A Whole New Crowd

by Tijan

  I jerked my head in a nod. Whatever. My sister had a problem. “Yeah, well, she’s going to get help. I’m going to make her get help.”

  “I have no doubt.” He reached over and squeezed my hand. “I’ll help you in any way I can.”

  “Good.” Relief flared through me. “I might need to stay at your place.”

  “Sure, but why?”

  “I’m taking her to rehab tomorrow.”

  “When are Shelly and Kevin getting home?”

  “Does it matter?”

  He frowned. “No, I guess not, but what about Austin?”

  “I’ll bring him with me.” I lifted a shoulder and let it fall in a helpless motion. “I don’t know what else to do. They took me in, but there’s something off with this whole situation. I’m taking Mandy to rehab tomorrow. I’m making that decision without their consent. I don’t feel quite right staying in their house.”

  “You don’t think they would approve?”

  “I have no idea.” That was the truth and the admission hurt. “I have no idea what they would do. But this is what I have to do.”

  “Okay.” He squeezed my hand again. “Austin will flip when he sees the gaming system and you can stay as long as you want.”

  “Thank you.”

  “What you’re doing is the right thing to do. You’re a good person.”

  Shit. That sent a host of emotions through me and I grinned at him. “Now I just want to jump you.”

  He gave me a half-grin. “I’ve still not gotten those pants off. I’d be game.”

  I laughed, but I had no witty comeback. I didn’t think he expected one. With another soft squeeze of my hand, we got out of the car and headed up the hill to the house. As we drew closer, people looked over. I stiffened, remembering the last time we were there, but then realized people were watching Tray. Then I had to laugh at myself. I forgot who I was walking in with. It was Tray Fucking Evans, and he was holding my hand.

  When we went inside the house, Tray went for the keg and I spotted Mandy. She was sitting on Devon’s lap. Her arms were curled around his neck, and she was pressed against him. Even as I started for them, his hand slid up her thigh, lifting her skirt. A smug smirk was on his face as he nuzzled Mandy’s neck. The sight of them made my stomach churn, but I wasn’t surprised.

  Stopping next to them, I waited until Devon became aware of my presence. He lifted his head from her neck and grinned at me. “Hey, Taryn.”

  “Taryn!” Mandy squealed, throwing herself off his lap. Her arms were in the air, and she grabbed me. She was jumping in place as she hugged me. “I’m so glad you got here.” With her face pressed against my neck, her voice came out muffled. Leaning back, I saw her eyes were dilated and she had a dream-like smile on her face. “I’m so happy for you and Tray. That’s so awesome.”

  I frowned and glanced at Devon. “How much has she had to drink?”

  “Nothing.” He lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “Whatever she had at the house. Some of the guys went to get shots, but we haven’t made it to the kitchen yet.”

  “I didn’t think you drank that much at the house,” I said to her.

  She started laughing. When she couldn’t stop, she covered her mouth with her hand. The laughter kept coming and she bent over, her shoulders shaking. “I’m sorry,” she gasped. Her head flew back up and her cheeks were bright red. “I didn’t. The girls drank all of Dad’s wine, but I didn’t have any.” She looked to Devon. “Why can’t I stop laughing?”

  A faint grin was on his face. It was clouded in concern, but faded to pure amusement. Tugging on her hand, he drew her back onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her again. His head bent back into her neck and he said something, which sent a renewed wave of laughter from her, and she shook her head. “Devon!” she shrieked.

  She was on something. “Hey.” I tugged on her arm. “Where are your friends?”

  Her laughter faded and the glazed look in her eye lessened. She tried to focus, chewing on her lip. “Um…Jen and Amber?”

  “No, the ones you were with at the house earlier.”

  “Oh. No idea.” She sent me a blinding smile and turned back to Devon.

  I raised my eyebrows. “Some Tristan chick? Where is she?”

  He frowned a little, starting to pick up the serious tone in my voice. “They’re outside on the patio. Is everything okay?”

  Mandy was still giggling, sucking on his neck. I glanced down at her, frowning, and said, “No, it’s not.” I headed for the patio. As I did, I heard Mandy say, “Taryn? What’s wrong?” But I kept going. When I got to the patio, it didn’t take me long to find Tristan and her group. They were in the corner. The girls were sitting on the laps of guys. As I approached, Tristan looked up. When she saw me, a bright smile beamed back at me, and she waved. “Taryn! Over here.”

  I had to laugh. Two days ago, this girl would’ve laughed behind my back and called me a whore. Even if she wasn’t friends with Jennica and Amber, she was close to their ranks. I could see it. Her group of friends were all beautiful, catty, and snobby. I didn’t know how I had missed them in the school hierarchy, but I shouldn’t have been surprised. I didn’t give a shit about ninety-eight percent of the people at school. When I saw Stephanie Markswith perched at the end of one of the couches, I shouldn’t have been surprised. She sat in a timid manner. Her shoulders were hunched over, and her arms were crossed over her chest. She was on the outskirts of the group with no lap to sit on. I could tell she was the lowest one on the totem pole with this group. I smirked at her. Without anything spoken, I knew this was the group she was trying to get ‘in’ with. They were the next rung on the social ladder for her. She looked up and saw me then glared.

