Page 177 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

Alex, apparently having no survival instinct whatsoever, looks directly at her. “What did Mom do to you, Tessa?”

“Alex…” She shakes her head. “Not now.”

Alex fists his hands at his sides.

Tessa hops toward the couch, and my eyes go straight to her ankle.

Fuck.

It’s swollen and covered in purple and yellow bruising from her knee all the way down toward her foot.

“It’s not as bad as it looks,” she says. “Most people don’t even know they have a fracture when it’s this small, but the bruising looks bad. Hurts like hell, too, but I have really good pain meds.” Nobody says anything. Tessa looks around the room. “So, breakfast looks wonderful. How about we eat?”

Jade practically bolts for the kitchen. “I’ll get plates and napkins.”

That leaves the three of us sitting there with Tessa. She’s a badass and I know this because she just looks at us.

“It is too quiet. You guys should try one of those pills. They make you feel all sorts of funky.”

I don't know what the fuck I'm supposed to say to that. So, I don't say anything.

Tessa forces herself to eat half a bagel and drink some juice. After a few bites, she leans back.

“The pills also make you tired. You guys should get to school. I’m going to fall out soon, anyway.”

Alex and I stand so fast she starts laughing. “Can’t blame you for wanting to get out of here.”

Jade walks out with me and just looks up at the sky and exhales. I smile as she looks from the sky to me. I contemplate asking if she talks to them, but we’re not there yet.

“What?” she asks.

“You.” I shake my head. “You got me fantasizing about castration.”

“Whhhhaaaat?” She laughs.

I pull her close and kiss the top of her head. “Didn’t even flinch when you threaten to cut off my dick. Kind of got the big guy looking forward to something he shouldn’t be.”

She shoves me and laughs so hard it makes me laugh. “Go to school and look up castration.”

“I think I —”

Laughing she opens the door to their mudroom. “The big guy is safe with me.”

“Not until you’re eighteen,” I call after her.

***

The bell rings at the end of sixth, and I’m shoving my calculus book into my bag when someone appears in the doorway.

“Mr. Lane?”

I look up. “Yeah?”

“Guidance office. Mr. Bennett would like to see you.”

I glance at Lucas, who looks over at me. “What the hell did you do?”

“I have no fucking clue.” I laugh as I sling my bag over my shoulder and head for the guidance office, pissed I might miss seeing Jade between classes.