Psych was psychology. The rest of class passed without event. I mean…what could really top Jasmine’s backstab? I couldn’t think of anything off the top of my head.

Molly leaned over and whispered, “Are you going to see him again?”

Normally, you’d think she’d be talking about my crush or date or lover (whatever), but no—this was what I liked about Molly, or what I was learning to like about her—the girl’s just boy crazy.

Justin Travers.

Then Tray.

Larkins got a shot—who knows…I’ve got a hunch Larkins won’t be going anywhere.

And now Props. I could swear Molly had referred to Travers and Props as the love of her life—both of them. My guess is that it’ll be someone new in a few days.

But anyway…no, she wasn’t talking about my guy. It was her guy. Her latest interest.

I shrugged. “I gotta take care of something first.”

“Call me when you go see Props. I wanna come with.”

The girl was a social introvert. She wanted to go to a party just so her mom would have to worry about her—once. But I was learning that she was relentless when it came to boys.

“You one of those girls who constantly has a boyfriend?” I asked, more curious than anything

She flushed—what a shocker. “Why?”

“Because I’m starting to think the only reason we’re friends is because I’m your pimp. I’m wondering if you’ve always been like this?”

“Oh…well…no,” she answered self-consciously, glancing down at the table. “It’s just…you know these guys. I mean—you don’t care, you can go right up to them and talk to them. None of my other friends do that.”

“Who are your other friends?” I suddenly realized I talk to this girl in science and psychology. I’ve yet to see her speak with another student. And somehow…I felt a little guilty at that. Well, some guilt.

She shrugged, fiddling with her thumbs.

“Do you have friends?” I asked bluntly, watching her intently.

“I have two other friends and they’re…”

“Are they real?” Excuse me for wondering, but she was being so weird right now. Not the blushing bubbly Molly I’d come to know.

“Yes, they’re real,” she replied, giving me a small glare that seriously lacked vehemence—instead she looked constipated. “They just…they’re one of the invisibles here.”

“Invisibles,” I repeated lamely, not comprehending what she was talking about.

“Like me. I’m….I’m an invisible. At least I was—until I met you.”

“You weren’t invisible to Larkins,” I pointed out. The guy went crazy on me before I became friends with her.

She shrugged. “I know, but Garrett’s my neighbor. He doesn’t count.”

“Oh!” I gave her a wide smile. “He’s nice and close. Getting some of that neighborly loving, huh?” I teased, nudging her shoulder.

She blushed and ducked her head—nothing new there.

“You’ll have to introduce me to the rest of the Invisibles,” I remarked, standing up when the bell rang.

“Really?” Molly asked, startled.

“Yeah. Why not.” I shrugged, heading out.

“Um…okay,” she murmured, biting her lip self-consciously.

We stopped at my locker. When I opened it, I asked, “What’s up with that?”

“With what?”

“You don’t want me to meet your friends?”

“It’s not that…it’s…nothing. It’s nothing.” She glanced around. “I should…huh…I should get going.”

Well that was weird.

“Taryn!” Mandy bounced up to my locker, her blond hair literally bouncing on her shoulders.

“Hey,” I murmured.

“So, what’d you think about class?”

“Which one?” I asked dryly.

“Our last class!” She didn’t need to add the ‘duh,’ I could hear it in her voice.

“About Jasmine?”

“Yeah!” Mandy sent me a blinding smile, bleached teeth and all. “We did it for you.”

Wait.

“What?” I asked, turning to face my sister. “What do you mean she did it for me?”

“Please.” Mandy rolled her eyes, clutching her books tightly. “We’ve been getting sick and tired of Sasha. She’s such a bitch to you.”

“And I can take care of myself,” I retorted, a little irritated.

“What’s gotten into you? I mean, we thought you’d be happy. Sasha’s been on your back since last week. Now, her and Amber have suddenly become ‘friends.’ Please,” she said in disgust, “Amber pisses me off sometimes.”

“Amber,” I stated in disbelief, “you’re best friend Amber?”

“You’re my sister. Amber shouldn’t bring friends in the group who are going dump all over you,” she explained matter-of-factly, unaware at how pissed I was getting.

“Excuse me?” I drawled slowly. Mandy looked up at me and her eyes widened in surprise.

“Uh?” She paused, uncertain which way to tread.

“Do me a favor and stop putting me in the middle of your issues with Jasmine and Amber. You and Jasmine pulled that stunt because the two of you didn’t like Sasha. Sasha was becoming too buddy-buddy with Amber, and you and Jasmine were threatened. That’s why the two of you did what you did. Not because of me. We both know I can take care of myself,” I finished tensely.

Fuck that.

