Page 1 of Time to Bounce

GABLE & ATHENA

Loneliness is overwhelming in its intensity.

There are times you think you can cope, that you can make it despite the hollow feeling in your chest. Then there are the times when you realize you can’t breathe through the pain of loss.

When Gable Buchanan Carter walks into Athena’s life, it’s like a light is switched on inside her chest. Suddenly she can breathe.

But just as much as she wants him, Gable just as much wants nothing to do with her.

It’s like a cold stab of ice right to the gut at the knowledge that the person you want, that you love, wants nothing to do with you.

At least, that’s what she thinks.

In reality, Gable wants Athena Grace Murphy with every piece of his soul.

But how can he confidently say he’s doing the right thing by bringing her into his life when it’s so dangerous? She’s already lost every person she loves, how can he put her through the possibility of losing one more?

That’s right, he can’t.

So he’ll stay away from her. Even if it kills him.

Sunny D tastes like someone made a bet that they could make orange juice without oranges.

—Athena’s secret thoughts

ATHENA

12 years old

“Mary Beth,” I whispered fiercely. “What are you doing?”

“I’m literally asking you not to follow me, Athena,” my sister grumbled.

Mary Beth was twelve and a half to my twelve and three-quarters. My brother, Gavrel, was nineteen.

I was what my sister liked to call an ‘oops baby.’

Which is honestly quite hilarious seeing as we were adopted.

Mom liked to call me her miracle.

Dad liked to call me his pain in the ass.

“But Daddy said we had to stay inside,” I said. “He literally said ‘stay inside, Athena and Mary Beth.’”

“Daddy won’t know I’m leaving, if you mind your own business and go inside,” she grumbled.

I wouldn’t.

We both knew I wouldn’t.

Yet, I would act like I was going to go inside, then follow her anyway.

She should’ve known better when I went inside and waited. She stood there for a long moment before she was assured I’d gone inside. Only when she disappeared around the corner of the long hotel hallway did I dart out and head for the stairs.

I took the stairs two at a time, using my long legs—Dad liked to call them runner legs—to propel me as fast as possible down the narrow staircase.

When I got to the bottom, I carefully opened up the stairwell door and peeked out.

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