Page 93 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

“You're blocking my view.”

His expression doesn't change. “Of what?”

I give him a flat look. “You know exactly what. For some reason, you hate to see me happy.”

For a second, something flashes across his face. Hurt. It is there and gone so quickly I almost convince myself I imagined it. But I didn't. The worst part is? I feel it. A sharp little ache in my chest. I hate that. I hate that I still care enough for Ryan's hurt to accept him hurting me. But that ship has sailed Ry guy. No more. Not since I stupidly kissed him. Not since I finally let myself be bold enough to tell him how I felt, well, without actually saying the words

I had spent years wondering if maybe there was something between us, something that could belong to us instead of everything we had lost, and he made me feel like I'd been wrong to want it.

I swallow hard and push the memory away. Nope. No way. I'm not doing this.

Tommy is standing a few feet away, watching me. He isn't looking at me like I’m a ghost of somebody else. He isn't seeing my brothers. He's seeing me. Jade. And I want that. I want all the happy feelings T. Lane’s mere presence inspires.

Tommy Lane no longer just feels like maybe he’s a gift. He is a gift. My brothers brought him into my life; after everything they took with them, they gave me something.

I look at Ryan again, who is still standing here, unmoving. Still in my way. I square my shoulders. “Move.”

He raises an eyebrow, and I…shove him, and not lightly either; he goes straight into the water.

There is a second of stunned silence; heck, I’m even shocked. And then I hear Tommy laugh, and everyone does too.

Ryan comes up sputtering, wiping water from his face, and with it a smile. “You little shit.”

“You were blocking my view.”

“Of me?” Tommy points to himself.

Even though my face heats up, I own it. “Obviously.”

Tessa bursts out laughing.

Ryan laughs, just a little, but it was there. And that makes me … happy.

Frankie yells, “King of the Raft!”

“It’s queen.” Ryan pushes up onto the raft and shoves Frankie. “Or was.”

Jimmy dives off as Ryan approaches, him shouting, “I'm taking the dock!”

“You couldn't take the dock if it was empty!” Ryan calls back, moving toward Lucas, who crosses his arms over his chest, arches a brow, and falls back into the water before being pushed.

Tessa looks at me, and I look at her, and she starts laughing all over again.

“See?” I say.

“See what?” She smiles.

“Distraction.”

She shakes her head. “You're not wrong.”

“Am I ever?” I joke.

We spend the next few rounds fighting over the raft, and somehow Tessa ends up being the last one standing more than once. She celebrates every victory like she's won the state championship, and the guys give her enough grief about it that she's laughing almost as hard as she's fighting.

Eventually everyone swims back toward shore. My body is exhausted by the time I climb out, but it so feels good.

Alex throws Tessa and me towels as we come out of the pond.