Content, I laid there. Tray shifted slightly in the bed and I moaned, “No.”

He laughed, but moved to stand up.

I lounged back, pulling the bed sheets to cover me. “We had sex—with your friends just outside.”

“Who cares?” he murmured, his voice muffled as he pulled a shirt over his head. “Thought you didn’t care about stuff like that.”

“I don’t, that’s the problem. I feel like I should.”

He laughed huskily and I grinned, realizing how nice it sounded.

“I gotta head out, it’s almost ten.”

Fuck, we’d been in here for two hours.

“Rickets’ House tonight, huh?” I murmured, more to myself.

Tray asked, “You don’t want to go?”

“No, it’s just—”

“Gentley will be nice. I’m tired of his shit. If he’s not, he’ll deal with our crew.”

“Then his steroid supply will be cut off.”

Tray snorted. “Like that matters to him. Gentley will just go somewhere else.”

“You know,” I mused, “I don’t get it. You’re selling steroids to piss your dad off, but your dad’s not here anymore.”

He shrugged, looking a little sheepish. “I started dealing them when I was pretty young, when my dad would have actually gotten pissed about shit like that.”

“And you realized how nice the money is?”

“Sort of. It’s good to know who’s on it, makes making bets a bit easier, if you know what I mean.”

“Oh my God. You sell steroids and then you bet on whoever is taking them?”

He grinned. “Sometimes. I don’t really need the money, but it passes the time.”

“You get a rush from it?” I asked, sitting up, moving to sit beside him.

“I don’t know, he murmured. . “I stopped thinking about it a while ago. I just do it, you know?”

“I, on the other hand,” I announced, rolling my eyes, “am actually trying not to do anything illegal.”

He laughed. “And I pulled you right back in.”

“Yeah.” I realized it was true, but I said, “I would’ve stolen something else anyway, eventually. It’s the rush. Nothing else like it.”

“What about diving? You looked obsessed today.”

I smiled, remembering the feeling. Holy fuck, I’d go back, this second, if it was on the table. “Yeah,” I commented. “I get it there too.”

Standing up, Tray replied, “Well, that’s a lot more productive than stealing shit.”

Which was true. He walked towards the door.

“Are you coming out?” he asked over his shoulder, a hand on the door handle.

“Pretty soon,” I replied, realizing that it required me to get up and get dressed. It required me—moving. The only moving I wanted to do, was my chest rising up and down in a good, deep sleeping motion.

“Alright,” he said easily, then slipped through the door. I noticed he’d locked the door from the inside before he pulled it shut.

I was starting to realize, among many other things, how observant and thoughtful he could be. Tray was…surprising and not what the eye met. The guy was gorgeous, that had never been denied. Hell, straight guys probably thought he was gorgeous.

But he was—scarily intelligent. Tray was ahead of me by two moves, at least, and I was just starting to understand that.

Groaning, I moved up and dressed. Finishing a French braid in my hair, I moved to the door and was met with a crowd of people. A party had migrated to Tray’s place without us realizing it.

I declined a cup of beer, which was offered to me by a guy manning the keg. Let’s hope they only brought one, and not five.

Why would they need a keg before we headed to Rickets’ House?

Rooters was at the kitchen table, telling a story to Honey and Bit, who were smiling and nodding politely.

“Hi, Taryn!” Honey exclaimed. “I like your outfit, very cute.”

“Thanks.” I was wearing loose-fitting, light-weight trousers that weren’t too baggy, but were comfortable at the same time, and a sky blue tank top that wrapped around and crisscrossed in the middle of my chest and tied behind my neck.

“Looking good, Matthews.” Rooters gave me a whistle. What a moron. But I laughed.

“Is it true? Is Tristan Reynolds here tonight?” Honey asked eagerly.

All this gossip.

I shrugged.

“We heard she got into town last week because she left her boarding school, against her parent’s wishes. But she couldn’t see any of her friends because her brother made her promise not to let anyone know she was here.”

I could care less.

So I lied, “I don’t really know anything.”

Then I left. I didn’t care if it was rude, but seriously, I just couldn’t handle the gossip anymore. It seemed like it was all these people did.

“You’re still standing, I see.”

I stopped in the hallway and saw Crystal Fairs leaning against the stair’s spiraled rail.

“Hi.” I was surprised—again—I was actually grateful to see her. “Didn’t know this was your scene?”

“Aidrian’s here. She’s entertaining,” she said, like it made perfect sense. Crystal added, “You handled her well, by the by. I was impressed.”

“Yeah, well, it’s a gift,” I murmured distractedly as I moved out of the way of people. Holy hell. “What’s up with all these people? I didn’t think Tray was having a frickin’ party before we went to Rickets’ House.”

