Shane tried to glare at him, but he couldnâ€™t keep it up.

â€œI hate that you can outrun me like that. The crucifix he always wore around his neck was resting on his shoulder. His hair was soaked, curls sticking to his face and neck, and his chest glistened with sweat. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back, rolling it gently from side to side. Ilya pulled himself up to rest on his elbows. Shane laughed, but it sounded more like a steam engine puffing. Shane didnâ€™t know how his boyfriend was able to speak in full sentences. He mopped at his forehead with the damp shirt he was holding. Ilya flopped onto his back, shaking with laughter. He put his hands on his knees as he waited for breathing to stop being painful. Shane stumbled over to him, gasping and swearing. Then he collapsed on a grassy patch at the edge of the small parking lot. Ilya reached the end of the trail first, arms raised in victory. Shane grunted in frustration and tried to catch up, but Ilyaâ€™s long legs and seemingly superhuman stamina were making it impossible. Ilya winked at him before speeding past him like a cartoon character. Suddenly, Ilya was right beside him, drenched in sweat, T-shirt balled up in one fist. Shane tried to ignore it all as he focused on the trail exit just ahead. The pounding of sneakers on the trail and of Shaneâ€™s own heartbeat almost drowned out the laughter behind him. Shane felt like his chest was going to explode, but he huffed and pushed himself harder, refusing to give up.

Â€œYou wish, Hollander,â€ called a hoarse voice behind him. His goal was right in front of him, and nothing would stop him from reaching it. Shane had never wanted anything so badly in his life. This book is for the Shane and Ilya fans.Įxcerpt from Seasonâ€™s Change by Cait Nary The Long Game includes mentions and descriptions of suicide and depression.

The long game a gay sports romance