Page 195 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

Not completely. We are still four girls crammed into Becca’s car, excited about homecoming. Our nails are perfect, our brows are waxed, and yeah, someone got her hoo hoo waxed. I laugh at the thought, and Tessa reaches across the seat and smacks me.

“Hey, what did I do?” I can’t even keep a straight face.

“You suck.” She snaps.

“No, actually, we haven’t gone there yet.” I raise a brow in challenge for her to say the same.

Phoebe cracks up, and Becca says, “Eww.”

“Well, either have I; I just like to have my little secret, you know?” Tessa huffs.

“I get it, one woman’s red thong is another’s skinned kitty.”

Everyone, Tessa included bust up laughing.

Tessa is holding the McDonald’s bag in her lap. “I still think we should just leave it.”

“You called him and told him you were coming over,” Phoebe reminds her.

“No, I called him and asked if he wanted dinner. He said no.”

“You know Lucas,” I say. “He probably means he wants dinner but wants to be difficult about it.”

Tessa looks down at the bag. “I just wanted to see him. He was off today.”

I reach over and squeeze her knee. “You will.”

She smiles at me, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes.

We climb out of the car, and Tessa grabs the bag. “Stay here.”

“Absolutely not,” I tell her.

“I’m just taking him food.”

“And we're just making sure you don't get kidnapped by your boyfriend.”

She rolls her eyes. “Jade.”

“Fine.”

Breeze blowing through the window, I watch Tessa walk away from the front door, and around to a gate, she disappears behind it, and that’s when I hear a scream.

I’m already moving before I even think about it. Out the door and running, I push through the gate see Lucas with his hands on her, his skin still wet from the hot tub. Tessa is trying to pull away from him.

“Get your hands off of me before I scream.”

Lucas shakes his head, and I can see the pain on his face.

“Tessa, I know you hate me right now, but I love you, baby.”

She jerks against his grip. “I don’t want that kind of love.”

My stomach twists.

I step closer, but Tessa looks at me and holds up one finger. Give me a minute. So, I do.

She turns back to Lucas, tears running down her face. “I was devastated when I met you, and I’m a little bit broken right now, but not that kind of broken. If you ever thought you loved me, I’m telling you that you lied to yourself, and to me. Now, you will leave me alone.”