Page 171 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

“Thank you.” I smile, taking it.

He pulls a cup from the crook of his arm, now holding two cups again. “I grabbed you a drink as well, Mr. Ross.” Tommy holds up his left hand. “Coffee, Mr. Ross. I don't know how you take it, but I have some cream and sugar packets in my pocket.”

Dad nods towards the other cups. “What do you have there?”

“Cocoa, Mr. Ross.”

Dad reaches out and takes it. “Good. I prefer that, thank you, Mr. Lane.”

Laughing, I say, “His name is Tommy.”

“And mine is Jack, but the kid seems to like formalities.” He bends down and kisses the top of my head. “You riding the bus, or do you want me to write you a note so you can ride with me, I mean drive?” He looks at Tommy. “My daughter needs to get her license. Help me get her convinced to do that, and you can come over to the house, but only when I'm there.”

“I’m gonna ride with the team, but, oh my God, Dad, I drove all day Sunday. With school and field hockey, I'm just busy. I'll get to it.”

He nods once, turns around, and says, “I know you will, baby girl, I know you will. I’m going over to check on that niece of mine. Thanks again for the hot cocoa, Mr. Lane.”

Tommy chuckles. “Anytime… Jack.”

“Ahhh, now he's catching on.” Dad chuckles. “I’ll meet you at the school.”

“I can ride with Tessa,” I call to him.

He repeats, “I’ll meet you at the school.”

I shake my head as I look back at Tommy. He smiles, and I look down at my uniform, suddenly aware of how sweaty and gross I probably am.

“You know that I know I look awful, right?” I ask.

His eyebrows lift. “I now know that you think you look awful, and straight up, I was hoping seeing you in all that gear, I’d have a picture to flip to in my head when I wanted to stop wondering where the hell you came from, because, pretty girl, you look amazing all the time. Now is no different.”

“I'm covered in sweat.”

“Still a stunner.”

“My hair is disgusting.”

“Don’t you lie to me,” he scoffs.

I roll my eyes. “You're supposed to agree with me.”

“Why would I lie?”

I look up at him. He steps closer, lowering his voice. “You were fucking incredible out there.”

The smile slips off my face, and all I wanna do is kiss Tommy Lane's lips, but I don’t want Dad seeing it.

“He’s busy, we have a minute.” He reaches for my hand, hooking his fingers through mine. “Come on, Pretty Girl.”

“Where?”

“Somewhere your dad can't hear me tell you how hot you looked in all that padding, somewhere I can kiss you like you want me to.”

We’re between the bus and Aunt Maggie’s Chevy when he pulls me in and presses his lips to mine. I can’t help but wonder what it is that’s in a kiss. I’ve never really kissed anyone before Tommy, so I have nothing to compare this to. All I know is that when his lips touch mine, everything else gets quiet. The game, Tessa being hurt, the crowd, my dad somewhere on the other side of the bus. All of it is still there, but it also disappears in a way, and you’re left in this space, where it’s just me and Tommy. My heart pounding, my hands feel warm, and my whole body feels like it’s humming. I’ve never understood why Dad and the old Janet Ross used to do this all the time, and now I think I finally do.

“You okay?” Tommy asks, running his hand up and down my back.

I hadn’t meant to pull away, and I didn’t realize I was resting my forehead against his chest. How embarrassing.