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.”
