Whoa. That was a personal best.
Trent and a few of the other guys were desperately coughing, trying to cover up their laughs, turning away.
Gentley glared at me, full force, as he stalked closer. “Oh, Taryn. Trust me. I’ve got more than enough dick for you.”
I smiled sweetly. “Not really. I’ve seen pictures.”
That pissed him off. Even drunk, I took a step back in self-preservation.
“Maybe I should give you another view,” Gentley whispered, suddenly in my face. “Maybe you can get up close and personal to reconsider.”
That didn’t sound like a good thing to do.
Suddenly, Gentley was wrenched away. Grayley and Trent were both standing between us.
“She’s drunk, Crisp. Leave her alone,” Grayley was saying, pushing Gentley back another step.
“Are you kidding me?” Gentley laughed, more perplexed. “Are you and Gardner actually protecting that bitch?”
“It’s not right, dude,” Trent said. “Taryn’s not up to par. Anything less cheapens the triumph. We all know that.”
“Please,” Gentley scoffed, shoving both of them back. “Get off me, Gray. You’ve been in love with her since the eighth grade. But you, Gardner, I’m surprised.”
I narrowed my eyes. Grayley was not in love with me. No fucking way. I was about to say that too when I felt familiar hands grab my arm and pull me backwards.
Tray.
And Bryce. Then, blinking, I saw Devon, Carter, Grant, and about four other guys materialize out of nowhere.
“Out,” Tray ordered. “We don’t need a brawl right now.”
“Excuse me? What the fuck did you just say?”
“I said,” Tray said icily, “you can leave. Now.”
“Whatever, fucker, we all know it was you who messed up our field and gym,” Gentley growled.
Without another word, Tray stepped up and neatly clipped Gentley on the jaw. Crispin fell. Just like that.
Tray stepped in and kicked him. “This is my town and if you go against one of mine, you go against me. Now get the fuck out.”
Gentley shoved him back and stood up. “Taryn may have been one of your bitches in bed, but trust me—she’s just like any other slut.”
That was it.
The fucker was going down. Once and for all. Drunk or not, I could still talk and words were my second favorite weapon.
I shoved through the crowd and shot back, acid dripping from my voice, “Please. Crispin. How long are you going to hold this grudge against me? I rejected you in the ninth grade. Two. Fucking. Years. Ago. I’d figured that Kimberly had been comforting you. I mean, you and her got so much in common since both of you wanted to break Brian and me up.” I looked at Kimberly. “You’re more than welcome to him, now by the way. He’s probably at home since I landed him in the E.R. today. I’m sure he’s got to nurse those wounds.”
“Shut the fuck up.”
I blinked. More in surprise because it hadn’t come from Kimberly. Or Gentley.
It came from Grayley.
“Grayley…” I stammered.
“You don’t fucking think, Taryn!” he yelled. I could see his rage now. “Yeah. Big fucking deal. You beat Brian up. Guess what? He’s not going against you. He never would—he knows you can bury him. No, he’s going to go after me or Geezer or Kerri—or anyone else. Maybe even Jace. You ever think of that?”