I spotted my turn and slipped in my last pair of sixes. “Neutral.” Then got flicked off by another player and laughed.
I’d been recruited into the game when Samuel grabbed me and pulled me to the empty chair beside him. The last two hours had gone by quickly. The place was overflowing with people now. Tray was outside manning a keg that Dylan brought over while Mandy showed up with friends that I still didn’t know. They were at the pool. When she started glancing at Devon, who was manning the keg with Tray, I saw the hope in her eyes and knew where it was going. Mandy was like so many girls, crying about a guy hours earlier and then trying to get his attention. Jennica was there as well, but she kept inside with the other girls from their group.
I didn’t want to be there when their love triangle hit the fan. It was inevitable, but Tray said to have fun so I was going to try.
“Take that!” Samuel hollered as he threw his last card on the pile, bringing me back to the present.
A guy rolled his eyes. “You’re neutral, dumb-ass.”
Samuel shrugged. “Just wait. I’ll be Prez pretty soon and then you’ll be my beer bitch.” Downing the rest of his drink, he turned to me. “How about it, Taryn? Another shot?”
“Right and give you the chance to drug my drink?” I stood, but winked at him. “I’m not a complete idiot. I’ll get my own drink.”
“I said a shot. Not a drink. There’s a big difference.” Samuel followed behind me as I started through the crowd.
I just laughed and went around a large group, half-stumbling to the keg. Samuel caught my arm and righted me a few times on the way. I turned to tell him thanks and saw that he wasn’t looking at me. He’d been watching Tray, who could see us through the crowd. Samuel chuckled beside me. “I told him I’d watch over you. The guy needs to relax and delegate sometimes.” Then he winked back at me. When we drew closer, he hollered over my shoulder “I need two shots.”
I winced and elbowed him. “Back up. I need to be able to hear, you know.”
Samuel grinned and ignored me as he reached for the two shots. One was pushed into my hand and I frowned. Was I—never mind—I’d tossed it down my throat and grinned at Tray. “That was good. What was it?”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Does it matter?” Then poured another one.
“Sweet.” Samuel took his and gestured to him. “I love this man.” He was talking to me, but grinned widely at Tray. “I love you, man.”
Tray chuckled. “Good to know because you need to go downstairs and grab a few more bottles for me.”
“On it.” He turned to go, but bounced back. Brian was there with a glower on his face, glaring down at him.
“Brian.” I started for him, but Tray pulled me back. It didn’t matter. My first instinct was to go to him. Always. Even now, Brian was furious, but I saw the little boy in him. He was hurting. It would never matter how violent he might be. That’s all I would see.
He transferred that look of hate to me. His nostrils flared. “I was told to stay away from you.” He laughed, cursing at the same time. “You told me that. Jace told me. Gray told me. That’s all anyone says now: leave Taryn alone.”
“Shut up.”
I was pulled back and Tray stood in front of me. A different feeling hit the air. It grew serious and oppressive. People sensed it and turned to see the reason. Within seconds, a small circle had formed around them.
“Evans.”
“Lanser.” Tray wasn’t affected Brian’s growl. “This is my house.”
“That’s my woman.”
Tray lifted his head, raising his chin a centimeter higher. “She’s not, actually.”
Brian stiffened. His jaw clenched, and he swung his accusing eyes my way. I gulped when they hit me. I felt punched in the throat by them and looked away. By that movement, I had submitted my guilt to him. Then I realized what I had done and I got pissed. I jerked my head back and snarled at him. Brian saw it and frowned. I moved forward. Tray reached a hand to me, but I bypassed him. No guy was going to put me in the back.
I shoved between them and poked at Brian’s chest, pushing him back a step. “It’s none of your goddamn business.”
“You’re his woman?”
“I’m not anybody’s woman. I’m mine.” I was ready to tear some shit up. “You came here. This is Tray’s house. I bet you heard there was a party and couldn’t help yourself. Am I right?”
Guilt flared over his face.
I’d been right. I nodded. “This is on you. You knew where you were coming. You know I’m moving on. You won’t let it go so this whole thing, how shitty you’re feeling right now, this is all on you. I won’t feel guilty because I’m trying for a better life. I won’t, Brian.”
He wasn’t fighting back. The more I spoke, his shoulders dropped. The anger was leaving him and for some reason, I was disappointed. I frowned, not understanding that at all. I wanted him to fight back, but why? Then Tray was there again. His hand touched my wrist, and he pulled me back again. It was a gentle touch and a slight movement. I was lost in my own head. Why did I want Brian to fight with me? That made no sense.