Page 140 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

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DATE NIGHT

Tommy

The first thing I notice when I come out of the locker room is that the field still looks fucking incredible.

The lights are bright enough to make the whole place look different than it did when we walked onto it earlier tonight. The stands are still packed in spots, people milling around the edges of the field, parents talking, kids running around, and half the student section is still acting like we just won the state championship.

Thirty-four to fourteen. Not bad for the first Friday night game in Blue Valley history.

I sling my duffle over my shoulder and look toward the parking lot. Then I see her, the lights, and the crowd; everything… dulls.

She's standing with Tessa near the edge of the field, and even from here I can pick her out of a crowd without trying. She turns her head, and the second she sees me, she looks, “Fuck.”

Sadi.

Lucas is beside me, and he follows my gaze. “What the hell?”

I don't answer.

The way Tessa is standing tells me this isn't some casual conversation. Sadi is talking. Tessa isn't. Not yet. Jade catches my eye again, but she doesn't smile this time.

That's when I start moving faster.

I can't make out everything Sadi is saying with the noise around us, but I hear enough as we get closer.

“You think he likes you, Tessa?” Sadi laughs. “You're just the flavor of the week.”

I look at Lucas, whose jaw is clenched, and I know he's trying not to react. I also know he's about two seconds from reacting anyway.

Tessa finally says something. I can't hear all of it, but I don't need to. Her expression tells me she's had enough.

Sadi steps closer. “It's never over between him and me. He'll be back.”

Tessa's chin lifts and I hear her this time. “Maybe you should get a bit of self-respect.”

I see Jade’s lips quirk as Lucas starts forward, and I put a hand out. “Wait.” He looks at me. “She can handle herself.”

“Yeah,” he mutters. “Until she can't.”

Tessa keeps going. “Seriously, why the hell would you want me, or anyone else, to know you've been a revolving door for him? You're pathetic, and you've done that to yourself.”

My eyebrows shoot up, holy shit.

Jade's eyes go wide. “Tessa,” she warns.

Sadi's face changes. “Don't look at me like that, bitch.”

And she swings.

Tessa moves. “That's all you got?”

Sadi lunges and this time she grabs Tessa's hair.

Tessa reacts before anybody else can, her fist connects, and Sadi goes down.

“Fuck.” Lucas and I take off running.