Last Chance

by Lauren Runow

  It hurts every time I see Mackenzie, but my heart is slowly healing from losing her.

  When the song is over, Mia kisses the screen, then hugs me. She’s my sweet angel, and the only chance to make my world right.

  After pulling the covers up, I kiss her forehead and leave.

  I don’t have my own routine to remember Mackenzie, but today was a big day. So after grabbing a beer, I sit on the couch and pull out a photo album of our time together.

  Music plays on my stereo, and it’s no surprise when Watching Over Me by Thousand Foot Krutch plays. A smile grows on my face as I drop my head back against the couch. This song always has a way of turning up when I need to hear it most. I know it’s not a coincidence.

  It’s her, always watching over me, just like the song says.

  Last Chance Playlist

  Jolene by Dolly Parton - Connor sees this on Mackenzie’s playlist.

  Cop Car by Sam Hunt - Hopefully you know the places this song is ;-)

  Down by Thousand Foot Krutch - Connor plays this during their music battle.

  Life is Beautiful by Sixx A.M. - Connor plays this during their music battle.

  My Church by Maren Morris - Mackenzie plays this during their music battle and sings it at the Karaoke bar.

  Simple Man by Shinedown - Connor plays this during their music battle.

  Breakin' My Heart by Mint Condition - Connor plays this while talking about R&B music.

  Freak Me by Silk - Connor plays this while talking about R&B music.

  Let Me Love You Down by Ready for the World - Connor plays this while talking about R&B music.

  Black by Dierks Bentley - Connor sings Karaoke to this song.

  Singing in the Rain by Gene Kelly - The name says it all ;-)

  So Far Gone by Thousand Foot Krutch - This song… This song is this entire book. LISTEN to it ;-)

  Goodnight Sweetheart by The Overtones - Mackenzie sings this son every night to Mia.

  Watching Over Me by Thousand Foot Krutch - Connor listens to this at the end.

  Other Books By Lauren Runow

  Gravity

  Gravity is not your normal, sweet romance of childhood friends to lovers. Spanning over twenty years—it’s raw, it’s real, asking the question if soul mates really exist.

  Lily

  At eight years old, the boy next door changed my life. He was the force pulling me toward him despite our differences. It was like magic.

  We understood each other, supported each other and in the process became everything to each other.

  But in chasing Trevin’s dream, I lost myself along the way.

  Trevin

  Through tremendous heartache, she was there. Through fame and fortune, she was there. Loving Lily was the one thing I got right.

  Eclipsing her in my shadow, I took from her until she was empty. Now I must do anything to prove I can be the man she wants, no, the man she deserves.

  Black Widow

  Preston

  I bury my pain in a sex club. I can be anonymous and still be faithful to my deceased wife's memory. At the club, I can give and receive pleasure without guilt or attachment. My mask hides the lies of my past.

  Kamii

  My marriage ended tragically. Since then, the only excitement in my lonely, pathetic, workaholic life is reading erotic novels. However, I now have the chance to be whoever I want to be, where no one knows my past and will never be my future.

  When their worlds collide, fantasies become a reality by pushing boundaries. The anonymity of Bridge offers protection from painful pasts, cunning schemes and dangerous lies. But when the masks are removed, there are no safewords to protect hearts and lives from buried truths.

  Falling into the Black

  Ten years ago we said goodbye.

  I left the world I knew to create a new life for myself. Away from the lies. Away from the pain.

  It was all going as planned until a friend asked for help with her club. The business was liberating. The company was intoxicating.

  Two masked men became my euphoria. One was a player deep in the game. A teacher both intimately and figuratively.

  The other was a quiet director. A man who tempted me with his stares and set me on fire with his dark whispers.

  His secrecy excited me, bringing me to levels I've never imagined. I thought we were playing a game, but little did I know he knew exactly who I was.

  I just wish I figured out his true identity before I fell for his best friend.

  Unwritten

  Charlie Ashley, or Mr. Ashley as his clients know him, is a high-end male escort who gets paid thousands for whatever services his clients require. He’s lived the last ten years alone, not letting anyone in, enjoying his success and provocative lifestyle.

  Allison Hayes has no idea the man she is falling in love with is a male escort. She connects with Charlie through their love of music, playing a taunting game asking herself if she loves him, hates him or if she is going to save him.

  After meeting Allison, Charlie enters a world where everything he knows no longer makes sense, leaving him too scared to move forward, yet making it impossible to look back.

  But can he give up his entire life for love?

  Rewritten

  Charlie loves Allison more than life itself. But is his love strong enough to end a part of him?

  Allison found the man of her dreams but fate keeps slapping them in the face with new challenges making her wonder if everything really does happen for a reason.

  There are decisions to be made, relationships to mend and futures to be told all with one question; is their love strong enough to be rewritten?

  *REWRITTEN is the conclusion of the Unwritten Series.

