A Whole New Crowd

CHAPTER THREE

Mandy came in my room Saturday evening to inform me who hooked up with whom, who broke up with whom, who fought, and who barfed. It was an amazing party. She invited me out with them that night. I declined and continued folding my clothes. When she kept quiet, I knew—the rumors had already circulated—someone must’ve seen Tray and me outside the diner.
She didn’t push it. Thank you for small favors. Instead I had to listen to her theory that Devon was cheating on her for the next thirty minutes.
“Are you serious? Devon? We’re talking about Devon?”
“Yeah.” She swung her legs around and sat up, still on my bed. “He was weird last night. I don’t know. Maybe he really did hook up with Stephanie.”
I paused, frowned, and then finished folding my shirt. “Are you going to talk to him tonight? About your hunch?”
“About Stephanie? No, but I am going to ask him if he’s cheating on me.”
“The sooner you talk to him, the sooner you’ll know what’s really going on and be back to being lovebirds again.” The idea of Mandy and Devon not together was funny to me. It wasn’t real. Those two were so lovey-dovey they made me gag the first time I saw it. The idea of Devon cheating was ridiculous. Then I glanced at her and saw the determined set of her shoulders. “Whoa. You’re serious.”
She stood and started to pace. “He’s really off and it’s getting to me, you know? He’s been like this for a while, but last night it creeped me out.”
“What’d he do?”
“He didn’t do anything, just would put his phone away as soon as I came back.” She hesitated. “Other stuff’s happened too. I don’t like it. I can’t not say anything. No way. He’s been like this for seven months. I can’t ignore it anymore.”
“Yeah.” I knew how she felt. Brian had cheated once. I almost killed him afterwards.
She nodded, her jaw hardening. “Yeah.”
“So where are you guys going tonight? Who’s all going?”
“The gang and some others.” That meant the top circle and the crowd beneath them. Stephanie. Ugh. “We’re going to a party at Rickets’ House.”
Another ugh. Rickets’ House was a big white mansion near Pedlam. Parties were thrown there because the house was abandoned, situated deep in the woods. Kids could scatter easily if the cops showed up, and it was notorious for being a mating ground. Brian wouldn’t be there; he hated that place, but there’d definitely be others there from Pedlam.
“I’m in.” I wasn’t doing the job, but I wanted to know why Pedlam had so much security. It was nagging at me, and I knew I could get some answers there.
*

Devon and Jennica arrived a few minutes ago and planned on riding with us. It had been awkward. She gave my outfit a second glance. I couldn’t dress like the new me. Boring, all covered up, and saint-like. I hadn’t dressed like that at Pedlam, and I needed my old intimidation factor at full force to get the answers I wanted. So I dressed how I used to. I wore a leather miniskirt and a lacy black tank top that hugged my curves with a diamond necklace that was looped twice around my neck, resting above my belly-button. Even Mandy had been taken aback, and she’d seen the old me a few times.
She got over my wardrobe when she grew distracted by Devon’s behavior. He’d been standoffish the entire evening. He arrived, gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek, and that had been it. After we traipsed into the car, he’d been silent, just focused on driving. Jennica sat in the back with me, chatting to Mandy, who was glancing at Devon every few seconds, trying to appear nonchalant. I was staring out the window tuning the conversation out.
Until I heard Jennica say, “…he was with Adrian last night. Seriously. Tray pisses me off some times.”
I looked over and caught the heated look Mandy shot Jennica. She flushed when she saw that I had caught her, and I grinned. “What happened?”
Jennica turned to me. “I was telling Mandy that sometimes I’m embarrassed by Tray, especially when he screws girls like Adrian Casners. She’s white trash.”
“That’s probably why he screwed her.”
Jennica and Mandy were both watching me. Even Devon glanced in the rear-view mirror.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing.” Mandy looked away.
Jennica turned to face me. “We heard an interesting tidbit last night, about you and Tray.” She was almost gloating. “Care to elaborate?”
I frowned. I had missed something, then how she said ‘white trash’ came back to me. There’d been an extra emphasis on those words. “Are you insinuating that I’m white trash? Because if you were, you worked too hard for the joke.” I flashed her a grin and asked, “How long till we get there?”
I turned back to the window and ignored whatever her reaction was. A moment later, Devon turned into a driveway. “We’re meeting up with Tray and the rest of the gang at his place first.”
Tray’s place was gorgeous. It was a mansion, bigger than Mandy’s, and had four massive pillars right before the front door with a large porch extending off to the side. The living room could be seen through three large windows and inside there was a flat screen TV highlighting one entire wall. White leather couches aligned the sides of the room. The pool could be seen through the glass patio doors, shimmering on the other side of the mansion.