“How many you think are going to go to school tomorrow? I’m guessing about a third. I know I’ll probably skip the next few days. It’s the play-offs. It’s like a five-day party…or it should be.”

The thought had promise.

Suddenly, Tray materialized at my side and wrapped his arm around my waist. “Ready to go?” he asked.

“No,” I answered truthfully. I had no desire to go anywhere with all these people.

Crystal laughed. And her stock went higher.

“Crystal’s gonna ride with us,” I announced.

Tray shrugged, gesturing to Carter.

Then we heard an ear-splitting whistle. Carter yelled out, “Let’s go! Everyone out!”

As the crowd dispersed, Crystal walked by my side and commented, “It’s going to be a show when we all show up at that place.”

“No doubt. I hope the cops don’t follow.” Then I remembered—Tray had ‘em in his back pocket. Which would account for how he got away with all his steroid business and underage parties.

If I didn’t know the whole story, I’d called him an advantaged bastard. Or dick. That was more like me.

*

It’d started to rain as we drove to Rickets’ House and for some reason, it was depressing. Normally, I’m one to grin when it rains. It makes me want to curl up and cuddle, not alone though. It’s relaxing and meditative; makes you want to be lazy.

But this time, it was depressing and I don’t really know why.

I’d meant to talk with Crystal on the ride to Rickets’. She was a fellow Pedlamite, but maybe that was the problem. She had ties to a place I considered home, a place where I no longer had the bonds that made it home. Those were gone.

Brian…he’d been my rock. He never meant to be, it’d been the furthest thing from his mind the first time we kissed. He was an eighth grade boy, he wanted in my pants. I’m not stupid. It had been the way of so many guys. But Brian was different. There’d been a boyish charm. Yeah, he liked pissing the teachers off—but that was because Jace was already infamous, either hated or loved.

Everyone knew who Jace Lanser was.

Either the teachers hated him or was secretly impressed by him. Most of the girls, even the ‘good’ girls wanted him.

I could attest to that. I’d decimated a good two dozen trying to worm their way through me.

Brian was a…a puppy wanting to be bad. Because he had an older brother that turned greyhound overnight.

But the funny thing was, it was completely the opposite in their home. Jace was the hated and Brian the adored.

Both brothers, vying for the place each held. Just not in the same spot.

No. Brian thought he could ‘pick’ me up and he’d be after the next girl. It hadn’t happened that way.

We kissed, our first clumsy, disgustingly wet, kiss. It had been outside the elementary school, at their playground. We’d gone over there because no middle school kids would be there. And their teachers always left early.

And the next day, Brian had tried to give me the slip. He sent a note, via Grayley, telling me he thought it’d be better off if we were friends. Just friends.

I retaliated by getting our janitor to change his lock on his locker. And I grinned, in satisfaction, as Brian cursed, trying to get into his locker for a full hour. He’d put such a dent in that locker, the janitor had to change his lock a third time. But before leaving, the janitor had pointed me out.

Brian had been mystified.

We both glared at each other, across the damn hallway, and I taunted him. I told him he better think twice before trying to ‘play’ me. I thought I was so witty.

And the funny thing is, he’d shown at my locker the next day and walked me to my class. Like nothing had happened. We had our second kiss that day, in the gymnasium, under the bleachers.

But we got caught. So time spent in detention solidified it for us. We were officially a couple, like Bonnie and Clyde.

That’s what we liked to think.

But, no, Brian had never sought out to become my rock. It just happened. My foster dad would threaten me, beat me, and I’d just go and sit outside Brian’s window. At first he didn’t even know, but one time he saw me. After that, I just crawled into his room. If he wasn’t there, I’d curl and sleep on his bed. And if he was, we’d hold hands. And kiss, but Brian had become scared of me. So he never pushed. Not really.

And sometimes I got a good foster family.

So I became his rock. During those times when Jace would have a particularly rough fight, I let Brian crawl into my room.

That became the pattern for us.

I knew he was capable of violence. I’d seen it enough time. Never against me, but against his father, and against Jace. That’s what they grew up with. Their mom took off a long time ago.

So it was the three of them.

And Jace was right—their dad had turned ‘em against each other. Their relationship had been doomed from the beginning. Or so it seemed most of the time. But sometimes, I still saw Brian’s idol worship for his big brother. And sometimes I saw the big brother come out of Jace.

They loved each other, but they were just too busy hating each other first.

“Hey,” Crystal nudged me with her arm, her voice soft, “you okay?”

I hadn’t even realized I was crying.

“Yeah,” I murmured, glancing away as I quickly wiped at my tears, “I’m fine.”

“Is…?” I knew she wanted to ask about it, but I didn’t want to hear it. So I’m sure she got that.

