Page 1 of Fighting Chance

Prologue

KIERAN

KIERAN

I asked Bella if you got a new number in Berlin

Imagine how my heart broke hearing she said no…which means you are in fact getting all my texts and choosing to ignore them

BUT, looking on the bright side, at least now I don’t have to break into Bella’s phone and steal your number

Which I absolutely did not do at all

invasion of privacy and all that

how is Berlin by the way?

are they treating you right? I hope they are. if not let me know and I can hit a puck square between their eyes

I can also give them a stern talking to if you’re against physical violence

you’d have to text me back and let me know which option though

okay fine…

no physical violence

Chapter 1

Kieran

BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER

Is everything all right?

Anderson is pissed you took off mid practice

Ashford?

You’re starting to freak me out dude. call me back

The scream that rips through my chest burns like fire.

My cheeks puff in and out as I force my legs to move. My brain keeps screaming faster, faster, faster.

Suddenly, everything around me blurs, and I have to blink quickly to clear my eyes, the tears running down my cheeks never-ending. No matter how hard I try to pump my legs and lift my knees, I’m not fast enough.

The black car I’ve sat in a million times—with the paint chipping away, the fabric seats torn and scratched, the clunking sound the engine makes—kicks up dust as it speeds off…without me.

“Mom!”

I don’t recognize the voice that comes from me. It doesn’t sound like me at all.

I sound broken.

My voice is beginning to crack, fading away along with my mom’s car as it rounds the bend.

I don’t see the pothole. Another panicked cry rips from me when my shoes clip it, my eyes widening as my mom’s car takes the turn around the trees, disappearing at the same time my body smacks against the ground.