Page 89 of The Forever After Bet

When I get to my room, I change out of my dress and then call Ford. He must have been asleep because his phone rings several times before he answers. He sounds out of it.

“Hey, it’s me,” I say.

“Oh, hey, I’m sorry I left like that. I don’t feel super great. I took a sleeping pill. Can I call you tomorrow?”

“Ford, what’s going on?”

“We’ll talk tomorrow, I promise. I love you so much, don’t forget that.”

“I won’t. I love you, too. Goodnight, Hot Stuff.”

“Goodnight, Sweet Cheeks,” he mumbles and then hangs up.

I’ve never known him to take a sleeping pill to help him sleep before. Something must really be bothering him.

On Sunday morning, we skip family breakfast. We’re all tired from staying up late. Leah texts our friend group to say we can meet at her house at six at her house to decorate cookies and eat leftovers from last night.

Ford texts me, telling me he’s sorry about last night, and asks if we can talk about some stuff when I get to Leah’s. I tell him, yes, but I might be a little late. My dad is making dinner for the family. They’ll probably tell us what’s going on with Beth and her appointment with the specialist next week.

I spend the afternoon doing homework and then help my dad set the table for dinner. I head downstairs to where Jack is playing Uno with Hank and Scottie to tell them dinner is ready. The boys run upstairs to wash their hands, and I help Jack put away the game.

“Do you know what this family dinner is about?” Jack asks.

“I think so. Beth has an appointment with a doctor next week. I talked to my dad about it on Friday. They’ll probably tell us what’s going on; and, hopefully, what we can expect for the next little while. I talked to Ford about it. I think it will be okay.”

“It’s not cancer, is it?” Jack asks, standing up.

“Not as far as I know.”

Jack blows out his breath. “That’s good.”

“I guess we’re about to find out.” I follow Jack upstairs for dinner.

34. Best Group of Friends

Hannah called me last night after I left, but I was too groggy to talk. My doctor prescribed me some sleeping pills at the beginning of last year when I strained a muscle in my back. It was so hard to fall asleep when it hurt. They’re still good for another month. I only take them under dire circumstances, and this felt dire.

I didn’t want to lie awake all night wondering if Hannah might be pregnant and everything that entailed. I told her I wasn’t feeling good, which is honestly the truth. I still feel sick to my stomach.

My grandma and grandpa are in Portland visiting her brother, who’s been in the hospital. She won’t be home until Tuesday. Jack texted me a while ago and said everyone was getting together at Leah’s house for games.

I texted Hannah, and she said she’d be there. I told her I wanted to go somewhere and talk, and she said okay. She asked me again what was wrong, and I told her I would tell her everything when I saw her.

I head over to Leah’s just after six. I’ve been going crazy all day thinking about everything. I need to find out for sure, so I can figure out what I need to do to help Hannah.

I glance at my watch, worried. It’s after seven, and Jack and Hannah aren’t here yet. Hopefully, they didn’t get bad news about Beth. Finally, Jack staggers downstairs, collapsing in the chair next to me. He looks terrible.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“Fine,” he mutters.

“Where’s Hannah?”

“She stayed upstairs with the girls. They’re decorating sugar cookies,” Jack says.

I glance up the stairs. I want to talk to her, but I’ll wait. I don’t want to seem overly eager, even though I am.

“I can’t believe it.” Jack scrubs his hands through his hair and looks at me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

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