Page 125 of The Forever After Bet

“Bree, stop!” Her mother tries to grab her, but she is too fast.

“No!” She runs over to Ford, and he and his dad stand up.

My dad stands, grabbing my hand, and we move out of the way.

“Please, Ford.” She grabs his arm, tugging him, but he doesn’t move. “I know you liked me. I know we would’ve gotten together if—”

Ford steps away from the table, turns, and faces Bree, putting his hands on her shoulders. “Bree, it’s okay. Just calm down and take a breath.”

She takes a few deep breaths and wipes the tears off her cheeks. “So, you’ll give me a chance?”

“I had a lot of fun hanging out with you last year and attending junior prom together. Hannah didn’t suddenly come into my life last summer. We’ve been friends for a long time. This year, our friendship grew into something more. I know this is hard for you to hear, but you need to understand that my feelings for Hannah aren’t going to change. Sometimes, when I think about my feelings for her, it scares me, because they are so overwhelming. I love Hannah. I will always love her.”

“But if you gave me a chance.” Bree grabs onto Ford’s suspenders. “Please, you’d see. You’d see. I’ll do anything. Please.”

Bree’s dad comes up behind her, wrapping his arm around her. Bree tries to fight him, but he’s strong and keeps his arm around her, leading her out of the room.

“I’m sorry for the trouble my daughter has caused. We understand if you pursue legal action against her,” Mrs. Chandler says, tears in her eyes.

I even feel like crying after watching that display. I know what it feels like to think Ford didn’t love me anymore. I felt broken inside. It hurt so much.

“Just get her the help she needs, and we’ll drop the case,” Mr. Cross says.

“Same here.” My dad nods his agreement.

Mrs. Chandler nods. She grabs her purse and Bree’s backpack and leaves.

There’s an awkward silence in the room. I turn to my dad and throw my arms around him. “Thank you.”

“Hannah, I’ll always be here for you, no matter how old you get. Promise me if something like that happens again. You won’t wait to tell me.” My dad pats my back and kisses my temple.

“I promise.”

48. Bree Chandler

I’m shaking as I watch Bree’s dad wrap his arms around her and force her from the room. I feel sick inside. I didn’t want to hurt Bree, but at the same time, she was hurting me. She was threatening to hurt Hannah. It’s hard to put myself in Bree’s shoes, to think you’re so in love with someone that you’d hurt others to be with them. I want to grab Hannah and hold her, but I force myself to stand still. I hope Bree’s parents see she needs professional help, and that she gets better. She’ll find her person one day, and I’ll be just a terrible memory.

“Walk me out to my car,” my dad says, patting my back. I glance at Hannah, and she smiles and mouths, “Locker.” I give her a slight nod and follow my dad out of the conference room. I’m emotionally exhausted. I just want to go home and take a nap.

“I’m sorry about all this,” I say. “I’m sorry you had to cut your trip short, and that you had to come to school.”

My dad puts his briefcase in the backseat of his BMW, then turns and hugs me. It takes me by surprise, but I hug him back.

“Are you okay?” My dad asks.

“Yeah.” I blow out a breath and scrub a hand down my face. “We should’ve gotten you and Jim involved from the beginning. I didn’t want Hannah to get hurt or lose her place in the valedictorian line. As an adult, I thought I needed to figure it out myself.

“I’m glad Jim called me. No one deserves to be exploited. I’m proud of you for how you handled the situation. I’ll always be here for you, Ford. Even though you’re growing up and going to college next year, it doesn’t mean you have to stop relying on your parents and family for support. I’m your dad for life, not until you turn eighteen or graduate high school.”

“Thanks, Dad, I’ll remember that.” I nod.

“Hopefully, that girl can get the help she needs.” My dad shakes his head.

“I hope so, too. Um, thanks for not bringing Mom.”

“She would have been more drama than that poor girl.” My dad laughs. “We’ll see you tonight at your game.” He gives me another hug and then gets in his car.

I jog back into the school and down the hall. When I turn the corner onto B hall, I stop. Hannah is leaning against her locker, scrolling through her phone. She looks adorable in her cheer uniform. It shows off her amazing long legs. Plus, the short skirt makes it easy to grab her butt or rub my hand along her thigh.

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