Staring across the road, Tray asked guardedly, “Am I going to get killed in there?”

I laughed, I couldn’t help it. He was warily eyeing the nightclub. The Seven8 was home to Jace Lanser, Brian’s older brother, and his gang. He led the Panthers, a gang that had the cops running around with their hands tied. Brian and Jace had a love/hate relationship, but Jace had something that Brian didn’t: discipline. Jace was smart, he had to be to lead the Panthers at his young age and still come out on top after the police had issued war against them. Brian was smart, but Jace was smarter and ruthless. Jace took care of me; he always had.

“Come on. You’ll be fine,” I reassured him, climbing out of the SUV. Rounding to his door, I murmured, “Just…don’t say anything.”

Tray didn’t look appeased, but he followed anyway.

Approaching the club, I saw Ben, one of the bouncers, outside, manning the door. I called out, “Ben.”

“Taryn,” he said reservedly, studying Tray intently. “He going to be a problem?”

“I’m just here to talk to Jace, then we’re out. Promise. No trouble.”

“Hmm.”

“Brian’s not in there, is he?”

“No.”

Ben had actually majored in communications. With his muscular built and tattoos circling his bald head, he could get anyone to tell him anything with the right look. He was Jace’s number three man and I think his noncommittal answers were one of the reasons why Jace trusted him.

“Is Jace in?”

“He’s in. He’s with Cammy.”

I grinned. “Those two back on again?”

“Don’t care. She’s either here or she’s not.”

“Right.” I snorted in disbelief. “You going to let us in or do I go in my way?”

Ben glared at that one. One night he refused to let me inside, Brian and I had had a huge fight and he didn’t want it to escalate. I got in anyway, from the roof. Ben didn’t like to be reminded that there was someone who existed that could get around him and I loved to remind him every chance I got.

“He’s in the back. Take the small hallway.”

Tray followed me as we circled around the front entrance, the pounding music already blaring in our ears. Catching Casey’s gaze, the front bartender nodded in greeting as we slipped behind him and trailed into the hallway that let its way around the club to the back offices.

At the closed office door, I rapped briskly and waited. . A second later, it was opened as Cammy slipped outside, sliding the strap from her halter-top onto her shoulder. Blinking in surprise, she stumbled slightly when she saw me.

“Oh! Uh…Taryn, I didn’t know—”

“Let her in, Cammy!” Jace ordered from inside.

Flushing, she rolled her eyes and slipped around us.

Inside, we were greeted with the sight of a shirtless Jace, with his pants unbuttoned, hanging low on his lean hips. Raking a hand through his tousled hair, he grinned ruefully at me, his abdominal muscles starkly highlighted against the neon lighting inside.

“Heya, Terry,” he murmured, buttoning his jeans as he moved to give me a hug.

Jace was the only one who could get away with calling me that. Brian had tried once and I’d kneed him in the balls. He’d never done it again, although he always sneered every time Jace said it, so of course it made Jace say it anytime he could.

“Jace,” I greeted. “You and Cammy back on?”

“For the night,” he said easily, raking his eyes over Tray who had stayed by the door, leaning lazily against the wall. “Who’s he?”

“Not important,” I said smoothly, but Jace was frowning staring intently at Tray. “Wait—” he murmured.

A light of recognition sparked in his eyes and he stated, “Evans.”

Tray straightened and moved to stand beside me.

As he looked at me, I blurted out, “Oh my God, you can talk.”

He grinned lazily before turning to Jace. “Yeah. I’m Evans. You’re Lanser.”

I glanced between the two, feeling uneasy.

Jace was regarding him cautiously while Tray informed me, “We had a business meeting a while back.”

“Business?” I didn’t like that, but then again, I didn’t know Tray all that well.

“Yeah. Rawley controls the highway intersection on the state line. Panthers really like to use that highway.” It was all Tray would say and looking at Jace, he wasn’t going to expand on that at all.

Fine. This wasn’t why I was here.

“I can give you the codes to Corrigan’s safe,” I stated bluntly.

Jace looked startled, but he recovered instantly. “What do you want in return?”

“I want Brian to know that I’m the one who gave them to you.”

It was enough said—Jace got the message. Knowing that I had given that information to him and not Brian, would burn Brian. It had been the focus of a crap load of arguments between us. Both brothers wanted to know the information because both wanted what was inside. They’d both asked me to get the information and I had, but I had yet to choose who would get them. At first I’d refused to give them to Brian, just because I didn’t want him to get caught trying to get to the safe and because I knew the contents were probably drugs. I didn’t want Brian getting in any deeper than he had to. If anyone could handle the codes, it was Jace. He’d get around the security, somehow, he always did—he was already immersed in the business. It would force a wedge between Brian and me if I gave the codes over to Jace.

I was forcing it now.

“You’re a cold bitch, Taryn,” Jace stated, tilting his head to one side. “Probably why you’re family.”

“Yeah,” I said quietly.

“Brian hasn’t been leaving you alone, has he?”

“You mean he was supposed to be?” I scoffed.

“Yeah, well…my little brother’s always been obsessed when it came to you. Give him time, he’ll come around.”

“Yeah, well…that’s not good enough for me.”

Jace nudged me slightly, rocking back on his heels. “Wanna tell me the sudden change of heart?”

“Brian called me his property.”

Jace burst out laughing. “My little brother can be an idiot, that’s for damn sure.”

“I know,” I said dryly.

Glancing between me and Tray, Jace asked, “There a reason you couldn’t have done this over the phone? Or did you just want to see my handsome face? I’m favoring there’s another reason, because you’re not one to look back.”

There was another reason, but I wasn’t going to tell him. I grinned easily. “Just keep Brian away, okay?”

When Tray and I got back into his SUV, I said briskly, “Drive around the corner.” With only a quick look, he did as I said. When he stopped, I murmured, “I’ll be right back. Keep the engine running.”

Tray didn’t say anything as I ran across the street, this time heading towards the alley. Quickly scaling up the side of the building, I threw my leg around one of the windowsills and pulled my body up. Feeling just underneath the frame, I pulled out two pieces of wire and nudged them underneath the window, crisscrossing them. Then I jerked them out, neatly dislocating the window off its frame, just slightly but enough for my finger to get underneath and nudge it upwards. It was one of my tricks. Climbing through, I was in Brian’s room that he kept at the Seven8. Quickly moving to his computer, I booted it up. Working my way through his files, I closed them and shut it down. When Brian would try to get into his computer, he’d find all his files frozen and protected by three passwords.

It was petty. I knew that, but I couldn’t help it. Geeze had shown me once how to do it in case I ever wanted to piss someone off. Of course, I knew Brian would have Geezer figure out what was wrong with it and, of course, Geeze would automatically know it was me, but I didn’t care.

I’ve never been anyone’s damn property.

Stopping just before the window, I froze, catching sight of a bracelet. The moonlight hit it just right, because only a small corner was actually visible. It was hidden underneath a pillow on one of his couches. Taking it out, I saw that it was made of diamonds.

Holy…Where the hell did he get this? I wanted to take it. I knew I shouldn’t, but…holy hell, I wanted to.

I placed it back underneath the pillow.

Before I climbed out the window, I wedged the wires back underneath the frame and climbed out. Shutting the window, I scaled back down.

Darting back across the alley, making sure Ben was currently inside the door, I climbed in the SUV finding Tray sitting patiently.

“We ready to go?” he asked, sounding almost bored.

“Yeah,” I said breathless, thinking back on that bracelet.

*

His phone kept ringing as we drove back to Rawley.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

He kept his eyes on the road. “Because they’re drunk.”

Taking his phone, I looked at it, the name Aidrian was displayed as the phone rang once again. Flipping it open, I answered sweetly, “Hello?”

On the other end was shocked silence, before she yelled, “Who the hell are you?”

“Tray can’t talk right now. He’s too busy fucking me,” I said, grinning. Looking at Tray, I saw him staring at me, showing no reaction other than a slight flicker of amusement in his eyes. “And he’s sooo good,” I moaned into the phone.

There was a twitch at the corner of his mouth.

Aidrian was quiet, but I could hear screeching in the background. “Who is this?” she demanded.

I laughed. “The girl that took your place apparently.” Before I could say anything more, my own phone went off. Hanging up, I answered mine, “Yeah?”

“Girl.” It was Crispin Gentley.

“What do you want, Gentley?” I asked coolly, seeing Tray glance at me intently.

There was a laughing note in his voice when he answered, “You always surprise me, you know.”

“Really?”

“I thought that I missed our little run-ins, now I’m reminded why we kept having those.”

“I took a sneak peek at your file before I left,” I remarked casually. “Imagine my surprise at all your little secrets.”

“And you are such a bitch!”

“I’ve been called worse, Gentley,” I taunted. “Piss me off and I’m sure I can get a look at your daddy’s file. In fact, I’m fairly positive your momma hired a P.I. to get some dirt on daddy dearest…wanna know how I know? You’ll love the irony.” Waiting a moment, hearing silence, I pressed on, “Because he asked me to get your file and his requests didn’t stop there. Oh no, he wanted me to bug your home, your bedroom, your Jeep, and get all of your computer files. Wow, I can see why Stephanie Markus is your Girl Friday. She’s a screamer.”

“Thought you might want to know that I’m going to put your boyfriend in the hospital,” Gentley said harshly.

“Brian’s not my boyfriend and if you do, you deal with his brother.”

“Wasn’t talking about your ex-boyfriend. I’m talking about Evans. The guy you’re sitting next to.”

Hanging up swiftly, I cried out, “He’s behind us.” Just then a pair of car lights turned on, blinding us from behind.

Tray seemed fine, no reaction showed as he looked in the rearview mirror. He pulled over.

“What are you doing?” I cried. “He’s going to kill you.”

Tray said calmly, “Get out of the car. We’ll be fine.”

“Do you even know Gentley? He said he’s going to put you in the hospital.”

With amusement in his voice, Tray replied, “No, he won’t. He wants to deal, that’s all. He was just getting a rise out of you.”

Seeing that I had no intention of getting out of the car, he said again, “We’ll be fine.”

Reluctantly climbing out, I saw Crispin walking towards us with his two friends, Brent and Hayden right behind him. They were infamous in Pedlam. Tray walked around to the back of his SUV and leaned back casually. I stood beside him fidgeting nervously. I felt Tray grab my arm and pull me against his side. “Relax,” he soothed, stroking my arm with his thumb.

“Evans,” Gentley greeted icily. His eyes raked over my form. “Bitch.”

Before I responded, Tray squeezed my arm and said, “Tsk, tsk, Gentley. You’re insulting one of mine. Not a good beginning for our partnership.”

“What partnership? You took off before we could even strike a deal,” Crispin sneered, rumpling his Ralph Lauren polo as he hunched forward.

“Lanser’s presence wasn’t foreseeable. It added complications,” Tray said smoothly.

God, Tray was hot.

What the hell was he talking about?

“I don’t want her here. Why’d you bring her?”

