Page 147 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

Mom decided the entire yard needed to be done today. Every bit of bush trimmed. Every bed cleaned out. Every damn thing that could be moved, raked, hauled, or shoveled was up to me, since Dad was called out to Virgil.

I spent half the day wondering if she actually hates me or football more.

Lucas looks over at me. “You look like shit.”

“Thanks.”

“You do.”

“I spent six hours landscaping.”

He laughs. “Your mom?”

“Who else?”

“Trying to kill your football career?”

“That's my theory.”

He shakes his head, still laughing.

We drive for a minute before he says, “You know what I keep thinking about?”

“Last nights scene?”

“Yeah.”

I glance at him. “Me too.”

“I don't know what the hell her problem is.”

“She wanted Tessa to react.”

“She got what she wanted.”

“Yeah.”

Lucas rubs a hand over his face. “I don't want that shit following me around.”

“Sadi?”

“Her. The drama. All of it.”

I nod. “You like Tessa.”

He looks at me like I’m a moron. “Yeah.”

No hesitation.

“Like, like her,” I say fucking with him.

He rolls his eyes.

“I want to hear you say it.”

“Fuck you.”

I laugh. “Come on.”