Walking inside, I saw a spiral staircase off to the right. There was an open doorway before the steps, leading into an expansive kitchen with an island in the middle, steel appliances, and granite countertops; even the kitchen looked like a masterpiece.
Most of the ‘cool’ crowd was lounging there, drinking, chatting, or in the process of making their drinks for the ride. Grant and Samuel were at a table talking with some girls I didn’t recognize. Amber was sitting on the island, dangling her feet, talking with a guy that I thought was Brent…Garrett? Basketball team…I think. I didn’t care.
Tray was nowhere to be found.
Mandy nudged me. “Tray just got here. He’s getting dressed and then we’re heading out.”
“I don’t get why we’re all meeting here? Why don’t we just go to the party?”
“Because Tray and Grant are the only ones who know where Rickets’ House is and there’s probably Pedlam students there. It’s not like we all want to show up there alone.”
“What? Strength in numbers? Can’t handle a few Pedlamites?”
“You could?”
“I went to Pedlam, a few times.”
“A few times?” a girl asked. I didn’t recognize her, but she was already annoying me. She could’ve been the poster-girl for Hooters.
“Yeah. What about it?”
“She didn’t mean anything, Matthews.” Tray walked up behind me, wrapping an arm around my waist, pulling me into his side. To everyone else, he said, “Let’s head out.” He pulled me with him. “You can ride with me.”
I glared at him and ignored the sudden attention he brought to us. Then I saw Mandy was watching Devon while Jennica paired off with Grant. It was a perfect time for those two to talk. “Fine.”
Two other guys were behind us as we walked to Tray’s SUV. Ignoring the heat from Tray’s hand as it rested on my stomach, I brushed him off and rounded the SUV to climb into the passenger seat. The other two got in the back.
Tray introduced us inside, “Helms, Mitch, this is Matthews. Matthews, the guys.”
“My name’s Taryn, not Matthews.” I recalled that they were both on the basketball team. They fit the description, tall and lanky in preppy clothes. It wasn’t long before the three were discussing some recent game. All three ignored me, but I was fine with that. I wouldn’t have to worry about talking with Tray the entire time. It wasn’t long until he was pulling into a long driveway that started at the bottom of a hill and wound its way up. The house was at the top and the lights were already blinding through the trees as we started up. Cars were parked on both sides of the driveway, but we inched past them.
“Dude, where are we going to park?”
“Forget that. Look at all these people. We’re going to get trashed tonight.”
Tray kept quiet, glancing at me for a split second.
I grinned when I caught sight of an old friend’s car. He would think it’s a riot, me showing up with the crème de la crème from Rawley’s royalty. No doubt he’d double over in laughter when he saw our entrance.
“Something funny?”
I looked at him. I hadn’t been paying him any attention. I’d been working hard at that, but now, looking at him, my body grew way too aware of him. Feeling a sensation in my stomach, like a tickle, I couldn’t deny that he looked good. He looked more than good. He wore a soft blue shirt that molded to his trim form without being too tight. His arms and that damn tattoo kept drawing my attention. I was itching to explore it better, but I didn’t. My hands curled into my lap. Tray grinned. A smug expression teased at the corner of his lips for a second before it vanished. Then his gaze lifted to mine, and I was burned by it. He wanted me. I could see it. When I flinched and started to look away, his hand touched my leg. I couldn’t look away.
A soft curse slipped from me. A bunch of emotions threatened to unleash inside me, but I clamped them down. This wasn’t the place to deal with this, not when I’d be seeing other Pedlamites.
When the car paused in front of the house, the other two jumped out. I saw my chance to get away, but he said, “Walk up with me.” Anyone else would’ve taken it as a command, but I heard the questioning lilt to his voice. So I sat back and waited as he moved the SUV forward. The rest of our crew did the same thing; each car paused for the passengers to hop out and the cars followed the others, parking side by side at the bottom of the hill.
Tray didn’t move to draw me against his side as we walked up. I was grateful, but at the same time, I was mad at myself—a part of me had hoped he would. I couldn’t stop thinking about his hand on my back, and even now, a small tingle went through me at the idea of him touching me. We walked side by side, not looking at each other, but our arms brushed against each other’s. Every part of my body was awake and anticipating the next touch or graze. He was pulling me in, just by being beside me.
By the time we neared the door, everyone had already gone inside. There were others drinking and lounging on the patio. I glanced around, recognizing a few of them from Pedlam.
“Holy shit!”
I glanced over and went cold. Veronica Teedz teetered on her high heels, beer sloshing over her cup. Her eyes were transfixed on my face as she drew closer. “Taryn? I can’t believe it’s you. It is you or am I that drunk?”
Veronica Teedz had never acknowledged my presence before. “You’re that drunk.” I moved past her, but caught the small grin that flashed over Tray’s face.
