Bad Rep
Page 19

 A. Meredith Walters

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The guys started hooking up their amps and began sound testing the equipment. There was a buzz of anticipation as people started crowding around the band. I handed my last two tables their checks. The kitchen closed at 11:00, so the crowd started clambering around the bar for drinks. Lyla was slammed, as she was the only one left with Jordan now out front. Jaz, Damien and I made our way to the bar to wait for the show.
Around 11:15, Jordan sat down at his drum kit and did a quick run. I couldn't help but be impressed by his obvious talent. Moore had come out from the back and grabbed himself a beer. Cole took the mic and turned it on, a squeal from the amp cutting through the noise of the restaurant. Everyone got quiet as the guys took their spots.
“Thanks to everyone who has come out to see us tonight. My name is Cole and we're Generation Rejects.” And with that they launched into a metal version of the Rolling Stones' Gimme Shelter. I watched riveted as Jordan beat the hell out of his kit, sweat already dripping down his face. Cole's voice was almost a scream as he sang about war being a shot away.
The crowd soaked it up. Girls had jumped up and started dancing to the music, yelling out the names of the guys playing for them. I had been to a fair number of live shows, but this was awesome. The vibe was intense and the band played like their lives depended on it.
And Jordan was...well, he was the sun in the middle of it all. It was impossible to ignore his presence behind the drums. Even though Cole was technically the lead singer, it was Jordan's voice that I focused on as it melded with the music. He was flipping fantastic.
They played three more covers, choosing obvious crowd-pleasers. Everyone ate it up. Jaz and Damien joined the dancing fans but I chose to stay in my seat, enjoying the view uninterrupted by swaying girls in halter tops and too tight dresses.
After they finished a rowdy version of Bob Dylan's Rainy Day Women, the music came to a sudden halt. Cole held the mic between loose fingers and swayed his hips as he peered into the crowd. “I'd like to introduce you to the rest of my mates. On bass, Mitch!” The crowd cheered. “And my man Garrett on lead guitar!” The crowd continued to roar. “And on the skins, the f**king bandit, Jordan!”
The sound was deafening. I could hear “I love you's” and “Marry me's” interwoven together in the chaos.
“This next song is one of ours. Written by our own lyrical genius, The Piper, Jordan Levitt! I hope you like it,” Cole yelled into the mic. The Piper? Then without any further preamble, Jordan began to pound out an intense beat. His body heaved with the wave of music that poured out of him. The guitar picked up and then the bass, mixing together in an intoxicating blend of sex and love and pain.
Then to my surprise, Jordan began a raspy hum that made my ni**les harden. My panties had become instantly wet, I was so turned on. His voice was unbelievable. The noises he made were erotic. I watched his rippling forearm muscles as they beat against the skins in an almost violent passion. The sexy claustrophobic press of bodies and heat of the room caused sweat to drip between my br**sts. The noises, the hot, suffocating pressure in the air aroused me in a way I didn't think was possible. And all I could imagine was Jordan making that same low rumble as he pounded into me.
My heartbeat hitched up a notch and my breathing became shallow. Was it possible to orgasm just from listening to someone sing? I was so lost in the spell he wove that it took me a moment to realize he was staring at me. He continued to beat his drums mercilessly but I knew he was watching me. And for a moment it felt like we were the only two people in the room. And I knew that the song was for me. Just for me.
And then he began to sing.
Desire drips off your tongue
Legs tangled and abused
Smoldering in the aftermath
Bodies tired and used
Your eyes hold a secret
that you will never tell
The fire inside consumes me
I will embrace your hell
Touch me,
Tease me,
Need me,
Hate me
In the silence of your arms
I almost know who I am
You destroy my soul, you open me wide
You crumble me in your hand
Touch me
Tease me
Hold me
Want me
Gutless and hated
Ruined and sated
Lost and jaded
Breath barely bated
My biggest regret is your face
The lie overcomes the truth
Shadowed and lonely I crawl
At the wasted feet of my youth
Touch Me
Tease Me
Need Me
Want Me
Hate Me
Love Me
Fuck Me!
Fuck Me!
Fuck Me!
My eyes widened in shock as Jordan screamed Fuck Me into his mic. And not once did he take his eyes off of me. The song was dark and powerful and I absolutely loved it! I felt like I was witnessing a side of Jordan that I had no idea even existed. He was deep and mysterious and full of an intensity I couldn't even fathom. Everyone in the room responded to that song. The girls undulated their bodies and the guys pounded their fists in the air. Jordan held everyone in his sway and we were all powerless to stop it.
And just like that it was over and the band was taking a fifteen minute break. I let out a breath that I had no idea I was even holding. My hands were clammy and I ran shaky fingers through my hair. I had a visceral response to Jordan's music and it had buried deep inside me in a way I didn't entirely understand. A way that I was almost fearful of.
Jaz came back to my side and sagged against the bar. “Aren't they amazing?” she sighed. I could only nod. Words weren't good enough to describe the way I was feeling. I loved music. I really did. But I had never felt so ready to submerge myself in it the way I had as they played. And I knew it was because of Mr. Jordan Levitt.