Page 41 of The Forever After Bet

We shower and get ready for the day, and then clean the apartment. We strip the bed and put fresh sheets on from the bathroom closet. We do the dishes and put them away. I wipe down the kitchen and empty all the garbage—especially the one in the bedroom. Hannah vacuums and cleans the bathroom. We walk over to the main house with the laundry, our leftovers and the milk Gigi brought over. I show Hannah the laundry room, and we put the sheets in the washer, hang up the coats, gloves, and hats we borrowed, and put the milk away.

“Are you two headed out?” Gigi asks, coming into the kitchen.

“Yes, thank you again for everything,” Hannah says.

“You’re so welcome. I look forward to the day when I see my ring on your finger.”

Gran and Hannah hug. I look forward to that day too.

“We cleaned the apartment. The sheets are in the washer, and I put the leftover milk in the fridge. I’m taking all the cookies with me.” I smile.

“I made them for you.” I hug my grandma tightly. “Thank you,” I whisper, kissing her cheek. She reaches up, patting my cheek and winking at me.

We walk out of the house through the main garage. Hannah stares at the little apartment. I can see the tears in her eyes. I pull her to my side, kissing her temple. “We’ll get there. You were right. We deserve to be stubborn teenagers a little longer.”

Hannah nods. “It was a moment where we got to live our future.”

“If that’s our future, I can’t wait.”

Hannah tips her head back, looking at me. “Me either.”

19. A Day at A Time

Ford has me drive the Range Rover up the canyon road. It’s a heavier SUV and has four-wheel drive. The road hasn’t been plowed yet, but the snow is starting to melt so it is easy to drive through it. Still, I’m cautious and go slow. The last thing I want to do is wreck Ford’s car. When we get up to the main road, it’s clear of snow. Ford pulls up beside me, and I roll down the window. “Follow me, and we’ll head to Leah’s house.”

“You got it, Stud.” I give him a little salute.

He laughs and winks at me. I haven’t felt this light since Ford and I first started dating. Life never stops, even when we want it to, but I’m going to relish this feeling for as long as possible. I’m going to make the most out of my senior year with Ford by my side. I hate hiding our relationship with everyone except our friends, but Ford’s right. With the website still up, we run a high risk of being targeted and bullied by Bree.

When we get to Leah’s house, Ty’s Jeep is there, and so is June’s Kia Sportage. Leah and June come running out of the house. I park the car, turn it off, leave the key fob in the cup holder and run up the walk, intercepting my friends. We throw our arms around each other and jump up and down in a circle. We’re all crying. We press our foreheads together.

“Thank you for everything. For holding me up when I didn’t have the strength to hold myself up. For always checking on my wellbeing and for being the absolute amazing friends you are. I’m so lucky to have you.” I proclaim.

“How did you both end up at Ford’s grandparents’ house?” June asks.

“His grandma invited me over. She said she wanted to get to know me better. Then she asked Ford to come over after practice. She planned the entire thing.”

“I like that woman.” Leah laughs.

“Yeah, she’s a no-nonsense kind of lady, and she’s lovely,” I say.

Leah’s pocket rings. “Oh, that’s your phone,” she says as she pulls it out and hands it to me.

“It’s Beth.” I shake my head, annoyed, and answer it. “Hi.”

“Where are you?” Beth huffs.

“At Leah’s,” I say like it’s a no-brainer.

“Are you planning on coming home anytime today?”

“Did you need something?”

“You haven’t been home since yesterday morning.”

Ford walks up to me, his forehead scrunched. “Who is it?” he whispers.

“Beth.” I mouth. “I know,” I tell my stepmom. “Is Dad home?”

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