The Original Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 0.50)

Devon’s smile was so forced I’m surprised Molly missed it with her magnifying glasses.

Even Sasha was glancing uncertainly between us. Of course that might have more to do with me dumping her to the floor.

I had so many friends. How could Mandy think I didn’t have friends? Cue the sarcasm.

“Hey, Taryn,” Devon muttered, scooting closer to the table.

“Hi!” Molly exclaimed, “Are you guys going to Carter Sethler’s party tonight? I heard it’s going to be so great! Really.”

Kill me now.

“Uh—” Devon started hesitantly, watching me.

But Sasha interjected harshly, “No way in hell.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.” Molly misunderstood.

Sasha smirked cruelly. “Uh huh. You don’t get it. I meant no way in hell are you going.”

Molly frowned, glancing at me. “Uh…”

Well, hell. I could take care of two birds with one stone.

I grinned. Devon sighed in resignation. He must be learning my looks already. I leaned forward. “Back off, platinum bitch. She’s going because I was invited—,” oh this is good—three birds, “by his girlfriend, Mandy.” I was watching for a reaction, and there it was. Devon completely understood me. “And Tray is helping me out. While I need to take care of a little chore for him, he’s giving Molly here a ride to the party.” I turned my gaze to Molly to see if she got the message—which she did. I saw a flash of hurt then disappointment in her eyes. I tried to send a silent ‘sorry’ to her, but I don’t know if she got it.

Sasha had shut her mouth. Freaking hallelujah.

“Uh,” Devon cleared his throat, “we’re supposed to talk about Erickson and his stages of development.”

“Let’s start with isolation versus intimacy,” I interjected. “I’m on the edge between them. How about you?”

Devon held my gaze, both of us trying to read the other. And he sighed, leaning back in his chair, “I was in intimacy—”

“Till you screwed that up,” I said lightly, leaning back in my own chair, my gaze challenging him.

He didn’t accept the challenge. He muttered, “Trust me. I’m firmly in isolation now.”

“I’m not in isolation,” Sasha put her two cents in. “I mean, I have a ton of friends. Plus, Justin. Hello.”

“Trust me. I don’t think what you have with Travers can be qualified as intimacy,” I drawled.

“Like you’d know.”

“I would, actually,” I shot back. “I just got out of a five year relationship.” I counted fourth grade. It didn’t really count, but I counted it anyway. Sue me.

Sasha grinned. “God. Tray never fails. He screws ‘em when they’re vulnerable and on the rebound. The guy’s a skilled player.”

“Sasha,” Devon said in surprise.

“What?”

“It’s fine, Devon, platinum Hooters girl here seems to think Tray screwed me. Trust me, honey, it was the other way around,” I said soothingly.

“Right,” she scoffed, rolling her eyes.

“He keeps coming back for more.” I grinned. He really hadn’t, but the girl had to be put in her place.

She rolled her eyes again and then completely surprised me. “Who was that guy you were talking to before?”