Page 85 of The Forever After Bet

“Are you sure we shouldn’t make a run for it together? What if you get stopped again? Or Bree finds you?”

Ford gives me a quick kiss. “I’ll be there, I promise.”

I nod. I hug my friends goodbye. They’re sad but understand why we’re leaving. This is just too much drama.

I leave with no problem and drive around to the back of the gym. Ford hasn’t come out yet. I’ll give him five minutes, and then I’m going back inside.

32. Who is Stan?

Jack and Ty walk with me down the side of the gym. I keep my head down and look at my feet as I walk. “This is ridiculous. I’m so sick of this. Why did I ever find this appealing last year?”

“We all liked this last year,” Ty says.

“We’ve matured and found girls we enjoy spending time with instead of wanting girls to fawn all over us.” Jack glances at me and shrugs.

“Do you think it will be like this next year?” Ty asks.

“I think we could find that scene if we wanted it,” Jack says. “But I don’t see myself being into that kind of lifestyle.”

When we walk into the hall, several couples are making out along the hallway.. Nobody notices us. I peek out the door, and Hannah is there.

“Call me when you’re leaving the dance,” I tell the guys.

“What are you going to do?” Jack asks.

I tilt my head at Jack. “My parents are out of town. I thought we’d go back there.”

Jack growls. He actually growls at me.

It just makes me laugh. “Relax, Fitzgerald, we’re going bowling.”

“That wasn’t funny,” Jack huffs.

I smile and shrug. “You kind of asked for it.”

“Whatever,” Jack mutters.

“Have fun.” Ty pats my back.

I open the door and run to my car, jumping in the passenger side.

“Where too, Sweet Cheeks?” Hannah smiles at me.

“You’re stealing my lines.” I laugh.

Hannah shrugs and puts the car into drive. She drives to a convenience store, pulls in, and parks. “I need some sugar,” she huffs.

We buy a couple of sodas and a bag of Starbursts and then get back in the car.

“What’s the plan, Stan?” Hannah asks, taking a sip of her drink.

I turn my head slowly and stare at her. “Who is Stan, and do I need to beat him up?”

Her mouth drops open, and I tip my head back, laughing.

She shoves my shoulder. “I thought you were serious.”

“Maybe I am.” I shrug.

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