Unbreakable Devotion: A New Adult Romance Novel by Amanda Chayse Page A

please take me home now?” I pressed my crossed arms over my chest. A cold chill ran through my body as Steve shifted closer to me.
    “Don’t worry , Erin. I know you don’t know what it’s like to be with a real man. It could be that the guys you hang around are just not that interested in girls. That is why this may not seem right to you. But I can assure you that this is perfectly normal. I’ve done it many times.” Steve moved in closer and kissed me on my mouth. I clenched my mouth and furrowed my lips, and pushed him away with both of my hands.
    “Stop it! I said take me home! I’m not interested in doing this!” I put my hands over my mouth and backed away from him while shuddering.
    “You mean with me? I was right; you do have a thing for this Devon guy. You’ve been talking about him all fucking night. Erin, if he is not into you by now, he’s gay. This is what it’s like to be with a straight guy, that’s all. You just don’t know any better. But you will.” Steve moved in again and pressed his mouth to my neck, pressing his face into my shoulders and neck while pulling at my sweater to expose my skin.
    “Stop it! What the fuck is wrong with you! Get the fuck off m e, asshole!” My hands trembled and I began to cry. Steve kept kissing me on my neck, and I pulled away, reaching for the door handle. Steve moved in closer and grabbed my arm to hold me in place. I got the door open, shook my arm from his grasp and jumped out of the car. My heart thumped in my chest as I ran to a stairway on the side of the viewpoint, which led down to a park and a winding walkway back down to the city. I ran down the stairway, and made my way home, my pulse racing and my hands trembling.

Chapter Eleven
~Devon~
    Devon didn’t have much luck tracking down Erin at school. She had managed to visit his mom at the hospital while he was not there, and he had not seen her now for almost a week. Devon’s mom was still resting at home and recovering quickly. Now his thoughts turned to Erin. It was not like her to completely avoid him like this. He wanted to make sure that she was fine. Devon had a sick feeling in his stomach, and wanted to see her as soon as possible. This time he would wait for her at her locker.
    Erin was walking with Kathy after they had lunch together, and they both looked up at Devon excitedly. Kathy smiled, brushing her light brown hair back over her ear. “Hi, Devon.”
~ Erin~
    “Hi , Kathy.” Devon’s mouth curled up slightly when he glanced at me. Devon traced the edge of my locker door with his finger.
    “What’s gotten into you two? You guys havi ng a fling behind my back?” I motioned for Devon to move, my eyes avoiding his.
    “I’m just glad to see you , Erin. I haven’t seen you for a while. I was worried, okay?” Devon tilted his head, trying to meet my eyes with his. “Thanks for visiting my mom. That was really cool.”
    I lifted my eyes slightly. “I’m so glad she’s okay, Devon. I was so sad to hear what happened. But she was doing great when I saw her. It’s such wonderful news considering it could have been much worse.”
    “I know. It ’s great, because she gets to work less now instead of jeopardizing her health. It really worked out.” Devon was still looking down at me, but I did not meet his gaze. “She told me she was really happy to see you. Are you okay?”
    I stared blankly into my locker and my breath hitched.
    “If you don’t tell him, I will,” Kathy said coolly, holding her books tightly across her chest.
    “Tell me, Erin. What’s going on?” Devon put his hand on my shoulder, trying to unbury my face from the locker.
    “Remember I told you that I was going out with Steve?” I said, barely looking up from behind my locker.
    “Yeah…I do,” Devon said. His eyes widened as he gazed at me, waiting for my response.
    I peered at him with one eye behind the locker door as I closed it.
    Kathy placed her hand on my shoulder. I told Kathy what had