Prologue. Wanna Make a Bet?
(Last half of the last chapter ofThe Summer Bet.)
I wake up early for the first day of school, but I’m so nervous about today that I take twice as long to get ready. Jack and the little boys are already sitting at the table eating breakfast when I come downstairs.
“Good morning, happy first day of school.” Beth singsongs, handing me a cinnamon roll and a glass of milk.
“Thank you.”
I sit down across from Jack, Hank, and Scotty. “Where’s Ford?”
“He went running this morning, and then was going home to get ready for school,” Jack says.
I just nod. I want to ask Jack more, but I don’t. After breakfast, Beth insists on taking the first day of school pictures. After we’re done. Jack and I give the boys hugs and watch them leave with our parents for school.
“Are you ready for senior year?” I glance at Jack.
“I’m ready to win football games.” He smiles. “What about you?”
“I’m worried about the social aspect of school.”
“Why? You’re a cheerleader. You’re golden.”
“Not from Bree and Alison,” I say.
Jack shrugs. “I’m not sure what to tell you. Whatever happens, I have your back, and so does Ford.”
“Thanks, Jack.”
“No problem. Come on, I’ll race you to school. Loser gets to buy me lunch.” He gives me a cheesy smile and takes off running to his car.
“How is that fair? You drive a Mustang.”
“Stop complaining and get in your mom car.”
“Hey! It’s not a mom car.” I jump in the Hyundai and do up my seatbelt.
I lose the race by almost ten minutes. I got stuck at two stoplights, and Jack made it through both of them. He’s leaning against his car with a smirk on his face when I pull into a parking spot. He holds up his fingers in the shape of an L and mouths loser.
“Really. You’re so mature,” I say, getting out of the car.
“Thank you.” Jack smirks.
I glance around the mostly empty parking lot. “I need to come early more often. It’s worth the front row parking.”
“Why did you have to come early?”
“Cheerleader stuff.”
“What about you?”
“Football stuff. I’ll see you at lunch. Don’t be late. You’re buying.” Jack winks.
“I’ll see you before that. We have two classes together.”
“Oh, yeah,” Jack says, with a stupid smile on his face.
“See ya later, Slick.” I roll my eyes at him.
