Hopeless Devotion ~ A Jasper Hale Story

Chapter Three ~ Slapping a Vampire

"So... I think it's time we had a talk."

I froze mid-bite of toast. Bella's spoon clinked loudly against her bowl of cereal like it had betrayed her.

Charlie Swan stood by the kitchen doorway like he was bracing for gunfire instead of breakfast conversation. The look on his face said Dad Duty, and that meant danger.

"Oh God," I muttered.

Bella groaned. "Dad, seriously?"

He rubbed the back of his neck like it might teleport him out of the room. "You're both getting older. You've got serious boyfriends. Older boyfriends."

I swallowed a laugh. "Technically, we're dating boys who act like they just stepped out of a black-and-white film. Jasper still says 'courting.'"

Charlie blinked. "...Right."

Bella gave me a death glare. "You're not helping."

"I'm being honest."

Charlie cleared his throat and tried again. "Look, all I'm saying is... I just want to make sure you're both being smart. No need to rush into anything. I know the Cullen boys are... charming. Persuasive."

"Edward's very traditional," Bella said quickly, eyes glued to her cereal.

I nodded solemnly. "Same with Jasper. Full Southern manners. Like, 'yes ma'am, no ma'am, can't touch your ankle without a permission slip.'"

Charlie looked visibly relieved.

Until I added sweetly, "Of course, the bets are off after June twenty-third."

The beer he'd been reaching for froze halfway to his lips. "What?"

"June twenty-third," I said, taking a sip of orange juice. "Mark your calendars for when I officially become someone's problem."

Bella choked on air. "TIFFANY!"

Charlie looked like he aged ten years in ten seconds. "I am not having this conversation," he muttered, retreating with his beer like it was a life raft.

"Love you, Dad!" I called after him.

"Early retirement," we heard him mumbling from the hallway. "I'm putting in for early retirement."

Bella thumped her head against the table. "I hate you."

I just grinned. "You're welcome."

We were halfway to Bella's truck when Charlie called after us.

"Go see Jacob! He's been moping around worse than the dog lately. No more excuses!"

I almost groaned aloud. "I'm not emotionally equipped to handle another round of Jacob Black's guilt-ridden flirting today."

Bella hesitated. "We could try, though. You drive?"

"Absolutely."

Except... when I rounded the corner to my little silver car, I stopped short. The hood was popped open. The distributor cap was gone.

"Oh. You've got to be kidding me."

Edward's voice came from behind us. "I had to take precautions."

Bella whirled around. "Edward!"

He was calm, the perfect picture of polite control. "La Push is not safe. I won't let you go down there."

"We weren't asking your permission," I said flatly.

"Tiffany—"

"You messed with my car." I stalked toward him, fury boiling up in my chest. "You sabotaged my property, like that was your decision to make."