People were everywhere inside. Each room was packed tight. A few tables were set up in the corners where people were playing cards. The main floor had a dance floor and music pounded throughout the house. The second, third, and fourth floors were the bedrooms. Hookups and smaller parties congregated there.
Tray grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the kitchen area. He paid for our cups, and after they were filled with beer, he pulled me to his side and murmured in my ear, “You know that girl out there?”
I tilted my head back, my lips brushed against his ear, and I rested a hand on his chest. He was warm and felt like cement under my touch. Even with that slight touch, I wanted to close my eyes and melt into him. Instead, I forced myself to say, “Yeah, not a friend.” I gestured behind us. “I’m going to look around.” I was asking him if that was all right? A part of me flared up. He wasn’t mine. I wasn’t his. Why was I acting like this?
He nodded and turned into the crowd, leaving me alone. There was no argument from him. As he went, people looked up, feeling his presence, watching him. These people didn’t know him, but they reacted to him on an instinctual level. They moved for him, clearing a path so he could go by. Girls from Pedlam continued watching, even after he disappeared from eyesight. I couldn’t blame them. I was struggling with the same need to stare at him. Pushing through the room, I worked my way through the crowd. A few recognized me and gave their hellos. It felt nice, to know that I hadn’t been forgotten, but as I searched the house, there wasn’t anyone I wanted to see. I couldn’t find my friend so I headed in the direction Tray had gone and found him in a back room. Everyone from Rawley had taken root in there. Tray was against a far wall. He was swamped on both sides by people. Even if they didn’t know him, they were pulled in by him. Tray had that power. He had a presence that told the world he didn’t give a damn about anyone or anything. It made him all the more appealing.
Then I saw my friend, Grayley. He was sitting in the middle of a couch. His hair was longer, touching the tops of his shoulders, and his shirt swallowed him, hanging loose over his baggy pants. With almost delicate features, Grayley was given the nickname of Pretty Boy growing up. When he got a few tattoos and a scar down the side of his neck, that nickname went away. To everyone, he was just Grayley now. He fit in with anyone. It was one of his gifts. He was a likeable guy. He had become friends with me and Brian years ago, but he was also good friends with the crème de la crème of the Pedlam circle. If anyone would know why Pedlam had such high security, it would be him.
I started for him, and Tray noticed my intent. He straightened from the wall and frowned. I threw him an uneasy look. I wasn’t doing the job for him, but I was still curious. If he came over, he’d start getting thoughts I didn’t want him to have.
Grayley glanced up and he began to grin, but then a guy I didn't know stepped in between us. After an obnoxious wolf whistle, his gaze raked me up and down, and he sneered at me. “My, my, my. I know who you are.”
“That’s nice—”
“I thought so.” He winked at me.
“But I don’t know you—”
His hand grabbed my hip, and he tried to pull me close. “That’s okay. We can fix that.”
Removing his hand, I finished, “And I don’t care to know you.”
“Then we have a problem.” He stepped back and looked me up and down in an exaggerated motion. “You have got one of the nicest bodies I’ve seen in a long while. In fact.” He tried to draw me to him again. Tray narrowed his eyes. He remained against the wall, and I didn’t know if I was relieved or disappointed. I stopped thinking about Tray and stiffened as the guy’s hand slipped under my shirt. This bastard was going down. My hand lifted, ready to grab his thumb and twist his arm so he would be forced backwards, but I heard from behind me, “Goddamn, Clint. Let go of her.” He was thrown from me and shoved against a wall. The people standing around us scattered, and someone began punching him, hitting him in the face and stomach.
It was Brian. His back was tense, his shoulders tight, and he kept raising his fist to deliver another blow.
For a moment, I couldn’t move. It was Brian…that knowledge seeped in slowly. It had been so long since I had seen him. Then Grayley was in front of me. He yelled at me, “Matthews, do something.”
Shit.
I lunged for them.
“Brian,” Grayley bit out as he moved closer to the fight, trying to wedge himself between them. But Brian and the other guy were inches taller than Grayley and heavily muscled. I knew Brian’s body. He didn’t lift weights, but he didn’t have to. He did construction during the summer, so his body was toned. Grayley was gangly and not athletic at all. He’d be snapped in two.
Tray straightened, hearing the exchange, but he didn’t seem interested in pulling Brian off the guy, though it didn’t matter. Brian was punched, and it wasn’t long before a full scuffle was going on in the room. I grabbed Grayley and tugged him back. He cursed. “They fought over another girl this week too. This ain’t good. Brian’s going to get arrested again.”
