The Original Crowd (4 page)

“Dude, where we going to park?” I think it was Mitch who asked.

“Forget that. Look at all these people. Holy fucks! We’re going to get trashed tonight.” That must’ve been Helms then?

I grinned, catching sight of Grayley’s fender. He’d 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 us make our entrance.

“Something funny?” Tray asked silkily, watching me from the corner of his eye.

I looked at him. I had to admit, he looked good; he looked more than good. If I were to create the perfect guy, I have to admit, he’d looked like Tray. His knowing eyes were still resting on me as he paused briefly for Helms and Mitch to jump out.

“I just recognized a few of the cars back there,” I said lightly, moving to open the door.

“Walk with me,” he requested. 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 train did the same thing; each car paused for the passengers to hop out and the cars all followed the others, parking side by side on the opposite end of the hill.

As we got outside, Tray didn’t move to draw me against his side. I was grateful, but at the same time I was seething at myself—I had kind of hoped he would have. We walked easily beside each other, making our way up to the house. Turning back, I saw Devon walking alone, looking lost in thought. Jasmine was walking with some guy—I couldn’t place his name.

When he neared the door, we saw that everyone had already gone inside. There were quite a few drinking and lounging on the patio in front of the door. I recognized one or two from Pedlam.

“Holy shit!”

Whirling around, I paled at seeing Veronica Teedz teetering unsteadily on her high heels, beer sloshing over her yellow cup, her eyes transfixed on my face. “Holy shit,” she exclaimed again, drawing nearer. “Taryn! How the hell are you!? I can’t believe it’s you…it is you or am I that drunk?”

I was taken aback. Veronica Teedz had never acknowledged my presence before, why now? Coolly, I replied, “You’re that drunk.” And I moved past her, catching an amused look in Tray’s eyes.

I failed to see her pull out her phone as our group moved inside.

Inside there were people everywhere; each room was packed tight. A few tables were set up in the corners for some card playing. I knew from previous experience that the dance floor was in the basement, but the bass of the music pounded throughout the entire house. The second, third, and fourth floors were the bedrooms—hookups and smaller parties usually congregated there.

Apparently tonight was different because the main floor had been turned into a dance floor, along with the patio outside.

I felt Tray grab my hand and pull me towards the kitchen area. He shelled out some money for our cups. After they had been filled from a keg, he gave one to me. Pulling me closer, he murmured in my ear, “You here to work?”

I tilted my head back, my lips brushing against his ear, a hand braced on his chest. “Yeah. Some of my old crew is here, they might be willing to help me out.”

He nodded and turned into the crowd, leaving me alone.

I didn’t notice how some of the crowd stopped to watch us.

Pushing through the room, I worked my way through the crowd, smiling in return to a few greetings, some from those who recognized me from Pedlam, some just from drunken pervs.

Finally, I pushed my way into a backroom. I saw that Tray had taken root against the wall off to the side. He was swamped on both sides by people. Some were Rawley students, I recognized Tamira Case from another school I briefly attended—from what I remember, Tray was exactly her type—there were others that I didn’t recognize. Tray had an atmosphere around him that told the world that he didn’t give a damn about anyone or anything; it made him all the more appealing.

On the other side of the room, was Crispin Gentley, also surrounded by bimbos—okay, to be fair they were cheerleaders—and jocks—okay, to be fair they were cheerleaders. I saw Tracy Hardkins and Kimberly Ringsworld. They were at the top of the food chain in Pedlam. I groaned softly. I saw Crispin’s eyes grow wide, falling on me at the same time I saw the person I had been searching the entire house for: Grayley.

Grayley fit in with anyone—it was one of his gifts. He was a pretty likeable guy and pretty popular. He had become friends with me and Brian years ago; he was also Geezer’s best friend so I knew I could trust him. I knew he wouldn’t say anything to Brian or Crispin, but as I took a step in his direction, I gritted my teeth, finding myself blocked by the Crispin Gentley.

“Well, well, well,” was all he said, in a tone like I was a mouse caught in a cat’s paw.

It set my teeth on edge and I knew that Tray was watching intently.

I didn’t say anything, but just waited for him to finish.

“Looking good, Rosette.”

“It’s Matthews now,” I stated.

“Oh right. I heard that you’d gotten adopted. Good family, I hope?” He chuckled.

He didn’t give one damn. We both knew it.

“Get lost, Gentley. I’m not here for you.”

He laughed outright at that one, tipping his head back, his perfect teeth blinding. “I’ve forgotten this. You and me. Our little…foreplay—”

I smirked, moving closer a step. “Oh, honey, when it’s foreplay, you’ll know. You’ve never gotten close.”

Grayley had finally noticed us and I saw him starting to push his way through the crowd towards me, a look of panic on his face. That made me frown slightly…

“Come now, Rosette…now that you’re free from Lanser, we don’t have to continue this little game,” he coaxed.

Grayley was almost to us and the pale color on his face was more distracting than Gentley’s repulsive comments.

I struck out without thinking, taunting him, “Oh, little Crispin, just a poor neglected boy. Always hiding in the closet, his little G.I. Joe clasped tightly in his hands, afraid his abusive, drunk daddy will find out his secret…he wet the bed last night in a long run of nights.” I stepped back. “It explains a lot.”

Crispin had fallen silent, just watching me, not letting any emotion show.

So I continued, “At least that’s what your file says about how you developed your over-compensatory behaviors, pretending you’re Mr. Sex God—so full of sexual prowess, when in fact—”

But I was cut off as Grayley flung himself in between us, pushing me back, facing Crispin and saying urgently, “She’s drunk, Gentley. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”

Crispin was seething in a tightly controlled rage as his eyes flickered over mine, leaving me cold. “She better remember where to step, Grayley.”

