Page 134 of The Forever After Bet

We leave for Portland a little after five in the morning and get there around noon. I’ve been texting Hannah since she left Thursday afternoon. She was so afraid her trip was doomed, but it’s turned out to be the opposite. She said she and Beth had a real heart-to-heart, and they’re going to work on their relationship. Then yesterday, she received the top technical score out of fifty-two dancers.

Hannah said she doesn’t perform until about four today. She is in the last group to dance. I’m so excited to surprise her. To make sure I didn’t mess anything up between Beth and her, I messaged Hannah’s mom and dad to make sure it was okay that we showed up at the performance. They were both good with it.

Once we get to Portland, we stop and get something to eat. I ordered a dozen light pink roses for Hannah, since pink is her favorite color, and we stop to pick them up. We also check in early at the same hotel that Hannah and Beth are staying in. There was even enough time for Jack and Ty to catch a quick nap. Jack drove the last leg, and Ty doesn’t sleep well in the car. Plus, neither of them are morning people.

I shower and change, then wake them. The guy’s change, and we head across the street to the Empire Theater, where the dance competition is being held. Jack texts Beth, who was nice and saved us seats close to the front.

“Hey, you made it,” Beth says, hugging Jack.

“Yeah, we went and checked in to the hotel.”

“There are so many people here. This place is completely packed,” I say, looking around.

“Hannah’s competition is the last and biggest of the day. It’s the individual elite dancers. See the people in the second row?” Beth points to several people. “Those are scouts from the top dance institutes and colleges in the country.”

“Whoa, I didn’t realize how big this was.” I glance around the theater again.

“I’m glad you guys are finally here. People kept giving me dirty looks for saving four seats, but they didn’t dare say anything to a pregnant lady.” Beth laughs.

“Is there any way I can see Hannah before she dances?” I ask Beth.

“Oh.” She holds up her hand, fishes a lanyard out of her purse, and hands it to me. “I had her teacher get you a backstage pass.”

I lean in, hugging her. “Thank you for doing that.”

Beth pats my back. “You’re welcome. You better hurry. Micah said they don’t like people going back and forth once the competition starts.”

“Got it. I’ll go now.” I nod.

“There should be signs to direct you,” Beth says.

Once I get out into the hall, I find a sign with an arrow that points toward the dancers waiting area, except there are three different rooms of dancers, and each room is a maze of costumes and people.

“Ford?” a lady exclaims, grabbing my arm. I turn around and recognize her.

“Hi. You’re Sophie, Hannah’s teacher, right?”

“I am. Hannah is this way.”

“Thanks. She doesn’t know I’m here. It’s a surprise.” I smile. I’m so excited to see the look on Hannah’s face. I’m also nervous.

“She’s going to flip. I ran and got her a couple of tums. Her nerves hit, and she threw up her lunch. Now she’s having terrible reflux.”

“Really? She usually stays calm.”

“That’s what Micah said, but this is a big deal. She got the high score, so people, coaches, and scouts will be watching her. I don’t think she expected this kind of pressure. I’m glad you’re here. It will help.”

Sophie leads me to the last room and over to the far corner. It’s good that she recognized me because I’d never have found Hannah. There are so many girls, with buns, bobby pins, and sequins. It’s insane. Micah is helping Hannah do leg stretches; her back is to me when we walk up. Micah smiles and nods when he recognizes me.

“Look who I found roaming the halls,” Sophie says, tapping Hannah on the shoulder.

She puts her leg down and turns around. “Ford!” she gasps, covering her hands over her mouth.

“Surprise!” I smile while holding the flowers out for her.

Hannah’s lip trembles, and tears fall down her face. Her whole body is shaking.

“Hey.” I hand the flowers to Sophie and wrap my arms around her. “It’s okay,” I say, kissing her temple.

---