“But we did do it for y—”

“No, you didn’t!” I cried out, slamming my locker shut, uncaring that we had an audience. “If you were going to do anything for me, it’d be to drop friends like Amber and Jasmine. Jasmine screwed Devon for a year,” I ignored her flinch, “a year, Mandy! And Amber knew about it—they all knew about it.”

“What?” Mandy gasped.

“But no, instead you’re willing to sacrifice having good friends so you can be popular.”

“Who knew about it?”

“Take a wild guess!” I shouted. “When you’re popular, you gotta expect you’ll be the last to know shit. Especially about your cheating boyfriend—who’s going to cheat again. And you know it. Every time you’re off at some cheerleader camp or student council conference, you’re always going to wonder.”

“And you have such stellar friends,” Mandy retorted, wanting to hurt me.

I fell silent. Oh yeah, I knew exactly how stellar my friends were. Friends who’d lied to me, fucked me over. Yeah, I had great friends.

“Trust me, I am fully aware of how fucked up my friends are,” I said hoarsely, turning to storm off. I stopped short, seeing everyone—everyone—frozen in place, listening to us. Fuck, I even saw our psych teacher in the hallway, looking at us.

“Miss Matthews,” she spoke up, coming to stand in front of us, “I think you and your sister will be meeting with me tomorrow after class.”

Oh…shit.

Some of Mandy’s friends came up and hugged her, walking away with her, a few of them glaring at me over their shoulders.

Whatever.

I was the one telling the truth. I was just calling it how it is, not putting on some show. With my newfound wisdom, I wasn’t about to let anyone get into place to stab me in the back.

Screw that.

Sighing, I turned back to my locker, realizing I forgot to grab my bag with my keys. As I opened the pocket, I saw Tray’s keys were still inside. I’d forgotten to give them back. Grabbing them, I pulled my bag out and shut it. I walked down his hallway, seeing a lot of students that I could swear didn’t even go to our school; however, I was the new student—one that isolated herself at that.

But they all seemed to know me, judging from their glares or grins.

I saw Tray standing at his open locker, grinning at something Justin Travers and three other guys were telling him.

There they were: the gods of the gods—the popular guys—the ones that every girl had their first crush on—the ones you’d remember after you were married and returned to your hometown…and they’d still give you the butterflies when you saw ‘em in a gas station, filling up their newest car with their little kiddies in the back.

Devon, Bryce, and Grant were lounging against a locker a few down from Tray’s, but they were listening in on whatever Travers was saying. The other guys—they were the basketball players that had helped vandalize Pedlam—were on the opposite side of the hall, also listening to Travers.

I hesitated, suddenly unsure what to do. I mean, Tray always found me. I’d never singled him out, but he probably needed his keys. For some reason, I was hesitant to approach.

“If you don’t move, you’re going to get trampled,” came a voice from behind me.

I turned and saw a girl with sleek black hair and green eyes, regarding me in annoyance. She was dressed how I used to dress. In fact, her tank top looked like… “You get that from Petros?” I asked, nodding at her top.

Surprised, she replied, “Yeah, you shop there?”

“I used to,” I murmured. “I went to Pedlam for a few years.”

“Me too,” she commented, looking unsure. “I moved here three years ago, but my cousins still go there, so I visit and shop a lot out there.”

“Senior?” I asked. We were in the senior hallway, after all. Tray was a god, which was the only reason he was allowed a locker in the senior hallway.

“Yeah, you’re not?”

“Junior. You must’ve moved when I was just starting high school at Pedlam.”

“Who were your friends?” she asked, now more interested.

“Brian Lanser. Grayley. Trent Gardner. Liza. Kerri. Geezer.”

“Oh,” she laughed, “we were in totally different crowds.”

“Gentley,” I pinpointed.

“Yeah,” she chuckled, “take it you’re not a fan.”

“Gentley and I hate each other,” I said matter-of-factly. “Still.”

“Oh!” Understanding dawned in her eyes. “You’re Taryn Matthews.”

“You’ve heard of me?”

“Oh, honey, everyone in Pedlam and Rawley has heard about you.” She laughed. “My name’s Crystal Fairs.”

“Taryn Matthews,” I greeted formally.

We didn’t shake on it.

She gestured over my shoulder. “So that’s why you’re down in Senior Haven. You’re Tray Evan’s latest girl. Gotta say—he’s more of a Gentley than a Brian Lanser, from what I hear about Brian Lanser.”

He was not a Gentley. But he wasn’t a Brian Lanser either…and she’d just called me his latest girl. Tray Evan’s latest girl.

I was a bit uncomfortable with that. Whatever.

“Man, a lot of girls hate you, you know,” she mused, grinning at me. “Including me, you should know that.” There wasn’t much heat behind that statement though.

“Trust me, I’m used to the feeling,” I murmured half-heartedly, glancing over to Tray’s locker again. He was still talking with the same guys and none of them looked like they were about to move anytime soon.