I leaned over Grayley’s shoulder. “It’s not the only thing I read in your file. Want me to share your other secrets?”

“Goddamn, you little—” He was cut off as someone launched himself around us and shoved Crispin against the wall, raining punch after punch against his face and stomach.

It was Brian and I was shocked to see my ex-boyfriend so livid and uncontrollable as he assaulted Crispin savagely.

“Oh fuck!” Grayley bit out, before launching himself at Brian, desperately trying to get him off Crispin.

I couldn’t help it, I looked at Tray, pleading.

Tray had straightened, hearing the exchange, but he saw my look and hesitated for a moment. Watching the two guys fighting, Grayley and a few others tried to get between Crispin and Brian, but then Tray nodded and the rest of his crew rushed the fight and pulled them apart. Tray crossed to stand behind me. He leaned close, one hand splayed on my hip, and murmured in my ear, “This part of your plan?”

“It was until Brian showed up.”

“That’s your ex?”

“Yeah,” I said tightly, unconsciously hugging myself.

“You want out of here?”

“I—” I faltered. I did, but I didn’t.

Tray decided for me. “Let’s go.” He grasped my hand and led the way, weaving through the crowd. We were out the door when Veronica Teedz stopped us again, if possible, even more unsteady on her high heels. “I called him, you know, Taryn. Brian’s been miserable and we all know it’s because of you. He wanted to know if you were here.”

“You called him?” I demanded through clenched teeth.

“Yeah…I did. He loves you. It was the two of you. You guys were so…you guys are perfect together.”

“Yeah, except that I’ve changed,” I said tightly, following behind Tray as he pulled me down the steps and down the driveway. Walking side by side, in silence, I hugged myself, suddenly feeling cold.

Tray didn’t say anything. He just glanced at me once before he resumed walking by my side. When we got to the SUV, I climbed inside after Tray unlocked the doors, huddling against the window.

As we drove past the house, I saw Grayley standing outside, frantically searching the parking lot.

“Stop,” I said, rolling my window down as Tray paused in front of the house.

Grayley saw us and approached the car looking relieved. “Holy fuck, Tar!” He groaned, shaking his head. “Holy hell for fuck’s sake.”

“Sorry,” I said weakly. “I’m…sorry. I didn’t realize that was going to happen.”

Grayley was eyeing Tray, but he murmured, “Yeah, well, for what it’s worth, I think Gentley forgot that you go for the jugular. He’ll remember next time.”

“I didn’t know Brian was there.”

“Yeah.”

“Is he okay?”

“He’ll…Brian bounces back. He’s looking for you, you know. He’s convinced you’re still inside.”

“Oh, God, Grayley, he’s going to do something stupid.”

“I know.”

“Can you watch him? For me?”

Grayley’s grey eyes pinned me down. “And when he asks why I’m around? If he asks if I’m doing it for you? What then? He’ll get the message that you still care.”

“I…” I was lost—I didn’t know what to say or so. “I don’t know…”

“Look,” he sighed, running a hand over his buzz-cut, “Geeze told me what you’re up to. That why you’re here?”

“Yeah. I was looking for you.”

“Alright.” He nodded, glancing around. “I know what you’re going to ask and the answer is, of course, stupid. Just…get out of here. Brian’s already boiling over, he doesn’t need anything else to cause him to explode.”

“Thanks, Grayley, I miss you, for what it’s worth. I’ll need the blueprints to Pedlam High; I gotta get in there.”

“Yeah.” A rueful smile graced his features, his grey eyes solemn. “Now get out of here.”

“Okay.” I nodded, sitting back holding Grayley’s gaze as Tray pulled forward. When he was out of sight, I rolled the window back up and huddled against the door, my forehead pressed against the glass.

We drove in silence except when Tray’s phone would go off.

“Yeah,” I heard him say. Then a moment later, he responded, “Nah. Have fun. Grant knows the way back.”

His phone rang quite a few times and he had the same conversation.

Sighing, I turned over and murmured, “A lot of people want you to go back to the party, huh?”

He glanced sideways at me, but didn’t say anything.

Then he said quietly, “You get what you wanted back there?”

“Hmm…I guess. It’ll do.”

My phone rang, interrupting anything else he might’ve said. I realized, rolling my eyes at my own stupidity, that I was flustered. Flustered because of Tray. How old am I? Thirteen? I flipped my phone open without checking to see who it was first. “What?”

“Where are you?”

I realized two things at once. It was Brian and he was furious.

“I got a ride home.”

“With Evans?” he demanded harshly.

I looked at Tray—he’d heard. He could hear the entire conversation. Great.

“What of it?”

“God, you’re such a bitch!”

“I’m the bitch!? Me? I am? What about you, Brian? If anyone’s a bitch, it’s you. Going off on Gentley like that. What are you thinking?”

“Please. Gentley’s got nothing on me.”

“He’ll retaliate, Brian. What were you thinking?”

“And if he retaliates, trust me—he’ll be the one hurting, not me.”

“Oh my God, you’re delusional. This is how it’s always been, Bri. The two of you put me in the middle every time. Well, I’m out. Okay? I’m done.”

“The fucker was all over you. He was two inches from—”

“From hitting me, not raping me. I was handling him,” I hissed, fully aware that Tray had pulled over and was watching me, seemingly content to sit back and listen.

“You were handling him? You’re the one who’s delusional, Tar. He needs to know that you’re still my property. He fucks with me if he even goes near you.”

That was it. I hung up on him and looked at Tray. Coldly, I asked, “Wanna have some fun?”

“What kind of fun?” he asked, smirking.

“My kind of fun.” I grinned. I hadn’t felt like this in a long, long time and it was about time Brian learned once and for all we were done.

“Where to?” Tray merely asked, a faint grin on his face.