Devils Roses 01 - Cursed

on the field.
    Wade shoved him back. “Did we find out who that creepy bastard is yet?”
    “ Not yet, but when we do we will be sure to ask for some assistance from you boys.” Shane punched him in the arm and started to walk toward the truck.
    Wade’s smile grew menacing. “Yes, be sure you do. Nothing we Handley boys like more than giving out a good ass kicking. Well, I better get back to the car. Nice meeting you, Aimee. Hope your memory comes back.” He looked at Shane smiling but speaking to me. “Hey, did your sister break up with Shane there?”
    I nodded.
    He smiled even bigger. “Well, tell her I said hello then.”
    Shane laughed and gave him the finger.
    I waved at him, as I climbed back into the truck, using all my strength and trying not to cry out loud.
    “ I thought he was dating that girl.”
    He laughed. “He is, but he likes to mess with me. Everyone did. They thought I was nuts for dating your sister.”
    "Why did you? I don’t get it."
    He shrugged and looked lost. "I don’t know. Trying to force something that was never going to happen, I guess." He looked at me and closed the door. “Wanna get something to eat?”
    “ Yeah, I’m starving and it’s been like six hours since I ate. I’m never going to gain anything back, if I don’t eat regularly.”
    “ I think you look pretty, no matter what you weigh.” he smirked at me.
    I felt a funny feeling in my stomach. I had long believed guys who dated my sister or thought she was sexy, were bad news. With him, it was harder to convince myself.
    He pulled into the town’s local burger shack. “The Wood Inn” was not exactly known for its gourmet, but the veggie burgers were pretty yummy.
    He hopped out quickly, to open my door for me and help me out. I liked this about him. Shane was a gentleman, regardless of dating my sister, and that was always appreciated. I got a slight hint of laundry soap and deodorant, when I climbed out and it made me smile. He always smelled clean, not draped in aftershave or cologne like every other guy our age.
    We got a seat inside by the window.
    “ Ready to order?” The server seemed to appear out of nowhere.
    I nodded. “I’ll have the veggie burger, no bacon, with cheese, extra tomato and a side of yam fries.”
    She nodded at my order, not even considering how stupid it was to have to ask for no bacon on one's veggie burger.
    She looked at Shane. “I will have the bacon cheese burger, with bacon, no tomato and a side of regular fries. I will also have a chocolate shake.”
    She finished writing it down and glanced at me while taking the menus. “Water okay for you?”
    I nodded and she was gone.
    “ So you like your bacon cheese burger with bacon?” I asked making him smile.
    He grinned. “I don’t see how you can stomach a veggie burger without bacon.”
    I laughed shaking my head at him.
    “ You’ve been a veggie for a long time. What is it, seven years now?” he asked playing with the fork and knife on the tabletop.
    I smiled at him, completely taken aback. “Yeah, it will be eight at Christmas. How do you remember that?”
    He shrugged. “I just notice stuff, I guess. So who are you going to the spring formal with?”
    I gulped blindsided again. “Oh my God…I kind of figured it would be Blake. I guess I’m not going. I’m not a dance kind of girl, anyway.”
    "You can't dance?"
    I laughed. "I can dance just fine. I just don’t do popular kids and drinking and shit."
    “ Dances and cusses. Look at you. Well, I was taking Alise, why don’t we go together?”
    I sipped my water cautiously. “As friends?”
    “ Yeah. I don’t see how we can be anything else, Aimee; you need some time I think, to get better.”
    Relief and disappointment battled inside of me. “Okay sure. I have a rule anyway, about dating boys who date my sister.” My face reddened with the completely unnecessary statement.
    He sat back still playing with the utensils. “Okay good. I like you so much and I like being with you, as friends.”
    I laughed wistfully. Secretly, I imagined what it would be like to be held by his strong arms, besides being carried all the time like a feeble invalid.
    “ Yeah, I was thinking the exact same thing. Unless it's weird, ‘cause of Alise and Blake. I mean, I know you said you never liked her, but every boy likes her. Let's be honest."
    "Your sister is evil. I can't even believe you are related. You’re more like a sweet girl next door that I would want to