  It seemed ages ago when she spread the first rumors about me. Things were much different now. She couldn’t touch me.

  I grinned. “Still not over your boyfriend wanting me instead of you, huh?”

  “Taryn!” Tristan beamed up at me.

  Stephanie looked ready to strangle me, but she ducked her head and never said a word.

  As soon as I was within arm’s reach, Tristan took my arm and pulled me closer. “Is Tray with you?”

  “Yeah, he went to get drinks.”

  “Wonderful.” The beam kicked up a notch.

  I frowned. I was tempted to let her know that ass-kissing worked better when it wasn’t obvious, but I held my tongue. Instead I asked, “My sister is wasted in there. How much did she drink at the house?”

  “Oh.” She seemed taken aback by that question, but shrugged it off. “I don’t think she had any. I gave her a glass, but I don’t think she drank it. The others drank enough for both of us, I guess.” Her eyes switched so they were more focused. She had a goal. “Does Tray know how to find you? We can make room for both of you here.” She scanned their corner. There was no room. The entire couch was packed tight. She lingered on Stephanie. Her lips pressed together, and my smirk came back. She was thinking about asking Stephanie to leave, for Tray and me. I loved it. Stephanie realized the same thing because an instant frown appeared and she sat upright, watching Tristan back. A look of disbelief was on her face and her mouth fell open an inch.

  Tristan must’ve rethought it. She turned back to me. “We’ll make room somehow.”

  I waved, dismissing her. “Don’t worry about it. I got what I needed to know. Thanks.”

  When I turned to leave, she called after me, “Wait.”

  I glanced back.

  Her mouth was hanging open this time. “Uh, I thought you guys could hang out with us?” She closed it and another fake smile plastered on her face. “I mean, I know you’re not friends with Jennica and Amber. I get that. Trust me, I do. We could talk and plan their demise.” She laughed a little. “I’m just kidding. They’re friends with Mandy. I’d never do anything to hurt her—”

  I almost rolled my eyes as she said that last statement. That meant she had considered doing something to them. I was all for that, but she kept going, �
�—I’m so happy her and Devon worked things out. Aren’t you? I think it’s great. Those two are going to get married. I’m calling it now.”

  Gritting my teeth, visions of Mandy’s future flashed in my head. He’d cheat on her. She’d catch him, cry about it, threaten divorce, and would go back to him. The cycle would be on repeat for the rest of her life. “God, I hope not.”

  “What?”

  I paused and realized I had said that out loud. Tristan was frowning at me, and from the corner of my eye I could see that Stephanie was grinning like a mad fool. What was she smiling about? But, instead of dealing with Stephanie, I said to Tristan, “I said, ‘God, I hope not.’”

  Tristan’s eyes got big. “You don’t like Devon?”

  “I don’t like the idea of Devon and Mandy. He’s a cheater. He always will be.”

  “Oh.”

  I could tell she had no idea what to say, but it didn’t matter. I didn’t like her. I already knew we would not be friends, whether she knew it now or later didn’t matter to me. I started to turn back for the house, but stopped again. The crowd had shifted, and I got a glimpse of the backyard for a second. Wait… I moved forward. Tristan said something, but I didn’t care what she was saying. I kept going. As I got closer to the edge of the patio, the crowd moved again. I saw him again, and my stomach dropped.

  It was Brian.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  He was sitting on a picnic table. His feet were resting on the seat and he was focused on a girl that was standing between his knees. Wearing a black shirt, he was almost camouflaged against the night’s darkness. His black hair blended in, but then he smiled. My heart started to ache. I remember when he used to smile at me like that.

  Without thinking, I started for him, but someone grabbed my arm and pulled me back. “Don’t.”

  Tensing, I rounded with a snarl, but it fell away. “Gray?”

  A tense look was on his face. His hand dropped. “I’m sorry. I saw you talking to your friend, and I was worried you’d see Brian. Don’t go over there, Taryn. Let it go.”

  “Why?”

  His lips pressed together. “Just take my word for it. Don’t go over there. He’s in a better place since he got kicked out of Evans’ party. If you go over there now, it’ll set him back. Please.”

  It killed me. I loved Brian. I still did, but hearing Gray plead on his behalf, he was right. If I went over there, I would’ve hurt him. I opened my mouth, ready to agree when I stopped. A guy approached Brian, and they exchanged something. I got a glimpse of money folded into a big wad and then the guy left. Brian returned his focus to the girl in front of him once again. He ran his hands up and down her back, settling on her hips, tugging her even closer so she had to kneel on the seat. As they started kissing, I turned to Gray.

  His eyes were stricken and held mine.

  I gestured to Brian. “That was a Rawley guy.”

  Gray’s shoulders dropped, his head went down, and he cursed.

