A Whole New Crowd(88)

Ro pointed to me, her arm dripping with beer. She made no move to clean herself up.

Dee rounded and saw me. Her eyes got big, and she paled. Then she bolted.

“Hey!”

I started after her, but Tray grabbed my arm. “Stay. I’ll get her.”

“But…” I stopped. He was already gone. The guys who had brought Dee to us took off after her, but Tray lapped them in seconds. One of them stopped and came back, while the other continued after Dee and Tray. He gestured to the parking lot. “I forgot Dee ran track last year.”

Ro’s lips were pressed tight. She said through them, “Jake will bring her back.”

The guy grunted and looked at me. “Evans will bring her back. Jake’s there to help in case she knees him in the balls.” He nodded to me. “I played against Evans last year. I forgot how quick he is too.”

“Shut up, Frank.”

He shrugged. “You got your panties in a twist, but she’s here. She’s not going anywhere.” He was still staring at me and I realized he was talking about me. “I don’t think she had anything to do with Gray.”

The other guy who had first spoken for Ro shook his head. “You’re not helping, Frank.” He glanced down at Ro. “But I agree with him. We know Matthews. She’s not down like that.”

“I don’t care. Gray’s missing. He always took up for her and now he’s gone. She’s the common factor.” Her eyes sliced to mine, cutting through the air. “If you had anything to do with Gray or if he shows up dead like your ex-loser, you’re the one I will blame.”

I shook my head. I wasn’t accepting what they were saying. Gray was fine. He was always fine. “Why don’t I remember you?”

“Because I’m not like you. I don’t hang out with druggies and criminals.”

“You’re one of the popular crowd?” She wasn’t acting like it, but scanning the guys I recognized them as being a part of the athletes from Pedlam. Gray was popular. She could’ve been there and I wouldn’t have known her. I didn’t care enough to know people at that school. Gray and Brian. That was it.

“They’re coming back.” Frank laughed shortly. “Evans has her.”

He swung back to me. I sensed unspoken questions from him and bit out, “What?”

“Nothing. Just never would’ve pegged you as a girl that would get with Tray Evans from Rawley. He’s high-class.”

I bristled. I got the insult. “If Gray is missing, you’re going to want my help. Pissing me off is not the way to go.”

He lifted his chin. “How do you figure?”

“I know Jace Lanser and I can get places others can’t.”

“She’s right.” The third guy pulled Frank back. “We all know her reputation. Let’s just chill for a moment.”

Dee was being dragged by Tray, who had a firm grasp on her arm. As they neared us, he let her go and shoved her in front of me. She glanced around, but the guys formed a circle around her in seconds. She blinked, taken aback by how fast they moved. Then she swung her head to me, snarled, and glanced at Ro. The snarl dropped.

Ro asked first, “Why’d you run?”

“Because of this whore.” She nodded at me. “Brian’s dead because of her. Gray’s missing because of her too.”

Ro turned to me, but didn’t say anything.

A dark gleam appeared in Dee’s eyes as she added, “She probably works for Jace Lanser.”

I laughed. “This is a joke, right? I want to kill Jace Lanser.”

Ro said, “I’m starting not to believe you, Dee. You were with Brian last. You were with Gray last night too. You blamed Matthews today, but she’s here. She’s acting like she’s in the dark. That tells me one of you is lying.”

“You were with Gray last night?”

Dee became quiet, and she looked over her shoulder. The guys pressed forward, tightening their circle around her.

“Why’d you run when you saw me?”

“Because you killed Brian. You did something to Gray. You’re going to do something to me too.” She was pale and began trembling.

I repeated my question. “You were with Gray last night? Why? What happened?”

She started laughing. The sound started out like a genuine laugh, but as she kept going, it turned panicked. Bitterness and a maniacal sound mingled with it. Bending over, she whispered, “Gray didn’t believe it. He said Brian wasn’t killed in a robbery. I believed him. Maybe I shouldn’t have.”

I glanced at the other girl, Ro, and asked, “Did Gray say this to you too?”