“Yeah, well, you oughtta head out of here. Casners’ going to be coming back from her weekly meeting with our esteemed principal. She’s not going to be happy seeing you in her territory.”

“Aidrian Casners?” I asked, more alert.

“Yeah…” Crystal frowned, watching me warily. “You say that like you don’t know her.”

“I got a favor to ask her.” I bit my lip. I knew the tight spot Props had placed me in, but…fuck—I needed what he could find for me. So…somehow…I had to befriend this Casners who evidently hated me. What a shocker.

“Matthews, some advice: run,” Crystal said bluntly, stepping back.

I turned and saw Aidrian Casners—or a girl who matched Props’ and everyone else’s description of her. She looked the definition of white trash, but she had attitude. I could tell that. She was grinning up at Tray, almost rubbing her chest against his.

Well, what do you expect? At least she has taste. I wasn’t really one to hold it against her, I’d gone for more than a double-dose of seconds.

Now…here’s the deal. She had a reputation. Amber hated her, so that made me like her. And I felt some camaraderie for her—she wanted Tray. I could relate. And I needed her to help me out with Props. But the girl was going after someone who I wasn’t done with. And I just didn’t like seeing what I was witnessing.

Tray wasn’t exactly pushing her away, but he wasn’t encouraging her either.

I saw her hand snake around his waist and move down. I turned to Crystal and asked, “What does she like? Like, what’s she obsessed with?”

“What?” Crystal asked, perplexed.

“What would she do anything for?”

“Uh,” she thought a moment, “I don’t know. She’s pretty crazed about Third Wave. That’s a—”

I can do that. I was already walking over when I called out, “Casners.”

Aidrian froze. Tray froze. Hell—everyone froze at my voice.

She turned and blinked at me, trying to figure out who I was. After a minute, I saw the recognition in her eyes.

Tray was just watching me, he saw the determination in my eyes.

The rest of the guys moved out of the way.

“So, you’re the little tramp that’s been warming my spot,” she taunted, taking a step towards me.

“Third Wave’s at Pedlam in a week.” They were playing at the Seven8…made things a bit more sticky, but I could work around it.

She looked a little confused. Obviously, she’d been expecting a battle, but I just grinned at her, waiting for her reply.

“So?” she demanded heatedly, but still confused.

“You want tickets?”

“I have tickets.”

“You want front-row tickets?” I sweetened the pot.

“What?”

“I can get you front row seats and back-stage passes,” I delivered, waiting. It was too tempting for her not to bite.

Which she did. I grinned, almost feeling all of the pieces slide into place. Everything was working out.

“You can get me that? Why?”

“You gotta do something for me,” I stated silkily.

She frowned, glancing at Tray underneath her eyelids.

I stepped closer. “And no, it’s got nothing to do with him.”

“What is it?”

“I need you to go on a date with someone. Hell, take him with you to the concert.”

“Who?” she asked suspiciously.

“Oh no. It don’t work that way. You’re in or not.” I wanted my deal done. I did the negotiations, no one else.

I caught a quick grin flash across Tray’s features—he’d seen this side of me before.

Aidrian chewed on it for a moment. Then she said, “Fine.”

“Fine,” I said firmly.

“Who is it?”

“He’ll pick you up with the tickets. Just be ready,” I instructed her, and then I raised my hands, Tray’s keys hanging from my fingers. “Thought you might want these.”

Tray took them, his fingers sliding against mine for a moment.

One hand grabbed one of my belt loops and yanked me against him, he asked, “You coming over tonight?” He bent and nuzzled my neck—I was realizing he loved to do that. One of his hands slid down my back and rested just inside the back of my pants, his palm hot against my skin.

Casners was watching us, so was everyone else.

I was tempted, I really was, but I had work to do.

I sighed, turning to give him a long, deep kiss. “I can’t.” I pushed him away. “I have work to do. Remember?”

He frowned at that. “Taryn—”

I heard the warning in his voice and I snapped, “Don’t even.” I didn’t care who heard. “They fucked with me—they’re going down. Even if I don’t get any sleep for a year straight.”

I made sure to send a warning sweep over Casners as I finished that statement.

Tray caught my elbow and dragged me away, pulling me into an empty room. He pulled me close against him and warned, “You need to be careful.”

I wrenched away from him. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re not going after Lanser. You’re going after Galverson,” he stated.

“So what?”

“So it doesn’t matter how good a thief you might be or where you can break into. He won’t care, trust me, Taryn,” he bit out, gravely serious. “All he’ll care about is where you live, who your family is…and he’ll go after you, by using them. Just like he went after my family.”

“This doesn’t have to do with your family or my family. This doesn’t even have to do with Galverson. This has to do with Jace and everyone else who’s lying to me.”