  The High Road (a novella)

  I walk through these halls with my tight bun, form-fitting uniform and a fake smile plastered across my face. My career is everything I’ve planned. I’ve made Captain in the Air Force and, even though I’m a female, I’ve gained the respect and recognition from my peers both below and above me. On the outside, I look like I’ve got it all, but on the inside, I’m slowing dying inside.

  I never knew after one staggering night out, Alex would change my perception on life. He opened my eyes and gave me a glimpse into a world of what I was missing.

  More of what I yearned for.

  More of what I needed.

  But he forgot to mention one thing… he is my subordinate.

  About the Author

  Lauren Runow is the author of multiple Adult Contemporary Romance novels, some more dirty than others. When Lauren isn't writing, you'll find her listening to music, at her local CrossFit, reading, or at the baseball field with her boys. Her only vice is coffee, and she swears it makes her a better mom!

  Lauren is a graduate from the Academy of Art in San Francisco and is the founder and co-owner of the community magazine she and her husband publish. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two sons.

  She’d love to hear your comments and feedback. Please take the time to leave a review on Goodreads, Amazon, iBooks or wherever you purchased Last Chance.

  Sign up for her newsletter through her website at http://eepurl.com/btD6j9 to keep up to date about new releases and get free gifts for your birthday!

  Join her Facebook fan group at http://bit.ly/1UVmNeh

  www.instagram.com/lrunow

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  You can also stay in touch through the social media links below.

  www.laurenrunow.com

  lauren@laurenrunow.com

  Acknowledgments

  This was the fastest book I’ve ever written. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. I even ended up with a thumb injury because I wrote so much of it on my phone. Sad — I know!

  When the idea first started playing around in my head, I knew I wanted a “best friends brother” trope, but it wasn’t until
I was sitting in my car, waiting for my sister and the song So Far Gone by Thousand Foot Krutch came on that I knew exactly where the story would go. As I listened tears started to fall until I was balling to myself. I knew, in that moment exactly how the book would unfold. Believe me, I even shocked myself. I know it’s soul crushing but I hope you were left with a heart full of love since Mackenzie fulfilled her dreams all the way until the end.

  A huge thank you to Stefanie Pace, Kelli Mummert, April Wells, Jeannine Colette, Cole Robitaille & Stacey Spence, Lauren Rowe, Autumn Gantz, Grey Ditto and Chelle Lagoski Northcutt for being my beta readers and helping get Last Chance to what it is today.

  The blurb is always the hardest part of writing and a huge thank you to KR Nadelson for helping me get this one just right.

  To my music soul sister, Dale Gardiner. Life is Beautiful was included just for you. Big hugs!

  I’ve been lucky enough to work with Indie Solutions, Designed with Grace, Give Me Books and Wordsmith Publicity and I can’t thank them all enough for their support.

  With every book I release I love this indie world more and more. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all of the blogs, readers and everyone who posts, leaves a review or tells a friend about my books. Thank you for making my hobby, with every late night, sore wrist and headache, worth it. Much love!

  Also by Lauren Runow

  Gravity

  Pulling me down. Feeling the weight

  Living for tomorrow not knowing if it will be too late.

  The life, the people, hell—my own sanity

  I need her to keep me grounded like she’s my personal gravity.

  - Trevin Allen

  Lily – Age 12

  “Come on, Trev! We have to get home, now!” I turn to scream behind me as I ride up the hill, watching the sun slowly fade away into darkness.

  He knew we’d gone too far back in these hills on our bikes, and no matter how much I told him we needed to turn around, he wouldn’t listen. Now we’re still at least a mile from home and losing sunlight by the second.

  “I’m going as fast as I can, but it’s kind of hard to push this thing with a popped tire,” he nags back at me.

  “Well, whose fault is that? I told you not to do that jump,” I yell, looking over my shoulder.

  The boy is crazy. Anything he can fly his bike off of, he will. I went around a steep rock, but not him—he went right over it and bent the rim, shredding the tire in the process.

  Grunts of frustration come from behind me as I stop and turn in his direction. His irritation level is evident as he reaches down to pick his bike up from a different angle, hoping it would be easier to carry. The sight of him struggling has me off my bike, walking it back to where he’s standing.

  “Here.” I push the handlebars toward him. “You pedal and I’ll ride between your legs. We’ll just leave yours here and come get it tomorrow. No one’s going to mess with it all the way out here.”

  Without a second thought, he drops his bike, grabbing mine with a huge smile. “Good idea. Hop on.”

  I straddle the metal bar, looping my fingers around his forearms and resting my butt and legs up high on the middle bar. The position is extremely awkward, and I’m already regretting my suggestion.

  Memories of when we met at eight years old fly through my head as we take off down the street together.

  “Hi, I’m Trevin. What’s your name?” A boy sneaks around the fence to where I tried to hide from him.

  “Lily,” I shyly state, not daring to meet his gaze.

  “Lily—like the pad?”

  “Excuse me?” My head shoots up.

  “You know, lily pad, like what frogs jump on in a pond.”

  My glare in his direction makes him laugh before he continues. “So, Lily Pad, did you just move in?”

