Page 58 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

A group of girls standing near the entrance immediately pretend they weren't staring, another waves, and one actually blushes.

I nudge him.

“The one on the left definitely wants your ass.”

“Not my type.”

“They’re all our type.” I laugh.

I stop laughing when a big black truck guns it in front of us and parks in the spot we’ve been parking in every damn day.

“The fuck is⁠—”

“Brooks,” he says, and rolls up beside him.

“His attitude is —”

“Only one of us is good at cutting through that shit, and it's not me,” he says, throwing it in park.

He kills the engine, and I open the door as a bunch of the team surrounds Brooks. Two girls slide out of his truck, and both hurry toward the school.

“Who’s the new girl?” Someone asks.

“Never mind.” He snarls.

“This one is gonna claim to be carrying your kid?” Another guy chuckles.

Brooks glares at him. “I’d watch yourself.”

“Wasn’t his, dick.” Someone else snaps.

“With all that charisma and charm, hell, I’d wanna claim you as my baby daddy too.” I chuckle.

“The fuck is wrong with you?” He hoists his duffel over his shoulder, slams his door, and starts toward the school.

“Well, that was a choice,” Lucas murmurs.

“Hey, Brooks,” I call after him. “That was meant as a compliment.”

“Stay off my jock and stick to Links, Lane.” He calls back.

“I tried, man.” I laugh at the amusement on my best friend's face.

“You did well, Tommy, really good.” Lucas shakes his head.

“Aw, shucks, thank you.” I grin.

“Links!” A couple of the younger football players wave from across the lot. Someone else yells my name. A few more people stare.

The girls definitely aren't being subtle anymore. I smile and tip an imaginary cap.

One of them ducks behind her friends immediately.

“You're an ass.” Lucas chuckles.

“Yet beloved.”

“That's not the word.”