The Original Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 0.50)

“Great. That coming from a drug lord.” Tray snorted, rolling his eyes.

“He’s not a drug lord.”

“No, he’s a drug dealer. A lot more prestigious,” he said sarcastically.

“Jace is—”

“Jace is someone you should stay away from. He might care about you, but he’s not going to change. And one day he’s going to end up in prison or dead.”

That was enough. “And how do you know so goddamn much?” I cried out, frustrated. The guy was insufferable.

“I know. Trust me.”

“But how? I don’t understand—it’s like you’re—one of them.”

“I am,” he remarked.

“You run steroids, but you won’t let the drug-runners in town. I don’t get it—how can you keep drugs out of Rawley?”

“It’s not that.” He sighed, raking a hand through his hair. “I just don’t let Jace Lanser come in here.”

“But how?” I asked dumbly.

“My dad used to be the chief of police here and my older brother’s with the DEA. I know both sides, trust me. I know where to step and where not to step.” Tray relented, sitting on a roll of wrestling mats against the wall. Bracing his elbows on his knees, he said further, “That’s why I won’t let Jace Lanser come into Rawley and it’s why he stays away.”

“Jace said something…that you run the interstate intersection?”

He grinned, resting against the wall behind him. “Yeah, more like I just know which cops to call and which not to. Plus, I’ve got some buddies that like to rough people up. They’re always good for sending after someone.”

“I don’t know…,” I shifted on my feet, confused, “if I understand.”

“Do you have to?” he asked me, his eyes piercing mine.

“Why steroids?”

“Because,” he sighed, “in the beginning, they pissed my dad off.”

I sighed, and moved to sit in front of him. Tray pulled me back against his chest and wrapped his arms around me. I laid my head on his chest.

“So…what now?” I asked, both of us knowing what I referred to.

“I don’t know,” he murmured.

“I’m not going to be good with Amber and Bryce. Or Jasmine and Devon. Hell no.”

“Is it Mandy? Or do you just have to piss off all my friends?”

“I go after those that hurt the ones I love. If Mandy’s going to lay down and let them roll over her—fine. But I won’t. And if she expects me to act nice, fuck no.”

“They’re expecting me to put you in your place,” he mentioned, one hand caressing my leg.

“So what do you want me to do? I’m not backing down. That’s not me.”

“I know, but it’s going to make things a lot tenser with the group.”

“Why? It’s not like I’m exactly friends with you guys.” I turned to face him, his hands moving to my waist.

“I know. But I like to be with you as much as possible.” He grinned.