“Why does it matter?” Tray cried out, irritated. “You’re not there anymore. You’re here. Why does it goddamn matter what they’re lying to you about? It might have nothing to do with you, they just might be doing this so you’re protected—think about that? It happens, Taryn. It could happen.”

“You don’t even know—” I shrugged him off.

“No. I don’t. But I know Galverson. He’s the reason why I’m alone in that house of mine. He’s the reason why I don’t ever see my brother anymore, I don’t even know if he’s alive,” he shouted.

The shouting managed to rattle me. I blinked, realizing I had only been seeing through my revenge-tinted glasses. That was the perspective I’d adopted since last night, since I made a resolution to find out the truth.

But I saw a different Tray before me. He wasn’t giving me the cool, calm, controlled façade everyone else saw. I mean—yes—it was there. If anyone else would’ve come in, they would have been scared shitless of Evans. But I saw what they didn’t. I always had, remembering that I’d seen Tray slip back into his mask when Mandy had sat at our table. She hadn’t. She hadn’t even noticed anything.

But I was seeing it again.

There was a raw need in him now. And I saw a glimmer of something—something that sent a shiver down my back—just underneath. I saw what Jace had warned me about.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, slightly calmer.

“Nothing. Just,” he raked a hand through his hair in frustration, “leave it alone.”

“No.”

“Taryn,” he began again, “I get it. Okay. I get it. You want revenge, you’ve been hurt. I get it—trust me. But you’re going to take on more than you can handle. If you go after Lanser, you’re going after Galverson. Galverson’s not gonna give a shit what you can steal or what secrets you’ve got on him. The second you come onto his radar, he’s just going to send someone after you.”

“I’m not going out to persecute him. I just want to know what they did to me.”

“How do you even know they did something?” he asked, losing his patience.

“Because nothing makes sense. It hasn’t for a while. Brian’s not about stealing bracelets. Geezer’s been…he’s been off since I left. And Jace—it’s like he wanted me to leave. He wasn’t…he wasn’t trying to get me back for visits or anything. And…he didn’t want me to know how Galverson was. Jace never uses that tone with me. Never.”

“So what?”

“And because Jace was working a deal a year ago about me. He was ‘making arrangements’ for me. I need to know what those arrangements were.” I clipped out, unmoving.

Tray let out an exasperated groan. “Fuck, Taryn, you’re going to get yourself killed!”

“Oh please,” I muttered.

“You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.”

“And you do?”

“Yes!” he yelled, “I do.” He caught his words, but he looked at me and said, “My brother was going after him. Galverson was his case. Chance was determined to take Galverson down, but he got to our dad first.” He fell silent, drawing in a shuttering breath. “The intersection that Lanser talked to you about—it’s the intersection in our state—and we’re smack in the middle of the drug exportation line. Rawley runs this intersection—it’s why Chance knew about Galverson, because he’d run deals through Rawley. Chance went after Galverson’s daughter, he used her to tap info on him.”

I had a sinking feeling that I would not like what I was about to hear.

Tray continued, “Galverson found out and went after our dad to get at Chance. Chance was a—is—a DEA agent. He’s…slightly untouchable, but Galverson doesn’t work that way. He tapped our dad. He pulled him into the business, bribed him, got him hooked on coke. Reason why I live in that place is because of money that Galverson sent our way.”

Some of it made sense. “Where do you come in?”

Tray laughed bitterly. “I…I was the one who sent my dad away. Chance used me against our dad and Galverson. I got everything, every fucking deal, on tape. Dad thought I idolized him, that I wanted to be just like him, so he took me with him on all the trips. I saw everything. Every fucking deal, every fucking drug-runner there was, every fucking…I saw the girls, I saw the…I saw everything.”

“And?”

I didn’t want to hear it, but I had to. And I had a feeling that Tray had to say it. I was guessing he hadn’t let any of this out—not to anyone.

“And,” he took a deep breath, staring off into the distance, “and I took everything I had gathered—wires, videos, photos, everything—and made copies then put ‘em in an account. Then I confronted Dad, told him that I had all the evidence I needed to send him away; told him to get the fuck out of my life and that I hated him; told him the next time I saw him I’d kill him.”

“So he took your mom to South America with him.”

“Yeah,” Tray sighed, “and I went to see Galverson next. That’s the first time I met Jace. I told him he needed to pull out of Rawley. No business would go through my territory anymore. I just wanted all of them out. I gave him a taste of what I had on him—on all of them—and I told him if anything ever happened to me, the evidence would be sent to the DEA and about seven other law enforcement agencies itching to take him down.”

“He let you live.” It was a startling revelation, but the proof stood before me.

