Page 79 of The Forever After Bet

“I’m always here for you.”

“How do I fix my relationship with Beth?” I ask.

“Her doctor thinks she has early onset menopause. It happens to women who’ve been through cancer. We have an appointment with a specialist next week. I asked her why she was so hard on you, but she didn’t have an answer. So, for now, we have decided I will parent you alone.”

I should be relieved by what he’s said, but it feels like I’m losing my mom all over again. I put my head in my hands and cry. My dad holds me, whispering that this isn’t forever and things will get better. He says Beth loves me and that I’m her daughter.

I grab some tissue from the end table and dry my eyes. I look my dad over. He looks tired. There are new wrinkles under his eyes and a sprinkling of gray hair that’s new. “How are you holding up?”

“Things have been a little rough, but nothing I can’t handle.. I need to lighten my workload and spend more time here. A client came in with a big case, but I had one of the other partners take it so that I could be at home more. Scottie and Hank are still struggling. We put Hank into another class, thinking that would help. It has to an extent, but they both still have issues to work out.”

“Is Hank still having bad dreams?” I ask.

“Not as often. He had one last week. Before that, he’d gone almost two weeks.”

“That’s good. I’m always willing to help with the boys.”

“I know you are. I’ll let you know if there is something you can do.”

“Thanks for everything, Dad.” I lean in, giving him another hug and kiss on his cheek. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Hanny. Hang in there. I’m always here if you need anything.”

“Okay, goodnight.”

30. Christmas Fundraiser

I plop down on my bed, tired but happy. I spent time alone with Hannah today, and we beat Central Valley. We didn’t just beat them; we obliterated them. All their talented players must have graduated. I went into the game mentally prepared for a fight. It wasn’t a fight. C.V. gave up sometimes during the last quarter.

I feel terrible that Hannah is hurting. I wish I could take all of it away, but that’s not how life works. I’m there for her when she needs it. That’s what’s important.

My phone buzzes with a call from Hannah. “Hey, Sweet Cheeks.”

She chuckles. “One thing about that nickname, it always makes me smile when you use it.”

“That’s the idea. How did things go with your dad?”

Hannah tells me everything she talked about with her dad, including what he and Beth decided.

“I felt sick when he told me Beth wasn’t going to parent me,” Hannah says. “It felt like I was losing my mom all over again.”

“I’m sorry that’s rough. Hopefully, this specialist can help her.”

“I hope so.” Hannah is quiet after that.

I sit up, leaning against my headboard, worried about what she has to tell me. “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.”

“Your dad called my dad and told him about the elopement.”

I curse, scrubbing a hand through my hair. “Hannah, I—”

“It’s okay,” she whispers. “I talked to him about why we did it and what we learned from it. How we wanted more time with our families and to be teenagers. He wasn’t mad. He said you were a good guy, and he was glad I had you.”

“I—” I have no idea what to say. I did not see that happening. “I’m speechless. What did my dad say to Jim when he talked to him?”

“My dad said he called because he was worried about me and wanted to make sure I was okay.”

“We’re talking about Mitch Cross, my dad, right?”

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