Page 77 of The Forever After Bet

“Will you see if she’ll talk to me?” My dad asks.

“Sure, hold on.” Ford quirks an eyebrow at me.

I lean closer to the phone. “Hello.” My throat is dry from crying.

“Are you okay?”

“Not really. Dad, I—I feel like Beth hates me. Why would she scold me like that in front of all my friends? Like I was ten years old.”

“I don’t know, Hanny. Let’s sit down after the basketball game tonight, just you and me. It’s been a while since we’ve talked.”

“I’d like that.” My emotions are still raw, and more tears slip down my cheeks.

“Me too. I had Leah take your cheer bag. She said she’d find your cheer uniform for tonight and take it to her house. Jack took your car and said he’d leave it there for you.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“You’re welcome. I love you, Hannah. Don’t ever forget, don’t ever doubt.”

“I won’t. I love you too.” I wipe the tears out of my eyes.

“I’ll see you tonight.”

“Okay, bye.”

“Bye.”

Ford ensures the call has ended and slips his phone into his pocket. He cups his hands around my face. “How are you?”

“Better.”

He leans in, nuzzling his nose against mine. “Good.”

“What time is it?”

Ford glances at his smartwatch. “Five-thirty.”

“What time do you have to be at the school?” I ask, playing with the button of his French blue dress shirt.

“Coach likes us to be there at six to watch the JV team play, but it’s not mandatory. We have to be there by seven. We head to the locker room after the JV’s halftime to get ready.” Ford tilts his head, giving me a sly smile. “What devious plan is running through that beautiful head of yours?”

I lean in, kissing his jaw just below his ear. “I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.”

“I don’t know. I might be willing to take that risk.” Ford presses his mouth to mine.

“You always were a risk taker.” I nip at his jaw, then pull his letterman jacket down over his shoulders. He takes it off and helps me pull off my warm-up jacket. I run my hands down his chest to his dress pants and unbutton them.

“Let me make you feel good.” Ford presses quick little kisses against my mouth.

“Yes, please, I just want to feel.” Ford’s hand slips down the front of my warm-up pants and under my panties. He kisses along my jaw, down my neck, and nips at my breast through my shirt.

“Take off your top,” he whispers in my ear. I remove my t-shirt and undo my bra, letting it fall down my arms.

Ford groans and leans in, kissing the swell of my breast. “You take my breath away every time.”

I slip my hand down his boxer briefs, stoking his hard length. He covers his hand over my breast, giving it a gentle squeeze, and he brings his mouth down, swiping his tongue across my already hard nipple.

“Ford, please,” I beg, kissing him.

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