“Yeah. I was just a kid. Galverson knew that, plus, my dad had become valuable to him. Something happen to me, there’d be a rift between them. And all I wanted was my life back. I didn’t really think long-term in the future, you know. I just wanted my dad gone, everything out of sight, which meant Rawley.” He chuckled. “I didn’t really think what it would do to me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I got a reputation because of it. I was known as the owner of Rawley’s intersection. Galverson kept his runners away from the intersection, but there were others that didn’t listen.”

“And you wanted it all gone,” I murmured, in my eyes I saw a boy who’d been stripped of everything: his parents, his brother, his sense of safety.

And I remembered how I’d judged him when we first met. I thought he’d had it all: money, family, looks, intelligence. I thought he was lazy, just blessed and advantaged and ready to waste that away.

I’d never been that off before.

“I told you—I know both sides. I know the cops and I know the criminals. So, I’d call up some of dad’s old buddies, the ones who lean a bit too much on the opposite side of the law—if you know what I mean—and I sent them after the drug-runners. They always ended up in the hospital. Some of ‘em were put in comas. It was a perfect deal. I could ID any drug-runner, I knew who they were working with, and I just told the guys who hated drug dealers, but knew there wasn’t anything legal they could do about ‘em.” He sighed. “Rawley’s got the rep for drug dealers to steer clear from here. Even though I don’t know some of the new crews. I know the big ones, some of the small guys are probably a lot bigger now, but…that’s the thing with drugs. There’s always someone new in the business. Lanser was small news back then, but he’s progressed to be a full partner with Galverson.”

“How do you know he’s a full partner?”

“Galverson only meets his partners in person,” Tray stated.

“When did this happen?” I asked softly, seeing the battle going on inside of him.

“When I was in the eighth grade,” he said hoarsely, his body frozen in place.

I didn’t know what to say.

“Tray—” I started, but fell silent.

“It’s not really something I want to go through again, Taryn,” he said quietly, then he left.

*

To say that I was off-kilter, was an understatement. Yeah…I knew Jace was in some heavy shit. But—like before…I often placed myself happily in the land of denial. But…holy shit—what Tray had gone through, what I knew Galverson now represented…it put some stuff in perspective.

But I still wanted to know what Jace had done, what he had arranged me. I just…wouldn’t bring it up when I’m with Tray. He probably wouldn’t ask anyway.

I sighed, a long shattering breath, when I exited the room. Leaving a few minutes after Tray. I glanced down the hallway, most of his crew was gone. He was certainly gone.

And I didn’t really want to think about the hell he had gone through…that could be…he’d talked. We’ll talk again, but later.

And to tell the truth, I don’t know how I was feeling, having all that laid on me. I mean, yeah, I’d laid my shit on him. But…not everything everything. Not like that. But then again—he wasn’t going after my demons better left in the closet.

Ugh. And then I had to acknowledge the other feelings. He’d told me…he’d…shared something that went beyond deep and secret—with me. Not anyone else.

I swear, one side of my stomach just dropped in dread…but because I wasn’t feeling regret at what he’d shared with me. The fact that he had shared with me, not about what he had shared with me. I felt some old elation mixed in there…and that’s what the dread was about.

“Taryn.”

I whirled around, grateful for a distraction.

“Molly!” I exclaimed, with a wide smile. Then I saw the two girls behind her. One was skinny, skinny, and more skinny, with pale hair. She wasn’t looking at me, but was enraptured with a one-sided conversation with the floor.

It’s a talker. Could talk your ear off.

The other girl was about the opposite in every way—she was large, large, and more large. She had jet black hair and looked a little Goth with her make-up, but on second glance I don’t think that she was going for the Goth look. I think that was just her natural coloring.

“These are my friends, Angela and Kayden.”

“Oh, hey,” I said easily. “I like the name.”

Kayden was the darker girl. Angela was the pale anorexic. Now, I know it’s not nice to label girls this skinny as anorexic, but it’s the only word that came to mind.

“Guys, this is Taryn,” Molly continued, shuffling her feet awkwardly. She was glancing between me and them.

I stuck my hand out. “Hi.”

Finally, both of them looked at me. I think they were a bit shocked that I actually wanted to meet them. And, to tell the truth, I could see why they were known as Invisibles. They made themselves invisible. I never would’ve noticed ‘em if Molly hadn’t been talking to me and to them.

Angela grinned, one quick grin, and then she was chatting with the floor again. Not really chatting, chatting, but it looked like she was trying to stare it down.

Kayden murmured a soft, “Hi.” Then she went back to looking everywhere else again.

Molly gave me another awkward grin, lifting one shoulder helplessly.

“You guys want to go and get something to eat?” I asked, being extremely nice—which was so not me, but I was trying here.

“Hey, bitch!” I turned around and saw Amber walking my way.

Wow. When I turned back around, I was amazed. The Invisibles had scrambled—literally. Even Molly seemed to vanish.