I missed Brian. I missed…the familiarity. I missed hearing him laugh and do his half-groan at the same time. I missed when he’d get angry and the corner of his eyes would squint—just slightly—but then he’d just swear and go back to being happy. I missed…how he could never lie to me. How he’d whisper his love for me. His need for me.

I missed that life.

Brian had been my life.

“You coming?” I was jolted back to reality and realized Tray had the car waiting, dropping off Crystal and Carter at the door. Crystal stood at her door, asking if I was coming in with them.

“Uh, no. I’ll walk with Tray,” I replied hoarsely.

“Suit yourself,” she said lightly, closing the door.

Tray didn’t say anything as he parked and shut the vehicle off. Neither of us moved.

I stayed in place, sitting in the back, right behind him, and I cried. I just…cried. They were silent tears, a continuous stream down my face. I couldn’t look at Tray so I looked outside.

After awhile, he turned around and held my hand. His simple touch made me cry harder.

Then he moved to the back and held me. He curled me against his chest, with my hands fisting his shirt, and I openly sobbed.

Seemingly exhaustive moments later, I quieted. The well had gone dry.

Tray pressed a kiss to my forehead. He rested his cheek against my forehead and sighed a deep breath, and, for some reason, it calmed me. It strengthened me.

“I’m…” I tried to say.

Tray soothed, “It’s about fucking time. Just…cry, alright?”

“I’m good. Really,” I whispered, tipping my head back to meet his eyes.

“Sure?”

“Yes.” I smiled tenderly and kissed him softly.

“Alright.” He sighed. “Ready to go?”

“Ready to go,” I assured him, and climbed out of the SUV.

And because no one was around, I reached for his hand, our fingers intertwining as we walked up the drive-way. The smooth slide against each other until they fell into place. Like a key meeting its lock.

It felt good.

But scary.

I brushed away any remaining tears when we got in sight of Rickets’ House, and there was no Veronica Teedz wasn’t there to welcome us like last time.

Thank God.

There were quite a few people, but none I recognized.

As we entered the house, I tried to loosen my fingers, but Tray simply tightened his grasp so our hands stayed intertwined.

Like before, Tray led the way into the kitchen. He purchased two cups and passed one to me. Then we moved back through. This time I didn’t need to separate; I wasn’t there for business. So I got to see how many people knew Tray.

Which was a lot. An annoying amount, because he couldn’t take two steps without someone rushing over to talk to him or pounding him on the shoulder.

It was fricking irritating.

By the twelfth person—yes—twelve!—I pulled away and remarked, “I’m going to go look for Mandy.” I hope to hell no more ‘Devon’s-cheating-on-me’ drama would come up tonight. It shouldn’t, the guy wasn’t even in the same region as us, but you never know. It’s one of the exasperating powers of technology. It didn’t limit drama to your location, drama and chaos was widespread.

I don’t think Tray even noticed that I’d left. Whatever.

I moved through the first floor, down the hallway, heading towards the patio area. As I weaved around a group leaving, I saw that Crystal, Mandy, and most of the group had taken residence on the patio. I recognized a few students from Pedlam on the opposite corner, but no Gentley and more importantly, no Grayley; therefore, no Brian. At this rate, I didn’t know who I wanted to see least—Grayley or Brian. It was a sad day in hell that I’d take being around Gentley over the other two.

A sad day in hell.

“Hey, Taryn,” Mandy called out, sitting next to Tristan, who had Erin on the other side of her. Tristan took time out of a conversation with Brent Garrett—Amber’s staked claim—to send a smile my way.

Erin waved, then flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder and tuned back into Tristan’s conversation.

Crystal stood in the back, in a corner with Aidrian Casners and one other girl—probably another senior.

Aidrian glared at me, but it didn’t hold the animosity from before. She was probably still waiting to see if I’d come through with the tickets.

Crystal sent a smile my way, her eyes questioning.

I shrugged and sat beside Mandy.

“Were you guys having sex? Is that why it took you so freaking long to get in here?” Mandy teased, flashing a blinding smile.

“Not exactly,” I murmured, stifling a yawn. Seriously—emotional upheaval really took it out of you. You’re supposed to sleep after a crying fit. Not party. It’s why the phrase says, ‘cried myself to sleep.’ Not ‘cried myself to hang out with drunks.’

I’ve learned that I’m not good at small talk. So that’s why I sat quietly, beside Mandy as she joined in periodically with Tristan’s conversation. Note that I called it Tristan’s conversation, because it literally was. Brent had his hand on her thigh and he was listening to Tristan. Not Mandy. Not Erin. But neither seemed to care. Tristan would laugh at whatever they said, but she’d turn right back to the basketball player.

