#Chapter 29 – Unscored Victory

Lila The sand was in my mouth, in my eyes, in my lungs. I could feel every grain rubbing raw against my skin. My elbow buckled as I tried to push up again, and for a second, I wasn’t sure my body would obey. I didn’t know how long I’d been down. The moment Damon slammed me to the ground had blurred into static. I remembered the sound of the crowd gasping. I remembered the sky overhead going dark. And I remembered the way he crouched beside me. Low voice, unreadable eyes, and the words: “It’s over.” But it hadn’t been. My body was done. My pride wasn’t. I forced my elbow to lock. My other hand clawed at the dirt, dragging my chest upward inch by inch. My lungs burned with every breath. My shoulders shook. Someone – Ronan maybe – murmured something just outside the ring, but I couldn’t hear it. Couldn’t care. I just needed to get to my feet. One more time. Just once more. I heard Damon say something, too quiet to catch. Then a rush of sound as he stood and announced