A Whole New Crowd

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

I understood the drug life. It wasn’t because I took drugs. It was because I had taken care of someone that did. Brian. Standing in front of Mandy’s room, all those memories flooded back. I had taken him to rehab twice. Jace took him the last time, and he had kept clean so far—so far. He might’ve relapsed, but I had no idea. A small knot formed in my throat as I realized that truth. Brian wasn’t my concern any longer. Mandy was.
When I left Tray’s car and went into the house earlier, I played nice. I stood around. I joined in with the fake banter, fake smiles, and fake politeness. The truth was that I wanted to tear upstairs and demand to know if it was true. I held back and when the girls started to leave, I shook my head. No, I didn’t need a ride. Yes, Tray was picking me up. Yes, it was wonderful. Yes, we were together. I had frowned as I said that, but he did kiss me in front of everyone. I knew it meant something, even though there’d been no actual conversation between us.
That could wait. Finding out Mandy’s secret was my priority now, and with that thought, I reached forward and opened her door. It swung open, showing her pink picture frames, her desk, her pink laptop, and her queen size bed with its beige bedspread. She had her own bathroom attached to her bedroom. That was where I headed first. Pushing past the nagging feeling that I was violating her trust, my jaw firmed. My hands clenched.
I began searching.
As I did, the storm of emotion inside of me calmed. The anxiety, the fear, the tension, the need to demand answers—all of that silenced, and as I opened her bathroom cabinets, my hands didn’t shake. I moved with purpose. Each drawer was looked through. Underneath the drawers were explored. On top of her mirrors, then every corner in the room was felt for any loose tiles or framing. I felt inside her Kleenex boxes, on the inside of empty toilet paper rolls. I lifted her garbage, then took the bag out to make sure nothing was hidden beneath it. I ran my fingers over every dip and turn of the toilet, feeling the screws to make sure they weren’t loosened.
Nothing.
The closet was next. Thick hangers were examined to make sure nothing was taped to the opposite side of it. I lifted the closet dowel itself and ran a hand over the end, no opening had been carved into it to hide drugs. Each shoe box. All of it. Every pocket, every inch inside of her clothes, under the soles of her shoes, there was no space unexplored by me.
I felt the door frames and doors themselves, making sure no room was carved out. The knobs were tested to make sure they weren’t loose. I found nothing so I turned to the bedroom.
Brian hid his drugs in a small box under a patch of carpet. I wondered if Mandy would do the same, so I looked at the corners of the room, making sure there was no slack in the carpet. There was none. She couldn’t lift any corner of it. The bed was next. Each blanket and sheet was lifted, then investigated. The pillow case and pillow were too. Then I checked the mattress, still nothing, so I flipped it over. Nothing was taped to the underside of it. I moved that aside and rested it against the wall, then turned and studied the bed frame. Nothing.
After I put it all back and remade her bed, I went to the desk. Nothing. Her dresser was last and I found nothing there.
I sat in the middle of her room. It was all back in place. Each picture frame was adjusted exactly how she left it. She would have no idea how deep her room had been searched by me. Maybe it wasn’t true. Maybe Jennica and Amber were being spiteful and jealous, but even as I thought that, I shook my head. “No, it can’t be.” They weren’t lying to each other. They were telling the truth. I had heard it in their voices. They didn’t think anyone could overhear them. The guys that were between us didn’t care and they knew that. That meant it was true. Mandy had a stash. I knew it.
My phone buzzed in my pocket then, and I looked at it. It was a text from Tray: Outside. Take your time.
I sent a reply to Tray, telling him I’d be out in five minutes. As it sent, I stood. I needed to grab my things, but when I turned for the door, a shadow behind her curtain caught my eye. They were light-colored, thin enough to let some light through, but as I went closer, I saw it. A small box was pushed in the corner. The words ‘PRIVATE’ were on top in pink, glittery letters. A lock was attached to it, but I used a bobby pin I found in the bathroom and popped it open within seconds. Lifting the lid, there were three rows of prescription pills. As I looked through them, I read the labels. Ritalin, Vicodin, Xanax.
A heaviness settled over me. It had been hovering over my head as I searched the room, but it now rested on my shoulders. Studying the bottle, I notice that Dr. Parsons prescribed each bottle to her. Whether he was aware of it or not, her own father was her drug dealer. I had no idea how to handle this. If it had been Brian, I would’ve packed up his bag and taken him straight there. The idea of waiting and talking it out with Shelly and Kevin wasn’t an option. It wouldn’t get done. Whatever was going on with this family, I couldn’t keep lying to myself. I wanted a family. I wanted something better, and they had given it to me, but this was wrong. They were never home.
I packed a bag for Mandy. I put enough clothes and toiletries in it to last a week, then I tucked it in my room. Mandy was going to rehab tomorrow, whether she wanted to go or not. Brian had denied his problem. He had accused me of having the problem. He yelled. He pounded the walls. He broke chairs. Then he broke and started to plead. There were tears every time, but I made him go in every single time. He had to. So did Mandy. Whether this family wanted me or not, I loved her. I would do what I needed to take care of my sister, even if it meant protecting her against herself.
As I got into the car, I didn’t say anything.
He was studying me. Then he asked, “Are you okay?”
I shook my head. “I will be.” And I would.
*

Rickets’ House was busy like it always was. Cars filled the parking lot and were lined up on one side of the driveway. Groups of people were walking to the party as we passed. One guy signaled at Tray and said, “The lot’s full, but you can try, man.”
Tray nodded and lifted a hand in thanks, but he still turned into the driveway and through the parking lot. A car was pulling out, so he pulled in, but instead of getting out right away, he looked over at me. I knew what he was going to ask, so I said first, “Mandy has a drug problem.” Then I waited. A moment of silence lingered between us. I sighed. “Did you know?”
“I heard rumors. I didn’t know for sure.” He paused, then murmured softly, “I’m sorry.”
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 F*cking 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.