Page 122 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

“With?” I point a finger at myself, and he nods.

“Called my parents; they okayed it.” He shrugs, and he glances toward Tessa. “You got any birthday gift ideas for her? Lucas and I are gonna grab her something.”

“She’d be happy with anything,” I say. “Or nothing.” Tommy gives me a look. “I’m serious. She’s not picky.”

“Okay, but what does she like?”

I shrug. “I don't know. Just get her something you think she'd like.”

He nods, like he’s already got an idea.

I look at him for a second, really look at him. His hair is still a little damp from the shower, and he smells ridiculously good. Like clean and fresh, but not like soap. There’s something underneath it that catches me off guard.

It smells like Jason.

Not his cologne exactly. More like Jason after he'd been outside, when he smelled like cold air and clean skin, with that fresh, green smell that clung to him after being out in the woods.

“What cologne do you wear?” The words are out before I can stop them.

Tommy looks at me, then down at himself before looking back at me.

I shrug. “What? You smell good.”

He grins.

“What?” I ask, completely unbothered. “I wanted to know.”

“Cool Water.”

I nod, filing that away for absolutely no reason.

When I turn back, I gasp.

Tommy chuckles.

Lucas and Tessa are seriously making out.

That kiss is not a PG version like mine was. I’m pretty sure I just saw tongue.

I clear my throat and ask, “You ready to go?”

Tessa steps back from Lucas.

Lucas smiles as he walks toward his car. “See you tonight, birthday girl.”

It is clear that she doesn’t even know.

As we pull out onto Main Street, I laugh.

“Holy shit!” I laugh. “And again, I say, holy shit!”

She reaches for the radio dial and turns it up. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Smiling so big my face hurts, I tell her, “No need.”

She turns up the radio and Even Flow blasts through the truck’s cab.

Not a word is said about the kiss as we drive up the hill and pull into the farm driveway. And when I say not a word is said, I mean I hold it back as long as I can.