Turning Page - A Jasper Hale story

Chapter Fifteen

Jude looked at the two boys, arms crossed. Nobody said anything.

Jasper could feel her anxiousness building as they neared her house, she was ready to question them. Edward could hear the questions racing through her mind. 

It was too late to talk themselves out of this one.

As the Volvo pulled into the short drive outside of Jude's house, she flew out of the car before it had even come to a stop. She was not shocked when both boys were already at the door before her. Her mother was not home, she had a late shift at the diner, and so Jude knew they would be free to talk about this matter freely.

She had said little to Bella after they had jumped into Edward's car - Jess and Angela had already headed for home, Bella promising to collect Jude before she left Port Angeles. Whatever conversation Bella and Edward had had over dinner had left Bella slightly pale and more awestruck than usual. She had shot Jude 'the look' as the lighter haired girl clambered into the back seat.

She unlocked the door to the house, walking straight to the living room, knowing one of the two boys would close it behind them. She sat on the arm chair, expecting the two brothers to find their way to the sofa that sat opposite.

Jasper sat first, gauging her emotions. Edward sat next, anticipating which question might come first.

"How old are you?" she asked.

Edward was shocked by her choice of first question.

"Seventeen."

"Eighteen."

They answered simultaneously - a rehearsed answer. Almost a reflex now.

"Cut the crap," Jude snapped, narrowing her eyes. Her mouth lifted slightly in humour and the brothers began to laugh.

"I'm 104," Edward began - he could see her thoughts and she was correct. She knew exactly what they were, there was no point arguing if they weren't going to stay away from her.

"161" Jasper followed. Jude's jaw dropped slightly before she shut it quickly, trying to hide her shock.

"Okay," she paused to consider her next question.

"To keep you safe," Edward answered before she had even opened her mouth to speak.

"H-how? What?" she gawped at the boy. Jasper laughed as he felt how confused she was.

"He can read minds," Jasper explained, raising his hands and wiggling his fingers, as if he was trying to be spooky. 

"If you can read my mind, what am-"

"You're wondering whether Bella knows. And thinking about how your mother will react to a 144 year age gap," Edward chortled, looking at Jasper.

Jude's cheeks flushed as she realised all of the things Edward will have heard her thinking. She was mortified. Jasper looked at her, a sweet smile on his lips. He answered her embarrassment and her question quietly, "she's just glad you're happy, Jude."

"You can read minds too?!" she gasped exasperated, genuinely uncomfortable with the thought of him knowing what she was thinking constantly. She had thought too often of kissing him, of playing with his hair.

Edward smiled lightly at how sweet her thoughts were - he was glad his brother's mate cared for him so much, but was worried about his strength as the newest vegetarian in the family. Alice had foreseen Jude would be one of them, but who would be the one to change her? And why?

"No, sugar," Jasper chuckled lightly, "my gift is... different. I can sense and influence emotions. I know you're embarrassed - I'm assuming because of Edward's gift - but really, it's okay Jude."