Always and Forever Read Online Free PDF Page B

guys again.
    “Hockey. Monday night, bro,” Adam said to Kal. “Wings are at home, and I got four tickets.”
    He slid a quick glance at me, but Adam caught it.
    “Of course, Mia's in,” Adam said. “She loves to watch guys beat the shit out of each other. I figure we'll leave my place around six, grab a bite on the way, and still get there with plenty of time to spare.”
    “Uh…Adam?” I said, looking everywhere but at Kal. I couldn't handle looking into his eyes and seeing the agony I'd put there. “I don't think I'll be able to go this time.”
    “Why not?” Ricki demanded. “Mia, you know the only reason I go to those stupid games is because you go, too.”
    “I…um…” I licked my lips, searching frantically for something, anything to tell them.
    “It's my fault, guys,” Kal piped in, rescuing me. “She's coming with me to visit my grandmother. It's the old gal's 90th birthday Monday, and we'll be gone most of the day. I'm not sure how late we'll be.”
    “The one in the old folks' home?” Adam asked.
    Kal nodded.
    “Well, that's it then,” Ricki told Adam while I mouthed thank you to Kal. “If Mia isn't going, then neither am I.”
    Adam shrugged. “Well, I could take my brothers. Cam and Todd would love it. Do you think Ben would like to go since you can't, Mia?”
    I nodded quickly, grateful that they hadn't pushed any further. The conversation slid away from Monday's schedule into what we were all doing over the break. Class ended and with it the school day. As I gathered up my books to head toward my locker, Ricki exacted a promise from me to come over after dinner so we could get together, just us girls and then headed out the door with Adam.
    Kal relieved me of my books, slipped his hand in mine, and walked me back to my locker. The hall was teeming with people, students and teachers alike all anxious to escape and begin their vacations. He leaned against the wall by my locker while I pulled out my bag and all my books so I could study over the break.
    “Mia,” Kal sighed.
    I lifted my eyes to meet his, the melted chocolate orbs dark with sadness and fear. “Ricki says that I should tie you to my bed. Naked,” I blurted out. Whoops. Hadn't meant to say that out loud.
    He flinched, taken aback by the abruptness of that statement. “And…uh…” He swallowed visibly, licked his lips, and leaned in close, his warm breath fanning minty waves over my face. “What did you say to her?” he asked a bit breathlessly.
    The same thing I'd felt at The Pit washed over me, then. It wasn't a quick flash, bang, sizzle that cheesy romance novels were written about. It was a slow unfurling in the pit of my stomach, a swoon-worthy bout of lightheadedness, and the absolute certainty that in his arms, nothing could go wrong. There'd be no fear, no pain, no death. No cancer. There'd only be happiness and safety, pure bliss.
    “Mia?” His hands were on me, but not in the way I would've liked. They squeezed my upper arms, shaking me. “Mia, are you alright?”
    His face snapped back into focus, and I just stared at him for an unending minute. He shook me again, yanking me back to myself. I shook my head. “Yeah, I'm fine,” I grunted. At his disbelieving look, I shrugged out of his hold. “I'm fine, Kal. Honest. I'm just a little tired, is all. I didn't sleep well last night.” The look in my eyes dared him to call me on that lie.
    Apparently, he wasn't up for the fight because he just nodded, slid my bag over his shoulder, and slammed my locker shut. “Yeah, I know how that is,” he agreed. “Didn't sleep well last night either.”
    “Maybe we should go home and go to bed,” I joked.
    His nostrils flared at the unspoken invitation in my words, and I recalled what we'd been discussing just before my little space out.
    “Uh…to take a nap,” I finished lamely, my face coloring ten different shades of red. Damn Ricki and the mental images she drew for me. She was right, of course. Bed and a