Page 127 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

Alex finally looks at me. “Those two girls?”

I gesture toward the camp with the butter brush. “Jade and Tessa.”

Lucas laughs, because … obviously.

“What exactly are you implying?”

I put my free hand over my heart. “With all due respect, gentlemen, we three are a team.”

Alex snorts. “Time will tell.”

I roll my eyes, “A very respectable and undefeated team.”

Lucas raises an eyebrow. “We’ve played one game.”

“We’ve won all of them.” I point at Alex with the butter brush. “You have Maxwell.” Then I point at Lucas. “You have Tessa.” Then I point at myself. “And I have Jade.”

Alex looks at Lucas. Lucas looks at Alex, then they both look at me.

“What?” I ask.

“You make it sound like we went shopping,” Alex says.

“I’m just establishing the roster.”

“There is no roster,” Lucas says, hiding a chuckle by scrubbing his hand over his face.

“Fine. Depth chart.”

“There is absolutely no depth chart.” Alex growls.

I shrug and flip another foil packet. “Okay, okay. But the point remains.”

Alex shakes his head, trying not to smile as I put my hand over my heart again. “When I say Jade will be treated with the utmost respect, trust that.”

Lucas looks at Alex. “Do you trust that?”

Alex considers it. “Not remotely.”

I gasp. “After everything we've been through together?”

“I'm on Jade's side.” Alex states.

I stare at him and eventually concede. “That’s actually fair.”

Alex flips another steak. “And for the record, none of you are getting hurt.”

Lucas nods.

“Agreed.”

I glance at both of them.

“Wait. Are we having a serious conversation now?”

“No,” Alex says immediately. “Because if this gets emotional, I'm leaving.”

Lucas laughs. “Alex, you're cooking.”