A Whole New Crowd(40)

“Shut up.”
I was pulled back and Tray stood in front of me. A different feeling hit the air. It grew serious and oppressive. People sensed it and turned to see the reason. Within seconds, a small circle had formed around them.
“Evans.”
“Lanser.” Tray wasn’t affected Brian’s growl. “This is my house.”
“That’s my woman.”
Tray lifted his head, raising his chin a centimeter higher. “She’s not, actually.”
Brian stiffened. His jaw clenched, and he swung his accusing eyes my way. I gulped when they hit me. I felt punched in the throat by them and looked away. By that movement, I had submitted my guilt to him. Then I realized what I had done and I got pissed. I jerked my head back and snarled at him. Brian saw it and frowned. I moved forward. Tray reached a hand to me, but I bypassed him. No guy was going to put me in the back.
I shoved between them and poked at Brian’s chest, pushing him back a step. “It’s none of your goddamn business.”
“You’re his woman?”
“I’m not anybody’s woman. I’m mine.” I was ready to tear some shit up. “You came here. This is Tray’s house. I bet you heard there was a party and couldn’t help yourself. Am I right?”
Guilt flared over his face.
I’d been right. I nodded. “This is on you. You knew where you were coming. You know I’m moving on. You won’t let it go so this whole thing, how shitty you’re feeling right now, this is all on you. I won’t feel guilty because I’m trying for a better life. I won’t, Brian.”
He wasn’t fighting back. The more I spoke, his shoulders dropped. The anger was leaving him and for some reason, I was disappointed. I frowned, not understanding that at all. I wanted him to fight back, but why? Then Tray was there again. His hand touched my wrist, and he pulled me back again. It was a gentle touch and a slight movement. I was lost in my own head. Why did I want Brian to fight with me? That made no sense.
Dylan shoved through the crowd at that moment. He took in the sight of Brian, Tray, and myself, then sighed. “Um…we have a problem.”
“What?”
He looked right at me. “Mandy wouldn’t listen to me. She insisted on going upstairs to use the bathroom. She’s might find Devon and Jennica.”
My stomach dropped.
He added, “They’re having sex.”
“Oh my god.”
Samuel laughed and thumped Brian on the shoulder. “You got trumped, dude. Crazy scorned chick always wins out against the angry/hurting ex-boyfriend.” He glanced at me. “You know your sister’s going to go nuts. In fact, we should be hearing her screech in about three, two,” his finger lifted in the air as he said, “one.”
A scream came from inside the house, followed by, “GET OFF EACH OTHER!”
I groaned. “Oh no.”
A second scream came next and I started forward. Brian caught my hand. I stopped to look at him, but before he said anything, I shook my head. “Stop.”
“Taryn?”
“Go, Brian. This is the last time. Just go.”
“YOU WHORE!”
I glanced up at the house, towards the second floor. Tray said from behind me, “Go, Taryn. We’ll handle this.”
I didn’t wait another second. Half the crowd was still watching us and the other half had started inside to watch that fight. I shoved through them, but I heard Tray as I did, “Get him out. Lanser, don’t come back here again.”
I had seen the hurt in Brian’s gaze; he wasn’t going to fight them. As I headed up the stairs, I pushed thoughts of Brian to the back of my mind. I didn’t want to analyze my own life. It was easier to deal with someone else’s love life.
When I got upstairs, I couldn’t believe where I found Mandy. A small sitting room was on the second floor. No door. It was room that opened to the hallway, and sitting on the couch was Devon and Jennica. His pants were pulled up, but were unbuttoned and the zipper was still down. Both were staring at Mandy with messed hair and a glazed look in their eyes.
They didn’t care. I saw it plain as day. Shaking my head, I wasn’t going to intercept whatever Mandy was going to dish out. Morons. They deserved whatever was coming their way.
Mandy shrieked, “I can’t believe I ever thought you were my friend!”
“Oh please. Get over this. You already know about us.” Jennica snorted and rolled her eyes. “All you give a damn about is your perfect life. Devon called me four times a week when y’all were together. He was begging me for it. You were so frigid and now it’s every day, Mandy.”