Page 138 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

“Because he's Lucas.”

“That is not an answer.”

“It is when you're talking about Lucas.”

I shake my head, laughing.

Then she looks at me. “You ready?”

I glance toward the clock.

“Yeah.” She grabs her bag.

“Good. Because if we're late, I'm blaming you.”

“You're the one who took twenty minutes deciding what shirt to wear.”

“I was making an informed decision.”

“You threw six shirts on my floor.” I laugh.

She hates her boobs, I will not be pointing that out, or it will be even more.

By the time we get to the field, the place is already packed, Blue Valley’s first game with actual lights. They’re bright enough to make the field glow against the dark sky.

It’s exciting, and apparently the whole town agrees.

Once we find Becca and Phoebe, I look toward the field, searching for Tommy.

I find him almost immediately. Of course I do. He's standing with the team, helmet in his hand, talking to Alex, Lucas, and Ryan.

Even from here, I can see the confidence in the way he carries himself.

Tessa bumps my shoulder. “You're staring.”

“I am not.”

“You absolutely are.”

I smile. “You’re right, why hide it?”

When Tommy finally looks up, his eyes find mine; his whole face changes, that smile. The one that belongs to me now. I can't help smiling back.

Then somebody beside us yells, and the crowd erupts. The game begins.

By the time it's over, the Saints have won thirty-four to fourteen.

The crowd is still buzzing as everyone starts spilling onto the field.

Tessa and I make our way toward the boys, and we're barely through the crowd before Jake pushes past a bunch of girls surrounding Alex and Lucas.

“Awesome game! Good guys win!”

Alex laughs and high-fives him. Lucas does the same.

I'm smiling until I hear a girl nearby. “They certainly are good.”

A red-haired girl is smiling toward Lucas. Then she looks directly at him. “I know personally that the quarterback is very good.”