Page 88 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

“Doesn't mean you like wasting it.”

He shakes his head. “So, we’re buying a farm.”

“When we retire.”

He looks at me. “You're serious?”

“Fuck yeah.”

“What are we gonna do with a farm?”

“Chill and just be us.”

He nods slowly. “Fair.”

We hear an engine coming down the road.

We both sit up.

The larger of the Ross Farms pickup trucks appears at the top of the hill, bouncing over the dirt, dust rolling behind it.

Alex is driving, Ryan’s old black truck follows him in. Both beds are packed with guys from our team, or the community.

The trucks come barreling down the hill and stops near the pond.

For half a second, nobody moves, then they all pour out.

“Last one in's a pussy!”

“Fuck you!”

“Move!”

“Mouths,” Alex warns lightheartedly, no doubt worried about his younger siblings.

Shirts coming off, boots getting kicked aside, somebody damn near wipes out trying to get his jeans off.

Lucas looks at me and smirks. “We’re not pussies.”

“Sure aren’t.”

The pond erupts as the rest of the guys hit the water.

Alex gets to the dock first and climbs up, launching himself back into the water.

Another guy follows. Then another.

Within seconds, the whole pond is full of football players yelling, shoving, dunking each other, and arguing about who can make the biggest splash.

“We’re gonna have a damn good season,” I say, pushing myself up to join them.

“I think you’re right.” He agrees.

Kendall and Jake come barreling into the water a few seconds later, both of them yelling like they've been waiting all day for this.

Jake makes a beeline for Alex.

Alex catches him around the middle before he can take them both under, steadying him with one arm. “Easy.”