This went on for twenty minutes, then I got bored.

Something—maybe the bitch inside of me—was compelled to ask loudly, “Hey, Aidrian.”

It was deathly silent.

Aidrian turned her glaring eyes my way, and waited.

“Didn’t Amber Lancaster go off on you last week? Something about wearing her skirt? I saw at least two girls wearing my shirt tonight. What kind of psycho does that?”

Mandy sucked in her breath, staring at me in horror. She knew exactly what I had just done. I knew it really wasn’t the skirt Amber had been pissed about. It had been over Brent Garrett—the guy who was now salivating all over Tristan.

Her eyes narrowed and Aidrian replied, “A bitch like that does. And it was my skirt.” But her eyes had switched to Brent. Everyone heard what wasn’t said: ‘it was my guy’

Tristan was the only one left clueless, but she was smart enough to realize something in the atmosphere had just changed, because she sat up straighter and looked confused to Erin and Mandy. Both girls avoided her glance.

“Hey, Brent,” Aidrian started huskily as she moved just behind him on the couch, “we never did go and get that drink we talked about.” She casually touched him on the shoulder.

And then Tristan got it. Well, not my part, but she sent a heated glare at Aidrian. She masked it miraculously when Brent glanced at her, caught in the headlights of both females.

“Uh, yeah, we didn’t,” he mumbled warily, watching Tristan’s reaction.

“Brent,” Tristan soothed, sitting closer, “remember that time at Crystal Bay last year, when you tripped and fell into the water.” She giggled. “You looked so adorable, but you had that drink all over you.”

“Yeah.” The guy seemed a little bit scared now, but still interested where this might lead. Just the fact that he’s a guy, he was probably thinking: Threesome!

“And remember what else happened that night?” Tristan asked, her voice nails-on-a-chalkboard sweet.

“Uh—” The guy gulped. I could see his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.

I was interested to find out what happened that night.

“Maybe we should do that again sometime,” Tristan suggested, looking demure and sexy at the same time.

“Uh,” Brent grinned wolfishly, “yeah, I think we should too.”

“Brent, honey.” Aidrian sent her own seductive smile his way, her fingers moved to his neck and massaged. “Do me a favor? Get me a drink?” She held out her empty cup.

I kind of felt a little sorry for the guy. He didn’t know what to do: Tristan or Aidrian.

Oh the life, huh.

“You can get me one too.” Tristan answered his dilemma.

“Sure. Sure.” His head bobbed up and down, standing up, he murmured, “I’ll be right back.”

When he left, I saw the two girls turn and glare at each other. Tristan stood up slowly, but Aidrian didn’t back down. The only barrier between them was the couch. There was such a contrast between them.

Aidrian looked the equivalent of white trash, but there was an extra flare in her attitude; the way she held herself—strong and tall. She was wearing the stereotypical mini-skirt, the ends frayed, a halter-top that ended just above her mid-riff, large hoop earrings, fake eyelashes, and glittery lipstick completed her outfit.

Oh no, after a more thorough look, I saw the twinkle in her eyes when she looked at me. She knew what I’d done. She knew full well, but I saw the territorial bitch in her. Tristan was poaching and it was Aidrian’s duty to send her packing.

Then there was Tristan. She wore a white, sleek tank top that wrapped itself around her—not the other way around—and crisp white trousers. Rich, stuck-up snob rolled off her. As she stood there on the patio, she looked like the embodiment of class.

Crystal and her friend had taken root behind Aidrian with Erin and Mandy behind Tristan. They looked like they were facing off in a hockey match. The only thing missing was the puck, hockey sticks, the ref, and all the other hockey gear. Never mind.

My work here was done, so I slipped out.

“Hey, girl.” An arm found its way around my shoulders and pulled me close to a chest.

Rooters.

“Hey,” I replied. “What’s up?”

He was standing with Honey, Bit, and Aaron. Just behind them, I saw Helms and Mitch with some girls from Pedlam on their laps. Helms and Mitch looked to be loving it.

“Where’d you come from?”

“Patio.”

“Who’s out there?”

“No one, it’s why I left,” I said gracefully, shrugging.

“So, we’re thinking of finding some fun Pedlam folks for a game of P & A. What do you say?”

“A card game?”

“Fuck yeah. There’s two empty tables. Come on,” he said coaxingly, giving my shoulders a squeeze.

What the hell.

“Sure.” I replied, but my cup was empty. I held it up and said, “I gotta fill my cup first but, yeah, I’m in.

Honey and Bit smiled widely. I could see the eager looks in their eyes. I liked them, I really did. They were there for Mandy, which would always place ‘em in a good spot with me. But they were wannabes.

