Bad Rep (Bad Rep, #1)(34)

My eyes widened in surprise.  “You have?  What happened to not dating guys you work with?” I asked,  giving her a smug smile.

Riley shrugged again.  “Yeah, well my advice sucks.  Forget about the shit I say.  I know nothing,” she said sarcastically.  I snorted.

“Do you like him?” I asked her, trying really hard not to yell “told you so” in her face.

Riley smiled a little and I knew she did.  “He's really cool.  Did you know he started an eco-group back in his hometown?  He recruited like fifty people and started an annual recycling campaign.  He really gets things.  And it's nice to talk to someone who's on the same wave length, you know?”  She finished her toast and put the plate on the coffee table.  I didn't want to tell her that he sounded boring as snot.  So instead I grinned for her.

“Wow, Riley.  I don't think I've ever heard you talk like this about a guy.  I'm happy for you.”  I said sincerely.  Riley looked at me shyly.  A first for her.

“Yeah.  I really like him.  But who's to say he feels the same way.  I mean we kissed last night, but...”

“You kissed?!” I screeched, bouncing up and down on the couch.

Riley laughed and then groaned, pressing her hands to her stomach.  “Please stop making the couch move or I'm going to barf in your lap.”  I stopped instantly.  Upchuck and Maysie were not friends.  Riley leaned back and pulled a fleece up over her.  “Yeah, we kissed.  Most of the night actually.  But we were both pretty drunk. So who knows if he really wanted to or if it was the booze talking.”

I wasn't used to hearing such insecurity from my friend. She was one of the most self-possessed, totally sure girls I had ever met.  It just goes to show how boys can bring you low without you realizing it.  I laid my head on Riley's shoulder.  “Of course he wanted to.  What guy wouldn't want to kiss you?  You're the most awesome person I know,” I told her.

Riley sighed.  “Thanks, Mays.”  We sat quietly for a moment and then Riley turned the conversation around to me.  “So what's up with you and our resident rock god?”

I stiffened at the mention of Jordan.  She noticed immediately and nudged my head with her shoulder.  “You know Olivia's back in town, right?” I asked.  Riley nodded.  “Well, all of the Chi Delts have to go to a party tonight...at Jordan's,” I said miserably.

“It's just a party, Mays.  It's not like you're going to watch them star in an adult film together. It'll be alright,” Riley assured me, being brutally honest as always.  I couldn't help but laugh.

“Yeah, but the whole thing just sucks.  I really like him, Riley.  I mean, I thought I could make myself stop once I knew he had a girlfriend.  But it's almost like my feelings are getting stronger.  And all I want to do every time I see Olivia is pull every strand of hair out of her stupid, perfect head.” I sat up and crossed my arms over my chest.

Riley snorted.  “Well, if there's one thing I know about you, Maysie, is that the more screwed up the situation, the harder it is for you to resist it.  I mean, look at your little, whatever it was, with Eli over the summer.  That guy was bad news.  And an *.  But you still went after him anyway.  So now there's Jordan, and he's taken and that is completely irresistible to you.”  I bristled at her words.

“So you're saying, that I don't really like Jordan?  That it's more about the fact that he's unattainable?”  I bit out, feeling a little insulted by her opinion of me.

Riley shook her head.  “No, okay, that came out wrong.  What I'm trying to say is the more hopeless the situation, the more you try to change it.  And I know you feel something for Jordan, just like I know he has feelings for you.  You'd have to be blind not to see it.  But you say you're keeping your distance and pushing him away, but are you really?  I mean, I see the looks you give each other.  You practically orbit around each other.  What you both are doing is engaging in nonphysical foreplay.”  I swallowed audibly.

Riley raised her eyebrows.  “You know I'm right.”  Damn her, she probably was right.  I hated how perceptive she could be at times.

“Yeah, well that doesn't mean I'm going to do anything about it.  I have no desire to be the hussy home wrecker,” I said sharply.

Riley patted my arm.  “And that is what makes you better than your sorority sisters and most of the girls we know.  Because they would jump at the chance to get with Jordan Levitt, girlfriend or not.  But you're better than that. And that's why I love you.”  Her compliment took me aback.  And it felt really good, if a little undeserved.  Because I still thought about doing Jordan every which way to Sunday.

“Love you too, girlie.” I said.  We hugged each other for a moment.  Which was unusual for us because Riley was not a touchy feely kind of gal.  Maybe the whole Damien thing was breaking through her guard a bit.  And I for one, was happy to see it.

“Okay, you rest. I'm going to go take a shower and start the waxing process.”  Riley shuddered.