Page 44 of The Forever After Bet

“I’m sorry, Bro. You know I’m here if you need anything.”

“Thanks. That means a lot.”

Jack comes running out of the house with lipstick smeared across his cheek. Ty and I laugh. “What?” He asks, looking between us.

“You’ve got a little something on the corner of your mouth.” Ty laughs.

“If you’re into wearing lipstick, I’m sure Hannah could give you some pointers.”

Jack rolls his eyes and wipes the lipstick off with the bottom of his shirt.

Hannah and the girls are downstairs playing Just Dance on the Xbox when we show up with lunch from Chick’s.

“Hey, Mrs. Clark, how are you?” Ty asks, giving her a side hug and kissing her cheek. He’s good at buttering up parents.

“I’m doing well, Tyler. Thanks for asking.” Beth beams.

“We bought Hank and Scottie kids’ meals, and we got you the chicken sandwich,” Jack says, taking his mom’s food out of the takeout bag.

“You didn’t have to get me anything but thank you. I’ve been craving Chicks. Hank and Scottie will be ecstatic.” Mrs. Clark says.

“They’re welcome to come downstairs and eat and play the Xbox with us,” I say as I grab a tray of drinks and two takeout bags.

“Thanks, Ford, you’re so good to the boys. All of you are.” Mrs. Clark pulls out a package of napkins and plastic silverware.

“Can I help with anything?” Hannah asks, coming into the kitchen.

“Oh, I don’t think so, sweetie.” Beth tilts her head at Hannah, giving her a smile. “The boys stopped and got lunch. There’s a frozen pizza you can cook for you and the girls if you want.”

Hannah doesn’t say anything. She purses her lips and gives her stepmom a little nod.

Leah comes up behind her. ”Finally! I’m starved.” She walks over to Jack, who hands her a milkshake. “Thanks, babe,” she says, kissing him.

Ty hands Hannah a tray of drinks, and I follow her downstairs, where we sit everything on the bar at the back of the room. She glances at me and shakes her head. I hand her a chocolate milkshake and a straw. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

“Who do I need to pay for my food?” June asks, nibbling on a fry.

“Don’t worry. I got you.” Hannah smiles.

“Are you sure?” she asks.

“Yep.” Hannah wraps her arm around June’s neck, kissing her cheek.

“I think this is yours.” I hand June a strawberry milkshake.

“Yum, Chick’s strawberry shakes are my favorite.” June takes a drink, and her eyes practically roll into the back of her head.

Everyone else comes downstairs.

I lean over to Hannah when June finally goes and sits down with her food. “You know Ty bought her food.”

“Yeah, I know, but if we told her, she’d make a big deal about paying him back. It would make Ty feel bad, and June feel uncomfortable. She’d wait an appropriate amount of time, then leave, and most likely cry all the way home.” She pops a piece of chicken in her mouth. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

“Not one bit.” I laugh.

We spend the afternoon playing Just Dance. We even get Hank and Scottie to dance with us. After a few hours, the girls head upstairs to Hannah’s room, and me, Jack, and Ty play Halo.

“Did you and Hannah talk about the marriage license?” Ty whispers, then glances around, making sure no one is here.

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