Page 91 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

“Looking at me,” I say, and her cheeks turn a little pink. “It’s a good thing, pretty girl.”

“Eat your food.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

She kicks my foot under the table.

I grin, yeah. I could get used to this.

The conversation keeps rolling until a car comes down the dirt road.

I’m aware I don't know her well enough to know what’s going on as Tessa quickly gets up and walks away from the table, but I do know by Jade’s reaction, the concern in her eyes,

John Ross gets up and walks toward Tessa, saying something I can't hear.

Tessa doesn't look happy. Not even close.

Gotta be her mom, I think, as Alex, Kendall, and Jake all head to her and hug her.

I glance at Lucas; his jaw is set as he watches the interaction.

Tessa finally walks over to her mom, but she stops far enough away that she doesn't have to get too close. Her mom reaches for her and pulls her into a hug. Tessa doesn't hug her back.

I glance around the table.

Nobody seems to know what to do with themselves, and Jade, she looks… torn.

I hear a woman yell, “Tessa,” but she’s not stopping. She’s running toward the pond, kicking off her shoes, and throwing off clothes until she’s in a bathing suit, and dives in.

Jade is right behind her doing the same.

For a second, nobody moves, but then Ryan pushes away from the table.

“Who's going back in?”

A couple of guys immediately start yelling, King of the raft! — I'm taking the dock.

“You couldn't take the dock if it was empty.” Ryan laughs and heads for the pond.

I watch him for a second. He's not looking toward Tessa and Jade anymore. What he is doing, is making sure nobody else does either.

Smart. Whatever is going on, it isn't our business.

Ryan jumps in. Frankie follows. Then three more guys.

The whole thing changes in about ten seconds, everyone yelling and shoving and racing toward the water.

Lucas looks at me. “You coming?”

I look toward the pond. Tessa and Jade are already on the dock. I toss my towel onto the line. “I'm coming.”

Lucas takes off running and I follow.

By the time I hit the water, the whole pond is loud again, like nothing even happened.

Exactly the way Ryan Brooks wanted it to be. Well played, Brooks, well played.

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