Hopeless Devotion ~ A Jasper Hale Story

Chapter 21 - Theater Disaster

Saturday, February 14th

I pulled up in front of Jacob's house, squinting through the windshield at the ridiculous grin on his face. He was already waiting outside like an over-eager golden retriever. As soon as Bella climbed out of the passenger side, he presented a small pink box with a dramatic flourish.

"Happy Valentine's Day," he said, ducking his head shyly like the box wasn't bright enough to burn my corneas.

Conversation hearts. Classic middle school energy. My lips twitched.

Beside me, Bella blinked, confused. "Well, I feel like a schmuck," she muttered. "Is today Valentine's Day?"

I resisted the urge to smack my forehead. Seriously? She'd been wandering through February like it didn't even exist. Then again, maybe to her, it didn't.

Jacob shook his head, sighing dramatically. "You can be so out of it sometimes. Yes, it is the fourteenth day of February. So are you going to be my Valentine? Since you didn't get me a fifty-cent box of candy, it's the least you can do."

I didn't miss the note underneath the teasing—the kind of joking that really meant something more if you weren't paying attention. I was paying attention.

Bella laughed, a little awkward. "What exactly does that entail?"

Jacob wiggled his eyebrows. "The usual—slave for life, that kind of thing."

Bella smiled. I didn't. I was watching too closely. Her smile didn't reach her eyes.

I leaned on the car, arms crossed, giving Jacob a look he pretended not to notice. I didn't blame him for liking her. She was kind to him. She was... trying.

But that didn't mean she was ready for this. And Jake was too caught up in hope to see it.

The theater lobby smelled like popcorn, wet coats, and teenage desperation.

Mike was hovering way too close to Bella. Jacob was looming like a territorial shadow. Bella looked like she wanted to disappear. And me? I was trying to keep from snorting aloud at the absurdity of it all.

"This is going to be fun," I said dryly, breaking the awkward silence. "Double date vibes with half the group missing. What could possibly go wrong?"

Bella shot me a look that could melt glass. I smiled innocently.

She sighed and did the introductions. "Mike, this is Jacob. Jacob, Mike. Jacob's an old family friend."

Jacob nodded, flashing that wide smile of his. "Hey."

"Hey," Mike echoed, clearly sizing him up.

They shook hands like they were trying to arm-wrestle through their grips.

Jacob leaned toward me once Mike looked away. "So, Newton's the competition?"

"He's the decoy," I whispered back. "But don't worry, he's too queasy to be dangerous."

Jacob grinned.

By the time the trailers rolled, Mike was already shifting uncomfortably in his seat. Ten minutes into the movie, and Jacob was chuckling at the over-the-top action scenes while Mike turned an impressive shade of green.

"You alright there, Newton?" I whispered as another explosion lit up the screen.

Bella leaned over. "Mike?"

He stood up like he'd been shot. "Bathroom," he croaked, and stumbled out.

Bella was on her feet immediately. Jacob followed, and I trailed behind, muttering, "And this is why I wanted to see Hoodwinked."