A Whole New Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 1)

I frowned and glanced at Devon. “How much has she had to drink?”

“Nothing.” He lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “Whatever she had at the house. Some of the guys went to get shots, but we haven’t made it to the kitchen yet.”

“I didn’t think you drank that much at the house,” I said to her.

She started laughing. When she couldn’t stop, she covered her mouth with her hand. The laughter kept coming and she bent over, her shoulders shaking. “I’m sorry,” she gasped. Her head flew back up and her cheeks were bright red. “I didn’t. The girls drank all of Dad’s wine, but I didn’t have any.” She looked to Devon. “Why can’t I stop laughing?”

A faint grin was on his face. It was clouded in concern, but faded to pure amusement. Tugging on her hand, he drew her back onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her again. His head bent back into her neck and he said something, which sent a renewed wave of laughter from her, and she shook her head. “Devon!” she shrieked.

She was on something. “Hey.” I tugged on her arm. “Where are your friends?”

Her laughter faded and the glazed look in her eye lessened. She tried to focus, chewing on her lip. “Um…Jen and Amber?”

“No, the ones you were with at the house earlier.”

“Oh. No idea.” She sent me a blinding smile and turned back to Devon.

I raised my eyebrows. “Some Tristan chick? Where is she?”

He frowned a little, starting to pick up the serious tone in my voice. “They’re outside on the patio. Is everything okay?”

Mandy was still giggling, sucking on his neck. I glanced down at her, frowning, and said, “No, it’s not.” I headed for the patio. As I did, I heard Mandy say, “Taryn? What’s wrong?” But I kept going. When I got to the patio, it didn’t take me long to find Tristan and her group. They were in the corner. The girls were sitting on the laps of guys. As I approached, Tristan looked up. When she saw me, a bright smile beamed back at me, and she waved. “Taryn! Over here.”

I had to laugh. Two days ago, this girl would’ve laughed behind my back and called me a whore. Even if she wasn’t friends with Jennica and Amber, she was close to their ranks. I could see it. Her group of friends were all beautiful, catty, and snobby. I didn’t know how I had missed them in the school hierarchy, but I shouldn’t have been surprised. I didn’t give a shit about ninety-eight percent of the people at school. When I saw Stephanie Markswith perched at the end of one of the couches, I shouldn’t have been surprised. She sat in a timid manner. Her shoulders were hunched over, and her arms were crossed over her chest. She was on the outskirts of the group with no lap to sit on. I could tell she was the lowest one on the totem pole with this group. I smirked at her. Without anything spoken, I knew this was the group she was trying to get ‘in’ with. They were the next rung on the social ladder for her. She looked up and saw me then glared.

It seemed ages ago when she spread the first rumors about me. Things were much different now. She couldn’t touch me.

I grinned. “Still not over your boyfriend wanting me instead of you, huh?”

“Taryn!” Tristan beamed up at me.

Stephanie looked ready to strangle me, but she ducked her head and never said a word.

As soon as I was within arm’s reach, Tristan took my arm and pulled me closer. “Is Tray with you?”

“Yeah, he went to get drinks.”

“Wonderful.” The beam kicked up a notch.

I frowned. I was tempted to let her know that ass-kissing worked better when it wasn’t obvious, but I held my tongue. Instead I asked, “My sister is wasted in there. How much did she drink at the house?”

“Oh.” She seemed taken aback by that question, but shrugged it off. “I don’t think she had any. I gave her a glass, but I don’t think she drank it. The others drank enough for both of us, I guess.” Her eyes switched so they were more focused. She had a goal. “Does Tray know how to find you? We can make room for both of you here.” She scanned their corner. There was no room. The entire couch was packed tight. She lingered on Stephanie. Her lips pressed together, and my smirk came back. She was thinking about asking Stephanie to leave, for Tray and me. I loved it. Stephanie realized the same thing because an instant frown appeared and she sat upright, watching Tristan back. A look of disbelief was on her face and her mouth fell open an inch.

Tristan must’ve rethought it. She turned back to me. “We’ll make room somehow.”

I waved, dismissing her. “Don’t worry about it. I got what I needed to know. Thanks.”

When I turned to leave, she called after me, “Wait.”

I glanced back.

Her mouth was hanging open this time. “Uh, I thought you guys could hang out with us?” She closed it and another fake smile plastered on her face. “I mean, I know you’re not friends with Jennica and Amber. I get that. Trust me, I do. We could talk and plan their demise.” She laughed a little. “I’m just kidding. They’re friends with Mandy. I’d never do anything to hurt her—”

I almost rolled my eyes as she said that last statement. That meant she had considered doing something to them. I was all for that, but she kept going, ?

?—I’m so happy her and Devon worked things out. Aren’t you? I think it’s great. Those two are going to get married. I’m calling it now.”

Gritting my teeth, visions of Mandy’s future flashed in my head. He’d cheat on her. She’d catch him, cry about it, threaten divorce, and would go back to him. The cycle would be on repeat for the rest of her life. “God, I hope not.”