“Uh—not all of it. I told her you made me dinner, that we played the Xbox, and that we talked about our relationship. I told her we were back together. But…after we broke up, I confided in my mom and told her we had sex.”
“You did?” Ford’s eyes get wide. “She didn’t freak out?”
“No. She was cool about it.”
“Wow.”
“I know, right?” I prop my phone up on my pillow, so I don’t have to hold it, and we talk about whatever comes to mind.
I wake up to my alarm going off. My neck and back are stiff, and I sit up, realizing I fell asleep on my loveseat. I groan, standing and picking my phone up off the floor. I must have dropped it when I fell asleep talking to Ford. He sent me a text at 2:30 this morning:You finally fell asleep. I’ll pick you up at ten to eight.
I scrunch my forehead. Does he mean eight this morning? Why? He knows I have a new car. He probably got confused. I head to the bathroom to get ready. I’m wearing my cheer uniform since there’s a game tonight. Beth has granola bars, yogurt, and homemade fruit cups with strawberries and blueberries for breakfast.
There’s a knock at the front door, and Ford walks in. “Good morning, Clark and Fitzgerald family.”
“Good morning, Ford. Would you like some breakfast?” Beth points to the food on the counter.
“Thank you very much, Mrs. Clark.” He picks up an apple and a granola bar.
“Ready for tonight?” Jack asks, holding out his hand to Ford, and they do their weird handshake.
“More than ready. Ravenwood isn’t going to know what hit them.” He turns to me just as I’m shoving a large spoonful of yogurt in my mouth. “Are you ready to go? You can eat in the car.” Oh. He did mean this morning. Oh boy. Ford driving me to school for everyone to see. It means more gossip and pictures, but I’m not going to worry Ford about it until after the game tonight. Ford leans over. “Did you forget about our deal? When we were officially back together, I got to drive you to school and carry your bags.”
My eyes get wide. “Dang. I did forget.” I wipe my mouth. “Yeah, I’m ready.” I grab two granola bars and another container of fruit.
Ford picks up my backpack for me, and we walk out the door.
He opens the passenger door of his Rover, and I climb in. “I made it safely through the night.” He tilts his head, smiling.
“Yeah, yeah,” I mutter, and Ford leans in, kissing me. It causes the knot in my stomach to tighten, but I ignore it. Ford needs me today, and I’m going to be there for him. After the game tonight, I’ll talk to him about the website. I’ll even get my dad involved if I have to. “I’m sorry I overreacted. I just got this bad feeling, and I had to make sure you were okay.”
“Thank you. That meant a lot to me.” Ford leans in to kiss me again when Jack honks his horn.
He leans his head out the car window. “Get a move on, love birds, you’re blocking my exit.”
“We better go.” Ford smiles.
“Yeah.”
“We’re going, we’re going,” he hollers at Jack and walks around to the driver’s side. I pull open a granola bar with my teeth, dip it in my yogurt, and take a bite.
“You’re really hungry this morning.” Ford glances at me and then at the food in my lap.
I just nod, since I’m chewing a mouthful of food. I have two granola bars, two bowls of fruit, and an open container of vanilla yogurt. The website has me in a tisy. Plus, I’m nervous about the game. This is an important game with lots of scouts coming to watch. Jack told me he’s counting on a football scholarship to help him with college. Senior year is stressful.
“I didn’t mean anything by that.” Ford gives me a worried look.
I smile and let out a little laugh. “I didn’t think you did. This is a lot of food. I’m just stressed.”
“Okay, good. I got worried when you didn’t say anything. You know how I feel about you, and that has nothing to do with your weight.”
“I know.” I reach my hand out, squeezing his leg.
“Why are you stressed?”
“Why are you not?”
Ford looks cool, calm, and collected, but I’ve learned he’s a pro at covering his emotions.
