Page 130 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

Lucas makes a noise somewhere between a laugh and a cough.

I shake my head. “Seriously?”

Alex holds up a hand. “I'm not giving you shit.”

“That sounded exactly like giving me shit.”

“I'm trying not to,” Alex says as he sits down on his sleeping bag and leans back against his duffel. “I'm just asking that you.” He stops and shakes his head.

“Since I made it clear I was into her, Jade’s called the plays. In fact, I stomped the brakes on the make-out session. She decided where that went. I didn't pressure her into anything.”

Alex studies me. “I believe you.”

“Good.”

“But I'm still going to say something.”

I sit down across from him.

“Go ahead.”

He rubs his hands together, then looks between Lucas and me.

“You both know I'm not trying to be an asshole.”

Lucas nods. “That's debatable.”

Alex flips him off without looking.

Then he looks back at me.

“You have plans, Tommy. Big ones. College ball. Maybe pro someday. You're going to leave here.”

I nod slowly.

“I know.”

“And I'm not saying that means you can't care about somebody here.”

“I care about her.”

“I know.”

His voice changes just enough that I know he's serious.

“I just don't want Jade or Tessa to be toys.”

Lucas shifts beside me.

Alex looks at both of us.

“They aren't something you get to have for a while because they're here and you're here, and then you leave and they're left picking up the pieces.”

I let that sit for a second, then I look him straight in the eye. “She isn't a toy.”

“I know you don't think she is.”

“No.” I shake my head. “I mean, you really need to hear me on this. Jade isn't some girl I'm having fun with until I leave for college.” He cocks his head. “I don't know exactly what happens after high school. Nobody does. But I know what I want right now.”