Page 75 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

Lucas follows my gaze. “You got it bad.”

“I've had it bad.”

“You've known her two days.”

“I said what I said.”

“So, what's the play?” He chuckles.

I grin. “I'm gonna steal something.”

“What?” He sighs.

“A carrot.”

“...A carrot?” He stares at me for a second, and I nod. “You really are fucked, man.”

“Not even the endgame with this one,” I admit. “Just wanna be around her, know her.”

He laughs despite himself. “Go get your carrot.”

“I plan on it.”

As we cross the cafeteria, I barely register Sadi sitting with the cheerleaders, and if she shows her ass, I’ll remind her it’s not her lunch period.

As we get closer, Jade looks up, and her entire face lights up.

Oh yeah, I’m so gone.

I hook a finger around the back of her chair, lean over her shoulder, steal a carrot off her tray, and bite into it. “Hey, pretty girl.”

As I sit beside her, I see Lucas slide into the empty chair beside Tessa.

I squeeze Jade's shoulder while chewing.

She laughs and damn, just… damn.

And then I see Sadi heading our way.

Fucking A, I glance at Links.

He doesn't even look at her. Just keeps talking to Tessa like Sadi isn't marching over here looking for a fight.

Good. Maybe she finally got the hint.

She stops beside our table, and I grin up at her friends.

“Hey, girls.” I rest my arm across the back of Jade's chair. “This is Jade.”

“Seriously?” Sadi scoffs, looking right past me at Tessa. “Sitting at the kiddie table now?”

I don't even bother with that. Not my circus, not my psycho.

Phoebe, who I think is awesome, beats everyone to it. “Nice meeting you... um... ladies?”

The whole table laughs. Sadi huffs something under her breath before storming off.

I watch her go, then look at Links. He lifts his bottle toward me without saying a word.