Well, shit, how many arguments was I going to get into today? Did Tray count as one?

“What?” I asked simply. I was getting tired of this.

“What the hell did you say to Mandy?” she demanded, literally seething.

“A whole lot of the same,” I murmured, looking for the Invisibles. They were really good at their name. I frowned, checking the other way.

“She’s crying hysterically in the girls’ locker room. Erin said it’s because of you.”

“Amber,” I started warily, “back off.”

“Or what?”

“Oh my God, how many times do we have to go over this? I don’t like you. I’m not ever going to like you, but I’m not scared of you either. Whatever you got, try it. Trust me…you’ll be fun to take on…and a piece of cake. Until you’ve got something new to say, just shut up. Please.”

“I cannot believe—”

“Mandy’s my sister. I love her. But when she asks for my opinion, I’m going to give it to her. And I’m not going to let her pull me into your twisted games. I have enough stuff of my own to worry about.”

Amber fell silent. Thank God. I really was thanking Him—because she turned and left. Finally.

I looked for the Invisibles again, and after checking out the parking lot I saw them. I couldn’t believe it. They were standing underneath a tree in the farthest corner where a picnic table was. Wow. Talk about—a hiding place if you ever wanted to hide from a mass murderer.

As I started over to them, I was also shocked to see Tray’s SUV still in the lot, but no Tray. Huh.

“Hey,” I called out and saw Molly turn around to me.

“Hi.” Her smile looked forced. Guess the whole two groups of friends meeting each other was stressful.

“You okay? You guys want to grab a bite to eat?” I asked, making sure my voice was casual. I had a feeling that if I used anything else, they’d scatter—again—like frightened deer.

“Uh—” Molly murmured, glancing between Angela and Kayden.

“I’ll go and grab my car and pull around. How about that?” I suggested, and then I took off before they could say no. To my surprise, they were still there when I drove around. Molly took the front seat, and Angela and Kayden sat stiffly in the back. Kayden looked a little more relaxed though, but not much. Molly was easily the most extroverted of them, and that was saying a lot.

“We’re going to the diner?” Molly squeaked, flushing when I pulled into the parking lot. It was packed, but it was the hang out.

“Yep,” I said, a bit more firmly. They couldn’t leave without me. I had the keys to the car.

A full minute later, they all climbed out, not a word spoke between the three of them. I led the way, figuring they’d have to stand in the doorway for a good five minutes. But I was surprised. The second we were led to a booth in the back, all three of them hurried around me and squished into it.

Sitting beside Molly—big surprise that Kayden and Angela sat together—I ordered a Diet Coke when the server came over. She gave us a startled look. Don’t ask me why—I had no idea.

“So,” I commented, staring at Angela and Kayden.

Silence.

Like I’d expected anything else. Ha.

“Um—” Even Molly was coming up with nothing.

I don’t know why I was doing this. I don’t know why I was sitting—at the diner—with these three in an uncomfortable silence. I was trying to be more than just table-mate and science lab friends with Molly. I actually liked her. And I guess I was willing to do just about anything to keep myself distracted from the things I was so uncertain about in my life: Brian, Jace, Galverson, Tray.

But it wasn’t working.

“Do you guys like anyone?” I asked, a bit desperate for conversation.

Angela and Kayden both looked horrified, their eyes wide in alarm, but at least they were looking at me—finally.

“So,” I threw a thumb in Molly’s direction, “this one’s boy crazy. How about you two?”

Still nothing.

“But, I have to tell you, I will only be Molly’s pimp. The two of you…good luck, but no pimping. Sorry,” I said cheerfully.

I saw a brief smile on Kayden’s face, but…in the blink of an eye—it was gone. But hey, at least it was something.

“Hey. You.”

Oh please, please, please don’t be for me, I prayed. How many verbal lashings does a girl have to go through in a day?

“Scoot in, Taryn.”

It was Carter.

I grinned back at him. “Hey.” I pushed Molly against the wall as Carter sat on my other side.

He looked around the table, but was quiet.

“So…um,” he began, “how’s it going?”

Alright, I knew he could be here for one of two things—one, he was send by Tray to make sure I wasn’t doing anything stupid, or two, he was here to grill me about Mandy and Devon. Just wanting to beat him to the punch, I said flatly, “I already told Mandy she’s an idiot. I had no bearing on her moronic decision to go back to Devon.”

“Oh.” It wasn’t what he was going to say; I saw a flicker of some emotion in his eyes that I couldn’t decipher. “Uh…well, yeah. I mean, come on, we all knew it was only a matter of time. It’s Mandy and Devon, you know?” I’m sure he meant for it to come out as if he didn’t care, be he didn’t quite pull it off.

