey.
Carson and I grew up at the hockey rink. Breathing the cold air as I cheered him on never got old. I even played on his mite and squirt teams when we were younger.
As we got older and the boys outgrew me, Mom and Dad thought it was time for me to move to the girls’ team. I stuck with hockey until middle school, when I fell in love with volleyball.
Standing at six feet tall, I often tower over most of the guys in my class. I first shot up in sixth grade, before I started playing club volleyball. It’s taken a lot of training and time in the gym, but I’m no longer the spindly, awkwardly tall girl I was back then.
Carson and I share many of the same traits. We are both tall, share the same light blue eyes, have wavy blonde hair, and look like we should live on the West Coast instead of in the Midwest.
Carson also had his growth spurt early on. He’s now six-foot-two and spent extra time in the weight room to fill out this year.
He was the leading scorer in the state for the past two seasons. His new team is lucky to have him, but he doesn’t let it get to his head or affect his drive. If anything, it pushes him each day to be the best.
Principal Lennon congratulates our graduating class, and cheers erupt as we throw our caps in the air alongside our classmates.
After we get our caps, I grab Carson’s arm and drag him to find Katie.
I run up to her once I spot her and capture her in the tightest squeeze.
“We did it, Katie!” I say.
“Damn straight, babe!” Katie agrees as she laughs into my embrace.
As soon as we let go of each other, Katie is wrapped up in a bear hug by her older brother, Griffin. He swings her around and tells her, “I’m so proud of you, Katie Cat. Graduating with honors—now there’s no doubt you’re the smartest.”
“As if that was ever up for debate, Griff,” she teases.
“All jokes aside, I am so proud of you, little sis,” he says as he steps aside so his dad can wrap Katie up in a big hug.
Griffin turns around and does an elaborate handshake with Carson.
“Carse, my man. Congrats on the state championship and winning Mr. Hockey. Abbott is lucky to have you. But you’re going to get your ass kicked when it comes time to face-off with us.”
“We’ll just have to wait and see, G. Good to see you, buddy.”
“I think we’re gonna give you a run for your money in more than one sport this year,” Katie teases further.
“If you come to my hockey game in anything but Elite red, I’m disowning you,” Griffin retorts.
“I’ll be an Abbott Bobcat, too, come August, Griff. You can’t possibly make me choose between you and school spirit,” Katie whines.
“Have all the school spirit you want, aside from the games we play versus each other. Come on, Katie Cat, I need a fan in the crowd. Kenna will wear Carson’s jersey—I need someone supporting me.”
He glances at me as he says my name. Heat instantly warms my cheeks as his chocolate-brown eyes connect with mine for the first time in two years. Griff is the same height as Carson, so I have to lift my chin slightly to look at him. My stomach dips as the butterflies take flight.
“Oh, yes, I’m sure you’re lacking in fans—what with all the puck bunnies you have wearing your number on their shirts, cheeks, and probably underwear,” Katie says as she rolls her eyes. “But alright, I promise I’ll always be your number-one fan whenever I’m at one of your games,” she adds.
My parents interrupt the debate by making us pose for what feels like a thousand photos. Katie and I put Carse in the middle, kissing his cheeks while holding up our diplomas.
Next, my parents group the four “lakeshore kids” together. My mom requests we recreate a pose we’ve been doing since we were younger—Carson gives me a piggyback ride, and Griff picks up Katie the same way.
Then Katie, Carse, and I say goodbye to our families and head to the cafeteria to grab our stuff.
As we’re walking out of the gymnasium, I look over my shoulder to catch one last glimpse of the boy who was my first crush. Only he’s no longer a cute boy I’m crushing on, but a gorgeous man I’m lusting after.
I quickly look forward and tell myself to get it together. Griffin Turner has a girlfriend and is my best friend’s older brother. Nothing good can come from my infatuation with him.
I open the double doors leading to my balcony that overlooks our lakefront property. It’s the perfect size for a patio bench and side table and the sunset view is the ideal backdrop while I read or study.
Guests will be arriving soon for our graduation party. Carson and I convinced Mom and Dad to let us have a joint grad party with Katie.
Katie and I have been best friends since she moved in next door when we were five. We’ve gone through everything together—she’s the sister I never had. From the first day of school, first slumber party, first crushes, first heartbreaks, and first periods—we’ve experienced it all, side-by-side.
