The Original Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 0.50)

I climbed inside while Tray took his phone out and called someone. A little while later, three guys came out with keys and moved the cars. I had no idea how they did it, but they did. And Tray climbed in beside me and backed out onto the road.

We drove in silence, just like before.

Except he broke it once. “Whatever you had to do—you’re okay, right?”

“Yeah.” I sighed, relaxing against my seat.

And that was it until he pulled up to his palace and cut the engine. We walked side by side around the house and towards his pool-house. Tray didn’t turn on the lights, and grabbed my hand and led me towards the bedroom. Once inside, I was in his arms, his mouth on mine, pressing me against the door, his hands already in my hair. I lifted my legs around his waist, hoisting myself up, my arms around his shoulder.

As we tumbled onto his bed, Tray above me, he moved his mouth down my throat, until it reached my stomach where he lifted my sweater. My tank top followed next. I slipped my hands underneath his shirt, and Tray promptly pulled it off. Taking his time, gazing at me, he slowly leaned down to kiss me. His lips meeting mine. I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him against me, as tight as I could get. Hearing him groan, I grinned, tilting my head as he moved back to my neck.

And the night progressed like that. Each move he made, I met him, full force. The first time was slower than before. It wasn’t rough. It was slow and sensual. Throughout the night Tray reached for me again and this time I straddled him, our hands interlocked throughout.

Just before early morning, I felt his arms tighten around me and I felt his lips skim my shoulder. I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

CHAPTER SEVEN

I woke when Tray got up and padded into the bathroom. When I heard the shower turn on, I rolled over and checked my phone. Four calls from Mandy. And…holy shit…one from home. That meant Austin. And that meant—fuck—something was wrong.

Calling Mandy, I braced myself, hearing her answer in a panicked voice, “Oh my God. Where have you been? Where’d you go last night?”

?

??I’m at Tray’s,” I said, waiting for the bomb to drop.

“Well get your ass home. Mom and Dad are showing up in an hour.”

“Oh…fuck.”

Mandy hung up.

Just then the shower cut off, and a moment later, Tray strolled into the room, a towel around his lean hips.

“What?” he asked, stopping in mid-reach for some pants.

“My parents are heading home.” I groaned, falling back on the bed.

“Alright.” He grabbed the rest of his clothes and dressed in front of me.

Glancing at me, he asked, “You going to get ready? We gotta get over to Carter’s to pick up your car.”

I’d forgotten about my car. I was still reeling, thinking of all the illegal acts I’ve been committing since my adoptive parents had been out of town. If they knew—holy shit—they’d either give me back or never let me leave the house again.

Tray sat beside me and nudged me with his leg. “Hey, you okay?”

Numbly, I said, “I broke into the police headquarters yesterday.”

“What?” Tray choked, turning to me, one hand bracing himself up on the bed.

I started to ramble, “I broke in and I destroyed evidence. I broke into their high school and stole their controller for all their security. My ex-boyfriend put my best friend in the hospital. I’ve got another best friend who’s pretending to be friends with a guy like Gentley, so he can make it through high school. God, he’s just faking it. Everyone thinks he’s this happy, carefree, likeable guy who’s just interested in a piece of ass—and he is—but that’s not all he is, and no one over there knows. Except me and Geezer. And Geezer’s got a punctured lung and three broken ribs. From my ex-boyfriend who I thought I loved and would always love. Me and Bri. That’s how it was supposed to be and now…” I took a deep breath, biting my lip, the tears just there, teasing my eyes. “Oh fuck. Let’s go.”

“Wait.” Tray turned and neatly trapped me on the bed, between his arms as he peered down at me.

I fell back against the bed, watching him above me.

“What?” I asked. He was just staring at me.

“I don’t know,” he said lamely. “You broke into a cop shop?”