“Hey,” I said indignantly.

“She’s one of them. She’ll go running to them.”

“She’s one of mine,” Tray promised, a hard glint in his eyes. “So she stays.”

“Whatever. This isn’t how I do business.”

“This is how it’s going to have to be or we won’t deal.”

Crispin stared long and hard at both of us. Jerking a hand out, he ordered Brent, “Give it to him.”

“Dude.”

“I said give it to him,” Crispin snapped, kicking some gravel away.

Brent produced a brown bag and passed it to Tray, then backed away.

“This is the last of it?” Tray asked, looking inside and passing it to me. I held it, slightly unnerved. I didn’t like surprises and whatever this deal was—was a surprise. I didn’t like it one bit. I really didn’t like it that Tray had done a business meeting with Jace, much less Crispin Gentley.

I didn’t look inside, but I really, really wanted to.

“She’ll probably swipe it. That’s what she does, you know. She steals shit for them. She can steal anything. Just ask her what she’s stolen for them.”

I gritted my teeth and snapped, “I wasn’t lying about your daddy’s file.”

“It was good doing business with you,” Tray said clearly, pulling me around the SUV to the door.

“You can’t trust her, man. She’ll go running to Lanser. You don’t know the two of them. They’re like freaking Bonnie and Clyde.”

“I heard your first warning,” Tray said, a warning note in his voice. Opening my door, he ordered me to get in.

Walking back around, Tray got in on the driver’s side, started the car and moved back onto the highway.

I waited a whole minute before saying anything. Then I shrieked, “What kind of business deals are you doing with Gentley? And how exactly do you know Jace? What is it? Something illegal?”

Tray skimmed my figure, seeing the barely contained rage, and said lightly, “It’s not as bad as robbing banks.”

“What is it…steroids?

“How the hell—?” Tray gazed at me in surprise. “How did you know?”

“If it were drugs, you’d know Jace a lot more than the little bit he could remember you and it’s the only thing I could think Crispin dealing.”

“You’re a nightmare, you know,” he suddenly growled. “You’re in deep with both of the Lansers. You got guys like Gentley avidly hating you. And…you got me driving around and waiting like a good little lapdog for you while you’re off doing God knows what.”

I sat back in my seat, arms crossed. “I wasn’t doing anything illegal. Well, I was, but it isn’t anything that’s going to get reported, trust me.”

Tray snorted in disbelief. “The way you walk is illegal.”

“It is not. Shut up.”

“Just…be quiet,” he shot back.

I sat back, mystified. I couldn’t stop a smile from growing. I hadn’t this much fun since…since I’d broken into a car dealership with Brian. That had been fun.

As my phone rang again, I sighed. “For the love—” I mumbled, but seeing Mandy’s name I quickly answered, “Hey.”

“Devon and I broke up,” she said rushed. “I was right. He’s been sleeping with Jasmine. Jasmine of all people! God, and the way she acted tonight, like she didn’t even know who he was. I caught ‘em in one of the bedrooms. I hate that bitch!”

“Mandy, I’m so sorry.” I could sympathize. After I caught Brian cheating on me—twice—I could’ve murdered both of them.

“Oh my God…I hate her, I hate her so damn much. What am I going to do? It’s going to be all over school!”

“Fuck school. You don’t let her get away with this,” I bit out. I was feeling for my sister here.

“I know, but what can I do? I’ll get caught whatever I do and then I’ll probably get suspended. I can’t do that, Mom and Dad would be furious with me. Not to mention, I might lose my scholarship to Brown next year.”

“Mandy,” I said sharply, “are you forgetting your resident criminal newly adopted sister, here?”

“I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble. That’d be much worse than me, they might send you back to juvie or something…”

“Meet me at Tray’s, we’re almost there.”

“You’re still with Tray?”

“Yeah.”

“I hate Devon. I absolutely hate Devon. I’m going to…I’m going to key his car, that’s what I’m going to do.”

“I’m hating him for you and keying his car is juvenile. Trust me, there are much classier ways to get back on a cheating bastard. I’ve perfected ways to get back on cheating bastards.”

“Brian cheated on you?”

“Twice, but my revenge was so good I actually got paid to help other girls when their boyfriends cheated,” I said smugly.

I ceased caring that Tray was still in the car. He was a bastard just like everyone else.

Noticing the SUV had turned into his driveway, I murmured, “Okay, we’re here.”

“I’ll be there in a little bit. Thanks, sis. Love you.”

I was shocked. Mandy was my sister. I knew this, but the words seemed different just then. They weren’t forced, it wasn’t just a phrase. There was meaning behind them.

“Hey,” Tray interrupted my haze.

“What?”

“We’re here. You coming in or waiting for your man-hating sister out here? Or is an hour in my house with another—man—going to dissolve your bond,” he teased.

I gasped. “You have humor. You actually know what comedy is. I never would have guessed.”

“Fuck off,” he growled before slamming the door, but not before I caught the small grin that flitted across his features.

The place was eerily vacant compared to the mob that had been in his home earlier. Following Tray as he strolled lazily inside, I shivered a little from the breeze that wafted through the rooms.

“Want a drink?” he asked, opening the fridge and rummaging inside.

“You have beer?”

“Is that meant to be an insult?” He smirked, pulling out a bottle and sliding it towards me over the counter.

I didn’t reply, but tipped my head back and took a long drink.

Leaning against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest, he regarded me. “So Devon and Jasmine, huh?”

I narrowed my eyes. The bastard knew.

“You knew,” I stated.

He shrugged, crossing the room towards me. Grabbing my beer, he took a drink. “Yeah.”

“And said nothing,” I condemned.

He merely smirked, rounding the counter to come up beside me. Setting the beer in front of me, he kept both his arms on either side of me, effectively trapping me in place. Nudging the barstool I sat on with his knee, he twirled me around until I was facing him; he was so close I could feel his breath on my face.

“I’m not a narc,” he replied, studying me.

I hated that word. I really did. I hated narcs. The thing was, I understood him. There had been a few times I’d known some of my friends had cheated on their boyfriends or girlfriends. I’d said something only once, and immediately hated my decision when the girl flew into a hysterical rage. She’d turned on me since I was the one there. Kill the messenger and all that shit. Ever since then, I’d stayed away from all that drama. I had enough drama in my own life.

“How long has it been going on?”

“What? Dev and Jaz?”

“How long?”

“Uh huh. Nope,” Tray said, pulling away. “That answer will not help Mandy at all.”

“She said seven months…was it seven months?” I persisted, grabbing his arm as he straightened.

Glancing at my hand, he lifted his eyes to my face. “No, I’m not telling you.”

I pulled him closer. “How long?”

“Why are you pushing this?”

“Because Mandy’s my sister and because the girl has to know how long it’s gone on for. Don’t ask me why, but we just have to know. Besides, I’m getting the PRS-500 for you, it’s the least you can do.”

“Fuck that. No. That’s for Mandy to ask Dev, not you to ask me,” he said firmly.

I needed a new tactic, so I pulled him closer and slid a leg around his and twined it around his waist, bringing him into full contact against me. I could feel him through my clothes and I slid one hand up his chest to curl around his neck. He had both arms around me, one tilted my neck back and the other was on my butt, grinding me against him, our mouths inches apart.

“I want to know how long,” I breathed against him, my lips grazing his as I spoke.

“And my response is, fuck you.”

His hand left my neck to grasp my other leg and twine it around his waist, both legs now wrapped around him. I fell against the counter slightly as he arched me against him. I gasped from feeling him and the heat that seared through my body. He slid his hand to the front of my pants and moved underneath my shirt. I panted silently as his fingers caressed me, moving upwards to softly flick against one of my nipples.

“I’m going to get you off,” I said silkily, seeing his eyes darken at my words and his body’s response. “And you’re going to tell me what I want.”

“And my response will be the same, I want to fuck you,” he promised, his intent glittering in his amber eyes as he slammed his mouth against mine. It wasn’t exactly rough, but it was fiery.

I tilted my head back and opened my mouth, feeling his tongue sweep inside where it met with mine. As I felt him lift me from the barstool and plant me higher on the counter, I heard a soft moan and realized it had come from me. One of his hands was keeping my leg firmly wrapped around him as the other was exploring underneath my shirt, moving to the other breast. I slid one of my hands underneath his shirt and explored him in return, the other was wrapped firmly around his taut shoulders.

And then he ripped himself away from me, both of us breathing hard.

“What—” I murmured, dazed.

Tray ran a hand through his hair. “Fuck.”

Then I saw the headlights through the window. Mandy or someone had arrived.

I don’t think I even cared if they had seen us or not.

“Bathroom,” I choked out.

Jerking his head, he clipped out, “Second door on your right.”

*

After I’d composed myself, I emerged from the bathroom and could hear Mandy’s shrill voice yelling. Rounding the corner, I saw Tray leaning against the counter again, his eyes unreadable as he watched the scene before him. Mandy, eyes wild, hands gesturing in the air, was ranting about Devon and Jasmine. Seeing Grant lounging in the doorway, I figured he was her sober-cab since it was obvious Mandy was very drunk. Her speech was slurring, but everyone could make out exactly who she was damning to hell, the cheating bastard.

Spotting me, she exclaimed, “I know now, Taryn! I know now. God, I want to kill that bastard. I thought she was a friend, but Jasmine’s nothing more than a back-stabbing bitch slut.”

I was at a loss. Mandy was beyond control right now. Tray and Grant both looked detached, as if this were a common occurrence, one they’d grown immune to. And maybe it was.

“Huh,” I faltered, shaking my head, “so you walked in on them?”

That was the wrong thing to say because Mandy launched into a screech, painting a vivid picture of what she saw when she caught them: what clothes were missing, what position they were in, and the grunting noises they were making.

“Okay,” I said quickly, “that’s good, I get the picture.”

Mandy let out a sob, you could hear the catch in her throat when she said, “It’s been going on for a year.”

I met Tray’s eyes, he was bemused, remembering my promise.

“That slut has been going behind my back for a year. It started last year at homecoming. At Bryce’s party. I was in New York with student council so I missed it and I guess Devon got lonely,” she said bitterly, hiccupping on a sob. “I fucking hate them!”

I moved beside her, but stayed a few feet away.

“Oh my God, Taryn!” she wailed. “What am I going to do? Everyone’s going to know. And…I’m…I loved him. He was my first, you know…how could she do this to me? What am I thinking, of course she would’ve. Jasmine’s screwed every guy in our grade. They all just run to her, the only guy who’s sent her packing was Tray,” she scoffed, gesturing carelessly in Tray’s direction. “Guess she had to move onto a new target. Bryce wasn’t enough for her.”

“You get even,” I said coldly, “and you keep your head high at school. Fuck whoever knows or talks about it.”

“I don’t know if I can,” she sniffed, her eyes glued to mine, “I’m…I’m not like you.”

“That’s bullshit,” I said firmly, not blinking. “You just haven’t gone through what I have.”