As close as I am with Carson, there’s just so much a girl can’t confide in her brother. That’s where Katie comes in. Thankfully, she’s literally just a few steps away.
Speaking of—footsteps pad down the hallway and I turn as Katie opens my bedroom door. She waltzes in like she owns the place because, let’s face it, she spends half her time here, and we spend the other half in her room.
Her light brown hair is curled into loose waves that fall just above her shoulders. She’s opted to wear her contacts instead of her wire-framed glasses, which I love. Her creamy skin looks dewy, her makeup flawless.
“Hey girl, are you ready for the world’s most epic grad party to start?” she asks as she looks up from her phone.
“Yes, I just need to finish getting dressed.”
“Have you finally decided what you’re going to wear?”
“I’ve narrowed it down to the two on my bed.”
She walks over to my bed and declares, “The red set is obviously my choice. You know I’ve always been a fan of you in red. It does amazing things for your skin tone. The white dress is cute, but that’s not what we’re going for.”
“Oh, and what is it we’re going for? This is a family function, Katie!”
“I know, I know. But all of our friends will be here, too. And all the boys, including Drew.”
“Ugh, don’t remind me,” I whine.
“Looking hot is the best form of revenge.”
“I don’t need revenge, Katie. It’s been months, and he didn’t even wait until I broke up with him before he had another girl beneath him. Can we skip to August so I can avoid him for the rest of the summer?”
“Forget him, Mack. Tonight is the kickoff to the best summer yet. It’s our first real chance at having a hot girl summer. We’ve finally filled out, and these curves need the attention of a real man.” Katie squeezes her boobs for emphasis.
“Dear god, Katie.” I snort.
“What? We’re already dedicating almost our entire summer to our workout regimen. Can you blame me if I don’t want this summer to be all work and no play? I will be playing with more than just volleyballs.” She cups her palms in front of her and acts like fondling balls.
Christ.
I roll my eyes and reply, “Alright, I’m with you there. I don’t want this last summer before the craziness of college to fly by without making the best memories.”
“Plus, it’s not like you’ll be hooking up with anyone this summer now that my brother is back and single,” she adds casually while looking at her nails.
“Wait, what? He and Emily broke up?” I nearly screech out the question. Griffin, goes to college on the East Coast. He received a full ride to Emery University in Boston and is the first-line center on their hockey team.
Griffin met Emily during move-in week, and she’s had her claws sunk in him for the past two years. I never met her personally, but Katie despised her, and that was enough for me. It had nothing to do with the fact that I’d been pining over him for years.
According to Katie, Emily was territorial, controlling, manipulative, and jealous. Not exactly the best traits for someone dating the face of one of the best college hockey teams in the nation.
As I wrap my head around Griff being single, Katie continues, “Yeah, I guess he broke up with her a few months ago. Thank god. Since the draft last summer, she had been crazier and more possessive. If that’s even possible.”
Griffin was drafted last summer to the Colorado Summits. He opted to finish his college career before he signed his contract with them.
But I’m sure when the time comes for him to play in the National Hockey League, the fans will go even crazier for him.
“I know this probably comes off as biased, but I never did like Emily,” I admit sheepishly.
As cliché as I feel for crushing on the boy next door, I’ve never kept secrets from Katie. My crush on her brother is old news to her.
“Mack, I’ve always known you had a major crush on G. You haven’t exactly been subtle with your heart eyes,” she teases.
I chuck a throw pillow from my bed at her. “Stop it!” I say as I cover my face to hide my embarrassment.
“It’s adorable how much you’re blushing right now. I mean, don’t let me stop you from finally going after him. I would absolutely die from excitement if you officially became my sister by marriage!”
“Pump the brakes, princess! Just because I’ve had a slight crush on your brother does not mean I will do anything about it. And marriage? Are you high?”
“Mhmm, slight my ass.” She rubs her hands together and says, “Oh, this hot girl summer will be good. I can’t wait to see what G will do once he sees how the guys follow you around like little puppy dogs waiting for you to give them an ounce of attention.”
I flip my hair over my shoulder to feign indifference. “I’m not sure how the guys that chase after me this summer have anything to do with your brother.”
“Mack, I say this with love. You’re delusional if you think your crush is one-sided.”
I guess I’m delusional then because my crush has always been unrequited.
But if seeing other guys hit on me is what it will take to finally get Griffin Turner to see me as more than just his little sister’s best friend, then let the hot girl summer commence!