Bad Rep (19 page)

Jordan's eyes didn't hold an ounce of judgment and he looked at me as if he got what I was saying.   “My dad is this uber successful guy, you know?  He has this amazing career that he worked his whole life to have.  He came from nothing and he thinks I'm throwing away all of the opportunities he never had.  He calls me a fuck up because I'd rather play drums than stare at math problems all day.”  Jordan said, sounding unhappy.  I understood exactly where he was coming from. 

My whole life I had tried so hard to be someone my parents could be proud of.  I could never be enough or do enough to make them happy.  My dad hated the fact that I was in a sorority and that's why he refused to help pay the dues.  My mom, while she loved the thought of me finally being popular, sided with my dad in thinking it was a foolish waste of time.  They never failed to let me know that they thought I should be 100 percent focused on school.  My dad was a teacher and my mom was a nurse.  They were totally dedicated to what they did.  So having a daughter who sort of flew halfcocked through life wasn't their ideal. 

“Disappointing your parents sucks.” I said softly.  Jordan's eyes sparkled at me and I felt we connected in that moment. 

“It sure does,” he agreed quietly, staring into my eyes intently before I finally had to look away. 

I cleared my throat, trying to dispel whatever was building between us.  I gripped my hands tightly together, staring down at the table top.  “You know, I say do what you want. You have to do what makes
you
happy,” I said. 

Jordan smiled.  “That's what I'm trying to do,” he said quietly and I had a feeling he was talking about more than just his music. 

My phone started vibrating in my pocket, the sound of Blue Oyster Cult's
Don't Fear the Reaper
, blaring. 

“Love the ring tone,” Jordan said smiling as I pulled out my phone.  I looked down and saw that it was Gracie. 

“Hello?” I had an overwhelming urge to throttle Gracie for interrupting such a great moment. 

“Where the hell are you?” she yelled into the phone. 

“Whoa, calm down.  What's up?” I asked, shooting Jordan an apologetic smile. 

“The rush event starts in two hours and Vivian is freaking out.  Nothing is set up and the costumes are a mess.  You've got to get to the house right now.” 

I sighed.  “I'm on my way,” I assured her and hung up.

I tucked my phone away and got up.  “Sorority crisis?” Jordan asked. 

“As always,” I deadpanned, grabbing my purse.  We left the coffee shop and headed to our respective vehicles.  “Thanks for the coffee. I enjoyed hanging out,” I told him sincerely.  Jordan leaned against his motorcycle, balancing the helmet against his thighs. 

“Me too.  It feels like it took too long to get here.  I hate that things have been weird between us. I never wanted that,” he said a little sadly.

“Me either,” I admitted, feeling that magnetic pull between us intensify.  My phone buzzed in my pocket again and I pulled it out.  I didn't bother to read the text that Gracie had just sent. “I've gotta go.  Duty calls.  I guess I'll see you on Saturday?” I asked, before getting into my car.

“Yep.  See ya Saturday,” he called back, throwing his leg over the seat of his motorcycle and revving it up.  He gave me a final wave before taking off down the street and I headed toward the Chi Delta house and two hours of drama.

Chapter Eleven

Rush week was a raging success.  We had sent out eight bids and each girl had accepted.  I finally, after months, felt like I belonged with my sisters.  It felt good to help contribute to something that benefited the sisterhood.  Most of the girls had made it a point to tell Vivian and I how great of a job we had done.  The skit was fantastic and it had all fallen into place.  Even with the massive amounts of anxiety and stressing.  I had even received a call from my Big Sis in Chi Delta, Caryn, who had graduated last year and now lived in California.  She wanted to congratulate me on completing my first rush week as co-chair.  So all in all, I was feeling pretty damn proud of myself.

And seriously exhausted.  By Saturday afternoon I was ready to drop.  But my day was far from over.  I had just gotten back to my apartment after being at the house all morning for Bid's Day activities.   The new girls had been excited and their enthusiasm reminded me of why I had joined Chi Delta in the first place.  I hated to admit that I had started doubting my reasons for signing on with a sorority.  But today reaffirmed that these girls were my friends and I belonged. 

“You look wrecked, my friend,” Riley said from my doorway.  She was dressed for her shift at Barton's.  I hadn't seen much of her since school started.  Partly because I was so consumed with all things rush and partly because Riley was spending every free minute with Damien. 

“I wish I could just lay down and take a nap,” I groaned, throwing my shoes out of my closet trying to find the pair I wanted to wear tonight. 

“You're going to burn out if you don't take it easy once in awhile,” Riley warned, dropping to her knees beside me and pulling out the other wedged sandal I was looking for. 

“Thanks,” I told her, taking the shoe from her hand.  Riley sat cross legged on my floor as I got to my feet and started getting my outfit together. 

“So what's on your epic social calendar for the evening?” Riley asked. 

“It's the Pi Sig mixer.  I have to be back at the house around 7 to pre-game,”  I muttered, focusing on my search for a set of earrings.  “Agg! I feel like I'm losing my mind!  Where are my silver star earrings? I can't find anything!” I cried, throwing my hands into the air. 

Riley got to her feet and gently pushed me out of the way as she started to root through my jewelry box.  “Go sit down, you need a breather.  I'll find them.”  I took her advice and lay down on my bed. 

“Here they are, loser.” Riley tossed me the earrings and they landed on my chest.

“I'm a mess!  What would I do without you?” I asked tiredly, my eyelids drooping heavily. 

“Not be able to find your earrings?” Riley asked and we both laughed.  I patted the bed beside me and Riley came and sat down. 

