Page 38 of The Forever After Bet

“He said it was about time. That he and Leah had been scheming ways to get us to talk.”

“That sounds like Leah.” I smile. “She’s the most amazing friend. She has the biggest heart.”

“I’m glad you have her.” Ford squeezes my hand.

I crawl over to him, straddling his lap, gently arching my hips back and forth over his.

“Clark, you’re killing me.”

I laugh because we’ve played this game before. “Then it will be a good death.” I lean in, kissing him.

“We need to be as careful as we can. Your mom would skin me alive if I knocked you up. Your dad would probably crush all my fingers so I could never hold a football again.”

“Where’s your sense of adventure?” I smile into his neck, scraping my teeth along his sensitive skin.

Ford groans, tipping his head back and resting it against the back of the sofa.

“Poor baby. Will this help?” I pull out the strip of condoms I wrapped around the strappy waistband of my panties and dangle them in front of his face.

He swipes them out of my hand. “How? Where?” Ford wraps his arm around me, and we stand up. He throws me over his shoulder, walking back to the bedroom.

I shriek with laughter. “Is that a yes?”

“It’s a hell yes.” He sits me on the bed. I scoot up, and he crawls on after me. “Where did you find these?”

“Under the sink in the bathroom. I even checked the expiration date. They’re still good.”

Ford crushes his lips to mine, and we fall back on the bed together.

Ford’s phone alarm goes off, and it’s the most annoying sound in the world. “Make it stop,” I grumble, pulling the covers over my head. I’m lying on top of Ford, so he rolls us, grabs his phone, and turns the alarm off.

“Sorry, Hanny,” he says, kissing my forehead.

“What time is it?”

“It’s eight.” Ford rubs my back, and I start to drift to sleep. He carefully extricates himself from the bed and goes into the bathroom. When he comes out, he’s dressed.

I sit up. “Where are you going?”

He comes over, sitting next to me on the bed. “Sorry, I should’ve known I couldn’t sneak out. I’m going to clear the driveway for my grandparents. It’s a lot for my grandpa to do by himself. I usually come out and help him in the winter whenever it snows.”

“They do have a lot.” I push the covers down and get out of bed. “I’m coming with you.”

“Are you sure? You don’t have any snow pants or boots.”

“I went through the closet after you and Gigi left last night. There’s a pair of old snow pants and some weird-looking snow boots. There’s even a wool sweater if I need some extra warmth. It will take you twice as long by yourself.”

“Good point. Okay, but if you get too cold, you have to go inside the main house and warm up. Gramps has a fire going in the family room.”

“You’ve got yourself a deal, Cross.” I hold out my hand for him to shake, but he shakes his head no and taps his lips. “Oh, even better.” I reach up, wrapping my arms around his neck, and kiss him.

18. Juvie

Hannah failed to mention that the snow pants she found were hot neon pink. The coat my grandma gave me for her is an old tan and neon orange north face coat she used for cross-country skiing. I make Hannah wear the trapper hat because it’s lined with fur and kept my head and ears toasty warm last night. She also has the light pink scarf wrapped around her neck and face. She looks like a flashing neon light.

“Holy crap! Look at all this snow! I bet Hank and Scottie are going nuts.” Hannah wipes the snow off the railing, looking around at the winter wonderland.

“I bet Ty’s going nuts. I’m sure he’s already bought a ski pass for Sunday,” I laugh.

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