“Stop. Are they the pull-and-peel kind?”
“Is there any other kind?”
“Well, there are, but none that matter,” I reply and smile sheepishly at him. “So, where is this road trip leading us?”
“Have you ever been to Stillwater?”
“Yeah, when we were little, we went there a few times as a family. But I haven’t been there in years.” I smile as I think of all of the memories Carson and I had growing up. Katie even went with us once.
“It’s a cool spot for sure. We used to go there all the time as a family before Mom died,” he says as he stares out the dashboard at the road ahead.
“Yeah, that’s what Katie said when she went with us one time. Doesn’t your uncle live there?”
“Yeah, my mom’s brother, Adam, lives there. It’s actually where they grew up. He’s the only one who still lives there, though. He’s got a great house that overlooks the river. I’d never leave that place if I were him.”
“Maybe we could stop and see him if he’s there,” I blurt without thinking about it. “I mean, if you don’t mind seeing him when I’m with you.”
Griffin turns his head to look me in the eyes and smiles at me. “We can see if he’s around. I’m sure he’d love that.” His hand squeezes my thigh, and I think it’s meant to reassure me that I shouldn’t be embarrassed.
The drive to Stillwater isn’t really much of a road trip. It takes us about forty-five minutes with traffic, but not a minute goes by in silence. Griffin made a playlist for the drive. I can tell he made it with me in mind whenever a Paramore or Taylor Swift song comes on. His dimples were on full display when I sang “I’m Only Me When I’m With You” and I may have fallen just a little when he started scream-singing along with me.
Little did he know her albums were played on repeat many times throughout high school. It was like Taylor made a soundtrack to my life. And yes, it killed me any time I looked out my window and saw Griffin taking off with some girl.
Once the song ends, Griff turns down the volume and looks over at me.
“Do you ever wonder what it would’ve been like if we had dated in high school?”
I look over at him with wide eyes. It’s like he was reading my thoughts. “I mean, you never would’ve gone for me when we were both in high school.” I laugh, trying to brush off his question.
“You can’t possibly say that after what I told you last night. I’ve had my eyes on you for years, Kenna.”
“Oh, yeah? Since when? When was the first time you looked at me as anything other than your little sister’s awkward best friend?”
“First day of school my junior year. I was about to walk out to drive Katie and me to school when she let me know you and Carse were going to ride with us. I remember being annoyed that we’d probably have to wait, and I wanted to make sure Katie had plenty of time on herfirst day of high school to find her classes.” He pauses and takes a deep breath, grabbing my hand in his.
“You were outside waiting by my Jeep, and I stood still and stared when I caught sight of you.” He smiles over at me again quickly before looking back to the road. “You had your hair down, and you were wearing a jean skirt and a blue shirt that made your eyes pop. Suddenly, you weren’t just Katie’s best friend anymore, but the girl next door that starred in all of my dreams.”
I’m stunned silent for a moment by his recollection of that day. Of course, I remember it. I was filled with anxious nerves when Katie said Griffin would drive us all to school. I spent hours looking through my closet the night before, trying to find the perfect outfit to make him finally see me.
I look over at him. “But you completely ignored me the whole ride there. Actually, you ignored me for most of that year, if I’m being honest.”
“I had to. I didn’t think I was good for you then. I wanted you to have all the experiences high school had to offer without my influence or interference. That’s why I asked if you ever wondered what it would’ve been like. Because the what-ifs have taken over my mind since I saw you on your graduation day.”
“I mean, you were my first crush, Griff. I’ve thought about what it would’ve been like a million times. But then I tell myself how much harder it would’ve been when you went off to college.” I squeeze his hand as I continue, “There’s no telling what would’ve happened, but I have a pretty good feeling we wouldn’t have made the long-distance thing work. I was only a junior in high school, and you were the hot, freshman standout for all of D1 hockey.”
“Are you saying you thought I was hot, Wilder?”
“Ugh, don’t call me that. It makes me feel like you’re talking to my brother!”
He throws his head back, laughing, and pulls me into him as we sit at the red light. The light press of his lips to mine is too quick, leaving me anxious for the chance to kiss him properly.
“Is babe better? Darling? Honey? Angel face? I’m guessing ‘baby’ is off the table since you didn’t like me referring to you as Carson’s baby sister.” He fires off the nicknames at me at rapid speed.
I roll my eyes at his nonsense.
“I’ve got it! Sunshine. It’s perfect.” He beams over at me, his smile is brilliance personified.
“What made you land on that one?”
