Page 129 of The Forever After Bet

“I’d like that, maybe—”

“Good, it’s settled then.” My dad interrupts. “The two of you can go to Hannah’s competition together tomorrow.

My eyes go wide. I bite my lip to keep my mouth closed. Ford entwines his hand with mine, letting me know he’s there and I have his support. It’s a small gesture, but it means a lot.

“Jim!” Beth exclaims, standing up. “You can just spring a trip like that on me,” Beth huffs, placing a hand on her round belly.

First, my dance costume, and now this? I’m not even in Portland yet, and this trip is turning into a disaster.

“Beth, you said you’d be open to whatever I suggested. This is what I’m suggesting. You and Hanny need to spend some real time together. In four months, we’ll have a newborn to take care of. In six months, Hannah’s going to college. You two need to mend your relationship now. I know it’s possible. Please, both of you, do this for me, Hank, Scott, and Jack.” My dad pleads. “Hannah, I know you have an opinion.”

“I was looking forward to spending some one-on-one time with you, but I want things to go back to a good place with me and Beth. I’m willing to try, but this competition is important to me. I need someone who is going to be there to support me and lift me up. I don’t want to spend the entire weekend fighting and being put down.”

My dad looks at Beth. “What do you say, honey? Can you be that person for Hannah?”

Beth looks at my dad, then down at her belly, and finally up at me. “I can be that person for you, Hannah.”

“Okay, then.”

“Good.” My dad smiles. He stands up, grabs my free hand, pulls me up, and then grabs Beth’s hand. He wraps an arm around both of us. “You are my girls, and I love you both so much.”

“I love you too,” I whisper, my emotions getting the better of me.

“We’ll plan on leaving around one tomorrow,” Beth says. “Like you planned with your dad.”

“I had the Acura serviced, and I filled it with gas today. I’ll work from home tomorrow and ensure you get on the road on time, okay?”

“Sounds good. Ford and I are going to go upstairs and study for an upcoming test.”

My dad gives me one more hug. “Thank you,” he whispers in my ear. “I’ll make it up to you, I promise. We’ll spend some time together before you leave for college.”

“I’d really like that.”

50. Depths of My Soul

We settle in together on Hannah’s loveseat to study. She’s quiet as we pull our books out of our bags.

“Let’s start with chapter twenty. It has all the early battles of the Civil War, and I keep confusing the names and locations,” Hannah says, flipping through her notes.

I set my book down, swipe her notebook out of her hand, and then pull her to me so she’s sitting on my lap.

“We don’t have to start with chapter twenty. It was only a suggestion.”

“Hannah.” I sigh. “It will help to talk about it.”

“First, my dance outfit goes missing, and now I have to go with Beth. What’s next? I understand why my dad is doing this. Things have gotten worse. We’ve both stopped trying.”

I rub my hand along her arm. “Why do you think that is?”

Hannah shrugs. She doesn’t want to talk about the new baby, and I’ve let it go because I don’t feel qualified to offer advice. I’m basically an only child. Libby was seven when I was born. “Is it because of the new baby?”

“Ford, I—” Hannah balls her hands into fists and lets out the cutest little growl that makes me shiver with pleasure. I cough, trying to cover up my laugh, but Hannah notices.

“Are you laughing at me?” She narrows her eyes at me.

“Absolutely not.” I shake my head, laughing, giving myself away. “Okay, maybe. It’s just your growl was so cute.” I nip at her jaw and kiss her neck. “It was hot and turned me on.”

“Oh. I’ll remember that for later. Can we study now?”

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