A Whole New Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 1)

“Excuse me?”

“You know what. The entire fucking school is going off about you and Amber. You said that we hurt people, that we don’t give a shit about them.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. This could get technical. “She doesn’t.”

“You lumped her in a group at the top. I’m the top. Anything you said about her, you said about me too.”

That was the problem. I sighed. “Okay, listen. I can see the confusion.”

“Stop messing around, Taryn. You called out my group of friends, and they’re pissed.”

I snorted. “Yeah, I’m sure. The guys didn’t look that pissed. I was calling out the girls, and you know it. Everyone knows it.”

He stepped close, curbed a hand around my neck and leaned close. He didn’t touch me otherwise, but I felt the heat from him. Even though I was in trouble, I wanted to touch him. I wanted to lift my hands and press them to his chest. I wanted to feel him tremble under their touch and then I wanted him to close the distance, put his mouth on mine, and press me against the wall.

“Taryn!”

I jerked back to the present. “What? Yes. I didn’t mean you. I’m sorry.”

He groaned, raking a hand through his hair. “What the hell am I supposed to do? Everyone’s looking at me to reprimand you.”

Not really. I gave him a tentative smile. “You know, you could just make it clear that this is a girl thing. Amber would have to fight her own battle and you’re in the clear.” I nodded. “That could happen. We’d be covered and I can handle her.”

He cursed and shot back, “When did you decide to be the school?

??s personal savior and call out everyone at the top? The girl thing won’t fly and you know it. You’re pissed because your sister is letting Amber and Jennica walk all over her. You’re trying to fix her problem, like you’ve always done. You set the alarms to save Mandy from gossip, and now you’re covering your own ass by going after all of us.”

“I didn’t mean you.”

“Tough shit. I’m at the top. You said ‘people like you.’ That means me, my crowd, my people.”

“I’m not going after you. This has nothing to do with you.”

“Yes, it does,” he retorted fiercely. “This is my school; you’re messing with my friends.”

“No—”

“Mine,” he bit out.

“Look,” I spoke a little calmer, “I’m tired of how Amber gets away with everything at this school.”

“So am I,” he stated.

“I know, but,” I faltered, “this isn’t about you. About you and me.”

“Oh no. You’re goddamn right about that one. This has no bearing on you and me.”

I stopped at his words. There was a possessive note in his voice and heat rushed through me. The ache to feel him against me started again, but I cleared my throat. My voice was hoarse when I spoke, “Look, I was just pissed. Amber and Mandy wanted to get out of class for some pep rally posters. I’m tired of how they can do whatever the hell they want. So I said something and then Amber brought my shit up. About the alarms last Monday, about how Pedlam got broken into.” My hands lifted to his shirt and I grasped onto his collar. He remained standing so close to me, his gaze bearing into me. Oh god. It was such an intimate look. My chest swelled and I ignored how my pulse picked up speed. I added, “She called you out too when she brought up the Pedlam thing.”

Tray sighed, raking a hand through his hair.

My lips were dry. God, he was freaking gorgeous. And those lips…his shoulders…

Tray gave me an exasperated look. “You got pissed and went after her. My friends aren’t saints. I’m not a saint.” His look switched to a pointed one. “Neither are you. You’ve got serious history with the biggest drug-runner in Pedlam. You used to date a guy that’s violent.” My eyes got big, but before I could argue, he said, “Maybe not towards you, but he’s known to be violent with others. Both Lansers aren’t good people.”

I sighed, turning away to rest my head against the wall. I didn’t know what to say. I’d opened a can of worms, but—hell—I wasn’t one to sit back and let stuff slide by. Not if I was pissed enough and could stop it. Or, to be more accurate, if I wanted to stop it. Tray was right, I let a lot of stuff by because I didn’t care about it, but this time, I cared. So I opened my mouth.

“How did you know about Jace?”