Hopeless Devotion ~ A Jasper Hale Story

Chapter One - The Night Before

Saturday August 12th

"Bells, I promise, no one is staring at you."

Bella stared straight ahead across the intersection. To our right sat a minivan—Mrs. Weber's—parked at an angle that absolutely did not match where her face was pointed. She was very clearly staring at us.

I might be a bad person, but I had to bite back a snicker.

"She's not even dropping her gaze or looking ashamed, Tiff," Bella complained. "Like— isn't it still rude to stare?"

"As far as I'm aware, yes," I said. "However, you must remember the tint. Plus, I'm pretty sure your car would be illegal in multiple states."

"Probably is," Bella muttered, annoyed.

The light turned green, and I swear she slammed the pedal to the metal. The car lunged forward—then she immediately hit the brakes.

"Fucking hell, Bella!" I yelled. "Are you trying to kill us?"

"Edward is," Bella replied flatly.

We stared at each other for half a second before I completely lost it. Bella cracked too once she got us to a reasonable speed, laughing right along with me.

Bella had been avoiding going out in public lately, so I'd been sticking close—helping where I could, keeping things quick. Honestly, it was why I kind of agreed with her about waiting until after the wedding for the extravagant stuff.

We'd just gotten the pump going when a man approached us.

"Um, miss?" he called.

Bella turned—and froze, instantly regretting every decision she'd ever made.

Two men stood beside a sleek, expensive SUV with what looked like brand-new kayaks strapped to the roof. Neither of them spared us a glance; the car had their complete and undivided attention.

Between Bella and me, we were proud of how little we knew about cars. I could jump one, change a tire, and refill coolant. That was the extent of my expertise. That's what Jasper is for, Right?

We had just started pumping the gas when two guys called over.

"I'm sorry to bother you," the taller guy said, polite enough, "but could you tell me what kind of car you're driving?"

"Um... Mercedes?" Bella guessed.

I snickered. "You've had this car how long, Bells?"

"Yes," the man said patiently, while his shorter friend rolled his eyes. "But I was wondering— is that... are you driving a Mercedes Guardian?"

"They're not supposed to be available in Europe yet," the man continued. "Let alone here."

"I don't know," Bella said honestly.

I rolled my eyes and climbed into the passenger seat while the guys circled the car, asking if they could take pictures.

Once Bella finally got back in, we looked at each other—and immediately burst out laughing again.

"Like... what was that?" I asked between giggles.

"I don't know," Bella said, laughing too, "but they'd get along great with Edward and Jasper."

"I miss my truck," Bella groaned.

That's when I actually listened to what the guys were saying.

"...went at it with a flamethrower in an online video," one said. "Didn't even pucker the paint."