Page 170 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

“Take it off, girl, I’ll grab it. Go see your guys.” Phoebe laughs as she helps me.

“Have I told you lately that I adore you?” I ask.

“You have, but a girl could never have too much admiration.” She laughs.

I turn back to Tessa and brush a strand of hair away from her face. “Your mom's here, right?”

She rolls her eyes.

“I get it, but she’s medical and knows more than Coach V,” I say, and he looks up at me, scowling. “No disrespect.”

He sputters, “You’d be doing laps if you didn’t kick ass out there, Ross.”

“Go see Uncle Jack,” Tessa states.

She doesn't even have to say it. I can see it in her eyes. Jack Ross is a huge sports lover. There was nothing he loved more than his family, but watching the boys play might have even rivaled that. I'm not saying they're as good as they were, but the way he's looking at me makes my chest tighten, pride blooming inside of me. “I’m so glad you bullied me into playing this game.” I smile.

“Go before he gets there first.” Tessa giggles.

I turn to Tommy, who is glancing in his direction like he knows he should go speak to my father. God, he's such a good guy, and seriously hot, too.

I walk toward him, and Tommy starts moving in my direction at the same time. I get there first.

“Hey, baby girl,” he says as I approach.

“Hey, Dad.”

He reaches out and pulls me into a hug, one hand settling against the back of my head. I squeeze him hard before stepping back.

“You played so damn good,” he says.

Not wanting to get emotional, I grin up at him. “I know.”

He raises an eyebrow, and I can hear it in his head, the words about not being boastful, and then he laughs.

Tommy reaches us, and Dad looks over at him.

“Mr. Ross.”

Dad nods once. “Tommy.”

I bite the inside of my cheek. There is something about the way Dad says his name that makes me want to laugh.

Tommy doesn't seem bothered. If anything, his mouth twitching up says he’s amused to. “Good game, sir.”

“Thanks, I tried,” Dad deadpans.

“Valiant effort, Mr. Ross.”

I can't help but laugh, and Dad just shakes his head.

“Oh my God, you can be nice to him. You told me he let you like him. You told me he was a good kid. You better get used to it. I'm gonna start inviting him to the house soon.”

“Only when I'm there,” he urges a brow and then looks at Tommy. “My baby girl is not 18 yet.”

Tommy pulls the face that reveals he did not know that but then lifts a shoulder. “Doesn't matter if she’s 17 or 70. I'll always respect her and you too, Mr. Ross.”

He hands me a cup. “Hot cocoa. You deserve it. You single-handedly saved that game.”