“Yeah, but—”

“No, Mandy. First thing first though,” I glanced to Grant, “can you give us a ride home? Devon was our ride here.”

“Yeah, sure,” he said in surprise.

“I want to get even. Tonight,” Mandy cried. “I want to—”.

“Mandy,” I interrupted, “you need a shower. You need to calm down—slightly—and then we’ll figure out what we’re going to do.”

She stared at me, seemingly enraptured by whatever she saw in my eyes, before she nodded slowly. “Okay.” She sniffed, moving to follow Grant as he was already walking outside.

As I moved to follow, Tray pulled me back and asked quietly, “What are you planning?”

“Why?” I shot back. “You want to get involved?”

“No, but Devon’s a good guy even though he cheated on her. He doesn’t deserve whatever you might be dishing out.”

“That is just like you to say he’s still a good guy. He’s a cheater. He’ll always be a cheater.”

“Look, just don’t…paralyze the guy or something. He’s our best linebacker.”

I wrenched my arm away, fixing him with a cold stare. “And we’re back to the precious football team…with their new game book.”

His eyes went cold as he stepped back. “Whatever.”

I walked out, letting the door slam shut behind me.

*

We didn’t end up doing anything that night. Mandy cried the entire ride back to our house. After she showered, she curled up on my bed and cried herself to sleep. I wasn’t sure what to do, so I slept on the couch in my room. I figured Mandy didn’t want to be alone and she probably wouldn’t want me to sleep in her room. The next morning, she cried again—through breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She didn’t once ask about getting revenge on Jasmine or Bryce. After she went to bed early that night, around eight, I dressed in some black work-out clothes, and slipped outside to my car.

Mandy might have cooled off, but I hadn’t. I knew what she would probably meet in school the next day, so it was in my hands; I needed to do something to help take the heat off of her tomorrow.

Driving to school, I parked on the road by the football field. It was far enough away from the normal parking lots that no one would look at it suspiciously and, if need be, I could easily run through the football stadium and evade anyone in the trees that outlined the perimeters if I got caught.

Coming up to the school, I circled around to the janitor’s office and hooked a leg onto the fire escape. Darting up, I pulled myself onto the roof and crossed to one of the heating fans. Seeing it had been turned off, I unscrewed the shaft and lifted it clear off. Then I went to work on the fan—wedging a rock between the blades, just in case it turned on, I slipped my hands through and found the bolts. After they had been unscrewed, I lifted the fan up and then slipped through. My feet touching the ceiling, I ran my hands around the flooring until I found the hatch that led to the venting shafts. Again, I lowered my body down, and then crawled through the vents until I measured the distance in my mind, counting every inch I moved forward. When I thought I was in the main office, I lightly kicked the screen out and quickly caught it before it fell to the ground. My estimation had been correct—I was in the main office. Climbing out, I went to P.A. system where it was located by the principal’s office. Turning it on, I went to work, changing the alarm timings and preferences. I programmed it to play some rap music (left on the desktop from when the student council had persuaded the administration to let them play music at the end of the day) around the clock. Then I protected that command with a password, followed by a second password.

It paid to have criminal friends sometimes.

The music should work first, and hopefully they won’t be able to shut it off for a few hours, and then after that, the alarm system should kick in, making the alarms ring every five minutes. The last command, I protected it with another three passwords. The only way they would be able to stop them immediately is if they shut off the electricity, completely. And they won’t do that, not until they were desperate.

That should cause enough chaos.

Hoisting my body back through the venting shafts, my only thought was that I needed to remember to bring some ear-plugs tomorrow. I’d make sure they got passed around to the students; maybe put them in a bag on one of the lunch tables.

*

Mandy drove separate from me the next morning. She barely said a word at breakfast, but I could tell she was terrified because she was completely white in the face—she looked like death warmed over. When I asked if she wanted to ride with me, she’d said that she had cheer practice and then a student council meeting after school.

And me, my plans for after school, entailed meeting up with Grayley and getting the blueprints to the new school Pedlam had built last summer. They’d had tight security when I went there so I didn’t know if they would’ve kept it up or loosened it since I no longer attended. I needed to find out what I was walking into Thursday night. Grayley would get me everything I needed.

The parking lot was already full so I had to park on the street. I saw students talking on the lawn, which wasn’t unusual but normally it was only a third of the students. Today the number had tripled, guess the music had deterred people from hearing their gossip inside. I could still hear the music blaring through the open doors. Walking inside, I passed the office and saw the entire faculty jammed inside, well, probably not all the faculty, but enough. They all looked pissed.

As I drew near my locker, I saw students running through the halls. The stoners had taken the opportunity to get high in the hallways; no one was paying attention to them. Putting my backpack in my locker, I passed my classroom and found it empty. I followed the hallway to the parking lot where I saw the remaining student body loitering on the lawn or standing around their cars. Spotting Mandy, I saw her head bent in a group of cheerleaders—who knows what they were talking about. I saw Devon sitting on the back of his truck, Jasmine was hanging on him with the rest of their crowd lounging around. Tray leaned against the pickup, his arms crossed over his chest as he seemed to be listening to whatever story Amber was telling. Bryce and Grant were both grinning.

Dropping to the grass, I leaned against a tree, pulling out my iPod, but I didn’t press play right away. I was listening to a conversation between some sophomores (I think) behind me. They were talking about the music and what the school was going to do, wondering if classes were going to be cancelled or not. I couldn’t stop the grin on my face; there was no word about Mandy, Devon, or Jasmine. That’s all I cared about. Then I pressed play.

*

They ended up canceling school. They couldn’t get around my passwords, which surprised me. Pedlam usually blasted through my passwords within an hour. As I walked through the hallways to my car, my science partner (with the microscope glasses) ran up to me and told me excitedly that the school had to call in a specialist; that whoever had done the prank was a god and it was the coolest thing that had happened to Rawley, ever!

Told you I was a legend at my skill.

However, I didn’t like that they called in a specialist. When I pulled a similar prank at Pedlam, they had to call in a specialist too. If it was the same specialist, I was in deep shit. I hadn’t even thought of that. Hopefully they won’t put two and two together. As a shiver ran down my back, I veered away from her (I still hadn’t caught her name) and got inside my car quickly. Starting it, I pulled into traffic and drove home.

As usual, it was empty. Shelly and Kevin had called last night telling us they wouldn’t be home till later this week. Austin had let out a whoop of joy as he bounded up to his room.

Grabbing a soda, I went to my room and turned my computer on, telling myself that I was going to do some research for one of my papers, but I found myself clicking on eBay, checking out wire-trimmers and pick handlers—marketing tools for breaking and entering…

Hearing voices downstairs, I clicked out of the website and closed my laptop. Making my way downstairs, I heard Mandy giggling, exclaiming, “We can get so much done now that we have the whole day off. I heard it was Mark Jenkins and his gang that did the prank.”

“I heard it was Tyler Justins.”

“Whatever, we all know who was behind it. He might not have done it, but I bet he knows who did: Tray Evans.”

“Ooh, did you see him today? Tray Evans is seriously hot,” another girl moaned.

Great. She’d brought the entire cheerleading squad to her house—our house—which meant I needed to leave. Now. I didn’t mix well with cheerleaders.

“Taryn!” Mandy yelled excitedly, seeing me turning around on the stairs.

Busted.

Plastering on a fake smile, I turned back and said warmly, “Hey.” I was met with varying reactions: hostile, curious, and/or clueless.

“We’re gonna have practice here since school and all…and I’m going to have our student council meeting this afternoon, okay?”

“Uh…what do you want me to do?”

“Nothing.” Mandy shook her head, a dazzling smile on her face. “Just letting you know…in case…”

“I want to cut and run,” I finished for her dryly.

“Yeah…” The hesitation was enough. Mandy didn’t want me to leave, so that meant that Devon must have been on the student council. Devon would be heading over to the house and she was nervous about it.

“What time is your student council meeting?”

Relief flashed in her eyes as Mandy responded, “At 2:30.”

Nodding, I murmured, “I’ll be back after lunch.”

Darting back up to my room, I quickly changed clothes, putting on a white halter top and some tight blue jeans. I slipped on some sandals and grabbed my purse. When I walked back downstairs, the cheerleaders had gone out to our backyard—thank goodness—and I left through the front door, crossing to my car. Climbing in, my phone went off. Seeing Brian’s name flash across my screen, I put it away, silencing the ringer as I drove off.

*

Returning at two, I was surprised to see ten or more cars in our driveway and on the street. Apparently the meeting had started early or they’d come early to gossip. Probably the latter. Walking inside I was met with the same reaction as the cheerleaders: hostility, curiosity, and/or cluelessness.

Fuck them. I shrugged it off as I zeroed in on where Mandy was. I found her in the kitchen, busying herself with drinks and food. Making my way through the crowd, I stared at one of the girls in the kitchen and said flatly, “Leave.”

She ran.

Mandy choked on a laugh. “Taryn, seriously. Friends are a good thing to have.”

“I have friends,” I said coolly, hopping onto the counter. “So, where is he?”

She sighed. “He’s on the patio with Grant and Amber.”

“And where are you at?”

“In a land of denial, telling myself everything is perfect except that my boyfriend cheated on me and is no longer my boyfriend.” She turned to me, her eyes misty. “Did you see them this morning? She was all over him.”

“Anyone say anything?”

“No, thank God. Everyone’s been talking about that stupid prank—and it couldn’t have come at a better time—but Amber hasn’t even talked to me. I think she’s on Jasmine’s side.”

“Has she talked to Jasmine today?”

“I don’t know, but Jasmine backstabbed me. You’d think Amber would say something to me, right? She’s my best friend.”

“Yeah…friends have a way of not being your friends when they’re needed the most. I learned to take people with a grain of salt,” I murmured. “So, you want me to hang out for moral support?”

“Yeah…and because the gang is having dinner here tonight.”

“What? Mandy!”

“I know, I know,” she groaned. “I couldn’t stop myself. Devon was talking to Grant and Amber in the dining room and everyone was watching. Next thing I know, I’m inviting them for dinner. I don’t know why—”

“You did it because you don’t want them to know that you’re suffering. Makes perfect sense to me. Stupid though.”

Mandy grinned. “I know. So…you have to be here tonight.”

“It’s your whole crowd, right? Grant, Bryce, Amber, Devon, Jasmine, and Tray?”

“Yeah. And Carter.”

“Who’s Carter?”

“Bryce’s cousin. He’s in town, he moved last year to Southington but he’s friends with all of us. Carter’s hilarious. You’ll love him, well…maybe.”

A girl popped her head in the kitchen and said cheerfully, “Mandy! Guess what? Tray Evans is here with Carter Sethlers. How cool is that? Tray Evans isn’t even on student council and Carter Sethlers doesn’t even go to our school anymore. I’m so happy you had the meeting here.”

“Anyone else with them, Shelley?” Mandy asked guardedly.

