Read Never More for Free Online

Duncan staring at her with wide eyes in a pale face. “What?”
    He shook his head and stared out the window as Moira began to hum a funeral march.
    “What? Is he a scary mob guy or something?” Amanda laughed…then realized no one else was. “Are you serious?”
    “Oberon is…very powerful,” Duncan said cautiously. “I wouldn’t shorten his name without an invitation.”
    “One which no one has received ever. Not even Cassie, his bo—er, bride, shortens his name.” Jaden pulled to a stop outside the farmhouse. “Look, he’s my boss’s boss, and one scary-ass dude you don’t want to mess with.”
    “Plus, he’s family.” Ruby twisted in her seat so she could see Amanda as Duncan and Moira began untangling themselves in preparation for getting out of the car. “Cassie helped save Shane’s life. She’s a healer of sorts.” Ruby bit her lip, and Amanda knew she was trying to hide something from her. Ruby would never be a great poker player. Everything she thought was all over her face. “Please, Mandy? For me? Be nice.”
    As if Amanda would do anything to seriously embarrass Ruby. “Would I do anything to embarrass you?”
    Ruby’s eyes narrowed in irritation. “Jail.”
    “It was worth it.”
    “Devil dress.”
    “It got you Leo, didn’t it?”
    “Fine,” Ruby huffed. “Needle-nose pencil dick.”
    “Hey, now.” Amanda shook her finger at Ruby. “He earned that.” And besides, it was her fault that Ruby had gone out with the teeny-weeny-pricked asshole in the first place. Amanda was the one who’d double-dog dared Ruby to go out with Bobby in the eleventh grade, though she’d long since apologized. Ruby’s crush on the guy had sent her into hiding, and Amanda had only been trying to help her. Unfortunately, Bobby had done the unforgiveable. He’d bragged all over school that Ruby was a lousy fuck, humiliating Amanda’s best friend.
    In retaliation, she’d double-dog dared Ruby to put up some posters she’d designed all over school.
    That double-dog dare led to the Pencil Dick Poster Incident that had gotten Ruby two weeks’ suspension and a stag trip to the prom. That, too, had been worth it. Amanda had ditched her date and spent most of the night dancing with her BFF. Ruby had eventually forgiven her, and Amanda had done her best to use the power of the double-dog dare only for good.
    And Leo was very good for Ruby. Her friend glowed whenever Leo’s name was mentioned, and when Leo was in the room? Ho-boy. They could power a small town with the loving energy they generated.
    Now if only Amanda could find a guy who lit her up inside like Leo did for Ruby, she’d be one happy woman. It would be even better if that man was somehow related to Leo. She secretly wished that she still lived close to Ruby and could see her whenever she wanted. Phone calls and Skype were okay, but just calling her out of the blue for a shopping trip and a latte just wasn’t possible anymore. Amanda missed that, more than she’d thought she would.
    “Hey.” Ruby poked Amanda in the forehead. “Where did you go?”
    Amanda smiled, knowing it looked weak and sad. “Just…I miss you, yeah?”
    “Aw.” Ruby gave her an awkward, one-armed hug over the seat, almost strangling her. “Me too.”
    “Think Mrs. Dunne would be willing to adopt me?”
    Ruby laughed, the tone evil. “I have a better idea.”
    “Oh?” Amanda wiggled free, wondering what the hell Ruby was up to. “And that would be…?”
    “I double-dog dare you to ask Raven out on a date.”
    Amanda blinked. Since when did Ruby dare her? It was always the other way around. “Ruby…”
    Ruby sighed. “He has the prettiest eyes, doesn’t he? So blue. And he’s related to Robin, which makes him family.” Ruby shivered. “If I wasn’t so in love with my husband, I’d seriously take a ride on that bad boy.”
    Amanda gasped, trying not to laugh. “You naughty thing, you.”
    “Totally.” Ruby wagged her brows. “So. You