Page 101 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

“I mean it.” He gives my arm a gentle squeeze. “You deserve that. Whatever happens with that boy, whatever happens with another, you deserve to be happy.”

I smile. “He makes me happy.”

“I can see that.”

For a second, neither of us says anything.

Then Dad picks up his coffee and takes another drink. “Just don't let a dipshit who thinks it's okay to hang out in his underwear on the farm break your heart.”

I grin. “You mean the one who was trying to get hay chaff off his clothes?”

“That would be the one.”

“He's not going to break my heart, Dad.”

Dad studies me for a moment, then nods. “Good.”

I sling my bag over my shoulder. “And if he does?”

“Then he answers to me.”

I laugh. “Poor Tommy.”

“Exactly.”

I head toward the door, then turn back. “I'll tell him you said you liked his undies.”

Dad shakes his head, laughing. “Don’t you dare.” We both laugh, and then he nods to the door as Tessa and Alex pull in. “Have a good day.”

“You too.”

And just before I step outside, he adds, “Love you, baby girl.”

I look back at him and smile. “Love you too, Dad.”

Tessa pushes the door open and slides over. “Morning.”

I note that it’s not good morning.

“It is that.” I say as I climb in beside her. I close the door and buckle my seatbelt, then glance over at her. “You know, most people wait until at least first period before deciding to be miserable.”

She looks at me. “I’m not miserable.”

“Right. My mistake. It’s just aggressively not a good morning.”

The corner of her mouth twitches, and I count that as a win, but then she says, “I’m fine.”

I’m fine means the total opposite. I learned this from Jasper once when the old Janet Ross was … her. It means I will be, but right now, I need some time. “Of course you are.”

She elbows me as Alex pulls out onto the road, and I settle back in my seat, letting her have her little lie. I know better than to push too hard, especially after last night with Aunt Maggie. I know better than most that sometimes you just need somebody to sit beside you and act normal until normal starts feeling possible again.

By the time we pull into school, she’s at least talking about our first game that’s coming up, which I’ll take as progress.

Alex pulls into a spot, and I’m already reaching for the door when I see the black Trans Am sitting across the lot.

They’re here early too.

“Oh, for God’s sake,” I murmur when I see Tommy standing at the bottom of the stairs.