Page 113 of The Forever After Bet

“Anything?” she whispers, biting her lip.

I brush her curls off her forehead and lean down, tugging her lip with my teeth and kissing her. “Anything,” I breathe over her lips.

43. Good People

I thread my fingers through Ford’s hair. “Will you just hold me?” I’m feeling so vulnerable and lost. When Ford holds me it makes me feel like the bad things in life can’t touch me.

He sits us up. “Of course.” Ford cups his hands around my face. “I can’t imagine how scary this must be for you. The idea of losing everything you’ve worked for. I’d feel the same way if my football scholarship was threatened.”

“What if I did do something bad?”

“Hannah, that’s nonsense.”

“It feels that way to you and me, but I could’ve inadvertently done something that hurt someone and changed the trajectory of their life.”

Ford chuckles, leaning his forehead against mine. “You and your big words.”

I shrug. “I like Brobdingnagian words.”

“Oh, my gosh.” Ford tips his head back, laughing. “I actually know what that word means.”

“Yeah, it’s the nickname I gave your di—”

Ford covers my mouth with his hand.

I pull his hand away. “What’s wrong with that word? How about–”

And his hand is back over my mouth. I look at him with pouty eyes. He lowers his hand.

“You know, that was a compliment,” I say.

“Yes, I know. Thank you. Can we get back to our original topic?”

“I guess, but the male reproductive organ seems like a better topic to me.” I laugh then raise my hands. “I’m done. I promise.” I lean in, giving Ford a quick kiss.

“Thank you. Like I was saying, I don’t think that would’ve happened. Whoever it happened to would have come forward and said ‘hey, wait, I’m afraid that’s not right’. I know there are events in people’s lives, usually terrible events, that individuals don’t speak up or talk about, but this isn’t one of those instances. This is academic. We know that because Bree says it will take away your academic goals. She hasn’t said you hurt someone or done something illegal.”

“I don’t think I’d do anything illegal. I’ve always tried to do what’s right and follow the rules,” I say.

Ford nuzzles his nose against my neck, laughing. “Exactly. You’re a good influence on those around you. Do you know that last year, on almost every weekend, the guys and me would get together and drink? Sometimes, we’d smoke weed or vape.”

I turn, looking at Ford. “You did?”

“Yep. It was the thing to do. Guess who was always there?”

“Ugh. Bree?”

“Her, and a bunch of other girls from all over the lake district, would hang out with us.” He sits back. “When Gigi and Gramps were leaving for their RV trip at the beginning of the summer, I was pretty upset because everyone was leaving me. Gigi gave me some good advice. She told me to surround myself with good people and good things would happen. A week later, I was at Jack’s end-of-school party, and I saw you standing in the corner by yourself. I thought about Gigi’s words. I’d had a crush on you all year, and you were the best person I knew. I’m not sure what would’ve happened if I hadn’t made that bet with you. I don’t think I’d be playing football for Sutherland. I would’ve ended up at USC or picked a school just to piss my dad off.”

“You’d have found your way to Edwin Sutherland University without me.”

“Maybe, but I doubt it. We will figure this out together. That’s the promise we made to each other. I’m not going to be Bree’s lapdog, and you’re not going to lose your academic standing. I promise you won’t.”

That’s what scares me. That Ford will go to extreme lengths to save what I’ve worked so hard for, even if it costs him everything.

I just nod. It’s time to talk to my dad about what’s going on and get some advice.

44. Terms and Conditions

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