Page 57 of The Forever After Bet

I’m drying my hair with a towel when Ryker Baldwin comes up to me. “Hey, some girl asked me to give this to you.” He chucks a note at me. It hits my chest, landing on the bench. I don’t say anything and turn my back on him.

“That guy is a ball hog. We missed four points because Ryker wouldn’t pass the ball and couldn’t make the shot.” Ty says, reaching over, grabbing the note, and opening it.

I glance at him. “Bree?”

“Yup.” He passes the note to Jack.

“She’s a piece of work. Did you see what her shirt said?” Jack asks.

“No. What did it say?” I ask.

“Titan good luck charm, and she had a poster that said, ‘Go number 23’.” Jack rolls his eyes.

“Super.” I finish getting dressed but sit down to wait for Jack and Ty and finally look at Bree’s note. She’s kissed the note with bright pink lipstick and, underneath, says: you had an awesome game. I’m so excited to volunteer with you tomorrow. XOXO, Bree.

Hannah and the rest of the cheerleaders are on the bus when we get on. She stands up when she sees me so I can sit on the inside, then cuddles up next to me, laying her head on my shoulder. I wrap my arm around her. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just a long day with lots of drama. Bree ditched out on setting up the booth for the craft fair.”

“Sounds about right. What are you going to do?”

“Mrs. Winters is going to meet me at the school tomorrow at six a.m. She has a bunch of Christmas decorations she’s not using that we can borrow to decorate the booth.” Hannah gives me a tired smile. “She didn’t even think about it. She just said yes, I’d love to help. She’s a lifesaver. I want to be that woman when I grow up.” Hannah laughs.

“Count me in. I’ll be there too.”

She looks up at me. “I’d argue with you, but I know I’ll lose.”

“Smart woman.” I lean in, kissing her forehead, and I notice a thick red welt on her neck. I sit forward and turn Hannah to face me, trailing my finger along the red mark. “What happened?”

She looks away from me, biting her lower lip. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Hannah,” I say in a warning tone.

“Bree ambushed me in the concession line. She stuck her nasty nail in my face.” She huffs, still not looking at me.

I brush my fingers along her jaw, guiding her face so we’re looking at each other. “What did she say?”

“She asked if we were back together. She saw the kiss you gave me before the game.”

“What did you say?”

“I wanted to scream in her face that we’re back together, that we love each other, and she doesn’t have a chance in this universe or any other of you liking her. Instead, I said it was just a kiss. I did freak out on her about not decorating the booth. She said she told Mrs. Landry that I was going to do it.”

“I’d be surprised if she shows up tomorrow to help.”

Hannah arches an eyebrow at me. “You’re going to be there. Unless she’s dying in the hospital, she’ll be there.”

“It will work out. I promise.” I wrap my arm around her. The bus is quiet. Everyone is tired and ready for the weekend. I rub Hannah’s arm, hoping she’ll fall asleep, but she keeps fidgeting and can’t seem to settle.

Finally, I sit up. “What’s wrong?”

Hannah looks at me and stands up. She sits back down on my lap, laying her head on my shoulder. “Ryker Baldwin came up to me after the game.”

I rub my hand along her leg and up her thigh, trying to stay calm. “I saw him talking to you before the game. Thanks for not catching his kiss.” I chuckle.

“I’d probably catch herpes from his air kisses.”

“What did he say?”

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