Page 163 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

She sets the folded clothes on the chair and picks up another shirt. “How's practice going?”

“Good,” Lucas says.

“Coach still working you guys to death?”

“Pretty much.”

She looks at me. “And you?”

“Still alive.”

“That’s good news.”

I grin. “It is.”

She laughs quietly.

The tape keeps playing, but neither of us is watching it for a second.

Kate finishes folding the last shirt and carries the stack toward the hallway. Before she leaves, she looks back at me.

“Goodnight, Tommy.”

“Night, Kate.”

She hesitates, then smiles again. “It was good to see you.”

“Good to see you, too.”

She bends down and kisses the top of Lucas’s head. “Love you, Lucas.”

“Love you, Mom. Sleep well.”

Something tightens in my chest. How fucked up is it to envy their relationship, knowing the hell he goes through when she strays off Sobriety Ave.

Lucas keeps staring at the television.

I don't look at him but say, “She looks amazing.”

“Keep those thoughts to yourself.” He chucks another grape and pelts it my way.

This time I catch it in my mouth. He shakes his head, smirking, his eyes never leaving the screen. The tape keeps running, but eventually he pauses the tape.

Lucas exhales through his nose. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“Bullshit.”

I look over at him. He finally looks back. For a second, neither of us says anything.

Then he grabs an apple slice and takes a bite, then lets himself admit it. “Fine, she looks good.”

I nod. “Yeah.”

He chews, looking down at the plate. He doesn't say any more, and neither do I. He hits play.

A few plays later, Lucas points at the screen. “There. That's the same linebacker.”