“You still want to do Clarkebridge’s PT program?”

I nodded. “Helping people with their injuries. Giving them hope again. I want to help people, on that level.”

Carter leaned back against his seat cushion. “That’s what I want to do with pre-med,” he said, “I want to be a goddamn superhero. I don’t know if she told you, I’m going to Clarkebridge too.” He laughed. “They’re going to have no idea what hit them.”

“If I get into that PT program. That exam was a doozy from hell.”

Carter shook his head. “You’ll get in. You crushed that exam.”

“You know something I don’t?”

“I may have sneaked a few peeks, to check on you.”

“Do you mean to tell me,” I said in a rushed whisper, so no one from the exam would overhear, “That Carter O’Connor cheated?”

“It’s not like I copied you. Wanted to check—”

“Sure,” I said. “Surrre you didn’t.”

Carter chuckled; he’d never give himself away. “How sick is it going to be to play soccer there, though? You’re on the team, right? PT program or not?”

“Hell yeah.”

“Same.” He lit up, and I finally, fully recognized the kids from Eliza’s letter. The old Carter, and the old me.

“And now we’re here,” I said. “New team, same digs.”

The table clanged as Carter drummed it with his fingers. “Damn, we’re gonna be good.”

Epilogue

“Cannonball!”

“No!!”

“Stop it!” The girls on the side of Carter’s pool shrieked as the splash crashed into them.

Carter surfaced from his jump and doggy paddled through the crowded waters to where Austin and I baked on the pool’s edge.

Austin held up nine fingers. “That was solid, dude. But I bet you can beat it.”

“Four,” I said. “I’ve seen better.”

Carter pushed water at me, splashing my swim trunks. “Whatever.”

“Nice try.” I adjusted my sunglasses. It was a hot May afternoon, perfect for us and a hundred of our classmates to celebrate our very last day of school together.

“I was going to give it a three,” my favorite voice called behind us.

A soft kiss landed on my cheek and Carter stuck out his tongue. “Can you guys stop being adorable, please? It’s nauseating.”

Eliza slid her arm around my bare shoulders, making my world feel complete again. “Don’t hate us ’cause you ain’t us.”

“The good thing about you being wifed up,” said Carter, “is you’ll be extra able to wingman for me with the college girls.”

“I am the best wingman.” Though we all knew Carter wouldn’t need one.

“Mags, I can’t believe you’re giving up college girls before you’ve even met them,” Austin sighed. “No offense,” he added as Eliza feigned complete shock.

“Not my fault you blew it in high school.” I fist-bumped Eliza. She leaned against my shoulder, relaxing under the sun. A year ago, I’d have agreed with Austin. I’d have said there was no girl who’d be worth basically unlimited girls at college. Now, I knew college girls would be the same as high school girls. Only more of them. And none of them would be as perfect for me as she was. So it didn’t matter.