I cup a hand around Ford’s cheek and lean in, kissing his nose. “That means a lot, but I don’t need to know about your past relationships. Let’s leave them in the past.”
“I can do that. Thank you for being understanding.”
“Thank you for being so open with me. That means so much.”
Ford kisses along my neck and jaw, but before we can kiss, our food shows up.
We split the pancakes, and the shake, and then head home. Ford’s phone beeps with a text message when we're in the car. “Hey, will you look at that? That’s Tyler’s ringtone.”
“Yeah, sure.” I pick up his phone from the middle console and type in his password.
You’re busted. Clark’s dad wants to know where you two went. We told him you went to Walgreens to get snacks for the movie we’re going to watch.
“Dammit!” I curse and then type.Thanks, we’re on it. See you in a few.
“What’s wrong?” Ford’s stopped at a light, so he reads the text.
“My dad found out we left.” I bend over, letting my head rest on my knees. This is bad.
Ford pats my back. “It’s okay. It’s not a big deal. We’ll get the snacks and go home. He shouldn’t be too upset.”
I leave my head on my knees and turn and look at him, worrying my bottom lip. “We left alone and didn’t tell anyone,” I whisper. It takes him a couple of seconds, but then he gets why I’m freaking out. He scrubs his hands over his face, cursing. “He knows we’ve had sex?”
I groan, hiding my face in my knees again. Ford pulls into the parking lot of Walgreens and parks. He rubs a hand up and down my back, letting me find the courage to tell him why my dad knows. I keep my head buried in my knees. “Do you remember when I went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago?”
Ford’s hand stills on my back. “Yes. I was worried. I was afraid it had to do with us.”
“It did.” I sigh and sit up. Ford has gone pale and looks like a deer in headlights. I shake his arm. “Relax, Cross, I’m not pregnant, and I didn’t think I was.” I grab his hand, squeezing it, and he squeezes back. “After I told my mom about us. She asked me to go on birth control. Actually, she didn’t really give me a choice about it. That’s what my doctor’s appointment was for. She told my dad that I had started taking birth control. He asked me about it when we were at the lake the weekend before school. He asked if I was having sex, and I told him yes. And well…you’re the only guy I’ve dated seriously. My dad’s a smart guy. I’m sure he put two and two together.”
“I’m not sure I’ll be able to be in the same room as your dad again.”
I lean closer to him, rubbing my hand along his neck and shoulder. “Has my dad seemed any different toward you?”
“No. It’s just that I really like Jim. I look up to him, but I deflowered his only daughter.”
I slap and hand to my forehead. “Oh, my gosh. Stop it. He knows you’re a good and honest guy. I’m sure he’s just mad that we didn’t let him know we were leaving. Come on, we should hurry.”
26. Stinky Sneakers
“Say something funny,” Hannah says, glancing back at me as she walks up the garage steps.
I give her a confused look, but then understand what she’s getting at. “Some people make others happy wherever they go, and others make people happy whenever they go.”
Hannah bursts out laughing. “I can always count on you for a great sarcastic comment.”
“Sarcasm, what’s that?” When we walk into the kitchen, Mr. Clark is sitting at the counter. He doesn’t look mad, but it’s clear he’s not happy.
“Dad.” Hannah stops abruptly, and the two of them stare at each other. We came in through the garage because Hannah thought her dad would wait for us in the living room. He had the same idea as us, and he won. Mr. Clark looks her over and then sighs.
“Where have you been?” Her dad asks.
Hannah holds up her Walgreens bag. “We just went to the store to get some snacks. I’m sorry, I should have asked.”
“It was my fault,” I blurt because it was. “I grabbed Ty’s keys, and we left in a hurry. We just wanted to get away from some of the people here. So, we said we’d grab snacks. I didn’t even think. I’m really sorry.” I take a breath, trying to get my heart to stop racing. I hate that I care more about what Jim Clark thinks of me than my dad.
Mr. Clark stares at us for a few seconds, and I hold my breath. “Okay, let me know what you’re doing next time, and maybe take another person with you to help avoid assumptions.”
“Yes, sir,” I quickly say.
