Page 96 of Crew Princess
Monica’s mouth closed with a snap. She looked rocked.
“You’re not planning on saying anything about me, Cross, Zellman, or Jordan?”
She swallowed. Her voice came out small. “I don’t have to, about you guys.”
“But the Ryerson crew, you will?”
She opened her mouth, but then she paused and closed it again. She didn’t say a word.
“What are you going to say when they ask about the crews?” I asked.
Her facial expressions shifted until she settled on something and a smug grin came out. “Did you know none of the Ryerson crew had to sign a deal with the cops?” She watched all of us, that smug smirk deepening. “You all have been wrapped up in your own lives, so I bet you didn’t notice that. They were arrested. Just like us. They were offered the deal. Just like us. They didn’t take the deal. And yet, unlike us, they were released the next day. Not one has charges being brought against them. They all got off free and clear. Wondering about that? I would, if I were you.”
“They posted bail. Same shit would happen to us,” I said.
“No.” She said it so calmly, with such confidence. She knew. She knew something we didn’t. “They didn’t. They were released. My aunt works for the Fallen Crest Police Department. She could tell me that because there were no restrictions. They all walked free. And they’ve been quiet. Have you noticed that too?”
“Because Drake’s their leader,” Zellman said, but he wasn’t as cocksure as she was.
That wasn’t a good sign.
“Really.” She laughed, mockingly. “Are you sure about that? Are the Ryersons even still a crew?” Her eyes found mine and settled. “Have you guys noticed the lack of crew activity? I mean, they’ve pulled the glue out of yours. If she’s at school, she’s locked up in the library doing her helper duties.”
She was right.
A thudding feeling took root in me.
“I overheard the conversation Broghers had with Badger. She didn’t want to give up her counseling sessions with you. It got heated. And yet, look who else has been absent the last couple weeks. We haven’t had any committee meetings. I’m here for early prom decorating, which you knew, which is why you’re here.”
Anotherthing was she right about.
Fuck.
I sensed a theme here.
As if making our decision for us, she began walking backward toward the school. “And one more thing, you might want to talk to that producer you’re helping. She’s got some ties close to you.” She was speaking right to me. “I would know. Zeke’s a huge Mason Kade fan. He’s obsessed with him.”
I raised my chin. “Those guys have nothing to do with me.”
“Not you, but your brother, your future sister-in-law…” She let it hang between us before she turned and walked into school.
“Man.” Zellman sighed once she was gone. “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to see Bren pull her knife or not.”
“It wouldn’t have worked,” I said faintly. I turned to the guys. “She’s right. Monica’s right. We can’t do anything physical. We need to do something else, something—”
Cross said it for me. “Not crew.”
I felt sick to my stomach.
Zellman swore under his breath. He was speaking for the rest of us.
“So what are you going to do?” Jordan asked.
I shrugged. “Talk to Becca. That’s the only thing I can do.”
“You want to do what?”
Becca Sallaway’s disbelief was evident.
