The Original Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 0.50)

“I’m here now, Austin,” I spoke up, quietly.

He was a little punk, but in that moment, I saw the little boy in him.

“I’m sorry that I haven’t been around,” I added.

“And where have you been?” Shelley asked sharply.

I sighed. “I don’t think this should be turned around on me.”

“You took my daughter to rehab and you disappeared. Mrs. Bates told me that you’ve been dating that Evans boy. I do not want Tray Evans in your life, Taryn. He is a bad influence and he deserves to be in jail.”

Oh, if she only knew.

I said icily, “Right now, I think Tray’s the best influence I could have in my life. Especially considering it was his father who sold my adoption to you.”

Shelley and Kevin—both froze. Completely still.

“I don’t see why you should even make demands as to where I’ve been considering the fact that you got paid how much? Ten mil, is what I heard. I was an easy enough reward. Got the money and I’m not even around that much for you to deal with me and my ‘stealing’ ways.”

“Who told you that?”

I’d had enough of this. I couldn’t squelch the disdain in my voice as I said slowly, “There’s a reason why you were paid to adopt me, and it’s the same goddamn reason why I was able to figure it out. As far as I’m concerned, I’m done with you as my parents. This family is ridiculous. You have so many problems and I’m thinking I’m the healthiest one here. Mandy and Austin are my brother and sister, no matter what, but you two—no fucking way are you my parents. No fucking way in hell!”

“You need to watch your language,” Shelley retorted. I saw the anger spark in her eyes, the rigid set in her shoulders.

But I plowed ahead, not caring, “I’m thinking my language is the least of your concerns. You wanna screw up your daughter and son? Fine, go ahead. Keep using drugs, keep letting your husband leave and avoid everything that goes on here. Just keep pushing your head in your fucking drug pillow and pretend that life’s alright. It’ll work its way out in the end when someone in this family ends up killing themselves. That’d be a great ending to your fucked up life.”

“Shut up,” Shelley whispered, “shut up.”

“Please, don’t shut up!” I threw back. “That’s your problem. You don’t say anything and hide. You both hide. Kevin, I’m pretty sure you don’t have to go to all those fucking medical conferences.”

I saw the relief in Mandy and Austin’s eyes. And it was enough, at least for me, to keep going.

“Whatever,” I bit out, moving past to the stairs, “I’m just here to pack my bags. I’ll be leaving shortly. Mandy, Austin, I’m at Tray’s if you need me.”

After my bag was packed, the kitchen was still quiet.

Whatever.

I didn’t bother to say goodbye when I shut the door.

“Taryn!”

I turned back and saw Austin at the door. He looked uncertain.

“Come on.” I gestured to the car and I knew it was the right thing to do. His shoulders seemed to relax, so I threw my arm over his shoulder and murmured, “You can stay at Tray’s if you want.”

The punk couldn’t say anything, but I saw tears in his eyes.

Karen turned in surprise when Austin and I crawled into the back. “Plus one, huh.”

“Yep. What can I say? He’s a little shit, but he’s attached at the hip.”

Austin grinned and looked out the window.

I saw one of his hands was trembling slightly, but he tucked it under his leg.

When we got to Tray’s I wasn’t really surprised to see the driveway packed with cars.