Always Crew

That’s when I told him.

“The night’s not done.”

Cross stopped and stiffened, his head jerking my way. “What?” he clipped out.

My cheeks were starting to hurt from all the grinning. I shouldn’t find this so entertaining by now, but I did. I couldn’t help it. We were past when the tension had been alarming between the two.

I nodded, biting my lip and stifling my laughter. “Yeah. We’re going to the movies now.”

“What?!”

Cross won the movie fight.

We got there first.

He picked the movie.

He paid for the four tickets.

He was the one who gloated through the whole showing.

From: Cross

To: Tazsters

Subject: wtf

How often do you talk to Blaise?

Stop telling him that you and I aren’t talking. That shit ain’t funny.

I’m still the best twin.

Love you a fucking ton.

What the hell is going on with Race? Not lying, T. I will come there with my crew and I will handle him. I trained with that guy. I know his weaknesses.

But for real, are you okay? You’ve not said anything about Race.

—always the better twin

From: Blaise DeVroe

To: Tazsters

Subject: sorry but also not really sorry

Heads up. Cross is pissed. I said something to him.

Blaise

From: Brenners

To: Tazsters

Subject: kinda worried

What is going on with you and Race? Is it the roommate thing?

Bren

From: Brenners

To: Race Ryerson

Subject: fair warning

I don’t know what you’re doing, but stop it. I mean it. If you don’t want to be with her, cut her loose. If you do, treat her right. Love her. Cherish her. Protect her. And fair warning, Cross is pissed. There might be a trip in the future.

Bren

BREN

I was getting ready to head to Aspen’s dorm where she assured me was ‘ground zero’ for the insurrection of girls’ night. I asked what that meant, and her reply, “Drinking. Lots of drinking. And getting our outfits approved.”

I was down for whatever the night was going to entail. That was, until Cross came to my bedroom and knocked on the door once.

I looked up. He was standing just inside the doorway, a funny expression pulling at his mouth.

I paused. “What?”

“Um. You might want to come downstairs.”

I’d heard car doors outside, and conversation, but I just assumed the guys were back. Jordan texted saying they wouldn’t get home Friday night after all. So then it was Saturday morning. We were now well past seven in the evening. I was supposed to be at Aspen’s in an hour.

So that was why I asked, “Jordan and Zellman are finally home?”

Cross didn’t respond, just watched me a second. “Something like that.”

Unease trickled through me, but I went.

Cross led the way.

I came behind and paused halfway because Jordan wasn’t alone. Zellman wasn’t alone either.

Tabatha stood just inside the door, two bags on the floor next to her, and she was watching me, her eyes large and sad.

She swallowed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Heya, Bren.”

“You’re back?”

She nodded, glancing to Jordan.

He was standing beside the couch, his hands in his pockets and a whole brooding look on his face. His hair was messed up. He didn’t look like he cared. His eyes were exasperated, and he flicked them to me. “She’s staying for a few days.”

I raised my eyebrows.

Cross finished going down the stairs and moved toward the kitchen. “You want something to drink, Tabatha?”

“Water?”

Cross nodded.

“Thank you.” But she was looking back at me, and still biting down on her lip. “Is it okay if I’m here? I mean,” she linked her fingers together, her hands wringing, “my sisters have been amazing, but I’m not ready. I go back there and Jessinda,” she cut off, a short and dry laugh coming from her. “You don’t know Jessinda. She’ll want to know everything, and I’ve gotten enough texts from her to know she found out some things and yeah. She won’t stop till she crucifies Tim.”

Tim.

I forgot that guy had a first name.

That asshole Harper just seemed the most fitting way to address him.

I kept my thoughts to myself, looking at Jordan, and gave him a look look. His mouth flattened and his eyes narrowed, but he knew what I was asking. Had Jessinda spilled the beans like she was told?

He coughed, his voice coming out as if he were being force-fed. “Uh. About Jessinda—” He stopped, his gaze steady on Tabatha as his Adam’s apple moved up and down in a swallow.

Tabatha shook her head. “Don’t. I know.”

I was effectively rocked back on my heels, though I didn’t actually move. I felt the momentum. It was a fast swing from my blind spot as Tabatha continued, surprising me even more, “Jessy called, told me that she got drunk and Jordan was there, and Jordan’s hot, and yeah.” She cast him another look, the pain that flared was so vivid, I felt punched by it again. “I mean, I deserved it. I know what I did—”

“Stop.”

Tabatha jumped backwards, skirting until she hit the wall.