It made me a bit wary around them. Not because I thought they’d stab me in the back, but because they weren’t totally trustworthy. They’d never had to prove that they could be. Yeah, Honey came clean with Bit, but she still slept with Bryce when she knew Bit wanted him.

That didn’t show a backbone for trust.

“Great! We’re in the corner. Haul your cute ass over when you’re done.” Rooters gave me one more squeeze before taking off in the opposite direction.

“You want someone to come with?” Honey offered.

“Uh, no. I got it.” I gave her a small smile and moved through the crowd.

I didn’t run into Tray as I made the trek to the keg. That’s what it was too—a trek. People were everywhere and you never knew what to expect when you turned a corner. I was already on guard—Gentley was here somewhere and I was still nervous about running into Brian or Grayley.

I ended up having to circle the entire dance floor to make it to the corner where they set up the card game.

They’d gotten a few more Pedlam students to join the game by the time I got back to them.

Rooters waved me over. “Come on, Taryn. You can sit here.” He gestured to the empty seat beside him.

That made me pause. The guy was obviously the leader of this little bunch. Chances of an empty seat next to him were just—stupid and because I’m not a trusting person, I wondered what game he was playing.

I sat anyway. I figured I could handle anything he slung my way.

“Hey, Taryn,” Casey Juanke, a student from Pedlam, said. He was from Gentley’s crew, but he wasn’t that bad of a guy, or at least, I didn’t think so.

“Hey, Case,” I said easily, picking up the cards Rooter had dealt. “How goes it in Pedlam?”

He shrugged, looking over his hand. “Ah, it goes, you know? Not as much excitement without you and Brian in the hallways.”

I grinned at that one. “Hi, Booth,” I remarked to another guy that I recognized that was sitting with us. There was a girl with them, but I didn’t know who she was.

“This is Caitlyn,” Booth introduced her, nudging her with his arm. “She’s new so she doesn’t know your ‘legendary’ reputation.”

“As what?” I laughed. “School bitch?”

Casey and Booth chuckled. “Maybe.”

The game proceeded with a mixture of small talk and banter between the Pedlam students and Rawley students. I was reminded why I always thought Casey was a good guy. He didn’t cheat and every taunt he sent out was given in a respectful manner. You knew he was just a good guy. Booth was the quiet one of their little clan. But when he spoke, whatever he had to say was hilarious.

The girl, Caitlyn, was in love with Booth. If I hadn’t have gotten the bitch out of me earlier with Aidrian and Tristan—which was totally heartless and manipulative—she would have annoyed me. She was just too quiet and almost worshipped Booth. She’s barely spoken two words to me since we met, but she may have just been scared of me. I was okay with that. “Dude, your phone,” Booth complained, hitting Casey on his arm.

“Oh.” Casey grabbed his cell up and answered, “Yeah, dude…nah, nah…we’re playing Prez and Ass in the corner…yeah, you know the one.”

“Crisp?” Booth asked.

I froze, my hand in mid-reach to place my two on the pile.

Crispin Gentley.

“Oh, fuck—” Oh yeah, Booth and Casey remembered, a little too late, my relationship with Gentley. I saw their eyes were on me, a look of alarm in both.

I set my card down and leaned back in my chair. Crossing my arms, I asked coolly, “So did he already get his ‘package’ or does he still have to do that?”

“Uh—” Casey was at a loss for words.

“Maybe you should—” Booth started.

“What?” I snapped, suddenly pissed off. “Run? Hide? Fuck no.”

The decision was taken out of our hands anyway. Crispin pushed his way through the crowd, to the table. “Fuck, could you guys pick a fucking table more in the back?” he complained, not even looking at who was at the table.

My eyes were fixated on him, but he was looking over the dance floor.

“Let’s go, fuckers.” He kicked Casey’s seat, but he finally noticed something was off. His eyes trailed over Casey and Booth, then followed their gazes—to me. “Oh,” he murmured, straightening up, “it’s the Rosette Bitch.”

“It’s Matthews now,” I clipped out, glaring at him with hate filled eyes.

“Whatever, you’re still a bitch.” Gentley laughed a mocking laugh. “You’re not protected tonight. Why? Evans get tired of you? I would, I know that.”

“You’re just bitter because you never got a taste.” I was tired of being twisted into a fucking sex toy. “But then again, why would you? I remember you really liking the confines of that closet.”

“Oh, no, you fucking didn’t.” He laughed harshly.

I stood up. “It’s tiring, really. You always have to play the ‘slut’ card because you’re not able to come up with new material, but that’s okay. I saw your WAIS-II scores. You’re not capable of higher mental functioning. Maybe I should just pat you on the head every time you use the same insult.”

So I walked over and patted him on the head.

“That’s a good boy. Go for something intelligent this time.” I grinned, cockily, but I saw he was seething.

