The Original Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 0.50)

“That girl I hooked up with last night called. Said this was the party to be at.” Trent was frowning. Like, really, really frowning.

“Why are you looking like that?” I asked. It was a question that I needed answering. I didn’t like frowns, did I?

Trent shook his head again, looking resigned. “Because I brought friends with me.”

“That’s great,” I said warmly, grinning stupidly. Wait. “Who?”

“Not friends of yours,” he said bluntly.

“Oh no.” I took a step back.

“Yeah.” He sighed again.

“Not…Gentley? I can handle Gentley.”

“Not like this, Taryn. You can’t handle Gentley drunk.”

“I’m not drunk.” I argued drunkenly.

Whee.

“Is Grayley here?” I asked weakly.

“Yeah. He’s here too.” He didn’t sound happy about that either.

Then it clicked. I’m drunk. Gentley’s here. Grayley’s my best friend and Grayley’s supposedly friends with Gentley now.

Not good.

“Oh.” I mouthed the word. Fuck. I was in a shitload of trouble.

“Girl,” Trent held my shoulders and said seriously, “you need to get out of sight. Now.”

“I’m not one to run, Trent,” I replied. I wasn’t. Why should I run? This was my turf now, right?

?

??I know, but right now it’s what’s in your best interest,” he reasoned. Why did sober people always have to sound reasonable? Why couldn’t they be drunk like people like me? The universe would be a lot better off. Truly.

Madly.

Deeply.

I always liked that song. I have no idea who sang it.

“Trent, do you know who sang the song—” I was about to ask, but I blinked, finding myself face to face with Crispin Gentley, Tracy Hardkins and Kimberley Ringsworld right behind him, followed by three other football players from Pedlam, and a pale Grayley.

I decided to take the offense and opened my mouth to say the first words in my head, “Why are so many goddamn fucking Pedlam people coming to Rawley parties?”

“Oh my fucking word,” Kimberly spouted off. She really hated me. I’d heard once that she’d always had a crush on Brian. They’d gone on two dates and he’d dropped her because the next day I’d come back to Pedlam. That had been in eighth grade—she still hated me to this day because of it. Or at least…I think that’s why she hated me.

Tracy was smiling. She looked evil. “You were one of us not long ago, Taryn.”

“Oh no,” I said horrified, “I was never one of you! Trust me.”

Gentley chose that moment to interject, “Heard what you did to your ex. Nice. It was a good reminder why I never dated you.”

“That and the fact that you need to have a dick to date me. It’s one of my requirements.”