Page 100 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

Oh wow, you have a day off?” I gasp.

“Gonna go help John finish bailing. He has a delivery Saturday.”

“Wait, is he missing Alex’s game?” I ask, shocked.

He shakes his head. “Leaving after the game.”

“Good.” I grab a banana from the fruit bowl, and Dad watches me with that little smile he gets when he knows something I don't want him to know he knows.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Dad.”

“I’m just thinking about that boy from yesterday.”

I stop peeling my banana. “What boy?”

“Tommy Lane.”

My face immediately heats, knowing he’s going to say something to embarrass me. “What about him?”

Dad takes another sip of coffee. “Saw him at the farm.”

“Okay…”

“He was in his underwear, shaking it out of his pants.”

“Dad!”

He laughs, and I turn away, shoving the banana into my bag. “What? He was.”

“You weren't supposed to be watching him!”

“I wasn't watching him. I was working.”

“Sure.”

Dad chuckles and sets his mug down. “He showed up to lend a hand. Seems like a good kid.”

I glance back at him. “He is.”

“And he seems to like you.”

My cheeks get even hotter. “Dad.”

“What?”

“You're enjoying this way too much for a man who, just a couple of weeks ago, called them new studs.”

He chuckles, “Maybe a little.”

I roll my eyes and reach for my bag.

He catches my arm before I can turn away, and when I look up at him, he's not smiling anymore. “I want you to be happy, Jade.”

I swallow. “I know.”