Bad Rep (Bad Rep, #1)(127)

“You'll make a great rock star wife.  I can see it already,” he said.  My heart sputtered to a stop.  Wife?  Was he serious?  Jordan's smile widened and I knew he could read me like a book.  He had always been able to.  He kissed me on the lips this time.  “One day I'll get a ring on your finger.  You just wait and see,” he vowed and my heart soared. 

We got in Jordan's truck and headed toward Rinard College.  Jordan was talking about some new Generation Rejects merchandise that had come in yesterday.  I loved seeing him so excited. 

“Is it weird knowing you won't be here next year?” I asked him after we pulled up to the campus.  I gathered my books off the floor.  Jordan took them from me as we got out of the truck.

“Yeah.  I mean I'm really excited for the tour.  But I have to admit, I'll miss being here with you every day.”  He tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear.  “I'll miss you, Mays.  So much,” he said softly, his eyes tender as he looked at me.

I cupped his cheek and rubbed my thumb along the rough hair at his jawline.  “Me too.  But we'll make it work,” I promised.  Jordan grabbed my hand and kissed the palm.

“No more running,” he stated, grinning at me.  I nodded.

“I'm all run out, baby.  You caught me fair and square,” I replied.  Jordan laced his hand with mine and we walked to the book store.

I was able to sell my last three books for a whopping $22.  Pocketing the money I pulled Jordan by the hand toward the Canteen.  “Come on, babe.  This wad of money is burning a hole in my pocket.  Let me wine and dine you,” I joked.  Jordan pulled me up against his front and nuzzled into my hair.

“You sure do know how to treat a guy,” he teased.

We laughed all the way until we got to the Canteen. We were about to go inside when were stopped by a voice.  “Jordan.  Maysie.  Hey.”  I saw Jordan's shoulders tense slightly but his face was relaxed.  I looked toward the door and saw Olivia coming down the steps.

She looked beautiful as always.  But I no longer felt the burning jealousy I used to when we were around each other.  Because I had seen the less than perfect girl underneath it all and I sort of felt sad for her.  Olivia had flown under the radar the rest of the school year and I had heard through the grapevine that she was moving back home to Washington state, where she was from, now that she had graduated.

“Hey,” I said back politely.  Jordan nodded in her direction but didn't say anything.  Olivia looked up at him.

“Congrats on the upcoming tour.  You'll be great,” she said sincerely, giving him a tentative smile.

“Thanks, Liv,” he responded, smiling a bit in return.

Seeing the way she stared up at him, I truly did feel bad for her.  Because it was painfully obvious that she was still in love with him.  Her eyes became soft and her face held a sad sort of wistfulness.  It was hard to stay bitter toward someone who had lost the one thing she had wanted most.  Lost it and would never get it back.

Olivia looked over at me.  “So, how are you doing, Maysie?” she asked.  She seemed to struggle with what to say and I knew this was extremely awkward for her.

“Good.  How about you?  When do you leave?” I asked.  Olivia pulled the strap of her purse higher on her shoulder.

“I'm heading out tomorrow.  My older brother is coming in tonight with a U-haul,” she explained.

“Oh, well that's great,” I said lamely and then we fell into an uncomfortable silence.

“I uh, guess we should be going,” I said finally as Jordan and I started to walk around her.

“Wait!” Olivia called out before we were able to go inside.  Jordan and I turned back around.  Olivia ran back up the steps until she stood in front of us again.

“I just wanted to say...that I'm really, really sorry with everything that happened this year.  I had no idea Milla was doing that stuff to you, Maysie.  But it's not like I didn't contribute to it all.  I was a bitch.  A jealous, spiteful bitch.” Her eyes glistened with tears as she looked at Jordan again.

“I'm sorry, Jordan.  For never treating you the way you deserved to be treated.  I'm sincerely glad you've found someone who makes you happy.  I really am.” She was being genuine and I knew this was hard for her to say.  But I appreciated her saying it all the same.

Jordan squeezed her shoulder.  “Thanks, Liv.  I'm sorry too.  I handled things really badly and I hate myself for hurting you.  You're a good person.”  They looked at each other for a long minute.  I stepped back a bit, knowing they needed this closure.

I was surprised to see that I didn't feel jealous or worried.  I was just glad to see that these two people, who had been such a huge part of each other's lives, were ending things in a positive way.

Olivia reached out and took Jordan's hand.  “Good luck, Jordan.  With everything.”  Jordan let her hold his hand and I saw him smile down at her.

“You too, Liv.  I know you'll be conquering the world in no time.”  Olivia laughed.  Not in a flirty, come hither way, but in a way shared by two friends with a long history.