The Cupid War by Timothy Carter Read Free Book Online

of the guys’ hearts just as Jenny got a close-up—“is the only practical way to practice without causing undue hurt.”
    The teen’s chest glowed and suddenly he became interested in the movie. Very interested.
    â€œNow you try,” Caleb said.
    â€œOkay,” Fallon said, looking around. “Who should I start with?”
    â€œTry anyone,” Caleb said, “and see what their heart tells you.”
    Fallon shrugged and walked into the aisle, then picked a Japanese man sitting in mid-row. He walked around behind his seat and plunged his right hand into the guy’s back. He half-expected him to scream, but the man didn’t notice anything. Fallon didn’t notice anything either; he waited for the heart to tell him something, but it seemed to be mute.
    â€œMove your hand around a little,” Caleb said in answer to Fallon’s questioning glance. “Very few Cupids get the heart on the first try. Up a little, now left … that should be it.”
    And it was. Fallon instantly knew, though he couldn’t say how, exactly. It was like he was plugged in to the guy; he could feel what was in his heart, just like Caleb had said he would. It wasn’t mind reading so much as emotion sensing, and it took Fallon a few moments to figure out which feelings were which.
    â€œThis is confusing,” Fallon said. “I’m getting that he’s open and not open to Jenny Lane at the same time.”
    â€œThat’s because the image on screen keeps changing,” Caleb said. “Wait until Miss Lane is back on screen for more than a few seconds, then tell me what you find.”
    Fallon waited. The scene had switched to one with the male lead character, played by boy-band sensation Robbie Claine. Fallon groaned inwardly at having to wait for another Jenny scene, then chuckled at the thought of making the guy fall for Robbie. And that made him wonder something.
    â€œCaleb?” he said. “If you’re trying to get a guy and a girl together, and another guy gets in the way … can you make two guys fall for each other?”
    â€œOnly if they are open to it,” Caleb replied. “You’re thinking of making this man fall for Mr. Claine?”
    â€œJust wondering if it’s possible,” Fallon said. “I mean, it just occurred to me, maybe when Cupids miss and make a guy fall for a guy … forget it.”
    â€œNo, go on,” Caleb said. “Ask your question.”
    â€œWell … ” Fallon looked back to the screen to avoid Caleb’s eyes. “I just wondered if that’s where gay people come from.”
    There was a moment of uncomfortable silence between them, followed by another.
    â€œFallon,” Caleb said at last, “does that make any sense to you?”
    â€œNot really,” Fallon replied.
    â€œIf a person isn’t open to someone, they won’t fall in love,” Caleb said. “And that includes gays. You would know that if you’d paid attention to a word I’ve said.”
    â€œSorry,” Fallon muttered.
    â€œAnd speaking of paying attention,” he pointed at the screen, “Miss Lane is back.”
    Fallon, who’d been looking down at the floor, turned his head up. Jenny Lane was indeed on-screen, and the Japanese man thought she was a hottie.
    â€œHe’s into her,” Fallon said.
    â€œThen give it to him,” Caleb said. “Think of shooting Love from your fingertips into his heart, and it will happen. And do it now, before the scene changes again.”
    Fallon thought about firing Love into the man, and suddenly it happened. He felt the power flow from him into the guy, and it was quite a rush.
    â€œWhoa,” he said. He pulled his hand out of the man, who looked a lot more pleased to be there. “That was great.”
    â€œThe first time always is,” Caleb said with a smile. “Now you know how it is done. Choose someone