(Never) Again Read Online Free PDF

wanted. My ticket out of here.”
    Shock-widened eyes stared back at me. For once, Zach was speechless. Good. I didn’t care what he had to say. I pulled out a bottle, popped the top and walked away, guzzling until nothing was left.
    And crap! He totally abandoned my sweet-ass table. Figures. I couldn’t count on him. I leaned against a graffitied wall, the bucket hanging like a wristlet as I popped open another beer.
    An hour later, Scott and the band were finally ready to start and I’d had enough. I’d drunk all the beer, minus the bottle Zach stole.
    Joe was helping with the last-minute setup and I stumbled over to him. “I’m ready.”
    “What? Babe, the guys are just getting ready to go on.” He stuck his lip out in his sad puppy-dog way.
    “I’m tired.” I pouted my lip back and waited for him to give in to my cuteness.
    “Go back to the booth and take a nap. We’ll leave as soon as they’re done. Promise.”
    I rolled my eyes and staggered away, reached into my bag and pulled out my keys. I was usually the DD, but tonight . . . oops.
    “I don’t think so.” My keys vanished, and I jumped to grab the hand that took them.
    Zach! Ugh! I should’ve known. “Give me my keys!” He was always taller, and while I used to love how he towered over me, at times like these it was seriously inconvenient.
    “No way in hell I’m letting you drive.”
    I planted my hands on my hips and did my best not to sway. “Why not?”
    “Because you’re drunk.”
    “You’re not my keeper.”
    “No, I’m not. But since your boyfriend doesn’t seem to care, someone has to. And besides, your brother would kick my ass if he knew I’d let you drive like this.”
    “Of course, because you two still talk. Well la-de-freakin-da. Give me my damn keys.” I jumped again and tried to grab them, but regardless of my drunken coordination, Zach was quick. In one swift motion, he shoved the keys in his pocket and tossed me over his shoulder.
    Face-to-face with his butt, I couldn’t help remembering the time we went skinny-dipping at Front Beach. Even swimming naked side by side, he never pressured me to do anything I didn’t want to. As always, he was the perfect gentleman. Never letting his hands wander too far south.
    Stupid memories.
    “Put me down,” I demanded, but he didn’t listen.
    “Say goodbye to Sadie and our friends,” Zach said, turning me to where she stood in the corner with Matt and Ruthie.
    “They are not
our
friends. They are
my
friends,” I said, but the band started and I didn’t think my words were heard over Scott’s screeching.
    Sadie exchanged a few words with Zach and then waved goodbye. Traitor. I’d remember that when she wanted to get out of one of her parents’ many attempts at finding her a husband.
    Outside I gave up the fight and welcomed the cool air. At my car, Zach opened the passenger door and gently placed me in the seat. He reached across, warm chest pressed against mine, and buckled my seat belt.
    I tried to hold my head up and give him a dirty look, but it felt like it weighed nine hundred pounds and I wasn’t strong enough.
    Zach’s hand cupped my face, holding it up so I looked into those dark, beautiful eyes of his. Warmth spread across my cheeks, seeping into the rest of my body. He pushed my hair out of my face, tucking it behind my ears. I wanted to be mad, but I didn’t have the energy to care.
    “You’re a mess.” His lips turned into the smirk I dreamed about for months after he stopped calling. “What happened to my Lizzie?”
    “You left her,” I managed to get out before my eyelids became too heavy and I drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 5
    The next morning I woke to what felt like an elephant on my head, my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth, and no recollection of how I got in bed. I opened my eyes and instantly regretted it. The morning sunshine streamed through my window like a curtain of bright torture.
    A low growl rose in my throat and I threw my