Page 56 of The Forever After Bet

I shrug. “Just our usual good luck kiss?”

Leah rolls her eyes but she’s laughing.

The whistle blows, and the game starts. Cameron is the center and gets the ball, passing it to Ty.

“That’s it!” I yell.

Leah and Aubrey turn and look at me.

“What is?” Aubrey asks.

“Aubrey, please tell me you have Cameron’s mom’s phone number?”

“Uh—yeah, but why?”

“OMG, Clark, you’re brilliant.” Leah jumps up and down. We tell Aubrey how Bree didn’t do anything to set up the craft fair.

“I hate that chick! Yeah, I have Mrs. Winters number, but she’s sitting right over there.” Aubrey points to the parent section of the bleachers.

“Oh, that’s right—duh. Dang it.”

“She still might be able to help,” Aubrey says. “She had all her Christmas decorations out going through them. She was trying to decide what to keep and what to donate. Cameron’s entire basement was covered in holiday decor. His whole house is covered head to toe in Christmas decorations.”

“Let’s talk to her at half-time. Worst-case scenario, I make a sign in the morning that says, fundraiser. Beth put a little white Christmas tree with pink ornaments on it in my bedroom. I can bring it to set it on the table. The important thing is to get the word out and for people to donate.”

After a quick chat at half time, Mrs. Winter agrees to help us. She pulls out a notepad and starts planning right then and there. It’s such a relief, but I’m still pissed at Bree. After we get everything set up with Cam’s mom, I head to the concessions and buy three licorice ropes for the guys to eat on the way home. When I turn around, Bree stomps up to me, getting in my face.

“Are you and Ford back together?” She sticks her coffin shaped manicured nail in my neck.

“Ouch.” I flick her hand away from me. “It was a kiss, Bree.” I try to walk away, but she grabs my arm.

“Stay away from Ford, Clark, or you’ll regret it.”

I rip my arm out of her grip. “What are you even doing here? You’re supposed to be decorating our volunteer booth for tomorrow.”

She scoffs, giving me a nasty look. “I talked to Mrs. Landry yesterday and told her I put you in charge of that.”

“Huh, funny. I emailed Mrs. Landry after our meeting on Tuesday and told her you’d be doing the decorating because I had a basketball game to cheer. I wonder who she’ll believe.”

“You better not have messed with my schedule.” Bree hisses.

I roll my eyes and walk away.

“I’m serious, Clark! Stay away from Ford!” Bree hollers down the hall at me.

“Yikes, she must be the mean girl at your school.” A girl from Eagle High says to me.

“You have no idea.” I sigh.

24. Best Two Hours of My Life

There are seven seconds left in the game, and Eagle takes a timeout. They’re losing by seventeen point thanks to the free throws we’ve made from their fouls and the two three-point shots I’ve made, and it’s our ball. I glance across the court at Hannah, shaking her perky little ass in time with her pom-poms to a song over the loudspeaker. My life feels like it’s done a 180 since Hannah and I figured things out. I am on the right path again.

I scan the bleachers and notice Melissa Ellis walking down the steps. What’s she doing here? Dave broke up with her right after football season ended. She walks to the far corner, where I see Bree. Bree hands Melissa her purse and her coat. Terrific. Bree is bound and determined to make me love her, but everything she does makes me like her less. I’ve never hated anyone in my life, but Bree gets closer to that honor by the hour.

The buzzer sounds, ending the timeout. I crack my neck and blow out a breath, letting everything go, and concentrating on the game. Cameron inbounds the ball. He has two guys covering him, so he chucks the ball down the court to Ty, who jumps to catch it. He looks at Jack, then throws me the ball. I shoot making another three-point shot as the buzzer sounds. I jog past Hannah, blowing her a kiss that she catches.

I run back out on the court, lining up to shake the other team’s hand. After that, I head straight into the locker room. I sit down, leaning against the lockers, catching my breath, relieved I didn’t get stopped by Bree. The rest of the team slowly trickles in. I grab my stuff and head for the showers.

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