Dance For The Devil Read Online Free

robber.”
    “You’re only sixteen, not exactly an old geezer.”
    “A whole year older than you.”
    “Actually, Gramps, its only ten months. Your birthday’s in July, right?”
    Jason continued to smile and leaned a little closer. “You’ve been checking up on me? Hmm. Intriguing.”
    Amy was lost for words. She had been checking up on him. She felt her cheeks grow red.
    “That’s cool, because I’ve been checking up on you, too. I hear you like heavy metal?”
    Amy shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. “It’s okay.”
    “What to go see Stampin’ Feet ? They’re playing at The Cove.”
    “Isn’t that a nightclub? We’ll never get in. We’ll get I.D.’d for sure.”
    He lowered his voice. “No worries, I’ve got connections. My dad knows the owner. I go all the time.”
    “Wow. I mean, sounds great. What time?”
    “Friday at seven? We’ll grab a burger first. Alex and Elise will come, and maybe a few of the others. You know, the usual group.”
    The usual group. Amy felt like pinching herself. She was part of a group! And not just any group, the popular group. And Jason really did like her, she hadn’t just imagined it last night. Jason was asking her out. Officially. On a date.
    The bell rang and Jason flashed her one last grin. “Seven o’clock. Later.” He swaggered off, books hanging carelessly under one arm, exuding the lazy confidence of one who has always know his place in life.
    A mousy girl named Janet Grey, who sat beside Amy in several classes, and who had tentatively made several friendly overtures which Amy had vaguely rebuffed, came and stood beside her. “Wow. Wasn’t that Jason Vandercamp? Isn’t he the most gorgeous creature you’ve ever seen?”
    “Yeah, he is,” Amy responded, flashing Janet a smile.
    Janet almost stepped back in surprise. To see Amy smile was a first; to see her smile so beautifully was a double shock. “What did he want?”
    “Me,” Amy said, her disbelief apparent. “He wanted me . He asked me on a date.”
    “Wow.” Janet whistled, studying Amy appraisingly. Who would have figured? Amy Montclaire was certainly pretty enough, in a grungy way, but always so sullen. Maybe that was the look the guys were going for. But Jason Vandercamp? He was one of the most handsome, popular guys in the school. And, he was older. Why pick Amy when he could have any girl he wanted?
    “Yeah,” Amy repeated, “wow.” Things were definitely looking up.
    Her elation lasted throu gh the ruined soufflé in Family Studies, past a confrontation with the gym teacher, and deflated only upon receiving a D-minus on her algebra quiz. Dad would kill her. Worse yet, he’d give her the ‘ I’m really disappointed’ speech, which included a long passage about failing to live up to her potential, and how math had been his best subject.
    Being fifteen really sucked.
    **
    Gil Vandercamp popped into Jake’s office just as Jake was getting ready to leave. “Ha! Caught you in the act! Knocking off early?”
    Jake slipped his jacket on. “Yeah, thought I’d surprise the kids by actually eating dinner with them tonight. I did some soul searching this morning and realized that even though I’ve changed jobs and cities, I’m still a beastly workaholic. It’s a strain on the kids. A nice little scene with Amy in the wee hours of the morning hammered that fact home.”
    Gil laughed. “I hear she was with my good-for-nothing brat. Should I speak to him?”
    Jake smiled. Jason was a good kid and they both knew it. “No, Amy would hate me. Well, hate me more than she already does.”
    “I wouldn’t worry about that too much. It’s the age. Jason’s been a major pain in the ass for the past few years, too. Actually, it’s only been the past few months that he’s been remotely human. Ever since he got his car and a bit of independence. That’s my advice, Jake. Give her plenty of space. Don’t crowd her. Teenagers need lots of room.”
    Jake remained silent. Gil’s advice