The Original Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 0.50)

“Brian’s on his way to your place.”

“What?!” I cried out in alarm, sitting up.

“Yeah, he and Jace had a huge fight this morning. Like the cops were called even. Brian split before they showed up, but Grayley called and said Brian said something about sorting stuff out with you once and for all. Brent called from the gas station and said Brian was heading towards Rawley on the highway. Two plus two plus two equals six, babe.”

“Geeze, don’t call me that.”

“Hot stuff,” he said instead.

I peeked through my window-blinds, but didn’t see his car. Great. Just great.

“Okay.” I sighed. “Thanks for giving me the heads-up.”

“Oh and Grayley told me to tell you that he’s got your stuff.”

“Good. I’ll head over tonight.”

“I’ll tell Grayley to bring it all here. Brian doesn’t ever show up here anymore.”

“Okay. Thanks again, Geezer. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Good luck, hot stuff.”

“You can try all you like, Geeze, but your seduction is wasted on me,” I teased before hanging up.

This day was turning out to suck more than I had imagined and most of it was my fault—cheerleaders, student council and now the ex-factor. Great.

I dialed Jace’s number.

“Hey, Terry,” he greeted wearily.

“I heard.” It’s all I had to say. We both knew what the fight had been about and why—I’d asked him for this purpose.

“Hey, ah…look, my little brother’s on his way to your place. You might make sure there are people around. I had some guys follow him, but—”

“This is my fight,” I finished tiredly and I was tired. I’ve been gone for months now and Brian was still making me exhausted. “Are you…I heard the cops were called?”

“I handled it, you know me and the authorities—we have a hate-hate relationship. But I’m good. If you need the guys to step in, just let them know.”

“Got it,” I said faintly, hanging up. We both knew the conversation was over, it was pointless to say goodbye. Arming myself with a taser—for my own strength—I headed back down the stairs, but I slipped through the window of the bathroom rather than passing through the entire student body council which I could hear in the kitchen, living room, and dining room—they were everywhere. Rounding the house, I sat on the stoop by the street. Waiting…

I didn’t have to wait long. I heard Brian’s car screech around a corner and slam to a stop right in front of mine.

Part of me wanted to hop in and tell him to go to a park, where we could hash it out there, but Jace’s guys were coming to the house and wouldn’t know to go to the park. So I stood wearily, bracing myself when Brian slammed his door shut and strode angrily to me.

Oh yeah. He was in a rage.

“You bitch!” he snarled, still crossing the street.

“And what’s new?” I shot back, standing my ground.

“You gave him the fucking codes. Him!”

“Yeah. I did.”

r /> He reached out and grabbed my shoulders, shaking me.

Grunting, I twisted out of his arms and kneed him in the balls. As he doubled over, I said coolly, “You don’t get to touch me. Ever again.”