Hopeless Devotion ~ A Jasper Hale Story

Chapter Four ~ Jacksonville

It was too early for conversation, which was probably why no one had spoken since we pulled away from the curb.

Bella was in the passenger seat, curled slightly toward the window, hoodie up and arms crossed. I sat in the back with my hand still wrapped, ignoring the dull ache in my knuckles. I could've taken my own car — if Edward hadn't decided to "sabotage it for my protection," aka pull some wires like a complete lunatic.

My silence wasn't passive. It was sharp and coiled and deliberate.

The road was mostly empty this early. The sky was bruised gray, that pre-dawn color just before the sun decides whether or not to show up.

About halfway to the airport, Edward cleared his throat.

"Bella," he said quietly, "I know you're still angry with me. Both of you are."

Bella didn't answer. Her silence was a little gentler than mine.

He tried again. "Tiffany... I want to apologize for yesterday. I overstepped."

I snorted, keeping my eyes on the trees flashing past the window. "Which part? Screwing with my car or acting like Bella and I are livestock you get to gatekeep from the pasture?"

He winced. "All of it. I thought I was protecting you."

"Yeah, you Cullens love that word. Protection. You ever think maybe we're not things to be protected? Maybe we're just people who deserve the truth and the freedom to make our own choices?"

Edward didn't say anything right away, which honestly surprised me. He usually always had a polished answer ready to go.

"I deserved that," he finally said. "I'm sorry. Both of you have more courage than I give you credit for."

Bella finally stirred beside him, voice low. "I just want to see Jacob. You can be mad about it, but I still care about him."

"I know." He glanced at her, then met my eyes in the rearview mirror. "And Tiffany... I'm sorry for touching your car. And for getting between you and your father. That wasn't my place."

That landed a little heavier. My hand was still stiff and swollen, but it wasn't the pain that got me — it was the guilt that had crept in afterward. For losing it. For shattering bone across a vampire's cheek and causing a family rift I hadn't meant to start.

"You don't get to make decisions for me, Edward," I said quietly, finally looking up. "I'm not Bella. And even if I were, you'd still be wrong for trying."

He nodded slowly. "Understood."

We fell into silence again, but this time it wasn't venomous. Just tired.

Somewhere in the quiet, Bella shifted to rest her head against the window, and Edward's knuckles relaxed on the steering wheel.

I leaned my head back, watching the world blur past through half-lidded eyes. The airport wasn't far now, and with it, a short reprieve from Forks and everything that was unraveling back home.

I wasn't ready to forgive him. But maybe... I was ready to exhale.

Renee met us with open arms at the airport, drawing Bella and me into a warm hug that smelled like sunscreen and citrus shampoo. She immediately honed in on my bandaged hand.

"Oh, sweetheart—what on earth happened to you?"

I gave her a sheepish smile. "Bad timing and an overexcited cabinet door."

Bella snorted beside me, and I could feel Edward's tense silence just behind us. He was playing his part well—quiet, helpful, polite—but sticking to the shade like it owed him rent.