Chapter 1

The first day of summer break was met with a beautiful array of sunshine. It glared through my window causing my sleep to flee. I exhaustively welcomed the warmth of the sun on my freckled cheek. It was almost nudging me to get up and come enjoy its beauty.

I turned over onto my back and stretched my arms up over my head, inhaling the smell of the fresh cut daisies mom had placed onto my nightstand. She loved summer as much as I did and she always gave us fresh cut flowers on the last day of school so we felt the summer vibes.

Baylen wanted to drive to Elmer’s Isle Beach today and spend the day with our friends. I really just wanted to soak up every second I could with Keegan. I loved spending time with Casey, but she knew how much this summer meant to me and Keegan. He will be moving so far away from us and I won’t be able to see him every day. I know the drive is only about an hour, but no chance Missy Hamlin was letting me make that trip very often during my senior year.

My hope was to be recruited by the LSU softball team, so that we could see one another every day the following year. They didn’t invite me back to their clinic this summer however, so I was super nervous about how that would pan out. My mom told me to not think about that and to just focus on the present. She knows me better than that so I’m not sure what she is even trying to do with that narrative. Bless her heart for trying to get me out of my own head.

I rolled out of bed and slipped on my Scooby Doo slippers. I didn’t smell breakfast, so I was starting to get concerned. I didn’t even hear voices. Could I be the first one awake? I must be. Mom usually has a huge breakfast awaiting us on the first day of summer. This just seems odd. I don’t think she stayed at Ms. Kyren’s house last night so this was very out of the ordinary.

As I reached the dining room I could see people sitting on the deck and smoke billowing from the Blackstone grill. Rubbing my eyes for clarity and from exhaustion, I rushed over to the sliding glass door to see who was all there.

I could see the blonde braids of the twins. Their hair looked like finely spun gold as the sun kissed it gently. They both had on matching rompers in different colors.

“I want eggs and bacon,” I heard one of the twins say.

“You will all serve yourself once it’s done,” my mom said, giving Kelsie a firm squeeze on her shoulders.

She turned to see me coming outside and greeted me with the warmest smile.

“There’s my Breesy girl,” she said, touching my face ever so slightly. “You hungry doll?” she inquired, while flipping slices of bacon onto the sizzling grill.

I nodded and looked around for Bay and Keegan. I didn’t see them anywhere.

“The boys went to get orange juice and milk at the store down the street,” Kailie said, as she studied my face.

“Your freckles don’t make a pattern. They are just kind of there huh?” Kailie continued.

I looked at her quizzically. “What are you going on about girlie?” I laughed, tickling her little feet as they hung off the side of the chair she was sitting in criss-cross applesauce. She tucked her tiny, pink-painted toes underneath her and playfully swatted my hand.

“You’re just really pretty Brees. I thought even your freckles must be perfect, but they aren’t,” she giggled.

“That’s fair. You are quite the beauty yourself Kai,” I said, returning her kind compliment.

As I sat back in my chair I could hear chatter coming from the garage. My heart started to race. I knew any minute I would see my boy. He and Baylen came through the side gate. They were carrying one bag each. Mom grabbed the bags and began to set the table.

It was still awkward for us around our parents and siblings. We just kind of glanced at one another and smiled. He sat at the table with Kailie and Kelsie and I remained in my seat. Thinking about how much fun we were going to have this summer. I watched him help the twins get pancakes and eggs onto their plates. He was so thoughtful to everyone around him. It made me love him that much more.

After breakfast, Baylen, myself and Keegan cleaned up the table. Keegan came over while I wiped down the chairs and planted a soft kiss right on my cheek. I smiled admiringly at him.

“How is my special lady doing today?” he asked, rubbing my back briefly with his hand.

“No, no, yuck,” Baylen interjected and threw down his bag of trash. “That’s my cue to leave,” he giggled and punched Keegan in the arm.

His departure was welcomed, as I had wanted just one single moment alone with Keegan. We looked at one another giddily and then embraced. He kissed my lightly glossed lips gently.

“I’m good. Just bummed about the whole LSU thing. I thought for sure they wanted to recruit me after last summer and with me being a two time Varsity letterman. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong,” I shared, looking down at the ground.

Keegan lifted my chin and looked at me intensely.

“Brees, you are an amazing softball player. LSU would be lucky to have you. But it’s also okay to go play ball somewhere else,” he said, rubbing his thumb on lips.

I moved away slightly in disbelief. I thought he wanted me to be at LSU with him. I thought we planned this out last year when he got recruited.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, reaching for my arm.

I brushed it away and folded my arms tightly. This was a discussion for another time. Not when our family was around.

“It’s fine, Kee. I just really thought you wanted me there is all,” I said, grabbing the last of the dishes and heading into the house.

“Babe, that’s not what I meant. You know I want you there more than anything. Can we talk about it?” he asked, chasing after me with two bags of garbage.

I shook my head and told him to drop it before we entered the kitchen. I wasn’t sure when, but we were going to have this talk and it wasn’t going to be entirely agreeable. But that was fine. Sometimes things had to get messy before we healed ourselves. And this would definitely be one of those times. My heart raced a mile a minute, as I wrestled with my thoughts about mine and Keegan’s first argument.