Page 166 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

I stare at him, and he shakes his head. “You're a fucking disaster.”

“Not anymore,” he states, eyes narrowing at the field.

I look toward Tessa, the girl who has him craving vanilla. “No. Definitely not anymore.”

The whistle blows, and the teams move into position.

I watch Jade settle into the goal, bouncing once on her toes, gloves up. She looks completely different out here. Focused. Still. All that sweet and smiling energy she carries disappears in front of the goal.

Then she looks toward me again, just for a second.

I lift my hand and wave. She uses her giant gloves and gives me the timeout sign.

“Well, shit,” I chuckle.

“What?” Lucas asks.

“She’s putting me in timeout.”

“Tommy boy, she’s throwing a T, like you throw her J’s.” He chuckles.

I smack my chest, hit it twice, and point to her. “That’s what I’m talking about.”

Lucas groans. “Jesus L Christ.”

“What?”

“Let her focus.”

“Jealous?”

“Of you?”

“Obviously.”

“Fuck no, I’m not. Look at my little badass out there.”

“Tessa, right? ’Cause I see a bunch—” He smacks me. “I’m just fucking with you.”

The ball gets put into play. Tessa takes it, cuts across the field, and sends it ahead. Phoebe is there and takes control. Tessa keeps moving, trying to get open, and then…

Madison comes in hard, too hard. Tessa goes down.

My stomach drops, and Lucas takes a step forward.

“Hey.” He doesn't hear me and takes another.

I fist the back of his shirt and pull him back. “Don't.”

“Let go,” he growls.

“No.”

“That bitch just⁠—”

“I know.” He tries to pull free. I tighten my grip. “Lucas.” He turns his head toward me, breathing hard. I nod toward the field. “Look.”

Jade is already coming out of the goal, Becca and Phoebe on their way. “She’s got her team.”