The Original Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 0.50)

“You want your clothes to get wet?” He gestured to me and I realized I still had my skirt and tank-top on. I’d remembered to take off my flip-flops at the bottom, but I hadn’t thought about my clothes.

“Oh.” I quickly slipped out of them and handed ‘em to Tray. He stuffed both items in his back pocket and I stood there in my black bikini. I heard one of the guys let out a small groan.

I saw the corner of Tray’s mouth curve upwards into half a grin. He was watching me closely and he could see the excitement pooling in my eyes. Our eyes held for a moment and then I flashed him a smile.

Then I jumped, arching my arms gracefully, twisting vertically (called a twist group) in the air as I soared. It felt like I was flying. I loved feeling the wind against me and as I neared the bottom, I tucked my head, my arms perfectly straight as I cleanly cut through the water. I swam to the surface, my head breaking the water a moment later.

I couldn’t wipe the stupid grin off my face as I swam to the side, nor could I stamp down the flood of adrenalin in my body as I hauled myself out.

“Taryn, that was awesome!” Mandy yelled out, sitting on the ground near the cooler.

“Wow.”

“Whoa.”

Amber and Sasha rolled their eyes. Okay, I don’t know if they did or didn’t. I wasn’t paying attention, but I imagine they probably did.

“Want a drink now?” she called out, raising her glass.

“Going again,” I shot back, and climbed right back up. I didn’t pay any attention to the guys as I walked back to the edge, and this time I did a reverse group—I faced the water, but as I jumped I rotated my body backwards as I fell through the air. I brought my arms up for a clean, straight entrance and kicked my legs to send my body soaring back up to the surface.

The truth is that I could’ve done this the entire afternoon.

After a while, the third dive—another twist group—the guys had stopped watching.

When I knew no one was paying attention anymore, I approached the edge and gently lowered myself to the ground. I put my hands out and raised my body to a handstand and then pushed off. I tucked and then let loose, just before I met the water.

Stealing was my first love. This was easily my second.

And holy hell—if Tray and I end the night together in bed, I’ll die happy.

When I raised myself out of the water, I realized my legs were a little weak, so I decided to call a break and found Mandy. I fell to the towel she had placed next to her.

“Taryn, I didn’t know you could do that,” she greeted me excitedly.

I couldn’t form words yet, so I just grinned as I accepted a bottle of water one of the girls handed me.

“You’re really good,” the water girl said—I think her name was Erin. I just said thanks not wanting to humiliate her by calling her the wrong name.

“Man! Mom said you were good, but Taryn, you should join the team. Like, seriously.”

I had to laugh at her words. Like, seriously.

“I could talk to Coach Greenly.” This suggestion was made by a girl, her hair in a French braid. I don’t swing that way, but I was taken aback by how pretty she was. Her brunette hair literally sparkled and she had the longest eyelashes.

I would’ve been jealous, but nothing could affect me right now. I was still riding the adrenalin wave.

“Thanks, but I’ve already met him,” I murmured, drinking my water.

“My name’s Tristan,” she introduced herself, nudging Water Girl aside, she continued, “and this is Erin.”

“Hi. Taryn.”

“We’ve seen you around, but you probably don’t remember our names,” Tristan said easily, confidence oozing from her voice. “I’ve been in Spain until last week. I go to school over there. My parents don’t think Rawley has the best education my family of blue-bloods can achieve.”

I couldn’t tell if she meant to sound snobbish or sarcastic.

I remained silent.