“Nope. Just those two.”

“Can you tell them that Grant, Devon, and Amber are on the patio?”

“Sure.” Shelley flashed her a blinding smile, which matched her blonde highlights. “I think Patrice already did, but I’ll check anyway. Gives me an excuse to chat up Tray, hmmm?”

When she left, Mandy sighed in relief. “Thank God Carter’s here.”

“He’s pretty cool, huh?”

“Yeah,” she murmured, her eyes vacant. She was thinking hard about something.

“Look,” I spoke up, jumping off the counter, “student council and socializing isn’t my thing. I’m gonna camp out in my room. Keep your cellphone with you and call me if you need me down here ASAP.”

“Okay. Thanks, Taryn.” Mandy sounded grateful as she wiped at some tears that were in the corner of her eyes. “Thanks.”

I escaped, breathing lighter when I shut my bedroom door a second later. Falling on my bed, I turned my iPod on again, but felt my phone buzzing next to me. Lifting it up, I saw Geezer’s name on the screen. Flipping it open, I greeted warmly, “Hey, Geeze.”

“Brian’s on his way to your place.”

“What?!” I cried out in alarm, sitting up.

“Yeah, he and Jace had a huge fight this morning. Like the cops were called even. Brian split before they showed up, but Grayley called and said Brian said something about sorting stuff out with you once and for all. Brent called from the gas station and said Brian was heading towards Rawley on the highway. Two plus two plus two equals six, babe.”

“Geeze, don’t call me that.”

“Hot stuff,” he said instead.

I peeked through my window-blinds, but didn’t see his car. Great. Just great.

“Okay.” I sighed. “Thanks for giving me the heads-up.”

“Oh and Grayley told me to tell you that he’s got your stuff.”

“Good. I’ll head over tonight.”

“I’ll tell Grayley to bring it all here. Brian doesn’t ever show up here anymore.”

“Okay. Thanks again, Geezer. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Good luck, hot stuff.”

“You can try all you like, Geeze, but your seduction is wasted on me,” I teased before hanging up.

This day was turning out to suck more than I had imagined and most of it was my fault—cheerleaders, student council and now the ex-factor. Great.

I dialed Jace’s number.

“Hey, Terry,” he greeted wearily.

“I heard.” It’s all I had to say. We both knew what the fight had been about and why—I’d asked him for this purpose.

“Hey, ah…look, my little brother’s on his way to your place. You might make sure there are people around. I had some guys follow him, but—”

“This is my fight,” I finished tiredly and I was tired. I’ve been gone for months now and Brian was still making me exhausted. “Are you…I heard the cops were called?”

“I handled it, you know me and the authorities—we have a hate-hate relationship. But I’m good. If you need the guys to step in, just let them know.”

“Got it,” I said faintly, hanging up. We both knew the conversation was over, it was pointless to say goodbye. Arming myself with a taser—for my own strength—I headed back down the stairs, but I slipped through the window of the bathroom rather than passing through the entire student body council which I could hear in the kitchen, living room, and dining room—they were everywhere. Rounding the house, I sat on the stoop by the street. Waiting…

I didn’t have to wait long. I heard Brian’s car screech around a corner and slam to a stop right in front of mine.

Part of me wanted to hop in and tell him to go to a park, where we could hash it out there, but Jace’s guys were coming to the house and wouldn’t know to go to the park. So I stood wearily, bracing myself when Brian slammed his door shut and strode angrily to me.

Oh yeah. He was in a rage.

“You bitch!” he snarled, still crossing the street.

“And what’s new?” I shot back, standing my ground.

“You gave him the fucking codes. Him!”

“Yeah. I did.”

He reached out and grabbed my shoulders, shaking me.

Grunting, I twisted out of his arms and kneed him in the balls. As he doubled over, I said coolly, “You don’t get to touch me. Ever again.”

“It’s not going to work,” Brian grunted. “You bitch.”

“We’re over. I have no loyalty to you anymore.”

“You love me, baby, you just want this future so desperately. When it doesn’t work out, you’ll be grateful that I didn’t give up on us.”

“I’m not your girlfriend, I’m not your accomplice, and I’m not your fuck buddy anymore. I’m out—get that in your head—before I do something to keep you away from me permanently,” I growled. I was beyond pissed now. “And I’m not your property. I have never been your property or anyone else’s. Got it?!”

“That’s what this was about? You gave Jace the codes because I said you were my property?” Brian asked incredulously, straightening slightly.

I didn’t respond, but glared frostily.

“You’re so damn gorgeous when you’re furious.” He grinned, still in pain.

Oh I hated him. I especially hated the melting that started in my heart at that grin. It always worked on me, always, and he knew it. The bastard.

“I hate you,” I seethed, my hands balled into fists.

And the bastard laughed. “No, you don’t, baby. You could never hate me because you’d be hating the one person that’s been there for you through everything. Thick and thin, Tar.”

Fully straightening, he grabbed my hand and tugged me closer. I dug my feet in and ended up being dragged awkwardly across the space, my arms acting as a barrier since I had them crossed over my chest, as he tried to hug me. I was stiff in his embrace. I felt him nuzzle my ear, which made the melting intensify and spread.

“You still love me, Tar, and no matter how much you push me away, I always know you’re pushing yourself just as much,” he whispered, kissing my ear. “You want this new life so much and you’re willing to cut us all out in order to do it, but it’s not going to work. I’m a part of you, you can’t push yourself away.”

Hearing a few car doors slam, I looked up and saw Ben watching from a few feet away. I recognized the rest of Jace’s guys, one must’ve been new because I didn’t recognize him.

Brian shouted across the street, “We’re good. You don’t need to come and protect little ‘Terry.’ You can report back to big brother that no cops need to be called.”

“Taryn?” Ben questioned, intent.

“Taryn?” Oh God, that was Mandy. Turning around my eyes widened in horror, seeing Mandy standing with the rest just outside the front door of my house. I saw Tray, Grant, and another guy slowly walk down the driveway.

My house.

Shoving Brian away, I said quietly, “Get out of here. Now.”

“Tar?”

“Get lost.”

“You don’t mean that,” he soothed, self-assured.

I snapped. It was the only thing that could explain the sudden change inside of me, but I’d had it being placated by him.

I slapped him and then yelled, “I don’t mean that? I don’t mean that? I’m sick and goddamn tired of being told, by you, what I do and do not mean! I’m not a child whose parent’s know what’s best for her. I’m not anything to you, Brian! Not anymore. Not to you!”

Brian frowned, and I saw his resolve set in.

“You want to know why Jace looks out for me so much?” I was such a bitch. A cold, heartless bitch. So I said, “Because I fucked him on your birthday. Your birthday last year when I walked in on you and Liza. You couldn’t find me that night, because I was with your brother. And holy hell, did he make me scream that night.”

“You’re lying,” Brian seethed, white around his mouth, his jaw firm. “You’d never do that. Jace would—”

“We did,” I said smoothly, “And the next morning, we did it all over again.” Gesturing to Ben, I suggested, “Ask Ben. He was there. He saw me leave the next morning, hell—he probably heard us the whole night.”

Brian looked over at Ben stiffly, not saying a word.

Studying me, Ben nodded, tightly.

It was enough because Brian started yelling, “You fucking bitch. You’re nothing but a slut. A whore who gets her rush stealing crap. How pathetic is that? I wasn’t only with Liza, baby, you want to know all the other girls I fucked—”

I used my taser on him and it worked because he shut up and fell unconscious to the ground.

Huh.

I looked up as a shadow fell across the ground near us. Ben. “You can take him now,” I said coolly.

Ben gestured to the rest and his guys swooped in and picked up Brian and carried him to his car. One of the guys, I think his name was Carl, got in the driver’s seat of Brian’s car.

“He’ll leave you alone,” Ben spoke. “I’ll make sure of it, even if Jace doesn’t, and we both know Jace will now…now that…”

“That I’ve told,” I murmured softly, hugging myself. “Thanks Ben.”

“Hey,” he called out, turning back around. “Whatever he just said, the boy was infatuated with you. Those two times—they were only the two times. I’d have known otherwise, so I’m telling you…he only had those two fuck-ups. Don’t let that filth nag at you, alright, girl?”

It was stupid, but it comforted me. Because it would’ve eaten at me, in the back of my mind, thinking about who else Brian had been with. As their two cars slid away, I glanced behind me and saw everyone was still there. Still watching. Some of the girls were gaping at me. Tray and the other two had lingered at the end of our driveway, just a few yards away from me.

I met Tray’s gaze and let him see the plea in my eyes. I needed to get out of here.

Nodding, he walked to his SUV and got inside while I ran around to the passenger door and climbed in. I huddled against the door as he looked at me once before starting the car and pulling down the street.

Away from everyone.

I closed my eyes and saw Brian’s face flash across my mind, screaming at me, hearing his words lash against me. Over and over again.

I was barely keeping it together. Lifting my hands I saw a trickle of blood in my palms where my nails had dug through the skin. I hadn’t even noticed.

A little while later, the car came to a stop and I looked up, seeing we were at Tray’s home.

Following him inside, neither of us had yet to speak. I saw a little more of his palace as he led the way to the back, outside to the pool house. Apparently this was where he lived. Once we were inside, he shut the door, and nudged me into his little kitchen area.

Without asking, he took out a bottle of tequila and poured us both a shot. I tipped my head back and downed it. Tray filled it again.

It felt good. It burned my throat, but that’s what I wanted. I wanted anything to take my mind away from Brian.

I set my glass down for a third shot and Tray filled it. He took out a beer for himself as he lounged against the counter, watching me.

I was never one for talk, so I closed the distance between us and tilted my mouth to meet his.

It was better than the tequila because a fire exploded inside of me. He answered my demand with his own. I felt his arms pick me up and place me on the counter, my legs automatically wrapped around him.

Tray must’ve carried me to his bedroom because pretty soon we had tumbled on his bed. Tray moved his mouth to my neck, and had me groaning as I worked at his shirt to come off. Rearing up, he threw his shirt off and then met my eyes as his hands slid underneath mine and pulled it off, followed my bra, then his pants, then my pants. I was panting heavily when he slipped two fingers inside my thong and slid it down, slowly.

Taking charge, I flipped him over and straddled him, kissing my way down his chest, lingering on his stomach, then moving further down before I took him in my mouth. I grinned when I heard his own groan.

Before long, I found myself on my back again, Tray leaning over me, kissing my mouth, my neck, and worked his way down. I arched my back when his mouth found me and went to work.

I frantically pulled him back up to meet my mouth and I entwined my legs around his hips.

Panting, he pulled away and grabbed a condom from his nightstand. I took it from him and put it on, my eyes holding his the entire time. He paused and I grabbed him to bring his mouth down to mine. It was all he needed and he slid inside. He went deep with each thrust and I nearly screamed with the first one.

*

Neither of us had spoken one word. Not throughout the entire thing. Not before our first time, our second, or the third—much later. We’d spent the entire day in his bed, without saying one word.

