BAD REP(148)

Around two in the morning, Moore kicked everyone out.  There were more than a few grumbles but everyone filed out good-naturedly, some more drunk than others.  Gracie and Vivian were wasted and Cole offered to see them back to campus.  Riley was heading over to Damien's place so she handed me her car keys and said she'd see me in the morning.

“Be smart, Mays.  For once,” she told me shortly, her eyes darting to Jordan, who was helping Cole get Vivian in the car.  I nodded and she smiled encouragingly before heading off with her boyfriend.

Garrett was trying to get Gracie to the band's van.  She kept falling down, laughing and I could see he was getting annoyed.  I hurried over and helped him get her up.  “There you are, Maysie!” she squealed, kissing me loudly on the cheek.

“Yep, here I am,” I said, trying to haul her up to her feet.

“Jordan loves you, Maysie!  No one has ever written me a song before.  You are soooo lucky!” she slurred.  My face flamed with embarrassment and I quickly looked over at Jordan, but he was still struggling to get Vivian situated.  She was making things pretty difficult because she kept grabbing Cole around the neck and trying to pull him into the back seat with her.

Gracie rolled her head onto Garrett's shoulder.  “Will you write me a song, Grady?  Pretty please?” Gracie hiccupped and I grimaced.  Garrett finally gave up and lifted Gracie in his arms, carrying her to the van.

“It's Garrett, sweetheart.  As for the song, we'll have to see if you puke in my car first.” Gracie giggled as he got her in the back of the vehicle.  He threw me a quick smile before attending to my friend.

Finally, everyone was situated and ready to go.  “You coming, Jordan?” Mitch yelled from the back.  Jordan hadn't looked at me once.  Hell, he acted as though I wasn't even there.  So I was surprised when he shook his head.

“Nah.  Maysie'll give me a ride.”  I will?  Cole leaned out of the open window.

“Is that cool with you, Maysie?” he asked.

My eyes darted to Jordan, but his back was still to me.  “Uh, yeah.  That's fine.  I'll see he gets home,”  I said.

Cole winked at me again.  “Be good you two,” he called as he drove away.

We stood silently in Barton's parking lot, watching the lights flicker out as Moore closed up.  Jordan started walking toward Riley's car.  “Well, let's get going,”  he said indifferently.

What the hell?

I had to jog to catch up with him.  He waited patiently while I unlocked the doors and he got into the passenger seat.  I went around to the other side and got in.  “You okay to drive?” he asked, still not freaking looking at me.

“Yeah, I'm fine,” I shot back.

“Good.  I'm staying at Garrett's,” he responded shortly.

I flushed with the beginnings of my anger.  What was he playing at? I hated that I couldn't read him.  Not like I used to be able to.   He stared resolutely out of the windshield.  I put the keys in the ignition and turned the car on.  I was about to put the car into reverse when his voice stopped me.

“Did you like the song?” he asked, his voice sounding sort of funny.  I breathed in through my nose.

“It was beautiful, Jordan.  I loved it,” I told him truthfully.  Some of the tension seemed to melt away from his body.

“I'm glad,” he murmured.  I stared at his profile, willing him to say something else.  When it was obvious he wasn't going to, I figured I'd give starting a conversation a shot.

“Congrats on the tour.  I'm glad you decided to do it,” I offered.  The corner of Jordan's mouth twitched upwards in a smile.

“Thanks,” he said.  And then the silence again.

Okay, this was getting beyond ridiculous.  “Was there a particular reason you wanted me to take you home?” I asked, sick of the song and dance we were playing around each other.  Jordan's hand came up and I watched him rub his hand through his much longer hair.

“I don't know, Mays,” he let out in a rush.

“You don't know?” I asked incredulously.  And then he finally turned his head and looked at me.  His eyes crackled with a fire that threatened to melt me on the spot.

“No, I do know.  I just don't know that you're ready for it,” he said gruffly, not loosening his gaze.  I swallowed.