  As he shoved his hands in his pockets, I continued, “Brian hates Rawley students. Why would he give a shit about that guy?”

  Brian gave him something. The guy paid for it. My mind was racing as I connected the dots. When it all clicked, I groaned. “Please tell me you’re not going to say what I think you are.”

  “Taryn.”

  I shook my head. “Tell me that Brian isn’t working for Jace, that he’s not selling drugs, and that kid wasn’t a paying customer just now.” My heart was pounding and my chest tightened. “Please goddamn tell me that I have this all wrong, because if you don’t, I am going to flip out.”

  Jace never wanted him involved, I repeated over and over in my mind as betrayal formed in my gut. He promised never to involve Brian, but now he was. A defeated look came over Gray. Shaking my head, I started for Brian.

  “Taryn, no.”

  I shook off his hand. “No, Gray. I have to confront him now.” With each step, the anger and hurt bloomed brighter in me, but there was another emotion. This was going to be goodbye, but this time it was for real. I had tried telling him goodbye so many other times, but as I got closer, I realized that I never accepted those because I knew Brian would still fight to be with me. He wouldn’t anymore. He had moved on with his life, and I saw that now.

  “Don’t.” Tray got in my way, holding two drinks in his hand. Judging from how he glanced at Gray and then to Brian, I assumed he figured everything out.

  “You knew, didn’t you?”

  His shoulders were tight and his mouth was pressed in a flat line. “Yeah, I did.”

  “How?” Goddamn. I wanted to yell. I wanted to throw something. Eyeing the drinks in his hands, I was tempted to overturn them on him. I didn’t, though. I let him see the anger in me instead.

  His eyes narrowed. His jaw clenched. “He was expelled from Pedlam. Then I heard he got back in. Seeing what went down just now, I’m assuming he’s the new drug connection in their school.”

  “How do you know this?”

  “I hear a lot, Taryn.”

  There was more. I could see it in him, but he was holding back. I closed my eyes and cursed, rubbing my forehead. A pounding headache was forming. “I am going over there. I am going to have my say to Brian and then I’m walking away. I’m done after this, but you and I are going to have a conversation later.”

  “I have no doubt.” He never looked away.

  I felt like I had been smacked in the chest again. My heart stopped, just for a second. Tray wasn’t holding back from me. A weird form of excitement began to fill me, but I shook my head. I didn’t have time for these lovey-dovey feelings. Brian was watching us now.

  His head was up. His eyes were alert, but he was wary.

  I knew, right then and there, that Brian had never been my equal. I didn’t know how to explain it, and I didn’t know if I wanted to, but it never would’ve worked with us. We weren’t meant to be. Sadness took root in me. Leaving the one who was my equal, I headed towards my past. A lump formed in my throat. I’d have my say and I wouldn’t look back any longer.

  The girl was glaring at me when I got to them. I glanced back over my shoulder. Tray remained behind me. A guarded expression was on his face, but I was thankful he stayed back. I said to Brian, “Tell her to take a hike.”

  She gasped, and her face scrunched up in anger. “Excuse me—”

  He patted her hip twice. “Get lost, Dee.”

  “What?” She twisted back to him, and her mouth had dropped open. “Are you serious?”

  He nodded to me. “I have business to attend to,” he said, stressing the word business.

  She shut up. “Oh. Okay then.” When she stood up, she glared at me again. “Watch your hands, honey.” As she walked away, she ran right into me.

  I hid a grin. I had been ready for her move. As her shoulder collided with mine, I had locked my body up so I was unmovable. She bounced back off of me and gasped again. Muttering, “Fat-ass,” she melted into the crowd.

  I laughed. My body was solid with muscle, and no one could call me overweight. I wasn’t skinny, but I was slender, and I knew guys loved my curves. Then I stopped thinking about her and locked eyes with Brian.

  It was time.

  “You’re working for Jace?”

  “No.” His jaw clenched. “I’m working for Galverson.”

  “Same thing. Jace is your boss.”

  “Jace’s boss is my boss.”

  I snorted. I couldn’t believe we were having this argument. “That makes no sense.”

  He shrugged. The irritation vanished and a sullen look came over him. “Does it even matter? Jace doesn’t want me there, but I am. So what? What do you care, anyway?”

  “I care,” I said softly. “I care a lot.”

  He flinched. “Yeah, well…” He turned his head away. He clasped his hands together, still leaning forward on his knees, his jaw clenching. “What do you want, Taryn? You’re going your way. I’m going mine.”

  That was the crux of it. A
sadness like I hadn’t experienced in a long time came down on me. It settled over me like a heavy blanket, wanting to pull me down to the ground. “Yeah. Looks like.”

  “It is.” Anger flared in the depths of his eyes. After a moment, it was banked, and he forced himself to calm down. “I’m doing my thing. That’s what you wanted. I don’t know why you’re over here. I’m not your business anymore. Just like he,” he nodded towards where Tray was standing, “isn’t mine. Let it go, Taryn.”

  “Jace never wanted this for you. I don’t understand—”