Effortless With You Read Online Free PDF Page A

trying to find something to ask him. “So, how’s the pool?” is all I manage.
    He looks at me blankly before a huge smile spreads across his face. He effortlessly leans over and sweeps me off the bench. “You’re about to find out.”
    Faking a scream, I kick off my heels before Zach throws me in the water. Thankfully, it's warm. A thundering splash booms next to me. I swim to the surface and a large arm pulls me into a hug. It feels nice to be held so close. Zach looks down at me, his brown eyes filled with excitement. That look always makes me smile. He turns away from me briefly and whistles to Tater and Pete, his teammates. Both nod and storm the dance floor where they grab their girlfriends and obediently toss them in, too.
    I instantly bond with the other girlfriends. Without words we turn on our guys, creating a wall of splashes with our feet. Zach breaks through the water wall, pulling me toward him. He kisses me before he yells, “Water fight.”
    Zach and I team up and attack Tater and his girlfriend. The force Zach makes with slamming his arm into the water is overwhelming. Giant waves slosh up in my face. I can’t open my eyes. Water shoots up my nose and down my throat. It burns. Choking, I swim to the side.
    The night’s cooler air makes me shiver. Zach doesn’t seem to be losing interest in the fight at all. The brunette swims up to the steps. “This can go on forever. I guarantee you,” she says before climbing out. She’s dated Tater for over a year, so I assume she knows what she's talking about. I follow her. The hair on my arms stands straight up. I wring as much water out of my dress as I can. Goosebumps pattern my skin.
    I walk back to the bench and pick up my heels and purse. I sit down, pulling out my phone. Eleven forty-eight. Crap. Eleven missed calls. Double crap.
    I jolt up, scanning the crowd, hoping Marissa will stand out in her yellow top. My eyes catch a flash of yellow, but it isn’t Marissa’s dress. My heart stops.
    It's Mom’s yellow gardening hat.

 
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FOUR

     
     
    This isn’t happening. Not here. No.
    Mom stands in the middle of the dance floor dressed in floral pajamas with that stupid floppy hat to cover her bedhead. Our eyes meet and the air thickens. She stomps across the floor. The look she gives me pierces my skin. I shoot up, walking the other direction. Maybe she’ll follow before everyone notices?
    “LUCINDA ZWINDLER. STOP NOW.”
    Crap. It really is happening. Everyone stares.
    Bracing myself, I turn around. The space around Mom clears. She hasn’t even bothered to put on a bra. I swallow a mouthful of spit that I’d made, an unconscious attempt at drowning myself.
    “What do you think you’re doing here? Didn’t we tell you that you were grounded? C’s, Lucinda, C’s!” She grabs my arm. “ANSWER ME!” Her face trembles.
    I don’t want to be like her. I try to stay calm. In control. I take a slow breath before responding. “It’s only a C, Mom. Relax. I came for a few hours. I was just grabbing my stuff to head home.” Marissa pops through the crowd; I nod to her. “We were just leaving.”
    “You.” Mom points at Marissa. “This was your idea.”
    Everyone turns, their attention on Marissa. “Oh, no, Mrs. Zwindler. I tried to talk Lucy out of it. I swear.”
    Mom lets out a harsh laugh. “No. This is right up your alley, conniving and disrespectful. Totally MARISSA.” Mom hits her high-octave notes.
    Marissa forces a sob, grabbing the guy’s arm next to her and putting her head against his chest. I doubt she even knows his name. People swarm around her, touching her back. I sigh. Marissa is the center of attention; she’ll be just fine.
    Mom’s breathing is heavy, her face swollen and out of proportion. Boiling point. Her grip tightens. Pain.
    “Mom. Let go.” I look down at my arm. “Please, Mom. Let’s just go home.”
    She follows my gaze and her fingers quickly uncurl. Her red handprint remains,