The Original Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 0.50)

“Oh no,” I started, “you screwed Liza and that other girl. You started it.”

Neither of us noticed Grayley until he was suddenly in between us and pushing us apart. I blinked, startled that Brian and I had slowly stalked towards each other. We’d been in each other’s face, yelling.

I saw Tray and Gentley watching. Gentley looked amused. Tray looked—I didn’t want to name what I saw in his hazel eyes.

“Shut the fuck up, both of you!” Grayley shouted. He stood in front of Brian, facing me. “You should leave, Taryn.”

“Me? You should leave!”

“Rickets’ is our territory. It always has been,” he reasoned, watching Tray cautiously.

What the hell? I knew why Gentley tiptoed around Tray, but…Grayley, too? And Brian hadn’t said a word to him. This was not the Brian and Grayley I knew.

Contrary to recent events, Grayley was not one to look for a fight; he avoided them at all costs.

But Brian—if a fight was brewing, Brian would be the one to flick the spark.

He loved fighting. He reveled in it.

And Brian was purposely not getting in Tray’s face. Yeah, the last time at the hospital—probably wasn’t the place to have a fight. But he wasn’t moving now, at all, he wasn’t even looking at Tray.

Which told me—it all clicked—and I gasped, reeling backwards.

Brian knew about Tray.

Brian was working for Galverson. Geezer had said his dad didn’t work for Brian, he worked for the new crew. He ‘sorta’ didn’t work for Brian. So that meant Brian was working for Galverson.

And I’m just stupid for not connecting all the dots until now.

Brian would never work for Jace, but he’d compete with him. And that meant business with Galverson.

And Grayley—Grayley was Brian’s brains. Grayley knew…everything.

But, Grayley wasn’t one to get involved in the drug business. And whatever else they were running…

I suddenly felt sick to my stomach.

“You’re working for Galverson,” I whispered hoarsely.” My eyes on Brian, I saw him suddenly pale, hearing me.

“Shut up,” Grayley hissed.

I continued anyway, “And you got that bracelet from wherever his storage it. You stole it for me.”

Grayley rounded on me, shoving Brian away with his back. Grayley grasped my shoulders, his eyes trailing to Tray’s over my head. “Taryn. Shut. Up.” he said firmly, harshly. “You have to shut up and leave this alone! Leave. It. Alone, for your own goddamn good.”

I was still staring, in horror, at Brian.

I saw regret flash in the depths of his eyes. I saw remorse…and…fear.

“Brian—” I managed out, unable to speak.

“Taryn—” He was shoved back by Grayley again.

Suddenly, I felt familiar hands at my back. Tray.

He wrapped an arm around my waist, and stepped beside me. “You can move.”

I don’t know what look was shared, but Grayley and Brian both instinctually stepped back, after taking one look in Tray’s eyes.