Hearing that, a pang went through me. Another girl? Then the rest registered with me, and I knew he was right. Brian was always arrested before the others; the cops hated him because of Jace, but Brian was beyond listening. The guy had delivered a few hits and then Brian turned his body. He shoved the guy down and delivered hit after hit. No one moved to stop him, and I shot Tray a look. He sighed and then nodded. As he did, his friends waded in and grabbed Brian off of the guy. When the other guy jumped up, ready to lunge for Brian, he was grabbed as well.
Tray gestured to the door. “Take ‘em out.”
They were ushered from the room. As the rest filed behind them, no one complained about the early exit. Tray held back and crossed over to me. Ignoring Grayley’s presence beside me, he asked, “That was your ex?”
My throat had grown thick with emotion. I nodded. I didn’t want to deal with the questions at that moment. Tray seemed to understand. “Let’s go.” He grasped my hand and led the way, weaving through the crowd. We were out the door when Veronica stopped us again. She was even more unsteady on her high heels this time, if that was possible. “I called him. You know, Taryn, Brian’s been miserable. We all know it’s because of you. He wanted to know if you showed up.”
“You called him?”
“Yeah. I did. He loves you. It was the two of you. You guys were so…you guys are perfect together.”
“Yeah, except that we’re not.”
No one knew why we couldn’t be together, or no one cared to understand. Even now, Brian was still fighting against the guys holding him. He wanted to hurt the other guy, who had stopped resisting. He was wary now, his eyebrows bunched forward in concern. Brian yelled at him, “You ass punk. You touch her again and I’ll cut you.”
I sucked in a breath. Brian meant it.
Tray stood beside me, but I couldn’t look at him. I didn’t want to see any condemnation he might have for Brian. Forcing the tears back, I started down the stairs. “Brian.” He paused and turned to me. I said, “Stop it.”
“Taryn.”
“Stop.” He grimaced, hearing the pleading in my voice. “Please, just stop.” I wasn’t referencing just this night. Memories of our past came back to me. The nights I would crawl into his bed, how he took care of me. I felt them as if I were reliving them. His fighting. How he wanted to be a part of Jace’s lifestyle, how he wouldn’t listen to me when I begged him to stay away. Brian wasn’t Jace. Jace was smart and dangerous. Jace would survive no matter what, but Brian wouldn’t. He would get caught. He would go to jail, and I would lose him.
Flashbacks of our fights came to me. The hurt was there, every time he didn’t listen to me and went to buy more drugs. I couldn’t deal with it.
“Taryn,” he started.
The fight had left him, but I shook my head and went past him. I felt Tray beside me.
“Taryn,” Brian called after me.
I couldn’t. I just couldn’t face him. Any conversation with him always ended the same way. He would promise to change. He never did, and I would pick up the pieces. I couldn’t do that tonight, not this time.
I kept going, hugging myself. Tray never touched me. The sight of it would’ve enraged Brian again. I was relieved, but a part of me wanted it too. I shook my head. I couldn’t deal with Brian’s jealousy, not tonight anyway.
“TARYN!”
I turned and disappeared from his sight. Tray’s SUV blocked his view. When I got inside, he asked, “You okay?”
“No.”
He didn’t start the engine. Instead, he sat there and waited a few minutes. Then he asked, “What do you want to do?”
“Leave.”
He did as I asked. As we drove past the house, Brian was gone. I didn’t want to know where he had gone, but Grayley was still there. I told Tray to stop and rolled my window down. “Gray.”
Grayley approached the car. “Holy f*ck, Tar.” He groaned, shaking his head. “Holy hell for f*ck’s sake.”
“I didn’t know that was going to happen. I didn’t know someone would call him.”
Grayley was eyeing Tray, but he murmured, “Yeah, well, for what it’s worth, he’s been off the rails since you left him. Everyone’s on edge at school. That guy was one out of ten that he’s fought just this month.”
I shook my head. “I couldn't handle being with him anymore.”
“We know. He knows. I think that’s why he’s like a loose cannon more than normal lately. He can’t blame you for leaving. No one can.”
Those words should’ve made me feel better. They didn’t. “Will you watch him for me? Call me if anything bad happens to him?”
He nodded. “Yeah, sure. Another day in the life of a Lanser, huh?”
A sad laugh came from me. “Yeah.”
“Okay.” He leaned around me and said to Tray, “Take her home. Knowing Taryn, she’s ready to crash.”
“Thanks, Grayley.”
He nodded. A rueful smile graced his features and his eyes grew solemn. “Miss you around town, though.”
“Miss you too.”
He laughed and stepped back, then gestured to the road. “Get out of here, Matthews. I’ll call if I need to.”
“Okay.” I nodded. As Tray pulled forward, I kept looking at Grayley until he was out of sight. Then I rolled the window up and huddled against it, pressing my forehead against the glass.