I could do nothing but listen while my heart broke all over again for Beth, Killian, and Michael.“Killian didn’t speak except to his brother that entire first year. The only reason I fought my husband so badly on turning off the machines was Killian. Michael is his twin and I couldn’t separate them. I found a strength I didn’t know I had. When school started, I would drop Killian off and he would just stare at me with dead eyes. He spoke to no one, not his teachers or his school friends. I picked him up each day and drove him to the hospital. Killian would walk into the room, take his brother’s hand, and start talking. He’d tell him everything and then go home at night completely silent until the following day at the hospital.”Beth wiped a tear from her cheek and smiled gently.“We found a therapist. He suggested that we keep Killian from his brother’s side for two days each week and give him a chance to have time alone with his thoughts; no hospital, just a young boy who would get

I woke up Saturday morning with far more excitement than I’d felt in weeks. I’d been pushing myself harder than ever before. Middle-of-the-pack Cavanaugh was ready to move up a place or two. It felt good to know I had a shot of doing exactly that. It was a four-school track meet and I wanted to know if my preparations would pay off.The starting pistol sounded and the 10,000-meter race began. Within twenty steps I picked an inside line and held my ground. I established my place in the pack and stuck to it. My leg muscles were loose with my fingers lightly touching my palms. I looked ahead, focusing on my goal. I sank into my rhythm quicker than I’d ever done before and let the outside world drift away.At the halfway point, there were two distinct groups. I stayed slightly to the rear of the front one. More runners fell back as the race continued. Eventually, I felt the strain in my legs, but also their power. When the flag signaling the final four laps went up, I usually felt the wea

Monday morning Killian waited out front and followed me when I took off running. He didn’t say anything, just kept pace. I kept him in my peripheral vision even if I didn’t mean too. It was chilly and looked like rain was heading in.He stopped at the five-mile mark, slightly shorter than the distance he normally ran, and went back the way he came. I continued and finished my run before the rain began.Killian waited at my door.I looked at him. “Nothing’s changed, Killian. This won’t work.”I watched him close his eyes for a moment before opening them and giving me the smallest hint of dimples.“I won’t give up, Rebecca, though I know I deserve everything you’re putting me through.”My rage kicked in. “You have no idea what you’ve put me through. How many tears I’ve cried or how many times I’d give anything to be in your arms one last time. I’m broken, Killian. You broke me. I don’t want the pain that goes along with being your girlfriend.”He leaned in and kissed me. No tongue, just

He washed me thoroughly in the shower. I tried to do it myself, but he removed the soap from my hands and cleaned every inch of my skin.“You’re punishing me.” Sadness tinged my voice.Momentarily, his soapy hands stopped moving. “No, I’m giving you what you asked for.”“Then you’re punishing yourself.”His gaze darkened. “But will it be enough, Rebecca? Can you forgive me? Will you love me again?”I pulled him into my arms. I could see the pain in his eyes and I was so afraid to tell him how much I loved him. I never stopped and didn’t think I ever would. It was me…I was punishing both of us, but I couldn’t stop. The weeks and months of pain made me into a person I didn’t know. I wanted to wipe it all away, let my heart melt again, and most of all forgive him.Why was I doing this?My tears started and my shoulders began shaking.“Shh, Rebecca, it’s okay. I understand. I’ll do whatever it takes. I’m not going anywhere and if I eventually get my way, you’ll never go anywhere again. Pl

JordanMy agent, Larry Modiess, looks up from the papers in his hand and quirks his lips. “It’s a done deal, Jordan—sign, sealed, and delivered. You’re officially a New Mexico Pronghorn, the team with the lousiest record in the pro league.” His hand slams against my back. He looks like he wants to hug me, so I step back and try to act manly. He’s four inches shorter than I am, balding, and outweighs me by a hundred pounds. Think big teddy bear with a backbone of steel when it comes to negotiating sports contracts.Larry’s words culminate the longest journey of my life—countless meetings and more sleepless nights than I care to count. The journey isn’t over. There will be more rounds of meetings, situating myself with the team, and dealing with the media. I also need to inform my father that I’ll be moving to New Mexico. We lost my mom two years ago and I’ve been living with him ever since. My plan is to convince him to move in with me in the near future. Doubtful he will but I’ll try.