I loved it.

After showering and a fourth round, we got dressed before we silently walked to his SUV and drove back to my house.

I breathed easier seeing only a handful of cars still in the driveway. Turning my phone on, I hadn’t realized I’d turn it off, but six messages were waiting for me.

I turned it back off.

I caught a flash of amusement in Tray’s eyes.

When he turned the engine off, both of us sat there for a moment.

I couldn’t help it, but my eyes trailed to where I had stood with Brian a few hours earlier.

“If he really loved you, selflessly, he’d have respected your wishes a long time ago.” It was the only thing Tray had said before we both unclasped our seat belts and walked up to the house. Inside we were met with hysterical shouting. Great…Mandy and Jasmine.

“You’re a fucking tramp, you bitch!” That was Mandy, I could recognize her screech if I were deaf; the vibrations in the floorboards were a dead giveaway.

“Oh please.” Jasmine huffed. “What do you expect from me? An apology? You’re never around and when you are it’s all cheerleading this, student council that, not to mention yearbook crap and your perfect little family with your perfect little GPA and your precious scholarship to Brown. No, you’re a great girlfriend. You’re a perfect girlfriend, except you don’t give a shit where your man is or how he feels.”

There was shocked silence when Tray and I made our appearance. Devon was anxiously watching Mandy, Jasmine was staring indignantly with Amber in the corner by her brother, her eyes skirting between the two girls. Bryce and Carter were lounging on the couches looking amused.

“I can’t believe you just said that!” Mandy yelled, leaping towards Jasmine.

Devon moved to intercept her, but Carter beat him to it, leaping from the couch. Grabbing her shoulders, he held her back as Mandy tried to get around him. “Get off me!”

“Mandy,” he urged soothingly.

Alarmed, Jasmine had taken a step back. Devon stood in the middle, arms half raised between them, uncertain of what he should do.

I saw Amber staring determinedly at us before she sneered, “Where have you two been?”

Tray shot her an amused look. “We had business.”

“What kind of business?”

“None of yours,” Tray said firmly, settling against the wall near the door.

“Mandy,” I spoke up, walking to her side, “go to your room.”

“Taryn—”

“Mandy,” I interrupted sharply, “go.”

“Fine,” she cried out, shoving Carter aside as she swept out of the room.

Turning on my heels, I faced Jasmine squarely. An icy calm had taken over me and all the rage I had from Brian, Jace, everything—all of it erupted inside of me as I saw a fitting target for my outlet.

“You’re a pathetic, little, insecure, selfish, bitch with narcissistic tendencies. You have no empathy and no compassion in your bones. If you did, you wouldn’t be screwing your best friend’s boyfriend.” I was seething. Stepping closer, I hissed, “And if you had done it to me—trust me, you’d find yourself in a psych ward by the end of the month and you’d have no idea how and where exactly you got fucked along the ride.”

“And who are—” she sputtered, taking another step back.

“I’m not done,” I cut in ruthlessly. “You will stay away from Mandy. You will not speak to her, you will not speak about her, and you better be clear across the room every time you’re in the same vicinity. Because if I get wind of any rumors, any nasty little things your pathetic mind could think up, you’ll deal with me. You won’t deal with Mandy, I’ll be coming straight for you. And trust me, you don’t want to be my enemy. There’s a few bitches in lock-up who can attest to that.”

Everyone was silent. Jasmine had grown pale, shrinking away.

“Now get out,” I finished.

Devon grabbed her arm and hauled her behind him, out the door.

Amber slipped away after them, dragging Grant with her.

Bryce, Carter, and Tray all remained behind.

A moment of silence filled the air between us before I heard a deep laugh coming from Carter, who had thrown his head back. “Oh, I like you. I really like you.” Passing by, he thumped Tray on his chest and chuckled. “She’s a cold hearted bitch.”

I took it at as a compliment. I heard him walk up the stairs and knock on Mandy’s door.

Bryce stood up, stretching. “Evans, let’s go get a burger.”

Tray, who’d been staring at me steadily, nodded before turning and following him out.

*

Mandy knocked on my door that night, around eleven-thirty, so I was pretty surprised when she told me I had a guest downstairs. Swinging my legs off the bed, I asked, “Who is it?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know, but he’s hot. Like really, really hot.”

Before she turned, I saw the shadows underneath her eyes. “You okay?”

“Carter’s staying over,” she said, walking into her room and shutting the door.

I frowned at her bedroom door a moment, seeing the light turn off from underneath the door.

Walking down the stairs, I halted abruptly seeing Jace casually leaning in the doorway, looking like he owned the place.

“Hey,” I said softly, crossing over to him, stopping a few feet away, uncertain.

“Hey.” He attempted a grin, but it came out more a frown.

“So…”

“You told him, huh,” he stated.

“Uh…” It wasn’t often when I was short for words, but Jace had effectively made me speechless. He’d had the effect on me for a long time, ever since Brian and I first became friends in the fourth grade. He’d already been famous in the eighth grade, he was the Lanser that everyone knew was either in detention or skipping school. He was the number one hated student by all faculty in middle school and high school. I’d always had a crush on him, but Jace was just too much, at least for me. He was too much for anyone, even the cops.

“He’s on a rampage, Taryn.” He sighed, looking exhausted. He sighed, looking exhausted.

“I should’ve called. I’m sorry.”

“Ben called, but a little warning would’ve helped,” he said dryly.

“It was the only…”

“I know.” He sighed. “And the shit of it is that I don’t even know if this will do it. He’ll be back in a few months, doing all the same shit again. He’ll compartmentalize it somehow, make a way where you and me together doesn’t affect him, had nothing to do with him…I don’t know. He’ll be back.”

“I’m sorry, Jace,” I said softly, meaning it.

“He and I—that’s been broken for a long time. And we’re done, there’s no going back with us, but hell…there hasn’t been for a long while.”

“You don’t know that…” I said half-heartedly, because we both knew it was true.

“Come on, Tar, Bri’s hated me all my life. He grew up hating me. Our dad made sure of that.”

“What happened tonight?”

“Threw a few punches, that’s it really. Cam got in the middle, had to take her to the hospital.”

“Oh God. Is she okay?”

“She’ll be fine.” He shrugged. “More worked up about you and me. Heads up, by the way, she’s gunning for you.”

It was ironic really. I had to watch my back because I was a cheating bitch while I was protecting Mandy from the same thing. I had to appreciate the irony, for a moment anyway.

“I’ll handle her…”

“I’ll smooth things over, she always comes back, but with you…she’s always wanted a reason to hate you. I can’t fix that.” He gave me a faint grin. “I think she always wondered…about…”

“I can handle myself.” I grinned, trying to be cocky, but looking away.

Jace chuckled, running a hand through his tousled hair.

“Nice of you to dress up to see me.” I couldn’t help myself, lightly punching him on the chest, feeling the cement wall of muscle beneath his bleached t-shirt.

“Yeah.” He chuckled again. “How do you know Evans?”

My mood sobered instantly. “He goes to my school.”

“He runs your school,” Jace pointed out.

“Yeah…I know what he’s got going on.”

“Then you know he’s not a guy to take lightly.”

My eyebrows arched. “That’s high praise coming from the likes of you.”

“We’ve had a business deal going on. Only met him once though, but…he’s got this town nicely locked together.”

“What do you mean?”

“None of my business comes in or out of Rawley.”

Thank God. I’d never spoke up against Jace, against what he did, but…I cared about him. Bottom line, I cared. And that meant there were many nights I had wished fervently for a different world. A different world for me, Brian, and Jace. But Jace most of all—because he’d never get out. And if he did, it’d be a bloodbath. Blood got you in, blood got you. So I just never said anything, he was in too far.

“How’d he manage that?”

“I don’t know, I’ve already said too much. He’s not like Brian, Taryn. Remember that.”

“Meaning that my obsessive ex is the lesser of the two evils.”

He grinned at that. “If the shoe fits, bitch.”

I punched him for real this time and I probably hurt my hand more than him. “Hey.”

He grabbed my hand, laughing softly. Raising it, he kissed the knuckles tenderly and said huskily, “You know I say it lovingly.”

I pulled my hand away and smirked. “Right.”

He turned to the door, opening it, but paused in the doorframe. He looked serious. “Listen, don’t worry about Brian. If you want him gone, which you must, I’ll make sure he stays away.”

This was it. We both knew once that door closed, the line was drawn for us. No going back. No more crossing it, from either side. And a part of me wanted to crumble up and cry for the rest of the night. A part of me wanted to go with him. He was family, no matter what happened between me, him, or Brian. The three of us had been family.

“Hey, Jace,” I called out, stopping him.

Our eyes met. And held. We’d had that one night and like I’d said before, it brought up stuff that neither of us had ever admitted. Much less to ourselves than each other. But, this might be the last time…so…I walked over to him and kissed him. Tenderly. I didn’t stop the feelings this time.

Jace put his arms around me, drawing me closer, as he returned my kiss.

It felt just like it had before—for a moment, the world stopped. Because this wasn’t a cheated night taken in revenge. This was goodbye, so nothing was held back.

And then I pulled away. Our eyes held again as he walked out.

I shut the door. Returning to my room, I flicked a tear away from the corner of my eye and then curled underneath my blanket.

*

Mandy had left early for school. Through my open window, I’d heard Carter say goodbye as he got into his car. A second later I heard Austin pad by my doorway on his way to the kitchen. Moments later, I heard his friends pull up and honk their car horn.

“Hey, dude. Hurry your ass up!” One of his friends must’ve called because Austin slammed the door shut and yelled back, “Shut the hell up. I’m moving.”

I stayed put. Another second later there was silence.

I rolled over, pulling my blanket over me.

It was a few hours later when I got out of bed. I saw my phone blinking, knowing there were probably a few messages, but I just didn’t care. I didn’t care about school. Not today.

After showering and grabbing a bite to eat, I dressed and walked out to my car. Getting in, I turned it in the direction of Geezer’s, knowing I’d forgotten to go to his place last night, but knowing he probably didn’t even noticed.

An hour later, I looked at the old house again. This time the music wasn’t blaring from inside and it was quiet—almost too quiet. It was eerie.

Walking inside, I sighed, smelling the ever-present aroma of his favorite substance and I found him curled on the couch…again. Greeting him like I always do, I dropped kicked the end of the couch and he fell off.

Blinking in a drug filled haze, he croaked, “Tarter?”

“You got something for me?”

Frowning, he ran a hand through his hair, making it even shaggier. “Uh…like what?”

“Like some plans that Grayley was supposed to give you.”

“Oh.”

He had no idea. Grayley might’ve just dropped them off and taken off. He dropped out of school the second it was possible and spends the majority of his time not on our realm of reality. Geezer wasn’t known for his ambition, but then again—who would be with a father who stopped caring about him at the age of three and a mother who was in jail for selling meth. His parents stopped caring a long time ago, so why would Geezer? At least that was his motto.

