It was kind of serendipity that the two most important people in my life were the two most important people to each other.

That didn’t make them love me any less, I knew that. Hell, I was Joel Sayer for Christ’s sake, I was awesome. But it did make our bond even stronger. And it eased my worry, because I knew if they were ever on their own, they would look out for each other. If I couldn’t look out for them, or be the glue that made them stick, they would still be okay. They would still be together.

The beach party raged around me, and my pulse hummed with the energy. These were the nights that I felt alive, that some kind of monstrous energy sprang forth from inside me. It fueled me to do some reckless things, but in the end, I was always safe and sound right next to Blake and Carson.

As I strutted around the fire, a random girl draping her arm around my shoulder, I couldn’t help but look over at the two of them. Sitting on the hood of his truck, they looked so happy together.

That’s all they had ever been. Happy and together. From the day my twin sister and I had met Carson, I knew he would be a part of our lives forever. The kid was my best friend, the guy I got into trouble with, but also the genius who always ended up saving me. He could whoop my ass in a surfing competition, and was constantly covering for me when I was late for class. Carson Cole was a tremendous person, and I knew that in the end, he would make it further than any of us. The Outer Banks was just too big for him.

And right now, he was looking at my sister like she was the whole world sitting in the palm of his hand. A little jealous flare sounded in my heart, but I tamped down on it. She was my baby sister, younger by thirty seconds, and I always wanted to protect her.

From the day we came into this world together, I’d been watching out for her, and her for me. She was my bullshit detector, my surrogate mother, the person who kicked my ass when it needed kicking. She held together our tiny family of three like neither my dad or I could, and I loved her fiercely.

I remember the day they’d told me they were dating. I pushed Carson down and threatened his life if he ever hurt my sister. Then, I helped him up, hugged them both, and told them I was happy.

Because I was. Anyone who stood within a hundred feet of them knew they were meant to be together.

I just hoped that one day, they’d have some cute looking kids and name one after me.

Tonight was no different, with them on the outskirts of the party and me controlling the three-ring circus.

“Hey, bro, which one of these fine ladies are you going home with tonight?” One of my friends from class shouted in my direction.

“Whichever one begs the hardest.” I wink and three girls around me giggle.

In reality, I’d love to have what my sister and Carson have. But I’ve cast myself in this role, and I feel I’ve got to stick to it. Maybe when senior year is over, maybe when I go to college, I can reinvent myself. I can be the person I’d truly like to be, and not the clown everyone here thinks I am.

My gaze swings back towards Carson’s truck, and I see that Blake is walking up the sand dunes away from the bonfire. Probably to go spend time with him somewhere, alone. And those are thoughts I definitely don’t need to think.

I feel a hand on my shoulder, and there is my best friend. “Hey, dude. Great party.”

Looking around with nostalgic eyes, I sigh. “It is pretty great, huh? We should do this every night of the summer, man. Party like we’re never leaving this place.”

Carson looks out to the sea. “We are leaving, though.”

Emotion grips my throat, because I don’t know who I am without Carson and Blake. “We’ll see each other though, it’s only a few months. We’ll be home before we know it. And in four years, we’ll all be back here, like nothing ever changed.”

If only the future were that easy to see.

“You’re right, brother. Maybe someday, I’ll be your brother for real.” He winks at me.

And even though I’m fond of the idea, I have to pretend it’s gross. “Yuck, man, that’s my sister.”

He laughs. “We’re going to head out, Blake is already gone. Why don’t I take you home?”

I knew that suggestion. Carson was thinking that I’d already drank too much. Maybe I had, but it was summer and this was a party.

“Nah, dude. Come on, let’s take a drive or something. Cruise down the beach, try and find some horses.” The idea struck and took hold of my brain.

Nothing would be better tonight than my open air Jeep, a great rock song blasting on the radio, and the summer night blowing through my hair. Yeah, that’s what I felt like doing right this minute.

“Aw, come on man, you’re drunk, you shouldn’t be driving.” Carson tried to take the keys from me.

I wrestled away. “It’s the beach highway man, and anyway, you drive, come with me.”

He looked up to the sand dunes. “Blake is waiting for me.”

Carson’s eyes are longing for his girlfriend, and I know he wants to be with no one but her right now. I know how tough it’s been for them thinking about being apart once college comes.

“Yeah, yeah lover boy … go get my sister. I’ll be all right.”

He eyes me cautiously. “You sure?”

“Yeah, man, I’ll be fine. I love you, bro.” For some odd reason, I feel the need to tell him how much he means to me.

“Love you, too, you idiot. I’ll see you tomorrow.” And with that, Carson takes off sprinting for the dunes, and for Blake.

I look on in admiration, and am glad that my sister has someone who loves her so much.

Grabbing my keys and getting in my Jeep, I plan to take that drive down the beach. A solitary man in the night, breathing in the sea’s dark breeze.

As I take off, chewing up sand in my tires, I think about how Blake, Carson and I will be back in this spot, years from now, living life as the three most important people to each other. And I can’t wait for that.