Page 17 of The Forever After Bet

“She’s lying. Mom and Dad made her breakup with her boyfriend. She hides out in her bedroom and cries a lot,” Hank says, a serious look on his face.

“Hank!” Beth chides. “That’s enough. Go hang your snow clothes up and wash your hands and face before dinner. You too, Scottie.”

My grandpa arches an eyebrow at me, and I nod and shrug.

“How are you, Arthur?” Jack asks, holding his hand out.

My grandpa shakes it, then pulls him in for a hug. “Congratulations on your scholarship,” Grandpa says, patting his back.

“Thank you, I’m excited.”

My grandma comes up the stairs. “Oh, I’m just in time.”

“Hi, Gran,” I say, wrapping my arms around her. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too, Hanny.” She holds me at arm’s length, looking me over. “You’re too skinny, but you get more beautiful each time I see you.”

“Thank you. You, too.”

“I don’t know about that. A little more gray for sure.” My grandma blushes.

“Hannah was just about to sit down and tell me about this boy she’s dating.” My grandpa comes up, patting my back.

“You have a boyfriend? How wonderful.” My gran beams.

“Had. We broke up.” I tilt my head with a shrug, trying to be nonchalant about it. I glance at Jack and mouth, ‘Help me,’ but he chuckles and heads downstairs. What happened to brotherly love?

I spend the next hour chatting with my grandparents about life and school. I tell them about Ford and how much I like—or liked him. They know who he is. They’ve met him before and seen him play sports with Jack. They don’t ask too many questions, which I’m grateful for. It’s nice to have them here. I wish they lived closer.

Thursday is a crazy day. My dad’s brother and his family drive in from Seattle for Thanksgiving. I like my Aunt Sheri. She’s very soft-spoken and easygoing, which is impressive, when she is a mom to four loud and rambunctious boys ages thirteen to two. I spend most of the day playing with Beau, their two-year-old. He loves Disney movies and has the sweetest smile I’ve ever seen.

Friday, I go shopping with Leah, Aubrey, and June. I’m not sure why we brave the massive crowds to shop on Black Friday, but we do. It ends up being a great day. It’s been a while since I can say that, and it’s really nice. I want more good days.

Saturday, I finish my college applications and get ahead on reading for history, English, and chemistry. After I’m done, I decide to find Hank and Scottie and see if they want to watch a movie with me.

When I come downstairs, Beth is in the kitchen baking. “What are you making?”

She turns around, a big smile on her face. “Snickerdoodle cookies. I’m trying out a new recipe; these cookies have icing. Do you want to try one?” She holds out a plate for me.

I’ve had no appetite lately, especially for sweet things, but I take a cookie. “Thanks.”

It’s been a while since she’s made snickerdoodles. She used to make them all the time because Ford loved them. That’s when I hear Tyler and Ford shout something at the tv. I close my eyes and silently groan, so much for hanging out and watching tv. I take a bite of the cookie and force myself to chew and swallow. “These are great.” I give her a fake smile and turn around to head back upstairs.

“Oh, sweetie, wait.” I squeeze my eyes, trying not to cringe at the endearment. I try to avoid Beth as best I can these days. I haven’t called her mom in almost a month, but she hasn’t noticed. She thinks things are great between us. Or she’s a better actress than I am. “Would you mind running these downstairs for the boys? They’re watching football, and my hands are all sticky.” She holds her dough covered hands up, waving them at me.

She’s got to be kidding me. I just stare at her because I don’t know what to say. She purses her lips at me. “Oh, sweetie, holding onto feeling for someone who doesn’t like you anymore only hurts you. You need to let go and move on like Ford has.”

I walk over to the trash, drop my cookie inside, and then grab the plate of cookies off the counter. “Don’t call me sweetie,” I hiss and hurry downstairs. My dad and younger brothers are watching the game with Jack, Ty, and Ford. Ford’s head pops up when I walk into the room. Our eyes lock. The urge to mouth ‘hi’ bubbles up, but I bite my tongue and hold it in. I look away, walking over to the bar, but I can feel his eyes on me. If Ford moved on, he wouldn’t have sent me that message. We’ll be together, just not today.

“The cookies are done,” I say to the room.

Hank and Scottie jump up and run to the bar.

“Don’t you want a cookie, Hanny?” Hank asks, taking a bite of his.

“I had one upstairs.” I pat his shoulder and turn to walk upstairs.

Hank grabs my arm. “Your leaving?”

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