Sighing, I moved into his kitchen and found the blueprints placed on the counter with my name written at the top of them.

I heard a crash behind me and whirled around, breathless for a moment. I saw Geezer on the floor, his blanket wrapped around his feet.

Helping him up, I asked, “You trying to walk like us adults? You should know better.”

He laughed, a hand balancing on my shoulder as I helped him unwrap the blanket. “Oh, Tartar. What are we going to do without you?”

“What have you been doing?”

“Smoking up.” he answered.

I laughed. “That’s the truth, but it’s no different from before.”

“It’s different,” he said quietly, stumbling back to the couch. Curling back up, he said again, “It’s a lot different.”

Then he fell asleep.

Standing there, I frowned down at his form, seeing the innocence that’s only present when asleep.

I moved into the kitchen and dialed Grayley’s number.

“Yo,” he greeted. I could hear sound in the background.

“You’re at school?”

“Yep. Aren’t you?”

“I’m at Geezer’s, got your present.”

“Oh. Hey, I got all I thought you’d want. You know, tried to be comprehensive.”

“Comprehensive?” I grinned, leaning a hip against the counter. “The English teacher must be hot this year.”

“It’s the T.A.” he said, actually serious.

“Geezer’s in rare form.”

“Yeah.”

That was it. Not that I’d expected more. Grayley was pretty tight-lipped about his best friend, the bond between them had always been there, since they were kids. I felt that Grayley had taken the protective older brother role.

“Anything I should know about?” I asked lightly.

“Nah. I got it covered. Go do your own thing, we’ll manage.” I think he meant it jokingly, but I heard an edge in his voice.

“Alright—” I faltered, hearing him hang up abruptly.

Leaving, I made sure there was some food in Geezer’s kitchen and was surprised to see it full. Moving back out, I took a last look at him before crossing out to my car. By the time I got back to Rawley, I could make my last class: psychology. Guess I might as well. It would give me a chance to check on how Mandy’s doing.

*

Moving through the hallways, I ducked around a group of giggling girls and jocks who decided the hallway was a perfect place for wrestling. Dropping my bag in my locker, I grabbed my books and headed towards my classroom. Mandy was already seated at a table with Sophie—I think??—I recognized her from the student council meeting at the house the other day. And Jasmine was across the room, laughing with Bryce, her hands lingering on his arm.

Hmm.

Mandy was avidly glaring at them.

Dropping into a chair at one of the back tables, I was surprised when I recognized my science lab partner in the other seat.

She gave me a tentative smile.

Oh hell.

Sticking out my hand, I said, “I don’t know if we’ve actually ever been introduced. My name is Taryn Matthews.”

A squeal escaped her mouth as she extended her hand. “Molly Keeley. I’m your—”

“Science lab partner. I know that.”

“Yeah, and I’m in your health class.”

Wait. “I’m in health?”

“You skip for study hall.”

“I thought I had study hall.”

“You should probably tell your teacher that.”

“Oh.” I sat back, surprised. “Thanks.”

“No problem. We’re playing volleyball next week, so it should be fun.”

“You play volleyball?”

“Only with my family. I can’t wear contacts and the glasses—they don’t help.”

“Right. Your microscope glasses.”

My eyes widened as I realized what I’d just said. “Oh, Molly, I didn’t mean—”

Shrugging, she grinned. “They do look like microscopes, but my mom won’t let me get new ones. They’re not cost-effective.”

“Whatever. They save your social graces,” I cut in. Again not thinking. “Oh my God, I’m so sorr—”

This time she laughed whole-heartedly. “You’re not what the rumors say you are.”

“That I’m a stone cold bitch.”

“Yeah, that. And that you screwed Tray Evans.”

“Where?” Could I not think before I talked? What was wrong with me?

She listed them off with her fingers, “In the school parking lot, in the parking lot at the diner, at one of his parties, at Rickets’ House, and in his car.”

“Oh. I’ve been busy.”

She giggled, ducking her head suddenly.

I looked over and saw Tray staring back, kneeling down beside me.

“What?” I asked.

“Two days,” was all he said.”

I flushed in annoyance. “Yeah. So?”

“You going to be ready in two days?” he demanded. And now I remembered detested him—I still did, no matter how amazing he was in bed.

I snapped testily, “Ask again and I won’t be.”

He smirked. Yep, he was still detestable. “Don’t get all worked up. We had a deal, a business deal. I need to know if you can deliver your end of the deal.”

“I’m ready to go on my end.”

“Whatever.” He stood up. “Saw Jace Lanser leaving town last night. Stopped at the diner for a burger.”

I stood also. “Yeah. So?”

He backed off, taking his own seat across the room, the entire class now listening avidly. “Nothing. The guy’s a loser.”

“Spoken like a true horse’s ass,” I shot back. Jace was family. No one talked bad about my family.

Mandy gasped, “Taryn.”

Jasmine smirked, but there was still a note of fear in her eyes.

“Spoken like a true bitch’s ass,” he retorted, sitting back, looking relaxed and arrogant.

“One that you’re hot for,” I said coolly, seeing him draw his breath in at my words. Before he could reply the teacher strode in frantically. “Sorry, class, so sorry I’m late.”

I sat back down and the rest of the class reluctantly turned their attention to the teacher.

Molly leaned over and whispered, “You are officially my idol. Just thought I’d share my reverence from this day on.” I cracked a grin at the litany. Microscope girl had a sense of humor.

After class, Molly walked with me out the door and towards my locker. I shot her a glance, wondering what was up, but she stayed at my side and even waited while I grabbed my bag.

“Something up?” I finally asked, noticing glances from the other students.

She shifted nervously on her feet. “Uh…well—”

“Out with it.”

“There’s a party this weekend. I think Justin Travers is throwing it and I was wondering—”

I had no idea who Justin Travers was. Pretty sure I couldn’t help her.

She continued, “You seem really, really nice, no matter what they say, and I was wondering…would you go with me? Or get me an invite?”

“Why?”

“Because Justin Travers is gorgeous and I’ve had the hugest crush on him since the third grade. One time he gave me his lunch. It was awesome.”

“I don’t know who he is.”

“He plays soccer and he’s on student council and he’s super gorgeous. He knows your sister, Mandy.”

“I still don’t know who he is.”

“Yeah, but I’m sure you’ll be invited to his party. You’re one of them, but you’re cool and nice. You can introduce us.”

I’d had enough. The girl was going to get crushed.

Shutting my locker, I said bluntly, “Listen. I’m not saying this to be mean, but if he’s what you make him sound—he’s not interested. In you at least. He’s going to go after little cheerleaders who give it up to be popular and have the IQ of a poodle. That’s not you.”

She was stunned and through her microscope glasses, I could tell she wasn’t even blinking.

I didn’t know what else to say, so I turned and walked outside towards my car. I might have crushed her, but it was nothing compared to what he would’ve done.

“That was pretty cruel.”

Turning I saw a skinny guy with waxy hair glaring at me.

“Who are you?”

“You can’t just treat people like that. It’s…It’s,” he sputtered, “inhumane.”

“She’s not a dog and what I did was save her from being humiliated,” I remarked.

“You really are the bitch everyone’s saying you are,” he called after me as I passed him.

I shrugged and gave him the finger, grinning as I walked to my car.

*

Wednesday passed without incident. Mandy acted like nothing was wrong, sitting with students on student council and some of the cheerleaders. Jasmine sat at a different table with Amber, Grant, and Devon. Bryce and Tray were missing. And me, I sat alone like normal. Molly chose a different seat in psychology and the guy who’d spoken up for her had glared at me as I left school.

I loved being popular—and hated.

But I was happy. I hadn’t heard any rumors about Mandy and Devon’s break-up. I didn’t even know if it was known at school. Monday the halls had been buzzing about the cancellation, alarms, and unending music. I’d missed Tuesday, so I didn’t know what the rumors were. But Wednesday had two themes. The first was my retort to Tray in last period and the other focused on Justin Travers’ party.

Nothing was spoken about Jasmine and Mandy. That’s all I cared about.

Wednesday night I was packing my bag, double-checking everything for the heist tomorrow. I was planning on going after school and waiting it out until eight o’clock that evening. That was usually when the faculty and staff finally left. The students should be gone by six or so—at least. I just needed to make sure that Geezer was sober and at my side to work on the device before I handed it over to Tray.

Hearing the doorbell, I sighed and walked from my bedroom towards the stairs. Hearing it again, I yelled, “Coming. Hold on.”

Opening up, I saw Carter on the opposite side.

“Hi.” He gave me a wide smile, leaning one hand against the doorframe.

“Mandy’s not here and I don’t know where she’s at,” I clipped out, moving to shut the door.

“Whoa, whoa.” He stopped the door, putting his foot in the doorway. “I’m Carter. We haven’t actually met.”

“And I’m perfectly fine with that, I’m done with your crowd. I’ll stick to my sister.”

I kicked his foot out and shut the door.

*

The whole school was on edge the next day. Amidst the excitement from Monday, it seemed everyone had forgotten that this was homecoming week. The cheerleaders reminded everyone on Thursday and that meant tension. Tension, chaos, and everyone suddenly acting like they’re going to get laid. They were playing Pedlam the next night.

At my locker, I grabbed a book, my cellphone tucked between my neck and ear as I called Grayley. Hearing him answer, I said, “Make sure Geezer’s sober today. I’ll need him tonight.”

“Sure thing,” Grayley remarked, I could hear laughter in his voice.

“Things crazy over there?”

“Yep.”

What’s up with the non-answers?

“Brian’s standing right there, isn’t he?” I asked coolly.

“Sure is,” he said cheerfully.

“Okay.” I hung up. No point worrying, Grayley knew what to do; he’d helped me numerous times over the years.

“Hey.”

Turning around, I saw my sister.

“What’s up?”

“Huh,” she faltered, shuffling her feet.

“Mandy,” I said firmly.

“What?”

“What’s up?”

“It’s…,” she rolled her eyes, her hands resting on her hips, “Carter said you two met and that you were—”

“Less than friendly,” I supplied dryly, shutting my locker and moving down the hallway.

“It’s just, why? Why do you have to be like that?” she cried out.

“I’m not going to be nice to a guy that’s temporary.”

“What?”

I stopped in the hallway, facing her squarely. “He’s the rebound. I get it, I understand, but he’s not my friend. In fact, none of these people are my friends. I’m here because your family adopted me. You’re my sister, I’m starting to get that—but everything else—your friends being my friends…it’s not how it is, Mandy. It’s not how it’s going to be.”

“It’s not like that,” she argued. I could hear the hurt in her voice.

“He’s the rebound,” I stated.

“Look, now’s not the place to talk about this. He’s having a party tomorrow night and he wants you to come.”

“I’m not going.”

