“When are Shelly and Kevin getting home?”
“Does it matter?”
He frowned. “No, I guess not, but what about Austin?”
“I’ll bring him with me.” I lifted a shoulder and let it fall in a helpless motion. “I don’t know what else to do. They took me in, but there’s something off with this whole situation. I’m taking Mandy to rehab tomorrow. I’m making that decision without their consent. I don’t feel quite right staying in their house.”
“You don’t think they would approve?”
“I have no idea.” That was the truth and the admission hurt. “I have no idea what they would do. But this is what I have to do.”
“Okay.” He squeezed my hand again. “Austin will flip when he sees the gaming system and you can stay as long as you want.”
“Thank you.”
“What you’re doing is the right thing to do. You’re a good person.”
Shit. That sent a host of emotions through me and I grinned at him. “Now I just want to jump you.”
He gave me a half-grin. “I’ve still not gotten those pants off. I’d be game.”
I laughed, but I had no witty comeback. I didn’t think he expected one. With another soft squeeze of my hand, we got out of the car and headed up the hill to the house. As we drew closer, people looked over. I stiffened, remembering the last time we were there, but then realized people were watching Tray. Then I had to laugh at myself. I forgot who I was walking in with. It was Tray Fucking Evans, and he was holding my hand.
When we went inside the house, Tray went for the keg and I spotted Mandy. She was sitting on Devon’s lap. Her arms were curled around his neck, and she was pressed against him. Even as I started for them, his hand slid up her thigh, lifting her skirt. A smug smirk was on his face as he nuzzled Mandy’s neck. The sight of them made my stomach churn, but I wasn’t surprised.
Stopping next to them, I waited until Devon became aware of my presence. He lifted his head from her neck and grinned at me. “Hey, Taryn.”
“Taryn!” Mandy squealed, throwing herself off his lap. Her arms were in the air, and she grabbed me. She was jumping in place as she hugged me. “I’m so glad you got here.” With her face pressed against my neck, her voice came out muffled. Leaning back, I saw her eyes were dilated and she had a dream-like smile on her face. “I’m so happy for you and Tray. That’s so awesome.”
I frowned and glanced at Devon. “How much has she had to drink?”
“Nothing.” He lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “Whatever she had at the house. Some of the guys went to get shots, but we haven’t made it to the kitchen yet.”
“I didn’t think you drank that much at the house,” I said to her.
She started laughing. When she couldn’t stop, she covered her mouth with her hand. The laughter kept coming and she bent over, her shoulders shaking. “I’m sorry,” she gasped. Her head flew back up and her cheeks were bright red. “I didn’t. The girls drank all of Dad’s wine, but I didn’t have any.” She looked to Devon. “Why can’t I stop laughing?”
A faint grin was on his face. It was clouded in concern, but faded to pure amusement. Tugging on her hand, he drew her back onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her again. His head bent back into her neck and he said something, which sent a renewed wave of laughter from her, and she shook her head. “Devon!” she shrieked.
She was on something. “Hey.” I tugged on her arm. “Where are your friends?”
Her laughter faded and the glazed look in her eye lessened. She tried to focus, chewing on her lip. “Um…Jen and Amber?”
“No, the ones you were with at the house earlier.”
“Oh. No idea.” She sent me a blinding smile and turned back to Devon.
I raised my eyebrows. “Some Tristan chick? Where is she?”
He frowned a little, starting to pick up the serious tone in my voice. “They’re outside on the patio. Is everything okay?”
Mandy was still giggling, sucking on his neck. I glanced down at her, frowning, and said, “No, it’s not.” I headed for the patio. As I did, I heard Mandy say, “Taryn? What’s wrong?” But I kept going. When I got to the patio, it didn’t take me long to find Tristan and her group. They were in the corner. The girls were sitting on the laps of guys. As I approached, Tristan looked up. When she saw me, a bright smile beamed back at me, and she waved. “Taryn! Over here.”
I had to laugh. Two days ago, this girl would’ve laughed behind my back and called me a whore. Even if she wasn’t friends with Jennica and Amber, she was close to their ranks. I could see it. Her group of friends were all beautiful, catty, and snobby. I didn’t know how I had missed them in the school hierarchy, but I shouldn’t have been surprised. I didn’t give a shit about ninety-eight percent of the people at school. When I saw Stephanie Markswith perched at the end of one of the couches, I shouldn’t have been surprised. She sat in a timid manner. Her shoulders were hunched over, and her arms were crossed over her chest. She was on the outskirts of the group with no lap to sit on. I could tell she was the lowest one on the totem pole with this group. I smirked at her. Without anything spoken, I knew this was the group she was trying to get ‘in’ with. They were the next rung on the social ladder for her. She looked up and saw me then glared.