I said lightly, “It used to be you, you know, but I was told on good authority that Amber told you to date Sabrina Lyles because Mandy had a thing for you.”

He laughed nervously. “Come on. Mandy’s always had a thing for me—me and Tray—if Devon wants her, it’s who she’s gonna be with. He’s like her…”

“Comfortable blanket?” I finished for him dryly.

“Yeah.” He chuckled, relaxing. “I like you, Taryn. I really do. We need more of you in our circle.”

“I’m not in the circle.”

“Oh, yes you most certainly are, he proclaimed heartily. “One, you’re with Tray. Two, Mandy’s your sister. And three, Amber and Jasmine are terrified of you—and I’m talking ‘shit in your pants’ terrified of you. I love it. Trust me, that puts you in the circle. Right smack-fucking-dab in the middle. Plus, the guys like you. You don’t play those stupid games the rest of the girls do.”

“Bryce and Devon like me?” I asked incredulously. I’d torn into both of ‘em.

“Well, yeah. They respect you.”

I chose to stay silent.

“Anyway, I was wondering what’s up with Tray? You two have a fight?” He grinned, flashing one of those godlike charming smiles, at the server who nearly dropped our order. I watched and realized he’d done it without thinking. It had become an automatic instinct—he was a natural born womanizer.

Seriously.

“Why do you ask?” I asked curiously.

“Because he’s pissed. I know it’s Tray and he’s pretty—well—pretty tight-assed about stuff, you know. But something’s off with him. The guys want to go to the casino tonight and Tray said he didn’t give a shit where we go. That’s not Tray. Tray’s either up for the casino or he’s not. When he says he doesn’t give a shit—it means something’s off.” He drank some of my Diet Coke and continued, “So, what’s up with you two?”

“I don’t know how it’s any of your business,” I remarked, grabbing my glass away from him.

“Oh!” His eyes lit up. “So you two did have a fight? Wow. This is…this is a mile-marker—Tray’s upset because of a girl.”

“You make him sound like he’s made of stone or something.”

“Last time Tray was upset about a girl was in the seventh grade when Kimberly Farnum moved away…before she gave him a blow job. He was really pissed.”

I literally watched the Invisibles shrink further into the booth. I wonder if they knew what a blow job was.

I sighed annoyed. “Thanks, but I can assure you this has nothing to do with blow-jobs. Is he here?”

“Yeah,” Carter grabbed my pop again, “we’re around the corner. He called and wanted to grab a burger. I just happened to see you ‘cause I was heading to the bathroom.”

I drank the rest of my Diet Coke.

Carter was watching me, waiting for a response. “So?” he asked expectantly.

I shrugged. “Look…yeah…something went down, but I’m not telling you about it.”

“Well, can you go over and get it on with him? I mean, Tray’s not any fun when he’s like this. You can use my car.”

Okay. Seriously? I smacked him in the head.

“Ouch,” he murmured, rubbing his head. “What the hell?”

“Want me to smack you again,” I dared him.

“Fine.” He shrugged, standing up. “But man, Taryn, go and talk to him at least.”

“I can’t,” I said stiffly.

“Why not?”

“Because, I don’t know what I’ll say, okay? Now leave. It’s none of your business.” I pointed in the direction of the bathroom.

He rolled his eyes, but he got up and went to the bathroom. I knew he’d probably have something more to say when he came back.

Molly, Angela, and Kayden were watching me—all three of them had their eyes glued to me. Progress!

“What?” I asked.

Of course, Angela and Kayden looked away.

Molly was in awe. “We just sat at the same table as Carter Sethlers. Oh. My. Goodness. Holy. Light. Sockets.”

I loved this girl.

“Molly,” I murmured, “you could’ve said hi.”

“Right.” She was still reveling. “Carter Sethlers sat here. Here. With us. Can you believe it?”

She blinked, realizing it did just happen. “I mean—” She flushed, grabbing her drink.

“Trust me, he’ll be back. Say hi next time,” I said wryly.

Angela squeaked at that, but cowered even farther in her corner.

“Do you guys seriously not talk? Ever?”

“We don’t really have anything to say,” Kayden spoke up, and I fell back in amazement. She had a thick, almost silky voice; one of those sexy voices that guys go crazy for.

“What do you mean?” I asked, dumbfounded. How can you not have anything to say?

“We’re not like you. We’re…nobodies,” she explained, like it made perfect sense.

Oh no. No fucking way.

“You’re not nobody,” I said fiercely. “Someone told you that you were a nobody, but you’re not. You choose to let them be right or wrong. You’re the only one that can decide if you’re a nobody or not.”

Someone had told me I was a nobody once, and there was no fucking way they were right.

“Taryn,” Molly said quietly, from her far corner of the booth. It was only then that I realized how upset I’d gotten.