“Come on, Taryn—”

“No.” I shrugged her off, ducking into my classroom. It was fifth period and I had Spanish, but luckily for me, this course is a cakewalk. If you actually wanted to learn, those students chose French. Spanish consisted of learning donde esta el bano, hola me llamo es ____, and zacapuntas. That was about it. Our teacher was usually flying around wearing a sombrero, helping the motivated students make piñatas—no joke.

Sliding into my chair, the only one open was in the front when I first started; therefore, my designated chair for the rest of the year. Just my luck.

Feeling someone tap my shoulder, I turned around and was blinded by the whitest pair of teeth, surrounded by a curly mop of blonde hair, framing piercing blue eyes.

“Hey.” When had our nation adopted this as the normal greeting? I think I’m going to start using a simple “hi” from now on.

“Hey,” I murmured. Nope, it was already ingrained.

“You’re Matthew’s new sister, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m Justin Travers.”

The dude Molly liked. I gave him the once over and, yes, I was correct in my assessment. The guy had a cheerleader on his lap.

“And apparently you know me,” I said wryly, moving to turn back around.

“I’m having a party tomorrow night. You’re coming, right?”

I turned back around and studied him, noting the smirk and cockiness. I looked at the platinum blonde on his lap—the Hooters poster girl from Tray’s house—watching me intently. It felt like I was being tested.

I sighed. “Look, if you think there’s even a possibility that the rumors about me screwing Evans are true, doesn’t mean shit to you. Because one, I am not one of those girls who’s suddenly realized how fun sex is and I’m going to start sleeping with anyone remotely popular. Two, if I did screw Evans then he’s probably the only one I’d settle for in the future. And three, I don’t have low self-esteem. I am not going to turn into a groupie.”

“Why are your panties so twisted?”

God, I’d had enough. Okay, yes, I’d gone on the offensive and he was only shooting back, but seriously. I’m sick and goddamn tired of guys thinking they can reduce everything to sex.

So I grinned coolly and flipped his chair backwards.

“Fuck.”

“Ah.”

Someone screamed, someone gasped, and a whole lot laughed. I caught the glances of a few people, but they quickly looked the other way.

“You bitch,” Travers shot back, slowly standing up.

“Psycho bitch is more like it,” said Hooters girl.

And I was hoping we’d be friends.

“Miss Matthews!” Señora Graham, the Spanish teacher, exclaimed, her sombrero falling off in her state of shock. “Principal’s office. Now!” Shouldn’t she have said that in Espanol?

Leaving the classroom, I realized I had left my books inside. Oh well.

I started getting a funny feeling in my stomach and, as I continued down the hall, it exploded inside me, leaving me gasping in surprise. It took me a moment to recover. This was new. Was this guilt?

I never cared about getting in trouble before I came to Rawley. I’ve walked down this hallway so many times before—they were all the same, with the same destination. In the old days, Brian would’ve gotten kicked out beside me, and he’d already be dragging me out to the parking lot by now. I could picture his grin and almost hear his laugh.

But this time, I cared. I cared that Mandy was probably going to get some slack for this, because of something I’d done. And it bothered me.

Turning the corner, walking towards the office at the end of the hall, I saw Mandy standing with six other cheerleaders in the hallway. They were coloring a poster for the game tomorrow night, or at least that was my guess since it said, “Pedlam Sucks.”

Mandy was nudged by a girl that was standing beside her when she saw me.

“Taryn? What are you doing here?”

“I’ll go to Carter’s party.”

“You will?” I felt guiltier seeing the smile that stretched across her face.

“Yeah.”

“Wait. What are you doing here?”

“I…uh…I’m sorry.”

Mandy paled. “What did you do, Taryn?”

“Uh—” I brushed her off, turning and walking back towards my locker.

“Miss Matthews!” The principal had come to look for me. I stopped and looked around, seeing him just behind Mandy, frowning fiercely. His tie flung across his shoulder, as if he’d dashed out of his office.

I didn’t say anything. What could I say? So I met Mandy’s gaze as I walked steadily past her and through the office door the principal was holding open.

“Miss Matthews, take a seat.”

He shut the door and walked around to sit behind his massive mahogany desk. His black leather chair creaked slightly as it tipped backwards under his weight.

“Señora Graham tells me that you assaulted a student,” he said coldly.

“It wasn’t assault.”

“Mr. Travers and Miss Klinnleys have bruises proving otherwise.”

“It happened like thirty seconds ago,” I pointed out. “The bruises aren’t from me. And it wasn’t assault, I moved a chair.”

“Two students were harmed from your actions. Under my classification, that can be considered a form of assault.”

“I didn’t even touch ‘em,” I said calmly.

I sighed, settling back in my chair.

“You have quite a history, don’t you, Miss Matthews? I think you should learn what appropriate boundaries are and how to implement them in your life.”

I smirked, folding my arms. “You have nothing on me. I pushed a chair. That’s it.”

“There were two students in that chair.”

“Exactly,” I deadpanned. “Two students. In one chair. If anything, you should be hauling my teacher in here and not me. Shouldn’t she be supervising such inappropriate behavior? Since when was it school policy that we could sit on laps here? At least in our classrooms.”

As he stuttered, I knew it was over. The breakdown was right and I did point out a much more serious issue than my supposed assault. I saw the decision made in his eyes before he even opened his mouth.

“You may go, Miss Matthews, but if I find you sitting across from me again, you won’t like the ramifications. You can quote me on that one, Miss Matthews.”

Mandy was waiting for me in the hallway and pounced on me as I walked by. “What did you do?!” she hissed.

“It won’t happen again, okay?”

Mandy latched onto my arm and pulled me into the bathroom. Checking it, making sure it was empty, she asked, “Are you doing this on purpose?”

“What are you talking about?” I gingerly retracted her hand from my arm.

“All of this. For like attention or something? Are you doing it on purpose? You know, taking attention away from me and Devon?”

“This last incident? No.”

“What about you and Tray on Tuesday?”

“No.”

“Oh.” She was appeased, slightly, but I saw the wheels turning in her head. She’d put two and two together eventually. I hadn’t actually answered her question, but it was an evade that I was quite proud of. And she knew it wasn’t out of my character to do something.

“Has Jasmine left you alone?” I asked softly, stepping closer as a few girls trailed inside.

“Yeah, but Carter said you threatened her.”

“Oh God. Carter again.” I moaned, moving to leave.

Mandy followed me. “Are you really coming to the party?”

“I thought Justin Travers was having a party? Why aren’t you going to his?”

“Because Jasmine and Devon will be there.”

“So your crowd is just going to split, huh?” I noted, walking to my locker as more student filed out of their classes. The bell had rung when I was in the principal’s office and I hadn’t even noticed. I didn’t even think I’d been gone that long.

Mandy trailed behind me. “Well…I guess. Until me and Devon are okay, I guess. Jasmine and I will—breathe each other’s air if we have to, eventually. Jasmine and Amber had to do it after the whole fiasco over Tray.”

“What fiasco?”

“He dumped Jasmine for Amber. Or…well…I think he just dumped Jasmine and Amber happened to be there, you know.”

“So who else is going to be at this party?”

“Pretty much everyone else. A lot will go to Justin’s party because Carter’s is more exclusive, you know. A lot of people will want to go to Carter’s and they’ll probably crash, but the only people who I know won’t come are Jas and Dev.”

“If they do, then what?”

She shrugged. “Then Carter’ll kick ‘em out.”

I shook my head.

“What?”

“You. You’re so sneaky, I almost have to give you credit for it.”

“What are you talking about?” Mandy asked, her eyes wide in an attempt to look innocent.

“I threatened Jasmine and now Carter’s making sure they don’t come to his party. Your back is covered no matter where you go. How’d you work that out?”

She grinned and bumped me with her hip. “Got myself a cool adopted sister, that’s what.”

“And you put out for Carter.”

Mandy stopped. “We didn’t have sex,” she said seriously. “He just stayed the night. That’s all that happened.”

The hallways were emptying, so I said quickly, “Gotta go. See you in psych.”

*

I grabbed my seat like always when seventh period rolled around an hour later. A second later someone dropped into the seat next to me, and turning, I was surprised to see Molly. Microscope girl. Huh.

“Thought you hated me,” I stated.

“I did.” She grinned, pushing her glasses up her nose. “Until I realized you were actually being kind in a very harsh way.” Leaning closer, she asked, “Did you really shove Justin Travers and Sasha Klinnleys?”

“No.” And I hadn’t.

“Oh.” She sounded disappointed.

I shrugged and then, gritting my teeth, I remembered Mandy reminding me that friends were a good thing to have.

“I just…I kicked their chair and it fell over. That’s all. I swear,” I relented, sighing.

I saw the quick smile before she blushed and ducked her head.

Somehow I knew. I didn’t know how. I couldn’t explain it. But I knew if I turned around, Tray would be watching me.

Turning around, I saw him staring steadily at me.

“What?”

“We need to talk,” he spoke, standing up and pulling me out of the classroom with him.

“Our teacher’s going to be coming pretty soon,” I argued, but followed nonetheless. I knew what this was about: business.

He leaned against a locker in the empty hallway and regarded me. “Our teacher’s always twenty minutes late. I think we’ll be fine.”

“You don’t need to get snippy,” I huffed.

Tray rolled his eyes, his hands stuffed in his pockets. He looked at ease. A casual confidence radiated off of him.

It irritated me. “So what’d you want to talk to me about?” I asked.

Tray lifted his eyebrows and remained silent. I saw the amusement in their depths.

“What?” I asked again.

He chuckled, leaning to face me. “I didn’t realize till now how much I unnerve you.” He whistled. “You must hate that.”

I moaned, “You’re a bit too conceited.”

“You came,” he remarked, smirking.

I had to take a step back. I was there for business. Business only. The incident with Brian, then saying goodbye to Jace—it must’ve messed me up even more than I wanted to admit for me to have landed in Tray’s bed after the fight with Brian. Right now…I needed to step back. This was just my body remembering the explosive sex. There is no way a relationship with Tray would end well.

“Business,” I reminded him.

“Right.” He sighed. “Are you ready for tonight?”

“Yeah.”

“When do we get in?”

“After I have my guy look at the device.”

“Not before? When will that be?”

“How many guys you got coming for this?”

“Enough to get our shit done,” he deadpanned.

I studied him for a moment. I didn’t know what they really wanted; the PRS-500 could unlock more doors than they even knew existed. I was loathe to give that power to them—there was no way they’d get their hands on it without Geezer working his magic on it first.

“What are you guys going to do again? I don’t remember.”

He gave me a faint grin. “Good try. No bulls-eye.”

“You’re just expecting me to give this to you? To give you free-entry into a school that I used to go to? Where my friends go?”

“And your ex?” he asked smoothly.

“This isn’t about him.”

Tray shifted closer to me, his eyes melting to amber as he whispered, “I kinda like it when he comes into the picture.”

I held firm.

As he drew closer, his head bent towards my neck, I felt his lips lightly caressing there, and he breathed, “I’d like another go round.”

“Mr. Evans! Miss Matthews!”

