NEVER GOODBYE (An Albany Boys Novel) Read Online Free Page A

peaking out that I’ll give her infatuation away. Little does April realize, those boys can read us like a book, so we might as well use it to our advantage. “What can I say?” I wink at April glad to be broken from the chains of Vaun’s eyes. “They were a tree of bitches that needed a good watering.”
    The loud laugh that comes right from within Vaun’s chest makes my belly flip. Flip, for crying out loud. I don’t do belly flips, I can’t afford belly flips.
    “You want to get a drink?” Vaun asks me and I can see the inner struggle quickly take over April. She wants to protect me from the likes of Vaun Campbell, but this is the moment alone with Carter that she’s been wishing for and I’m not going to be her reason for not getting what she wants and deserves.
    “Sure. Why not?” Rule number four — say yes. Tick .
    “Ah, because no one invited your skank ass,” comes a sarcastic girl’s voice from behind me and I spin around because if there’s anything I’ve learnt about living in the city, it’s never have your back to your enemy.
    “Bethany,” April growls and my eyes grow wide. “I swear, if you ever talk to Harper again, I’m going to rip that brown, rag hair from your scalp. Got it?” April looks like a mamma bear ready to eat a predator who’s been trailing her cubs scent and, for the smallest second, I’m scared for Bethany. Like, really scared.
    Whoa .
    “Try it, bitch.” The soaked brunette that had been hanging off Vaun turns to him with a pout that she has obviously used before to get her way. “Tell them to rack off, no one invited them.”
    “I invited them,” Luke says, appearing next to me, making me jump as he drips cold water on my arm and foot
    “Figures,” Bethany says, giving him a sour face. The girl could pull the sucking-on-lemons pout off well.
    “Enough, Beth,” Vaun clips, frowning as he takes a step away from her. “I think you should go find your friends and leave April and Harper alone before I lose my cool and tell you to rack off.”
    “Oh, burn!” Luke laughs at her and for some weird reason I actually feel sorry for Bethany. She’s hurt and confused by what just happened and, quite frankly, so am I. Yet I don’t feel strongly enough that I would stop her defeated departure; the back of her is a blessing in more ways than I want to think about.
    “So, you wanna get that drink?” Vaun asks again, this time a little less cocky, which only makes it worse.
    “Actually, Luke can show us.” April steps in and takes my hand. “I need to cool down before I hurt someone.”
    Carter laughs once and smiles his model smile at her. Even though my plan didn’t go quite to design, the result couldn’t have been more perfect. Carter Walsh is definitely interested in her.
    “Once you’ve chilled, come find me,” Carter says and I feel her hand squeeze mine. I can’t hold back the smile it brings.
    “Give her five and you can come find her,” I say, shocking them all. Carter Walsh is used to having girls throwing themselves at him; he needs to learn right now my cousin is better than that, even if she’s willing to. I turn and pull her back up toward the house, astounded by my brazen attitude.
    “What in freakish hell?” she hoarsely whispers in my ear and I grin, knowing that the camera is zooming in on our hot departure.
    “Do not look back and I promise you, you’ll have him in your net before you finish your next drink.”
    “Hells yeah!” Luke hoots as he catches up to us. “Woman, you know your stuff.”
    “What did he say?” I ask, wanting just as badly as April to turn around and look to see if they are looking.
    “Yeah, what did he say?” April chimes making me chuckle at the small screech in her voice.
    “The words were ‘Game on’.”
    “Ohmygod,” she exhales.
    “Ohmygod. Okay, April, just breathe and stay in control. This is a boy who clearly loves the fact that you aren’t going to chase him, so don’t. Let him come