A Whole New Crowd (A Whole New Crowd #1)(7)

So color me shocked when I saw Tray, Samuel, and Grant in a corner booth. Before I could duck out, not sure if I wanted to stay or go home, Grant waved. “Hey, Mandy’s sister!”
Ignoring the heat from Tray’s scrutiny, I headed their way. “Yes, that’s my name. Mandy’s sister. It’s a bitch to write that out all the time. The teachers are always confused. Mandy or Mandy’s sister. They never know which one is me.”
He laughed and popped a fry into his mouth.
Samuel frowned at him, but said to me, “We thought we’d see you at the party.”
“It’s not my scene,” I lied. Parties were my scene, just not their parties. “Thought you guys would be at the party, since—you know—Tray, you’re hosting it.”
He grinned and leaned back. “Those parties can run themselves.”
“Hmm.” I wasn’t sure what to talk about. These were Mandy’s friends. I was Mandy’s sister and that was extent of our relationship. They didn’t seem interested in explaining why they weren’t at the party, and I wasn’t interested in having a conversation with them, so I headed to the counter and paid for a diet soda. After I filled the cup and headed back, I saw they were gone. I shrugged. Good riddance. But when I went to the parking lot, I wasn’t that lucky.
Tray was leaning against my car. His arms were crossed over his chest, making his upper arms stand out under his shirt. That damn tribal tattoo peeked out of his shirt again, asking for me to lift his sleeve up so I could examine the whole thing. I groaned in my head. Brian had tattoos too, but none of them beckoned to me like his. I didn’t like that. When I stopped in front of him, my eyebrow arched up.
I didn’t say anything. It was on him to talk.
He didn’t say anything.
Fiddling with my straw, I let my mind wander. If this was a game, I was going to win. I’ve spent time on stake-outs, doing surveillance for targets with Brian. For some of those, we had to remain still and silent for hours. This was a win-win for me. If I could piss Tray off as I beat him at his own game, score one for me.
He narrowed his eyes.
I smiled at him and thought back to Pedlam High School. There had been eight cameras. “You’re annoying.”
I pondered those cameras, wondering if there were more, but I focused on him again. “I’ve been told that.”
He laughed briefly and shook his head. “Mandy went back to your house. She said you were gone.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Where’d you go?”
“Why do you care?” I frowned. “I don’t like the idea of my sister keeping tabs on me and reporting to you.”
“Relax.” He grinned. “She told Devon. I was right there so I heard. There’s no tabs and there’s no reporting going on, but I am curious where you went.”
“Why? I’m none of your business.”
“No.” He shook his head. “But you are damned intriguing. Where do you spend your time?” His tone softened, and he grew pensive.
I reacted to his change. Heat started to build inside me, and there was a small flutter in my chest. Then I rolled my eyes. For f*ck’s sakes. What was I doing? Developing a schoolgirl crush? I shook my head. This was the last guy I wanted that to happen with.
I fixed him with a chilly stare. “Aren’t you the busy bee with an inquiring mind.”
He laughed. The sound of it rushed over me and I sucked in my breath. Oh boy. I was in trouble. A corner of his mouth curved up, and he murmured, “For some reason, I am becoming a busy bee with you. You’re not like normal girls, you know.”
“I do know.” I flashed him a smile. “I’m smarter.”
Another laugh from him. It slid over me like a spray of water on a hot day. It was refreshing.
I scowled. It was a headache.
He tilted his head to the side. “You may be right.”
My eyes snapped to his. “Was that a compliment?”
He flashed me a grin. “What have I done to earn this horrible reputation with you? I’m being honest.”
The truth from him came loud and clear. He was being genuine, and dammit, I felt myself softening towards him. His eyes were warm and inviting. His tone didn’t reflect anything other than his honesty, and my interest was piqued.
I shrugged and forced myself to look away. “You haven’t done anything except ask me to risk losing everything. Other than that,” I smiled, “nope, you’re right. It’s unwarranted.”
His eyes darkened and dropped to my lips. “I asked the first time because Mandy made it sound like you would want to do it. I asked the second time because I was testing a theory.”
“Really?”
He nodded, his gaze never leaving my lips. “Yeah. A theory.”
My chest tightened. His words were weaving a spell over me, one that I enjoyed and hated at the same time. I found myself asking, “What theory was that?”
“That it’s a rush to you.”
“What’s a rush?”
“Stealing.” His eyes lifted, pinning me in place. “Taking what isn’t yours. You love it. You get off on it, don’t you?”
I shook my head. “It’s not that.”
“It’s not?” He reached for me, and I closed my eyes, feeling his hand take hold of my jeans. One of his fingers slid through a loop on my waistband, but he didn’t do anything. He kept it there, as if anchoring me in place. I couldn’t run. I didn’t want to run, and I frowned as I realized that. He asked, “So what is it? What did I get wrong?”