Devils Roses 01 - Cursed

things from you. Just like I expect certain things from her, my high-heel wearing daughter. You’re not supposed to interchange like this.”
    I kissed my dad on the cheek and looked at Shane, who smiled like he was a kid who just got his favorite toy.
    “ You look amazing but your dad’s right. You look a bit like your sister tonight. I like you better the other way.”
    “ I like that you said that.” I smiled back at him taking his arm. “I’m going to need your arm tonight—these shoes are death.”
    "They make you tall."
    "Yeah, they weren’t even the highest in the closet. I think these are like four-inch heels."
    He looked. "I'd say…at least. You're almost as tall as I am and I'm over six feet."
    My dad looked worried. "Have fun. Take the shoes off, if they hurt your feet."
    “ Night Dad.” I laughed and waved back at him as we left out the front door.
    He shook his head and waved us off, “Please take it easy and slow. Drink nothing. Shane, do not take your eyes off of her, no matter what. For Christ sake, Aimee, please for the love of God and all things holy, do not go into any woods. No matter what.”

Chapter Seven
    Just call me Jessica Fletcher, with a cramp

    The party was at some girl’s house, I didn’t really know. I knew who she was, but I had not spoken to her since second grade. Her name was Michelle Mitchell and she had a party every month, when her parents left for the city. They had been having a date night once a month, since she got old enough to stay home alone. My sister had been partying at their house for the last two years. The Mitchells didn’t seem to mind the partying, as long as there was no mess. To me it was not responsible parenting.
    As we pulled up to the house, Shane leaned over to me. “You look very pretty, so I want you to stay glued to my side all night. Okay?”
    He kissed me softer than he had before and I felt his tongue slip into my mouth. It was an exciting feeling. I kissed him back, moving the way he did, until his hand moved up into my hair pulling me into him more.
    “ Not here, okay?” I pushed against him.
    He reached down and kissed the side of my throat once. I didn’t know what to do to get my inner calm back. My pheromones were going nuts on his.
    He opened his door and came around to my side to open my door for me. He growled as he helped me out of the truck and kissed me once more. “That dress is driving me nuts.”
    "I find it a tad disgusting when people get so wrapped up in looks."
    He took my hand and smirked. “Well you’re lucky then, because I don’t even think you’re that good looking. I’m attracted to your personality, and maybe the small hope you’ll do my trig homework.”
    I hit him in the arm, hurting my hand. We walked up to the house, but before we got to the door he stopped me. He looked at me intensely. “Aimes, I’m not trying to pressure you, but I just want to know what you’re thinking about us and everything.”
    I nodded. It was a fair request. “I am confused right now, Shane. I went from living my quiet life with no friends or boys interested in me, to dating you, sort of, and my best friend being a girl in a hospital bed dying. You dated my sister and now my bff is dating my sister. I’m leaving for college in a few months and my mom died nine months ago. Some freak is stalking me. This has all happened really quickly for me and I don’t feel caught up. So right now, I can offer you what we are now, dating sort of.”
    He kissed me again. “I didn’t really think about how much you were coping with, which is selfish, but I will take anything I can get, right now.”
    I smiled at him and walked through the door he opened for me.
    The party was loud and annoying, and I couldn’t help but think about how much I was going to hate it. There were drunken teenagers everywhere mixed with loud music. There were people making out in one corner and others doing shots in another.
    I looked back at Shane as he glided me through the door. His smile reassured me.
    I looked around for my sister and hoped I wouldn’t see Aleks with her.
    I didn’t see her anywhere, which made me concerned.
    I let Shane put his hand on my back through the entryway and then step in front of me and take my hand. He pulled me along, through the mass of drunken teens.
    The smell of smoke and pot filled my nostrils as we walked one way. I looked over at the kids who were sitting in a circle on the back deck, with the screen door