She receives the ball with a damn near perfect pass to Katie. Katie sets the ball high and outside to Kenna. The opponent attempts to put up a double block against Kenna, but it does nothing to stop the punishing hit Kenna smashes right on the line.
The whistle blows, calling the play dead as the announcer says, “Point AU! That’s Wilder’s first career kill with the Bobcats.”
Fuck yes. That’s my girl.
The Bobcats dominated the first and second sets of the match. Thethird set is currently underway, and they’re quickly on their way to sweeping Michigan. Watching Kenna and Katie live out their dream right before me fills my chest with pride.
A timeout is called by Michigan’s head coach and Carson and I just took a seat when he says, “They’re killing it, man. I honestly didn’t think they’d get much playing time tonight, let alone start.”
“I know. They don’t even look phased that it’s their first college game. I was so scared my first game that I threw up before it started. Then proceeded to puke between each period.”
“No way. The cool and confident Griffin Turner had the anxious pukes?” he asks in disbelief.
When they take the court again, Kenna is up to serve. She tosses the ball up and slams a hard jump serve just over the tape of the net.
The announcer cuts in, “Point AU!”
“Fuck yeah! That’s her third ace of the night!” Carson smacks my chest as if I could take my eyes off her.
I know what it takes to get where she’s at—the chances of playing at the college level are slim, but dominating the game the way she is as a freshman—it’s the next level.
A few points later, Katie ends up getting an ace of her own to end the match.
When Kenna emerges from the locker room, she spots me across the court and runs up to me, jumping into my arms, wrapping her legs around me, and crashing her lips against mine. Fuck, I’m going to miss not being able to do this after every single one of her games.
As I remove my mouth from hers, my entire body rebels, wanting—needing more of her.
Not here in front of everyone. Get her back to her dorm first.
When we get back to Kenna’s dorm, it’s just the two of us. With Katie’s help, I set up a surprise for Kenna in her room earlier.
Kenna opens the door, inhaling a sharp breath when she looks inside. Above her bed are nineteen balloons stringing from the ceiling, with pictures attached to each one, and a balloon banner above her bed reads “Happy Birthday,” with the gifts that I got her wrapped on her bed.
“Griff, are you kidding me? This is the sweetest thing ever! Thank you so much.” She jumps in my arms, and I grab her ass as she wraps her legs around my waist.
After breaking from a tease of a kiss, I say, “Of course. I have to make sure my girl has the best birthday. Now that you’ve not only won your first game, but started and dominated, it’s time to celebrate.”
“How long did it take you to do this? When did you do this?” she asks as she wiggles out of my arms.
“Katie gave me her keycard to get in after the two of you left for your game. It didn’t take long to place them in here. Katie is better at wrapping presents, so she came home yesterday to help me do that.”
“This looks too pretty and heartfelt to touch.” She brushes her fingers along the black wrapping paper and bows covering the gifts.
Kenna reaches for the balloons to look at the pictures. She gasps when she sees what’s written on the back of each photo. Each photo has a number written on the back, one through nineteen, that describes nineteen things I love about her. I watch as she carefully peels the photos from the balloon strings and places them in order.
The first photo is a picture of Katie, Carson, Kenna, and me at the bus stop on their first day of kindergarten.
Kenna reads aloud, “One: I love that you still gave me a chance even though I used to pull your pigtails.” Her answering giggle lets me know she’s picturing the many times I used to chase her and then tug on her hair.
“See, I’ve tried subtly telling you my feelings since we’ve been kids,” I playfully tell her.
Kenna shuffles to the next photo; it’s the two of us cuddled with Ranger. “Two: I love that you’re a package deal.” Her eyes water when she looks up. “I miss having him snuggle me every night.”
I exaggeratingly grab my chest, feigning hurt. “And here I thought it was me you missed snuggling up to each night.”
Rolling her eyes at my theatrics, she shuffles to a photo of us making breakfast together at the cabin. “How did you get this one?” she asks.
“Katie took it one morning and sent it to me. I’ve been gatekeeping it for this surprise.”
