Page 148 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

He sighs. “Yeah. I fucking like her.”

I nod. “Okay.”

“What?”

“Nothing. Just good to know.”

He gives me a look. “What about you?”

I already know where he's going. “Jade?”

“Yeah.”

I look out the windshield, then smile. “Yeah.”

“How much?”

I think about last night. Her smile. The way she kissed my cheek before she got out of the car.

“A lot more than I’m comfortable with.”

Lucas chuckles. “You're fucked.”

“Probably.”

“No, seriously. You're already gone.”

I look at him. “You're one to talk.”

He laughs.

We ride in silence for a few seconds.

Then he says, “You think this is actually going somewhere?”

I shrug. “I don't know.”

“Bullshit.”

“Yeah. I hope it does.” I glance over at him. “You and Tessa?”

“She wasn’t happy about last night, or the game, and I can’t blame her. Pissed me off too, and I used to eat that shit up. You know what I like most about her?”

“Big tits?” I ask and he glares at me. I start laughing. “You’ve got it bad.”

He doesn’t confirm nor deny. “She doesn't give a shit about impressing me.”

I smile. “Jade's the same way.”

Lucas nods. “That's probably why we're fucked.”

I knew she had curves the very first day I saw her in the parking lot before school even started. Up close, her being so damn pretty nearly knocked the wind out of me. And right now, Jade is walking toward me wearing a red dress that hits just below her knees, black heels, and a black denim jacket. Stunning. Absolutely fucking stunning.

“Brother,” Lucas murmurs under his breath, “Unclench your jaw and breathe before you get us shot.”

“If I died looking at my pretty girl,” I shake my head. “I’d die a happy man.”

“Yeah, well, we’re not dying today, so turn it the fuck down.” He grumbles.