Looking up, a bit more dazed than I wanted to admit, I saw our psych teacher hurrying down the hallway, shooing us with her hands. “Get inside. Now,” she cried.

As we walked inside, the entire class immediately hushed, watching both of us make our way to our seats.

Molly was in awe. I could tell from the worshipful glaze over her face. Mandy was frowning. Jasmine was glaring. Bryce was just amused, with his head tipped back, a small smile spread on his face.

Molly leaned close and whispered, “I heard that Carter Sethlers is in town.”

“Yeah. I guess.”

“I heard he’s with your sister.”

“I don’t know,” I whispered back.

“And I heard that he’s having a party tomorrow night.” The girl was relentless.

“So?” I asked, scooting my chair aside. Did the girl have a clue what personal boundaries were?

“Can I come?”

“You hit me up to set you up with Justin Travers and now you’re trying to get me to take you to Carter’s party? What kind of science nerd are you?”

She giggled, clamping a hand quickly over her mouth, petrified as some of the students glanced over. “Please,” she whispered around her hand.

“Why? Why do you want to do this stuff? Be around these people?”

She gave me a dumb-founded stare. “Because I’m a nerd. I’m socially challenged.”

“I’m not exactly known as the nice girl from the popular crowd. You know, one of those types that’s popular and incredibly sweet so everyone tries to be friends with her because they think she can make them popular. That’s not me.”

“Exactly,” Molly pointed out.

“What happened to you being pissed at me?” I moaned.

“You were right about Justin. I’ll always think he’s the hottest thing here, but…I don’t know.” She shrugged, ducking her head, flushing. “I just…I’d like to tell my mom that I went to one party this year. One of those that she’ll freak out about and forbid me to go to.”

“And there are reasons why you should be forbidden from going to those types of parties.” I reasoned.

“You could watch out for me.”

I was about to say I wasn’t going, but remembered I had already told Mandy I would—out of guilt. Damn.

“And what if I’m too busy? What if I’m going to hook up with a guy?”

Molly looked indignant as she pushed her glasses back on her nose. “You don’t strike me as that type of girl.”

“Look, I’ll let you know tomorrow.” I glanced away, uncomfortable.

Mandy wants me to have friends. I can have friends. Just not…her friends.

After the bell rang, I made my way to my locker, evading most of the hallway rush. I probably would’ve made it to my car without speaking to anyone, if that one guy hadn’t stopped me outside on the front lawn. The guy who’d told me I was inhumane.

“Hey, bitch,” he called out, loping across the lawn towards me.

I took a harder look at him this time. He’d called me inhumane our first meeting, glared at me the next day, and now he’d called me a bitch. Again. I eyed him up and down and saw nothing significant about him—he was skinny, had shaggy hair, and he looked almost bug eyed (I’ll give him credit though, they were a startling green color that demanded more than one look at them).

I smirked, waiting to hear what he had to say.

Drawing closer, he said, “I heard what you did.”

I was starting to think back to what he could be talking about…what hadn’t I done? Seriously. Why did everyone have to care so goddamn much about what I did or did not do or who I did or did not do?

“And what was that?” I drawled out.

“Travers and that slut Klinnleys.”

“So what? Was that inhumane too?”

“No way. That was awesome!”

This guy was killing me.

“Is there a reason why you feel you have the right to continuously interrupt my peaceful walk, three times in a row, and claim your judgment on my behavior?” I bit out. “Because if I made you my judge and jury in some prior life, I’d really like to know so I can correct my stupidity—somehow in this life!”

“Hey, dude, I’m just saying that I was wrong. You’re my personal hero. I’ve been wanting to take Travers down a notch ever since freshman year.”

“Oh. A whole five months, huh?” I snapped.

“Whatever.” He shrugged. “You might want to think about changing your script. All you do is be a bitch followed by being a bitch and then serve a dessert portion of…being a bitch.”

“Yeah, well, it’s worked for me so far.”

“Doesn’t seem like it. You’re the one pissed off right now and me,” he grinned, backing away, “I’m peachy. Travers got taken down. You made my year.”

“Hey,” I stopped him as he was turning around, “what’s your name?”

“Me?” he asked, surprised.

“Yeah. Your name. What is it?”

“Garrett Larkins.”

“You want to go to a party tomorrow night?” I couldn’t believe I was doing this, but I already started it.

“Seriously?” He didn’t even ask which one.

“Yeah.”

“Sure,” he rushed out, smiling widely.

“Fine. Find me after school tomorrow.”

I watched him a second later, noticing that he had run over to a group of kids playing hackey-sack. It reminded me of Geezer and Grayley. They used to play that game too.

I crossed the street to my car. I’d taken to parking on the opposite side of campus where the parking lot was placed. It was just easier to avoid drama, but, apparently, drama like to single me out because I saw Tray leaning against my car door. His SUV parked just behind, with some of his friends. Mitch and some others that I recognized from the basketball team.

“Hey,” I murmured as I pulled my keys out.

He didn’t move, but reached to tip my head up as my arms moved to unlock the door, bringing me in contact with his body. “What’s the plan tonight?”

I shrugged off his touch. “I’ll call you when I have the device.”

“And when will that be? Like an approximate time.”

“I don’t know. Nine? Ten?”

“You can’t be any more definite? It’s not like we have all the time in the world. We’re going to be sitting around, planning on doing something pretty illegal, and you just expect us to sit around on our hands? What are we supposed to do? Twiddle our thumbs?”

Whoa. Evans was mad. Actually, inspecting him closer, I realized he was beyond pissed.

“What are you so pissed about?” I didn’t even know if I should ask, but it was already out of my mouth. “This was the deal. I go in, get the device and hand it over to my guy. You get it afterwards.”

“It’s not good enough. We could get caught.”

“And so could I!” I cried, now getting pissed in my own right. “What do you want? I’m not giving you a time-schedule for when I commit my crime. Is that what you want? Got a nice little deal worked out with the cops? You doing this to catch me?”

“Oh please,” he groaned.

“Are you? Because I’m starting to think that’s what’s going on,” I said tightly.

“Just get your end done and call me,” he said stiffly, pushing off my car and striding to his own. Climbing in, one of the guys smirked at me as Tray gunned the engine and peeled out into traffic.

He was infuriating.

*

This was my moment. This was my element. Standing atop the roof of my old school, the black night as my backdrop, the wind rushing behind me, I closed my eyes for a moment just enjoying the feeling. It was like nothing I’d ever experienced. I don’t know what it was, or how I could describe it, but even the hairs on my fingers were vibrating. I felt so alive.

The drive to Pedlam had been uneventful. Grayley had called and said he had Geezer, sober and on standby. Everything was ready and in place. I had memorized the blueprints and alarm time schedules from the info Grayley had gotten me. He, Geezer, and I had been a team, before I moved to Rawley. Brian had always wanted to be included, but I never let him. Grayley and Geezer were steady; Brian and I were just volatile together. With Grayley and Geezer, there was no drama, they did the job and followed through. I knew I could depend on them, even if they were pissed off or high.

But right now—this was the part where it was just me.

The PRS-500 was nicely tucked away t in the superintendent’s locked cabinet, in a locked drawer, behind, of course, his locked office door. His office was situated just inside the main office, which was behind another locked door. Not too hard for me to get to, but not the easiest either.

What was new, since I’d been gone, was a twenty-four seven shift of security guards. This made me wonder what else was inside this building that would need to be guarded around the clock. Obviously, the first thing I needed to take care of was the guards.

So this brings me to where exactly I was standing, or who exactly I was standing above—the guard’s office. I knelt at the venting shaft and unscrewed it, slipping inside, with the rope around my waist already secured around a handle outside the shaft. This venting system was different from Rawley because it dipped down, straight down so you aren’t able to just find your footing easily, so I had to rappel downwards, counting the distance inch by inch until I felt the ground beneath me.

I had counted a good sixteen feet, which coincided with the blueprints Grayley had gotten for me.

Finding the hatch just to the left of my feet, I unscrewed it and lifted it up. Beneath me, I could hear sounds from a basketball game. Guessing the guards were watching ESPN, I slipped through. I could see them through the door; there were three of them, all sitting with their backs to me, feet propped up on the camera panel. Two of the video screens were on a rotating schedule covering different areas throughout the school. There was one on top that focused only on the main office. And the screen in the middle—ESPN. It wasn’t basketball though. Anaheim was losing by two goals.

Seriously. What were they keeping in a school that needed three security guards? Whatever happened to nice locked doors?

I needed to move on. I could get inside without the guards seeing me, but Tray wouldn’t be able to.

I slipped past them, moving down the hallway, pausing at each corner before I slipped my mirror around, checking if a camera was up ahead or not. I’d watched the rotation schedule enough to memorize most of the areas, but it didn’t hurt to be sure.

Arriving on the second floor, I slipped through the men’s bathroom and opened the vent. Pulling myself up, I crawled inside, following it for a count of sixty. I could measure distance by my counts. It was an old system I had down pat.

According to my estimation, I should be just overhead the principal’s office. The superintendent’s office didn’t have a normal size venting shaft over his office. He used one of those tapered off vents, making it impossible for any good-intentioned thief, such as myself, to climb in and out. Pulling through, I stood atop the desk and smoothly moved to the door. From what I saw on the security camera, there was only a slight angle that covered the superintendent’s office door, but it was enough of an opening.

Gritting my teeth, I moved quickly and plastered my body as much as I could against the wall while I worked on the door. I used a Wesson steel wire point and jerked upwards with another ballpoint blade. Hearing the door click open, I pushed inside, keeping my head turned away from the camera and shut the door, but not letting it click shut. Moving to the closet, I quickly moved through that locked door.

The cabinet drawer was another challenge in itself. It was keypad lock. Grabbing my ballpoint blade, I worked it underneath the covering panel, dipped inside, and pulled out the black alarm wire. I clipped the wire onto a seventy-three delay wire that I had in my pack and ran it around to the base, as close to it as I could, to place it against the wire just inside the cabinet panel. Then, holding my breath, I made sure the delay wire was in place and clipped the wire close to the base.

And the cabinet lock clicked open with the keypad still showing green. The delay wire had worked wonderfully.

Inside lay the PRS-500. Grabbing it, I sheathed it inside a pack I had clipped around my back, zipping the device just inside the small of my back. My job was almost done.

Shutting the cabinet lock, I unclipped my delay wire and pocketed it quickly. Then I closed the closet door. Slipping out through the office door, I still didn’t pull the door completely shut, I closed it just enough so it looked shut from the camera angle. Keeping my head turned away, I entered the principal’s office and hoisted myself up through the venting shaft again. I crawled, finding myself outside the security room once again and back up through the hatch. Feeling around the dark, I found my rope and clipped it back on me, then I started hoisting myself back up, pulling the rope back through my karabiner on my waist.

It took longer, but I was back on the roof and screwing the venting shaft in place once again. Then I slipped into the darkness.

I couldn’t stop the grin that spread across my face.