Page 114 of The Forever After Bet

“I don’t like this,” Hannah mutters as we walk into school on Monday. I keep my hand clasped tightly in hers.

“Me either, Sweet Cheeks, but it will be okay.”

Hannah squeezes my hand. “Together.”

I smile at her. “That’s right, together.”

I put my phone on silent this morning because Bree’s been blowing up my phone since seven o’clock. I finally texted her and told her I’d meet her at Twisted Soda tonight after basketball practice. I don’t want talk to her again until then.

It’s a good time to meet because Hannah’s teaching dance tonight, and then has a dance lesson with Sophie afterward. I don’t want her anywhere near this situation. I didn’t tell Hannah I was meeting with her.

I just hope that Bree will agree to my terms. I think she will because, like Hannah said, she believes I will fall madly in love with her if we date. The girl has some serious issues that need to be addressed if she thinks that’s how love works. I believe there’s someone out there for everyone, even Bree Chandler, but that someone is not me. I’ve found my person, and it’s Hannah.

Jack and Ty come with me to meet Bree. When I get to Twisted Soda, Bree is already there. Jack and Ty walk up to the counter and order something, but I don’t bother. I want to get this over with. I walk to the back booth where she’s waiting and sit across from her. Her minions, Melissa and Missy, are several stalls over, pretending they’re invisible.

Bree watches Jack and Ty with narrowed eyes for several seconds before she turns her attention to me. “Did you tell your buddies about what’s going on?”

I glance over at Bree’s friends. “Do your friends know?”

She purses her lips, making a humph noise, which answers my question. “Do you have an answer for me?”

“I accept your offer,” I say, my voice vibrating with anger.

Bree stares at me with her eyes wide, her mouth hanging open. Apparently, she didn’t think I was going to say yes. When she finally comes back to her senses, her face lights up with a huge smile. She reaches across the booth, covering her hand over mine. It takes every ounce of willpower I have not to jerk my hand away. “You won’t regret this, Ford; you’ll see that we’re perfect for each other. I can’t wait to walk into school with my arm around yours tomorrow.”

“I still need to break up with Hannah.”

“So, do it right now. Just text her. That’s more than she deserves.” Bree waves her hand flippantly around in the air.

I scrunch my forehead, trying to reign in my anger, but the longer I sit here, the angrier I get. “That’s not the kind of person I am. I won’t change my standards or my integrity for anyone, Bree. If you’re looking for a lap dog you can control and parade around on a leash, this isn’t going to work. You should just walk away now.”

Bree pulls my hand across the table, taking it in both of hers. “No! No, I don’t want that. I want a genuine relationship with you.”

“Okay, then I will end things with Clark my way. I’m not going to break up with a girl one day and show up with a different girl the next. That makes me look like I’m back to being a player.”

“Oh, I didn’t think about that,” Bree says, biting the inside of her cheek.

“I need you to give me a week.”

Bree opens her mouth to argue, but then pops it shut. She narrows her eyes at me. “It feels like you’re trying to play me.”

I hold my free hand up. “I’m not. I’m being honest with you about my feelings and what’s important to me. That’s how a relationship works, Bree. We have to start our relationship on the right terms. That’s the only way this can work”

“This is just a way for you to delay everything and figure a way out of this. Next week, you’ll come back and beg for even more time. I’m not stupid. Don’t forget, I hold Clark’s future in my pretty little manicured hands.”

“Fine.” I jerk my hand away and stand up. “I’ll go over to Clark’s right now and break up with her, and I’ll see you in the morning. But don’t expect me to show up happy or be excited to hold your hand and walk down the hall with you at school. Don’t expect any public displays of affection or for me to walk you to class. You’ll get the bare minimum from me. And if you throw your ultimatum in my face every time you don’t get your way, it will only make me like you less and less until I finally snap and end things with you. If you want to experience an actual relationship with me, then you’ve got to give and compromise. If not, just tell me where and when I need to be tomorrow morning to start this relationship prison sentence.” I turn with every intention of leaving, but Bree jumps up, grabbing my arm.

“Wait! Just wait.”

I turn back to face her, letting her keep hold of my hand.

“I get it. I’ll give you a week, but only one. Next Monday, you and I are officially girlfriend and boyfriend.”

“Thank you,” I say, feeling relieved. I’m not sure what I would’ve done if I’d had to show up tomorrow being Bree’s boyfriend.

“But I want something from you in return.”

“Bree, don’t you think you’re already asking a lot?” Give me a freaking break, lady!

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