Page 97 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

“Seven kids?”

“I mean, why not?” I turn toward him as he stares at the ground.

“What is so fascinating over there?” I ask, leaning over. I laugh as soon as I see what he’s done. He’s laid out a version of MASH, and the fourth name for my future husband is… his.

“MASH,” he says, crossing out all the other names and circling his. “Now that that’s settled, give me a number.”

Alex calls from near the fire. “Eight forty-five.”

Tessa groans from her chair. “I know.”

I look at her. “We really have to go?”

She nods. “Night driving isn't legal for me yet.”

“Soon, though.” I smile. Her birthday is fast approaching.

Alex points toward the trucks. “We need to get moving.” I look at Tessa, then back at Tommy, and we stand.

All the guy’s head toward Alex and Ryan’s trucks.

“Let’s go, Tommy boy.” Lucas nods to the trucks the team is now loading up in.

“Meet us up there?”

“Of course.”

Inside the cab of the truck Tessa drove us up in, I smile. “You like him.”

“I’m enjoying the distraction,” she says. “I mean, he has a reputation and that rabid ex. So, on a scale of entertained by him to googly-eyed and gushy, like you, I’m⁠—”

“I am not googly eyed.” I laugh.

“Yes, yes you are.” She smiles. “But Tommy’s eyes are more… googly, so you have the upper hand.”

“Link’s eyes are googly.”

“Bambi to the Big Bad Wolf, I’m somewhere between cautiously entertained and curious.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Can we stop and say goodnight?”

“Yeah.”

As soon as she puts the truck in park, I hop out, and Tommy heads my way.

“I’d ask if I could call when I get home, but it’s late, right?” I glance at Tessa, and he catches it. “Gonna hang with your girl?”

“I mean⁠—”

“I’d never try to come between a bond like that.” He nods toward Lucas. “Closest thing to a brother I have. Rule number one?”

“We have rules?” I ask amused.

“I mean, sure. Keeps everything as it should be, right?”

The wind blows, sending goosebumps up my arms, and I run my hands up and down them to keep warm. “Sure?”

“You cold, pretty girl?”