Gentley grasped my arm in a painful grip and yanked me behind him, dragging me away from the table.

“Let go of me, asshole.” I was the one seething now, braking my feet, but Gentley didn’t even notice. He just pulled me behind him until we were out the door. Once outside, he slammed the door shut, effectively cutting out anyone who’d followed. Which had been everyone. I caught a glimpse of Rooters raising his cellphone, but then Gentley was addressing a few who were lingering on the porch.

“Fuck off,” he addressed them very congenially.

They scrambled.

“What are you going to do? Beat me up?” I taunted, but my hand was itching for my taser. That I’d left in my purse, which was in Tray’s bedroom.

Gentley glared at me, a good full minute, before he said, “I fucking wish. Trust me.”

I did.

Instead I sneered, “What the fuck do you want, Gentley? Pull me out here, make it look like you’re putting me ‘in my place’? Trust me, I can hit back.”

He raked a hand through his hair. “Would you shut the fuck up? You’re so damn annoying.”

“Oh no, fucker,” I began.

Gentley interrupted, “I’m not going to do anything. Fucking A, I can’t. If I did, and trust me, I want to, so fucking bad. But I can’t. If I did, Evans would have my ass in the hospital and I’d be lucky to walk back out.”

“What the hell’s going on?” Tray asked, a hint of violence in his tone.

Gentley and I had both been too caught up that we hadn’t noticed Tray’s approach. He looked to be returning from his vehicle and was regarding us suspiciously. It reminded me of the last time the three of us had been in the same vicinity. Tray had punched him and kicked him out. He looked like he was ready to do it again.

“Do I need to repeat myself?” he demanded, slowly climbing up the porch steps to stand next to me. There was a warning in his eyes as he stared at Gentley intensely.

Gentley held up his hand in a surrender movement. “No, man.” He took two steps backward. “Taryn and I were just going to have a talk. That’s it, man.”

“About what?” Tray clipped out, moving to stand, just slightly, in front of me.

“Look,” Gentley tried to assure us, “you and I already did our business. We’re good. I was just heading out and I saw Taryn. I thought I might give her a head’s up. I got a call that her ex is heading here. It’s why I was leaving.” He looked at me. “Booth was my ride here, I was coming to get him so we could leave.”

Brian was coming. That’s all I’d heard.

And of course—just like magic—a car pulled up in front of the house, rap music blaring through its open windows.

Three of the doors opened and guys piled out and leading the pack, was Brian.

And leading the pack, was Brian.

When he looked up, he froze, seeing us on the porch, three steps in front of him.

He took in Gentley, then his eyes trailed over Tray and me. They lingered on my hand that I’d unknowingly placed on Tray’s back.

I snatched it back, but fisted it, immediately regretting it. Tray turned to look at me and moved back to take in Brian.

The guys behind him, Rice and Hax all shut up when they saw me. Interesting, Hax was one of Jace’s guys.

Slowly, the sound echoing, Brian climbed up the steps and stopped, turning to face us. Hax and Rice stayed behind.

Gentley was pushed to the back of the porch, and to the back of my mind. I stepped in front of Tray this time as I faced off against Brian.

“Hey.” He nodded to me.

I relaxed slightly at the soft tone of his voice.

“Hey,” I breathed out.

He gestured behind me. “You and Ass Face friends now?”

Gentley wisely remained quiet.

“A cold day in hell.” I grinned tensely.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” Brian nodded to Rice and Hax. “Go in,” he ordered.

They went in. Hax looked at me, lingering a moment before Brian shoved him inside and pulled the door shut behind.

He shrugged his shoulder towards the cars. “You should know, Grayley drove us. He’ll be here pretty soon.”

“Fine. I’ll leave.”

“Taryn,” Brian groaned—and we’d just entered Drama Land of the Past . “It’s not even like that. You have to know that.”

“You both lied to me. It’s exactly like that,” I said firmly.

“Oh for the fucking hell—it’s not! There are reasons, Taryn. Very good reasons,” he appealed to me. “Come on. There has to be for Geezer—Geezer!—to lie, too. We’re trying to protect you—”

“I don’t need your protection,” I cried out.

“Yeah,” Brian said shortly, “you do. You’ve always needed it.”

“Oh please!” I was so pissed, but I was reasonable enough to realize a lot of what I was feeling was from past shit. History that had never been resolved. “You’re a moron, Brian!”

“I’m a moron?!” He laughed angrily. “You fucking screwed my brother. That’s a moron. You’re a moron for doing that.”

“Oh no,” I started, “you screwed Liza and that other girl. You started it.”

