The Original Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 0.50)

“Pedlam student,” Carter pointed out.

“My best friend,” I pointed right back. To Grayley, I remarked, “How you handling the loss?”

He snorted, running a hand through his hair. “Please. As long as we can drink, we’re happy.”

I laughed, feeling myself calm down a little. Grayley always had that effect on me.

“Uh—” he started.

“I haven’t gone to see him yet, but I will. First thing in the morning,” I promised.

“Okay.” He relaxed visibly. “You weren’t at the game. I knew you had something to take care of, but I didn’t think it would—oh.”

“Yeah.” I grinned.

“Oh!” Understanding finally dawned on him as he sat straighter in his chair. “Holy—Taryn!”

“Just…shut up, okay?”

“But—holy fuck’s sake, Taryn. You—”

“Yeah.”

“Oh my fucking—you didn’t get caught,” he stated, sitting back a little dazed.

I hated it. Grayley always figured everything out. It was why I’d only have to say that I needed to get in somewhere and he had everything for me. He’d think of everything. And he knew I needed to get into Pedlam, he knew I had stolen the PRS-500, and he knew Pedlam’s football field and gymnasium had been destroyed the same night. If I had to do something tonight—something that took a long time—he’d figure it out. Which he just did. He knew a job after a job meant saving your ass. And he knew the security, he knew there were videos…and he fully realized where I had just spent a good six or seven hours at.

“Just shut up about it,” I said heatedly.

“I will. You know I will,” he murmured. “But, fuck, Taryn. I mean—”

“Shut up!” I said sharply, kicking his chair.

Grayley chuckled, grabbing my foot and shoving it away.

“Who are you?”

Stupid me. Mandy and the rest had been watching the entire conversation. And Mandy had never met Grayley.

Not good.

“Uh…this is Grayley,” I murmured. “He’s one of my best friends.”

“And I’m just hearing about him now? I knew about Brian, but seriously, Taryn.” Mandy was now shouting. People in the crowd were starting to watch.

And of course, Tray chose that moment to return, two cups in hand. He gave Grayley one brief nod in greeting as he placed the drinks on the table and promptly pulled up a chair to sit between us.

Mandy’s mouth fell open.

“Tray knows him!” Mandy exclaimed. “Tray knows him and I don’t!”

Oh, for the fucking love of all things holy. “Mandy, it’s not that big of a deal. Tray met him today at school. It’s not like—”

“He was at school and you didn’t even think of introducing him to your sister?”

Grayley sized up the situation and leaned closer to me. “This info doesn’t need to be broadcasted.”

“I know,” I hissed. “I’m trying.”