Page 204 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

“Who do you think they’ll call?”

“Probably every football player in the school,” Becca says.

I laugh. “That narrows it down.”

Toby starts calling the names, and the first boy announced is Lucas. My smile fades a little when I look toward the field and see him stand up off the bench and walk toward the line, the crowd going crazy, him not even giving a damn. He looks right at Tessa, and I can see the tension rise in her shoulders again.

Of course.

Then Toby calls two more names, Jordan and William.

“Not football players?” Phoebe asks.

“Basketball,” Becca and I answer in unison.

Then Toby smiles as he announces the last. “Alex Ross.”

I grin when I see how completely off guard he is caught, and Phoebe gasps, “What the hell? Apparently, my date is popular.”

“He’s always been popular,” Becca says.

“Yeah, but he never acts like it.” I smile watching him jog to the line, so happy that he’s not only being heard again, but seen.

Alex looks up at us and shrugs, and I can’t help but laugh.

“Gonna guess the girls are all⁠—”

Becca cuts her off, “Cheerleaders⁠—”

“And whores,” I shrug.

“True,” Becca whispers.

And that’s when I hear, “Jade Ross.”

The three of us laugh in unison, and then it hits me: “What is happening?”

Phoebe grabs my arm. “Go!”

“Are you kidding me?” I laugh.

“Go!”

I stand, laughing as the girls around us clap and cheer.

As I walk toward the field, I catch Tommy’s eye. That smile. God, that smile.

He’s standing next to Ryan, who is rubbing a hand up over his face, like this is hilarious, and I am so tempted to stick my tongue out at him, but since I also think that, I simply smile as I head out and stand next to Alex.

He bends down and says, “This is not normal.”

I laugh, “It’s senior year; we should all just expect the unexpected.” I nod to Phoebe. “Yeah?”

“I’d have to agree.”

Both of us laugh when he announces the next girl’s name, “Tessa Ross.”

Toby chuckles and says, “I think this is a family reunion.”