Chapter 10

• Jadon’s feet pounded the belt. Every muscle in his thighs and calves protested. Pain that had been dull moments before flared, causing him to stumble. In reflex, his hand reached out and hit the stop button. It was just in time to regain his footing and avoid crushing his face on the treadmill.
• Gripping the safety handles with shaky, sweaty palms, Jadon desperately dragged oxygen into his lungs. His heart galloped like a wild horse behind his ribcage. Sweat rolled down his face and neck into his already drenched vest.
• A hard cough tore out of him. Jadon winced. Damn. That hurt. Okay. Maybe he had pushed himself a little too far, he thought, even as he gathered up his water bottle and towel. Half the bottle went down his throat and he still felt as though he could take more. Thankfully, his brain cells were still working, and he held back. Too much water at once and he would throw everything up. Not something he wanted to do at the gym that morning.