(Never) Again by Theresa Paolo

Saturday night, another night Joe blew me off for the band. I thought girls were usually the groupies, but Joe was definitely the official Purge groupie. I can’t say he completely blew me off since he did invite me to their show. But Zach was right, they sucked. If Charlie was the only one playing I might have considered. But I had better things to do on a Saturday night than dodge a crowd that thought it needed to break into a mosh pit during every single song.
    I’d have to get used to it though, since the band had decided that Joe was going to be their new drummer. Curtis, the old drummer, had come to his senses and realized band life wasn’t going to pay the bills. He’d had to get a real job and couldn’t keep up with their practice schedule.
    The only problem? Joe wasn’t a drummer.
    In fact, he’d never played a musical instrument in his life. In fourth grade when we had to decide if we wanted to be in the band or the orchestra, he chose chorus. Probably because he could stand in the back, move his lips and just get by.
    But he was determined, so when he blew me off for the band, I couldn’t get too mad. He was trying to become a part of something and even if he wasn’t quite there, he was on his way.
    Besides, it was also a good excuse for girls’ night. Sadie and I put our pajamas on and stretched out on the couch to watch a chick flick. She grabbed the remote and hit play, the henna from her cousin’s wedding still visible on her hand.
    The best thing about living together was that we got to have a sleepover every night. I placed Sadie’s beloved pillows in their designated spot on the floor and kicked my feet up.
    By the end of the movie I was surprised I hadn’t dozed off. Sadie’s phone buzzed and with the way she bit her lip, I knew it was Matt.
    “What’s up with lover boy?”
    She picked up one of her pillows and tossed it at my head. My hand swatted it to the floor before it hit me in the face.
    I pointed to her phone. “So what’s he got to say?”
    “Everyone’s convening at the Roadside. You hungry?”
    “I could eat something,” I said, always up for a meal.
    We changed into jeans and headed out. The Roadside was a diner on the outskirts of town that still had grease on the floor from the day the doors opened fifty years ago. But they had the best milk shakes and burgers.
    I pulled my seatbelt on. “Maybe I can actually see my boyfriend this weekend.”
    “Yeah, and Matt will be there too.”
    “I figured that when you said everyone,” I said, unable to resist pointing it out.
    Five years and countless relationships later and she still had yet to actually make a move, in spite of my constant encouragement. Seriously, what did she have to lose? Matt would either go with it or not. At least then she could stop obsessing over everything he said and did.
    By the time we got to the diner, all the usual suspects were there. Joe, Scott, Ruthie, and Matt all huddled at one booth, Ruthie sitting on Scott’s lap. I didn’t even do a double take. We were all used to the Ruthie and Scott show.
    One person was missing though.
    Zach.
    He and Matt were always close, and it was only natural that they’d started hanging out again. Where was he? If I asked, would it look like I cared about him? Because I didn’t. I was just curious.
    “Babe, you’re here!” Joe yelled out when Sadie and I approached the booth. He climbed around the table, gathered me in his arms, spun me around once then kissed me as he put my feet back on the ground. Little things like that made my day.
    “How was the show?” I asked.
    Joe’s eyes lit up. “Awesome!” he exclaimed and squeezed me closer to him. I nuzzled into his chest and he leaned down to my ear. “But it would’ve been better if you were there.” He pulled away and a smile spread across my face at his words.
    Matt jumped up from his spot, retrieved a chair and made room for me and Sadie. Interesting how he made sure Sadie sat next to him. I gave