Page 87 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

He shakes his head. “Idiot.”

I grin, “Three.”

“Still gonna win.” He laughs as we both begin to sprint.

I take off. Lucas is fast. Really fucking fast. He's just not me.

I pull ahead before we even hit the bottom of the hill, and I hear him swearing behind me.

“Not even close!”

“Keep talking, asshole!”

I glance back just long enough to see him gaining a little on the downhill. “Quarterback's got wheels!”

“Receivers got a big mouth!”

I laugh and push harder. The pond gets closer, the floating dock bobbing in the middle, and I hit the bank first. I don't stop, and neither does Lucas.

We hit the water almost together, and I'm already laughing before my head comes back up.

“I won.”

“You cheated.”

I turn toward him. “How the fuck do you cheat in a footrace?”

“You took off early.”

“You said still gonna win.”

“Yeah.”

“And?”

He shakes his head, wiping water from his face. “I forgot you turn into a fucking track star when there's no ball involved.”

I grin. “Want me to remind you?”

“Fuck you.”

I splash him. He splashes me back, and suddenly we're twelve years old instead of two high school seniors who are expected to go pro.

We swim toward the dock, climb up, and stretch out on the boards.

Lucas looks back toward the hill.

“I could get used to this,” I say, looking at the truck Tessa, Jade, and the younger Ross’ left in after we finished the third load. I wonder where they are.

“I have a pool,” he states.

“The pond is easier, no chlorine, no filter, no vacuuming.”

“You know I don't have to clean it myself.”

“Still have to pay somebody.” I shrug.

“I have money.”