A Whole New Crowd (A Whole New Crowd #1)(49)

Mandy’s hands fell from her mouth, but it still hung open. She was gazing around the group. Amber and Jennica shared a dark look, their mouths in flat lines. I grinned at them. That made this even more satisfying, and with that last burst of adrenalin, I used it for momentum and clambered up. My head broke the surface.
All the guys were sitting in a group around the keg. Their backs were to me. I rolled my eyes, but grasped the rope at the top and pulled myself the rest of the way. When I was at the top, the bottom broke out in cheering and clapping. The guys heard that and turned. A few jumped when they saw me. “Holy shit.”
Tray moved around the group. His eyebrows shot up, and he began shaking his head. He came over to me. “Why am I surprised? I shouldn’t be.” He helped me up and patted me on the back. “Want a drink?”
I shook my head. Ignoring the stunned looks from the guys, I turned and headed towards the opening of the waterfall. “I’m jumping. I came up here to have fun and that’s what I’m going to do.”
He nodded, moving back. His eyes were full of approval as they roamed over me. I climbed up in my clothes, but took them off now so I was standing in my bathing suit. It wasn’t meant to be a show, but with all eyes on me, it was one. Even now, as I stood there, a few girls had went over to the wall. They were assessing if they could do it too. Then I lifted my arms up and jumped. As I soared down into the water, a sense of liberation went through me. I was alive. I did what I wanted. It was a freeing moment. Then I pulled myself up from the pool of water and went right back. My body was aching from the swim last night and the climb, but I was going again. Then again. Then again. I would go until I was done having fun.
I started back up when Mandy’s friend came over. “You’re going again?”
“Yeah. You could too, you know.”
Regret flashed over her face and she shook her head. “I can’t. I can’t pull myself up at the top.” She lifted her arms. “These aren’t strong enough.”
I shook my head. “Start up after me. I’ll haul you up the rest of the way if I have to. They do it for the guys. They can do it for us too.” Fierce determination came over me, then I heard a mocking tone.
“When did you become all about women’s lib?” Amber folded her arms again over her chest. Mandy’s friend melted away, so did a lot of the girls, and Jennica took their place, coming to stand beside her friend.
Mandy frowned. She started forward, but stopped. Fear flashed in her eyes. Jennica and Amber saw her too. We all waited to see if she would speak up. She didn’t. Her head went down and she sat back with her group.
That pissed me off. When I saw the smug looks in Amber and Jennica double, I gave them a polite ‘f*ck off’ smile and asked, “Care to give it a try? Women’s lib or not, it’s a rush to jump from the top.”
The smug smirks disappeared. They shared another look, but this was one of matching hesitation. Then I smirked this time. “Yeah. That’s what I thought.” With that last parting shot, I started to climb again. When I got to the top, Tray was there. He reached down from the rope, but I shook my head. I had a point to prove. “No, I have to do this alone again.”
He saw Jennica and Amber and nodded. “Okay.”
He was there when I finished and drew me against his chest. Hugging me to him, he dropped a kiss to my lips. We were in plain view of everyone, on top and down below. I didn’t want to think about who would be pissed or who would be surprised. I answered his kiss, deepening it, and knew in some way this was giving Jennica and Amber the middle finger. When I pulled back from him, Tray caught me. His hand cupped the back of my neck and his forehead rested on mine.
The climb and diving back down had my blood pumping. The adrenalin was addicting, but it didn’t compare to this. His thumb rubbed back and forth over my neck in a soothing motion, giving me goose bumps. Whatever unspoken agreement we had before, the joking banter we shared earlier in the afternoon, was done.
Tray was claiming me in front of everyone.



CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

It was later, when it was growing dark and everyone was packing, that one of Mandy’s friends came over and stood next to me. She didn’t say anything, just gave me a smile and ducked her head down. I wasn’t used to shy girls, and she hadn’t been shy earlier so I asked, “What’s up?”
“Um…” She paused and flashed me another grin. “Everyone’s going to Rickets’ House. I mean, we’re going to Tray Evan’s house first, and I’m sure you’re riding with him since you know, the kissing.” She gestured to the top of the cliff. A look of awe appeared in her eyes. “But...um…I was wondering if you’re going tonight to Rickets’ House? You do your own thing, but some of the girls are going to your house to get ready with Mandy…”
I made sure no reaction appeared on my face, but my insides were going, ‘what the f*ck?’ “What are you asking me?”
“Um...” She gulped. “Are you going out with the group tonight?”
“Oh.” I shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess.”
“Good.”
“HALEY!”
She looked around and then motioned to her group of friends waiting at the front of the cave. “I guess I’ll see you at Rickets’ House. I’d say Tray Evan’s house, but people probably won’t get out of their cars. If you don’t have a ride, you can ride with my friends and me. We’ll make room, but I’m sure you’re probably going with…” She trailed off as her eyes widened, looking past my shoulder. When I felt an arm come around my waist, I realized why she was so nervous. Tray pulled me snug against his side, and she lowered her head. “I’ll see you later, Taryn.”