After a late dinner, Kenna and I walk down the steps to the lake and sit beside each other on the dock. It’s so peaceful down here, away from the party that’s started up at the house. I’ve always liked being by the water when I’m stuck in my head.
“Every summer, can you just promise me one thing?” Kenna asks, looking over at me.
“Anything.”
“Promise me we’ll always come back here—to the water, to these moments—and make more memories together.”
“I can’t think of anything I’d rather do in the offseason. Seeing you in a bikini is always an easy yes,” I reply playfully.
She smacks my chest lightheartedly. “I’m being serious! These are the moments I live for. The four of us at the cabin, out on the water, down by the beach, soaking up the sun. Every summer, no matter what happens. Can you promise me that?”
“I’ll certainly try my best, Sunshine.” I stare back at her, the fading sunlight casting a golden glow on her skin and hair. Next to the water, like this, her eyes take on an almost turquoise hue. She looks angelic.
There’s something I’ve been putting off for the past month, trying to somewhat play it cool, but I need to finally ask her. The sun is setting across the lake, painting the sky in pastels of pink and orange. This is the perfect moment. I just need to man up and ask her.
I take Kenna’s right hand in mine and rub circles over the ring on her finger as I look into her eyes and ask, “McKenna Marie.” I pause to clear my throat. “Should we make this official?”
“Make what official?” she asks with an unsteady voice, causing my nerves to skyrocket. Shit, did I read this all wrong?
“You know . . . makeusofficial. I’d be your boyfriend, and you’d be my girl.” I’m proud to say my voice remains steadier than I feel.
“Does that mean you’d be willing to do the whole long-distance thing?” she questions.
“I thought that was obvious by now. But in case I haven’t already done so, let me make myself clear. I know I’m asking a lot of you to be tied down in a long-distance relationship your freshman year. I get that this won’t always be easy—not seeing you every day, not getting to kiss you, touch you, hold you—but I’d rather put our relationship to the test than have an easy, meaningless one with someone else.
“I’ll fly back here to visit you, fly you out to visit me, FaceTime you every possible second I can, and shower you with my affection from afar. What do you say, Sunshine . . . will you take a shot with me?”
“I say . . . is that your way of asking if I’ll be yours?” she asks in a teasing tone.
“Quit being a brat,” I protest.
Kenna covers her giggles with her left hand and nods her head yes.
“I’m going to need to hear the words, Kenna.”
“Yes, Griffin. Of course, I’m yours!”
I do a quick fist pump, then scoop her up in my lap. Our kiss ignites a fire in my chest, and the way I’m feeling is something I’ve only ever felt when I was drafted. It’s exhilarating to know McKenna Wilder is finally mine. Nothing has ever felt so right.
8
July
The next morning, I woke up early to an empty bed. My head doesn’t pound nearly as badly as I thought it would. We did a few too many shots to celebrate officially becoming a couple and to welcome everyone that came up.
Last night, a group of our friends joined us to stay a few nights. Jackson and his girlfriend Tae rode up together with Bennett, Jackson’s older brother, and Griffin’s former teammate. Katie and I also invited our fellow freshmen teammates, Alexa and Brooke, whom we’ll be playing with this fall.
I roll over to get out of bed, stopping when I see a note on the bedside table that says,Drink this and take these, xx-G.
Briefly smiling to myself, I take the pain relievers and drink the water. I quickly go to the bathroom, brush my teeth, put my hair in a braid, and wash my face.
As soon as I open our bedroom door, I’m hit with the mouthwatering scent of bacon and coffee. I tiptoe down the hallway in search of Griff to avoid waking everyone up.
When I turn the corner, I’m not ready for the ridiculously sexy view before me. Griff stands shirtless in front of the gas range, flipping bacon. The dish towel thrown over his shoulder is doing nothing to hide hisrippling back muscles, and he’s clad in only a pair of low-slung athletic shorts that highlight his bubble butt.
I must actually groan out loud, because a second later, Griff turns, his face lighting up with that megawatt smile of his. He turns down the burners before pulling me in for a scant, tease of a kiss. “Good morning,girlfriend.”
With my arms still wrapped around his neck, I reply, “Good morning to you too,boyfriend. Although, leaving me to wake up in a cold bed on day one of our relationship might be the cause for our first fight.”