“I’ll be right back,” I said, hurriedly, as I slipped out the booth and headed to the bathroom. That word just brought so many memories back to me. I needed to force down all these feelings so I didn’t have a break down, at the diner of all places. Breathing heavily, I got a few paper towels and wet my face.

When I got back to the table, feeling like an idiot, I was surprised that Carter was sitting in my place. With Molly, Angela, and Kayden all grinning—blushing—but grinning back at him.

Carter’s stock just sky-rocketed with me.

I moved to stand by the table and Carter looked up with a grin. “Hey. Where’d you go?”

“Bathroom.” I fixed him with a stare, but we both knew it lacked any heat. He was in good with me now.

He stood and moved to the side. “Why don’t you guys come sit with us? We got room. Mitch and the guys just took off.”

“Oh, um—” I wanted to say no. I really wanted to say no, but I saw the look in Molly’s eyes and I knew she may never have this chance again. It was sad to say, but this might make their entire year. “Sure,” I said reluctantly.

Carter grinned, his eyes all-knowing, as he took in my torment. The shithead.

When we walked around the corner, they were in the back corner. Bryce, Grant, and three other guys sat on one side. Tray and two others were on the other side, with three empty chairs at their table. As we neared, the guys looked up and saw us coming. I saw a flash of surprise in Tray’s eyes when he saw me.

One of the guys stood up and grabbed two more chairs from a nearby table.

“Hey, Taryn,” Bryce and Grant greeted me easily, standing and taking the empty chairs so I could sit by Tray with the rest beside me.

Really. They didn’t have to.

I sat down stiffly and smiled to the group. “Guys, this is Molly, Angela, and Kayden. Girls, this is Grant, Bryce, Tray, and—”

Carter took over, “Scotts, Grates, Kinley, Colt, and Derrick.” They all grinned in response, but were all a bit taken aback.

“You girls hungry?” Grant offered. “Help yourself.” They had at least eight appetizers in the middle of the table, plus individual plates in front of each of them. I really hate how guys can eat. It’s a universal curse on women.

I sighed. Angela looked like she was going to pass out. Kayden was biting her lips, both of them, looking everywhere except for at any of the guys, and Molly looked like a lobster, blushing from head to toe.

“They’re,” I faltered, “shy.”

The guys laughed.

“So, why are you with them?” Bryce teased. “Because no one would describe you as shy.”

“Fuck off,” I said easily, but laughed. “Bryce, you got an idea for the science contest?” We were supposed to do some invention. I had it made—Molly was my partner. It was an easy A for me. “You should hit up Molly for some ideas, she’s a science genius, and my partner, so don’t even think of stealing her.”

After looking at me like I’d lost my mind, he turned to Molly and asked, “So, what are you guys doing your project on?”

Molly gave him a tight smile, still blushing, but she managed to get out, “I’m thinking of using a statistical design to find the migrant rotation of Canadian geese in the next three months around level three wetlands.”

I was so not participating in that conversation.

The rest of the guys were tuned in—they hunted—they could actually understand what she was talking about. Imagine that, Molly had something in common with these guys.

I felt Tray brush my thigh underneath the table and looked over. He was staring intently at me. He reached for my chair and pulled it closer. Leaning down, he murmured, “Thought you’d be halfway to Pedlam by now.”

This is why I wanted to avoid him. I didn’t know what to say, because I didn’t know what I was even going to do anymore.

I shrugged and signaled for another Diet Coke.

“Taryn,” Tray spoke, “are you still—”

“I don’t know, okay? I mean, you kinda laid a lot on me, you know?”

“Yeah,” he bit out, leaning against the back of his chair, watching me closely.

“What am I supposed to say?”

He shrugged, looking colder than normal—if that was possible.

“I mean, it’s not the same situation.”

“You’re right. You have an easy out. I didn’t,” he clipped out, sounding and looking even more pissed off than a second ago.

“Oh come on. I have a right to know—”

He stood up abruptly and walked outside, leaving me sitting there, irritated beyond words. I stalked after him, finding him walking to my car.

“Come on, Tray!” I yelled after him and I got even more pissed off—he had my keys. My keys in his hands and he was getting behind my wheel. I stomped around the car and got into the passenger seat. “What are you doing? This is my car!”

“We’re leaving,” he replied, gunning my car in reverse.

“I don’t really feel like getting in a car accident today,” I said tightly. “What about my friends?”

“Those aren’t your friends,” he shot back. “Those are your charity cases and Carter will give ‘em a ride back.”

“They are not my charity cases,” I said hotly.

“Yes, they are. You feel sorry for them and you’re trying to find friends who would never even think of lying to you. Those are your charity cases, you’re using them to make yourself feel better.”

I slumped in my chair and let my temper simmer, knowing it was going to boil over pretty soon.