Neither of us noticed Grayley until he was suddenly in between us and pushing us apart. I blinked, startled that Brian and I had slowly stalked towards each other. We’d been in each other’s face, yelling.

I saw Tray and Gentley watching. Gentley looked amused. Tray looked—I didn’t want to name what I saw in his hazel eyes.

“Shut the fuck up, both of you!” Grayley shouted. He stood in front of Brian, facing me. “You should leave, Taryn.”

“Me? You should leave!”

“Rickets’ is our territory. It always has been,” he reasoned, watching Tray cautiously.

What the hell? I knew why Gentley tiptoed around Tray, but…Grayley, too? And Brian hadn’t said a word to him. This was not the Brian and Grayley I knew.

Contrary to recent events, Grayley was not one to look for a fight; he avoided them at all costs.

But Brian—if a fight was brewing, Brian would be the one to flick the spark.

He loved fighting. He reveled in it.

And Brian was purposely not getting in Tray’s face. Yeah, the last time at the hospital—probably wasn’t the place to have a fight. But he wasn’t moving now, at all, he wasn’t even looking at Tray.

Which told me—it all clicked—and I gasped, reeling backwards.

Brian knew about Tray.

Brian was working for Galverson. Geezer had said his dad didn’t work for Brian, he worked for the new crew. He ‘sorta’ didn’t work for Brian. So that meant Brian was working for Galverson.

And I’m just stupid for not connecting all the dots until now.

Brian would never work for Jace, but he’d compete with him. And that meant business with Galverson.

And Grayley—Grayley was Brian’s brains. Grayley knew…everything.

But, Grayley wasn’t one to get involved in the drug business. And whatever else they were running…

I suddenly felt sick to my stomach.

“You’re working for Galverson,” I whispered hoarsely.” My eyes on Brian, I saw him suddenly pale, hearing me.

“Shut up,” Grayley hissed.

I continued anyway, “And you got that bracelet from wherever his storage it. You stole it for me.”

Grayley rounded on me, shoving Brian away with his back. Grayley grasped my shoulders, his eyes trailing to Tray’s over my head. “Taryn. Shut. Up.” he said firmly, harshly. “You have to shut up and leave this alone! Leave. It. Alone, for your own goddamn good.”

I was still staring, in horror, at Brian.

I saw regret flash in the depths of his eyes. I saw remorse…and…fear.

“Brian—” I managed out, unable to speak.

“Taryn—” He was shoved back by Grayley again.

Suddenly, I felt familiar hands at my back. Tray.

He wrapped an arm around my waist, and stepped beside me. “You can move.”

I don’t know what look was shared, but Grayley and Brian both instinctually stepped back, after taking one look in Tray’s eyes.

“I’m done. We can go,” he spoke again and it took a second to realize he was talking to me.

“What?” I choked out.

“We’re going. You got everything?”

“Yeah—” I was lost, stumbling. “Uh…my stuff’s at your place.”

We were already off the porch and heading to his vehicle. I was still in shock. “Oh my God.”

When we got to the SUV, Tray walked me to the passenger side and opened the door. I crawled inside and curled up in the seat as Tray got into his side, but he didn’t start the engine. He sat and looked at me.

I broke out, “What if they know? What if…they know what Jace did to me? What if…oh God…what did they do to me? What did Jace do?”

Tray remained silent.

“They all lied to me,” I cried out. “They all…I hate ‘em. I hate ‘em. They all—”

“For what it’s worth,” Tray murmured, watching me steadily, “I don’t think they had anything to do with it.”

“What? How can you…?”

“Because I’m on the outside looking in, and I know how guys like Lanser and Galverson think,” he replied. “They don’t share their secrets. Ever. Whatever Lanser did that involved you, it’s extremely unlikely that he shared the info with your friends, even his little brother. Guys make it to the top because they keep everything close to their chest.”

“I never said anything about—” I started, confused.

“You didn’t have to, Taryn. It’s written all over your face. When one lie is found out, a person starts wondering what other lies were told and how many of ‘em involve you. That’s what you’re scared of. You’re scared that your best friends turned on you, but I don’t think that’s it. It doesn’t make any sense.”

I’d fallen silent, shocked at hearing him think out loud. Even in my state, I was a little unsettled at how intelligent Tray is.

“No, my guess is that they found out something and they’re trying to protect you against it. I don’t think they know how you’re involved though.”

“But—”

Tray shook his head then continued, “And it might not even have anything to do with you. I mean, yeah—maybe. But you’re not exactly a person who just accepts whatever you’re told. If you’re pissed off, you go after whoever pissed you off. You’re a fighter and you’re virtually impossible from keeping out of shit.” He paused. “Maybe that’s it. Maybe they don’t want you to find out something, to look for something, that’d land you with Galverson. It all goes to Galverson. It makes sense. Your friends are worried that you’ll find out what’s going on and you almost already have. You’re a thief. You hate not knowing shit, so you find a way to get at it. Which is what you would do if something was going on that you didn’t like.”

