I glared at him and ignored the sudden attention he brought to us. Then I saw Mandy was watching Devon while Jennica paired off with Grant. It was a perfect time for those two to talk. “Fine.”
Two other guys were behind us as we walked to Tray’s SUV. Ignoring the heat from Tray’s hand as it rested on my stomach, I brushed him off and rounded the SUV to climb into the passenger seat. The other two got in the back.
Tray introduced us inside, “Helms, Mitch, this is Matthews. Matthews, the guys.”
“My name’s Taryn, not Matthews.” I recalled that they were both on the basketball team. They fit the description, tall and lanky in preppy clothes. It wasn’t long before the three were discussing some recent game. All three ignored me, but I was fine with that. I wouldn’t have to worry about talking with Tray the entire time. It wasn’t long until he was pulling into a long driveway that started at the bottom of a hill and wound its way up. The house was at the top and the lights were already blinding through the trees as we started up. Cars were parked on both sides of the driveway, but we inched past them.
“Dude, where are we going to park?”
“Forget that. Look at all these people. We’re going to get trashed tonight.”
Tray kept quiet, glancing at me for a split second.
I grinned when I caught sight of an old friend’s car. He would think it’s a riot, me showing up with the crème de la crème from Rawley’s royalty. No doubt he’d double over in laughter when he saw our entrance.
“Something funny?”
I looked at him. I hadn’t been paying him any attention. I’d been working hard at that, but now, looking at him, my body grew way too aware of him. Feeling a sensation in my stomach, like a tickle, I couldn’t deny that he looked good. He looked more than good. He wore a soft blue shirt that molded to his trim form without being too tight. His arms and that damn tattoo kept drawing my attention. I was itching to explore it better, but I didn’t. My hands curled into my lap. Tray grinned. A smug expression teased at the corner of his lips for a second before it vanished. Then his gaze lifted to mine, and I was burned by it. He wanted me. I could see it. When I flinched and started to look away, his hand touched my leg. I couldn’t look away.
A soft curse slipped from me. A bunch of emotions threatened to unleash inside me, but I clamped them down. This wasn’t the place to deal with this, not when I’d be seeing other Pedlamites.
When the car paused in front of the house, the other two jumped out. I saw my chance to get away, but he said, “Walk up with me.” Anyone else would’ve taken it as a command, but I heard the questioning lilt to his voice. So I sat back and waited as he moved the SUV forward. The rest of our crew did the same thing; each car paused for the passengers to hop out and the cars followed the others, parking side by side at the bottom of the hill.
Tray didn’t move to draw me against his side as we walked up. I was grateful, but at the same time, I was mad at myself—a part of me had hoped he would. I couldn’t stop thinking about his hand on my back, and even now, a small tingle went through me at the idea of him touching me. We walked side by side, not looking at each other, but our arms brushed against each other’s. Every part of my body was awake and anticipating the next touch or graze. He was pulling me in, just by being beside me.
By the time we neared the door, everyone had already gone inside. There were others drinking and lounging on the patio. I glanced around, recognizing a few of them from Pedlam.
“Holy shit!”
I glanced over and went cold. Veronica Teedz teetered on her high heels, beer sloshing over her cup. Her eyes were transfixed on my face as she drew closer. “Taryn? I can’t believe it’s you. It is you or am I that drunk?”
Veronica Teedz had never acknowledged my presence before. “You’re that drunk.” I moved past her, but caught the small grin that flashed over Tray’s face.
People were everywhere inside. Each room was packed tight. A few tables were set up in the corners where people were playing cards. The main floor had a dance floor and music pounded throughout the house. The second, third, and fourth floors were the bedrooms. Hookups and smaller parties congregated there.
Tray grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the kitchen area. He paid for our cups, and after they were filled with beer, he pulled me to his side and murmured in my ear, “You know that girl out there?”
I tilted my head back, my lips brushed against his ear, and I rested a hand on his chest. He was warm and felt like cement under my touch. Even with that slight touch, I wanted to close my eyes and melt into him. Instead, I forced myself to say, “Yeah, not a friend.” I gestured behind us. “I’m going to look around.” I was asking him if that was all right? A part of me flared up. He wasn’t mine. I wasn’t his. Why was I acting like this?