“How are things with Damien?” I asked her, wiggling my eyebrows suggestively.  Riley blushed.  Dear god, she must have it bad if she was actually getting red at the sound of his name. 

“Good.  After work tonight, he's taking me to the midnight showing of that comic book movie I wanted to see that you refuse to go to.”  I pushed her arm.

“Sorry if I can't sit through two hours of guys in really tight spandex talking about their crystal of power or whatever.”  Riley widened her eyes. 

“You just don't get its complexity,” she intoned dramatically.  I chuckled. 

“Sure, that's it.  So, Damien's taking you out on a date.  Things seem to be moving along nicely,” I said.  Riley smiled softly. 

“Yeah, he's pretty great.  You know, he has a few cute friends if you want me to hook you up,” Riley joked.  She knew how I felt about blind dates. 

I made a rude noise.  “I'll try internet dating first, thanks.  Besides, I'm not looking, remember,” I reminded her.  Riley looked at me knowingly.

“Well you're not looking if that guy isn't Jordan Levitt,” she said.  I smacked her with a pillow and she laughed.  “You know, he talks about you a lot,” she said suddenly.

I sat up on my bed.  “Jordan talks about me?” I asked dumbly.  Riley rolled her eyes.

“No, the pope talks about you...yes Jordan!”  My throat felt tight. 

“What does he say?”  I shouldn't want to know this. I knew better than to ask.  But damned if I didn't want to hear every tiny detail.

“He makes every excuse to mention you in some way.  'Oh, Maysie must have rearranged the salt shakers.'  'I wonder if Maysie knows where the phone book is.'  It's almost pathetic.”  I forced myself to laugh, though I really felt like throwing up.   “Yesterday, he was telling me about how he taught you to play the guitar at his party.  He said you're a natural.” It was my turn to roll my eyes. 

“He clearly has a different memory of that than I do. I sucked.”  Riley shrugged. 

“Hell, you could probably sound like a dying cat and he'd think you were amazing,” she teased.  I shot her a look. 

“What's that supposed to mean?” I asked.  Riley picked up the pillow I had thrown at her and hit me in the face with it. 

“Don't fish, Mays.  It doesn't suit you.” I stuck my tongue out at her.  Riley flicked my nose.  “You know exactly what I'm talking about.  That boy has it bad.  You can see it every time someone says your name.” 

“But Olivia...” I started and Riley cut me off. 

“Fuck Olivia.” I gaped in surprise at Riley's forcefulness. 

“Wow, tell me how you really feel,” I said dryly.  Riley got up off of the bed and stood there for a minute. 

“Seriously.  Jordan has major feelings for you.  And he's a good guy.  I have never endorsed a guy you dated because so far they've been a bunch of dick weeds.  And I know what I said about dating him before.  But I was wrong because Jordan's different.  And Olivia's a bitch.”  I automatically opened my mouth to defend my sorority sister.

“You know she is, Maysie.  And Jordan sees that too.  He wants you, my love.  I say stop worrying about Olivia.  She'll move onto the next sorry ass frat guy in no time.  But you deserve to be with someone who looks at you the way Jordan does.”  I blinked, shocked by her statement.

“But, whatever. It's your life.  Have fun at your 'mixer'.” There she went using those stupid air quotes again.  I didn't say anything as she left.  I couldn't say anything.  She had given me a hell of a lot to think about.

I proceeded to get ready in a bit of a daze.  Riley had called out a goodbye before she left for work.  I put on my cute little cocktail dress and opted to leave my hair straight.  I applied very little makeup and deemed that I was presentable. 

I arrived at the Chi Delta house a quarter after seven.  I found a bunch of my sisters hanging out in the common room.  They all called out a greeting as I came in.  I couldn't help but feel warm at the recognition.  It's not like the girls had ever been anything but nice to me.  Otherwise I would never have pledged to begin with.  But I had always felt a little outside of it all, despite my every effort to the contrary. 

“Damn, Mays.  You look hot!” Gracie called out, hopping up from the couch to give me a big hug.  I did a little twirl and then a short little curtsy.

“You know it, babe,” I replied, grinning.  Cira came up and put a cup in my hand. I took a tentative sniff.  “What is this?” I asked cringing.  Cira giggled. 

“I think it's every liquor we had in the cabinet and a little bit of 7-Up.  Drink!”  I took a sip and coughed. 

“Are you trying to give me instant alcohol poisoning?  I think I'll just have a beer.” I handed the drink back to Cira who only laughed.

“Come on lets get you a beer then.”  Gracie tugged on my hand and I followed her into the kitchen.  We had about an hour before we were all heading over to the mixer.  It was taking place at another off campus Pi Sig house.  It was only a couple of blocks away, so we would be walking. 

Olivia was in the kitchen embroiled in an intense looking conversation with Milla when we came in.  “Hey Maysie,” she said, throwing me a distracted smile as she turned back to her discussion.  I lifted my hand in a quick wave before grabbing my beverage.  Olivia looked stunning, as always.  She wore a purple halter dress so tight it looked as though it had been painted on her body.  The bodice apparently had a push up bra built in because her boobs looked like they were about to spill out from the top.  Her legs looked ridiculously long in her black hooker shoes. 

She was beautiful and I felt anything but standing near her. 
Jordan's a lucky guy to have
someone like her.
  I told myself harshly.  Gracie was talking to me about some guy she planned to hook up with tonight, even though she was the date of Eric Lewis, a Pi Sig sophomore.  I tried to listen but I was completely distracted by the conversation going on behind me.