Oh my God. That made perfect sense.

Which meant Brian and Grayley hadn’t betrayed me.

“I agree with ‘em,” he stated, meeting my eyes. “You told me you’d leave it alone.”

And I had, I’d already made the decision.

Even I wasn’t so out of touch with reality to think I could take on Galverson alone. And Tray was right, Galverson wouldn’t go after me. He’d go after Geezer, Brian, and Grayley first, then Mandy, Austin, Shelley, Kevin.

My family.

“I will.” I said sincerely. For the first time in awhile, I was scared.

“I will,” I said it again, a whisper to myself.

Tray sighed and leaned over, he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering on my cheek, then my lips.

I grinned, feeling myself melt. Again—it was inevitable.

I took his finger in my mouth, and licked it, swirling my tongue around it.

Tray groaned in shock.

I laughed. I covered the distance and kissed him deeply. Wanting to forget, wanting to remember who was with me, who I had in my life now. Tray answered me back, our hands in each other’s hair, holding each other tight as we tasted each other. Sensually. Needy.

Tray lifted me onto his lap, where he devoured me some more. I devoured right back and melted against him.

“Let’s go home,” I whispered, not realizing I’d called Rawley home.

Groaning, Tray kissed me a last time before setting me back on my side.

He started the vehicle and pulled out, as we circled to the front of Rickets’ House, I saw Brian sitting on the porch. Alone.

There was something I needed to do.

“Wait,” I broke out.

Tray braked and looked up at the porch. I saw the understanding in his eyes when he met my gaze.

“Thank you,” I mouthed silently, getting out of the vehicle.

Brian was looking at me when I crossed to the porch. He stood up just as I stepped to where he sat.

“Hey,” I said softly, remembering the little boy I’d fell in love with. And seeing a faint shadow in the boy before me, merging with the reflection of manhood.

Brian had changed. I knew that, I just hadn’t wanted to accept it.

“Hey,” he breathed out, absorbing me.

We both knew.

It was time.

“I’m…I’m going to leave it alone. Whatever Jace, whatever arrangements he made for me. I want you to know—I’m leaving it alone.” I said first, rushed. I wanted it out there between us. He had to know.

“I didn’t beat up Geezer,” he spoke, glancing where Tray was parked. “You gotta know that. I don’t want you to think I’d do that.”

“I know,” I murmured. “Now.”

“Good.” He looked relieved, and he was. I knew him, still. I knew that look. And the knowledge brought a smile to my face.

I still knew him, who stood before me.

A part of my history. But no longer my present.

“Look,” he started, “I don’t know about that Evans guy, but keep a good twist on his balls. Like you did with me.”

That brought a grin to my face.

Brian the poet, he was not.

“I still love you,” I announced abruptly.

Brian’s eyes whirled to mine, startled, but not surprised.

I added, “I still love you, but—”

“I know.” He nodded, shifting in place. “You’re in a better place now. Which is good. You deserve it.”

“Brian.”

“You got a good family. That’s a good house you live in now. And there aren’t any Lansers in Rawley, that’s gotta be a good thing. It just took me awhile to accept it, you know. But I get it now.

“Brian,” I murmured, stepping closer, “I loved you. Not Jace.”

He grinned, the look stabbing me in the heart. “No, you didn’t.” He let out a deep breath. “You loved him, you just never did anything about it.”

He raised a hand, brushing a tear from my cheek.

“I loved you,” I whispered. “Jace was just—”

Brian shook his head. “You loved Jace. I know that—now. I knew it then, I just…didn’t want to admit it.”

“Brian, don’t.” I brushed some more tears away. Fucking tears—a nuisance all the damn time. “Don’t…okay.”

He flicked away his own tear and then pulled me into his arms. Resting his chin on top of my head, he murmured, “I love you too. I’ll fucking be here, loving you until I die.”

I wrapped my arms around him and sighed. Resting into him, feeling the warmth of his embrace once more. This had been my home—in his arms, for so many years.

He’d been my rock. He’d just never intended to be.

And it all started back when he tried to brush me off in the fourth grade. And I’d ‘twisted his balls.’ We were Bonnie and Clyde. We thought we ruled our fucking school and town. And we’d been right. We had ruled. But that part of our lives was over.

I pulled away and looked up at him. “Whatever I felt for Jace—it was you. Okay. It was you.”

He couldn’t say anymore. I saw it.

So I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him one last time—a tender kiss goodbye.

Then I pulled back and walked away from him, leaving the only home I knew behind.