Page 122 of The Forever After Bet

“What are you up to, Miss Clark?”

She rubs her hand along my neck to my jaw, then threads her fingers through my hair, scratching my scalp. My eyes drop closed, and I groan, goosebumps bead on my skin. I glide my hand up the back of her shirt, rubbing my hand along her soft skin.

Hannah rests her forehead against mine. “Ford, will you hold me?”

I nod and shift on the sofa so my back is against the armrest. Hannah lays against my chest and I wrap my arms around her, holding her tight.

“I wish I could live here inside your arms.”

“You do,” I say, kissing the top of her head.

Hannah gets her hand up under my shirt, rubbing her fingers along my chest. We lay together on the sofa, the only sound the ticking of the clock from the kitchen. She sighs, wrapping her arm around me.

“What is it?”

“We have to break up tomorrow,” she whispers.

“No.” I shake my head.

She looks up at me, resting her chin on my chest.

“We’re not going to cause that kind of drama for either of us. I’ll tell Bree that I went over to your house when I saw the website. We fought, and I broke things off. She should’ve waited until tomorrow during school to make that post to her website.”

“She won’t be happy.”

“I don’t care. I don’t know how I’m going to do this,” I say.

Hannah sits up, kneeling between my legs. “Then don’t. Let’s find another way.”

“I’m not letting you lose your spot for valedictorian.”

“I don’t think what Bree has can hurt me; and if she has something legitimate, then I don’t deserve to be in the running for valedictorian. Someone can only hurt me if I let them. I refuse to let Bree Chandler’s lies and bullying affect me anymore. I’m willing to pretend and breakup, but if we get to next Monday, and we still don’t have a solution. We should let Bree make good on her threat.”

“Hannah.” I thread my hands through her hair, leaning my forehead against hers. “I’ll try. That’s best I can offer. Please don’t be mad.”

“I’m not, but I would rather get expelled from school than watch you be with another woman. Fake or not.” Hannah bites her lower lip to hide the tremble. I lean in, pressing my lips to hers.

“We’ll figure it out before it comes to any of that,” I say.

“Okay.” Hannah nods.

47. Stupid High School Drama

I wake up Wednesday morning and pull the covers over my head. I don’t want to go to school. I’m so sick of the drama and gossip.

I’m surprised when no one stares or whispers as Jack and I walk through the halls. No one gives us pitying looks or scowls.

“Is it just me, or does nobody care that I supposedly cheated on Ford?” I whisper to Jack.

“It’s not you. I expected a lot of mean looks thrown your way, but there’s nothing.”

“Is the website still up?”

“You know what, I never looked at the website on my phone, only on Ford’s.” Jack pulls out his phone.

We turn down B hall, and Ford is leaning against his locker like he’s waiting for me.

“Hey.” Ford smiles, his eyes crinkling.

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