Bad Rep
Page 40

“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.