Page 78 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

“I know this probably isn't normal, but I noticed Jade before I ever met her.”

That gets his attention.

“The day Lucas and I came here to check the school out before we committed, she was out in the parking lot. Didn't know her name. Didn't know who she was. Hell, I didn't even know she'd be going here.” I smile to myself, remembering it. “I just remember thinking she was not just stunning, but there’s… a light surrounding her.”

He crosses his arms as his eyes narrow but doesn't interrupt.

“So, when I saw her at practice, saw she was the same girl...” I shrug. “That was it.”

“You expect me to what? Get weak in the knees?”

“Might not be what you want to hear, but I don't really care if you do.”

He watches me for another second.

“I'm not trying to win a bet. I'm not trying to piss you off. I'm not trying to see if I can get her to like me.” I shrug. “I'm trying to see if I'm lucky enough that she does.”

Alex's expression doesn't soften, but it doesn't harden either. “Just don't hurt her.”

“I won't.”

“You don't know that.”

“I do.”

He nods once. “We'll see.”

“I figured you'd say that.”

He starts toward the door, and I fall into step beside him.

Today’s been a good day, I think. Then I catch a glimpse of Brooks out of my peripheral and realize… maybe not for him.

“You like her.” I taunt as Lucas turns right instead of left after we leave the school parking lot, which just happens to be the direction of The Ross Farm.

He pulls his hat down to shield his eyes. “Our first game’s tomorrow. Coach wasn’t wrong, those two are good. We help on their field, so to speak, I’m betting they’ll play harder on ours.”

“It was theirs first,” I point out as we pass the pizza shop where Brooks and Ross’s numbers are on a couple of jerseys painted on the window.

“Instead of saying let them prove it, let’s just make sure this is our best season yet.”

Lucas eases his black Trans Am in the gravel driveway at a speed I'd normally make fun of.

“Scared you'll scratch your baby?” I ask.

“Shut up.” He grumbles as dust billows around us. “No idea where to park.”

“You should look for the sports car only parking spot. Bet its past the pickups, old farm truck and that tractor.”

“Such a dick.” He chuckles and lets out a low whistle as he looks at the half dozen wagons filled with hay bales. “This is... more than I expected.”

Same, I think. “Honestly? I figured we'd be helping your girlfriend and her brother throw a few bales around.”

“She's not my girlfriend.”

I laugh it away. “This place is alive.”

People move in every direction, everyone carrying something, driving something, climbing something. Nobody stands still for more than a second. Whatever's happening, it's already in full swing, and somehow Lucas and I have managed to arrive looking like we're headed to football practice instead of... whatever this is.