  “My name is not Lily Pad, just Lily…and yes, we moved in yesterday.”

  “Okay, well, can I call you another name then? Maybe Turtle? You looked like one the way you were peeking your head out behind the fence.”

  “No, you can call me Lily.”

  “Okay, Lillllyyyy…” he drawls my name out, making a point. “Come on, grab your bike. Let’s go ride.”

  “I don't have a bike…” My voice is low, embarrassed by not having one, but even if I did, I don’t know how to ride one.

  “You don’t have a bike?” He seems shocked by my revelation.

  “I lived in San Francisco. You don’t really ride your bike in the street there.”

  “That’s crazy! Well, come here then…you can ride mine, or I have a scooter if you want.”

  “Um, I…um,” I stutter, not sure what to say.

  “It’s cool if you don't know how. I’ll teach you.”

  “Uh, okay, I guess so.”

  Perched on the bike, he holds the seat and runs down the street next to me while I try my best not to fall. The wheels wobble and I almost lose control a few times, but he catches me before I hit the ground. My heart pounds with adrenaline pumping through me, the joy of riding overruling the fear of falling.

  “Come on, Lily Pad. Try to stay upright.”

  I glare at him over my shoulder, and he laughs in response as he pushes me forward again, telling me to pedal faster. Following his instructions, my little feet push as hard and quick as they can to pick up speed.

  I’m so focused on trying to maintain my balance and breathe at the same time, I don’t realize I’m doing it all by myself. It’s not until I hear him screaming from behind me, celebrating my success, that it dawns on me he’s no longer by my side.

  My attention is thrown off when I see him so far away and fear instantly sets in. The bike starts to sway from side to side and panic takes over. I remove my feet from the pedals, slowing my speed down by running them along the ground yet still straddling the bike. My gaze finally lifts, only to see a huge wall of bushes, and in the blink of an eye, I slam right into them, scraping every inch of my body as the branches bring me to an automatic stop.

  “Lily!” I hear Trevin scream as he runs down the street after me.

  I try my hardest to fight back the tears threatening to fall, not wanting him to see me cry.

  “Are you okay?” he asks, moving branches away and pulling on my arm to help me up.

  “Y–yeah,” I stutter.

  “Good because that was awesome!” He celebrates, throwing both hands in the air and jumping up and down. “Man, I wish I had my parents’ camera. You should’ve seen yourself going into those bushes!”

  Remembering his excitement from my crash years ago, and knowing how reckless he is on his own bike, I can’t stop worrying about riding with him now. Fear of falling and breaking something takes hold of my chest. That cannot happen. I have a dance recital coming up and I can’t miss it.

  “Here, just sit on my lap. That way, I can see over you and you’ll be more comfortable than you would be sitting on that bar.”

  “But I’ll crush you,” I whine, not looking at him.

  “Really? You’re the tiniest thing alive. Have you looked at me recently? I’m the biggest guy in our class. There’s no way you could crush me.”

  I turn to see his face painted with pride. Even though he says it’s not a big deal, deep down he loves the fact he’s the “cool kid” in class. His hair is always in the latest style, spiked up in front and cut close in the back—the same cut other boys want but their moms won’t let them have. He’s the only guy I know who cares about his clothes. Trevin only wears plaid button-ups or skater-looking shirts with jeans and his Chucks. He’s also the only kid in the class who can ride a skateboard and can even do tricks on it. The other guys try, but for him, it just comes naturally.

  Most of the girls in our class are jealous we’re so close, but I don’t get all girly and giggly like they do when he’s around. They talk about the butterflies in their tummies and their flush faces when they see him. He’s not just Trev—no, he’s Trevvvviiin, all long, drawn out, and dreamy-like when they s
ay it.

  Sitting back on his lap, I lean against his chest and adjust my legs so they’re in a more secure position. “Is this okay?” I ask.

  He laughs. “Yeah, now hold on.”

  I turn and our eyes meet for a brief second as a small smile forms on his lips. They’re so close to my face I can feel the warmth of his breath on my skin, and instantly, my chest tightens.

  Looking forward, I maintain a death grip on his arms, unsure of what’s wrong with my chest. I take a deep breath to try to calm the fear seizing my ribs. I mean, it must be fear I’m feeling. I’ve seen this boy jump off the craziest cliffs, and here I am, trusting him to ride my bike to safety—with me on it.

  Yes, that must be it. Fear.

  Surprisingly, he maintains a normal pace, and after a few yards, the ache in my chest subsides, replaced with a feeling I can’t explain. The cool breeze floating through the summer night relaxes me while his warmth wraps around my body. Without realizing it, I drop my head to the left, sinking into him, and making this ride even more comfortable.

  His breathing picks up, and I can hear the sudden shakiness in my ear and feel his heart starting to race as the steady beat taps my back. He isn’t pedaling fast, but I guess having to exert enough energy to propel both of us must be tiring. The farther we go, the rougher and deeper it gets.