Page 60 of The Forever After Bet

“No.” She pulls out her phone. “I got a text message from Unknown in the middle of the night.”

“You’re not upset about it?”

“I’m livid. That guy gives me the ick, but what can I do about it? Yell at him? Being mad to be mad won’t help the situation. He said I’m going to the dance with him, But I’m not.”

I cup my hand around Hannah’s face, kissing her. She tastes like butter and huckleberries. “You’re amazing.”

“Eh.” She shrugs. “I know.”

I pinch her side, and she laughs. “Come on, let’s go before your head gets any bigger.”

When I drop Hannah off at her car, the school parking lot is packed with cars. “There’s a lot of people here.”

“Yeah, it’s kind of crazy.” I help Hannah into her car, then lean in, kissing her.

“Are you going to leave the school at one?” She asks.

“Uh, probably. To make it look legit, but I’ll be back at five for my shift with Ty to help clean up.”

Hannah bites her bottom lip. “Sounds good. I love you.”

I lean in, kissing her. “Love you too.”

“Thanks for breakfast.” She smiles.

“It was my pleasure.”

I get in my car but wait for Hannah to pull out and follow her out of the parking lot. By the time I get home, I have several texts. I have a feeling I know who they’re from, and I’m right. Bree.

25. The Craft Fair

On my way home from breakfast, I call Leah. “Hey girl, what’s up?”

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“I’m at your house. Jack and I are making French toast. Are you finished at the booth?”

“Uh yeah, I’m on my way home. Do you want to walk around the craft fair a little later?”

“I’d love to. Let’s go around noon,” Leah says.

“Yeah, okay, that would be perfect. I’ll see you in a sec.” I laugh.

“Uh, your mom wants to know if you want some French toast?”

“No, I stopped and got me something.” I cringe at the lie. Even though it’s not really a lie. I did stop and eat somewhere.

“Sounds good. I see you in the driveway, so I’m going to hang up.” Leah laughs.

“Bye.”

When I walk into the house, Leah and Jack are sitting at the table kissing over their French toast. The little boys are sitting at the table eating and watching cartoons on the iPad, so they’re oblivious to the kissing. “Hey,” I nod to Jack and Leah and turn to head upstairs.

“I’m going to go home and get ready. I’ll come back and pick you up,” Leah says.

“Yeah, that’s great.” I toss Jack my car keys and head upstairs. I’m so tired. I just want to curl up in my bed and go back to sleep. Instead, I walk into the bathroom and turn on the shower. It’s eleven-thirty when I’m ready to go. I spent a lot of time on my hair and makeup today and decided to wear a school shirt, jeans, and red Converse shoes. I grabbed my white boyfriend sweater to wear over my shirt, but I know I’ll take it off when I get to the school. I lay on my bed, trying not to stress over Bree.

“Are you ready, Freddy?” Leah knocks on my door, comes in, and bounces on my bed.

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