BAD REP(35)

“Hey,” I said quietly as I hopped up on the stool beside Olivia.  Jordan looked as sick as I felt.  His eyes darted between Olivia and me.  I picked up my beer and held it up in a mocking salute.  “Cheers,” I said coldly as I downed it in one go, never breaking eye contact with him.

He frowned but didn't say anything.  “Hell yeah!” Olivia shouted, draping her arm around my shoulders in a show of affection.  Olivia and I had never been close but she had always gone out of her way to be nice to the new pledges.  She was a senior, as was Jordan, so we ran in different social circles.  But we still got along.  Which is what made this whole situation completely messed up.

“So, how's it working with our girl, Maysie?”  Olivia asked Jordan.  She was obviously a little buzzed.  I saw Jordan swallow.  His Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

“Uh, it's fine,” he answered noncommittally.  I wanted to smirk at him, treat him with a cold indifference.  But I didn't think I could pull it off.  So instead I simply looked away, feeling uncomfortable.

Olivia had already turned to say something to Tabby and Milla, leaving me all but forgotten.  Jordan had picked up my empty glass and put it in the sink behind the bar.  He met my eyes again and I saw it.  The simmering heat that left me panting for more.  It hadn't dimmed in the slightest.  Not even with his girlfriend sitting two feet away.

I broke the eye contact and joined in the conversation between my sisters, making a point to ignore the  bartender who, unbeknownst to him, had stolen my heart.  “I think we need to have a final party before school starts back up.  I mean we only have a week and a half before classes start.  Let's plan something,” Milla suggested.  I nodded in agreement, not into the discussion at all but not wanting to be rude.  Olivia squealed and clapped her hands.

“That's a wonderful idea!  Jordan!” she called out.

Jordan looked up at her. “Yeah?” he asked from across the bar.

She crooked her finger at him.  “Get your fine ass over here, baby. I want to ask you something.”  She waggled her eyebrows seductively, laughing huskily.  And I wanted to crawl under my stool and lay there in a fetal position.

I didn't miss the exasperated sigh Jordan let out before making his way over.  “What is it Olivia?  Some of us have to work, you know,” he stated a little shortly.  I was surprised by his terseness but Olivia seemed oblivious to it.

“I want to have a party.  So we're having it at your place.  Tomorrow night.  K?”  She didn't ask, she told him.  Was this how their relationship worked?  She said it was so and he just agreed?

Jordan's mouth tightened and was clearly not pleased with her suggestion.  “I have to work tomorrow night, Liv,” he said, his words clipped.  Olivia waved away his objection.

“So?  I can take care of it.  I know Fred and Gio would help me,” she said, mentioning the Pi Sig brothers who shared the house with Jordan.

Jordan's shoulders stiffened.  Olivia batted her eyelashes at him.  “Please, Jordie. I promise to show my gratitude,” she teased, running her finger up his arm.  Oh yuck. And what was up with calling him 'Jordie?'  It made him sound like he belonged on the Jersey Shore or something.  I saw Jordan glance at me quickly.  He needed to stop doing that.  He was being way too obvious.

“Who would you invite?” he asked, looking back at Olivia.

She squealed again (how much could she do that in one night?).  “Just my girls and the Pi Sigs of course.  Only the best.  Come on, it'll be fun.”  Tabby and Milla had started pleading with him as well and he finally gave in.  Holding his hands up to stop them, he nodded.

“Fine, whatever.  I don't get off until midnight.  Just keep it cool, Liv.  Nothing like last time, alright,”  he said, shooting her a pointed look.

She dismissed his words, focusing on his acquittance.  “Oh, thank you, baby.  You're the best.” She turned to Tabby and Milla, immediately starting to make plans.  Jordan leaned on the bar and looked at me again.

“So, Mays.  Are you gonna come to my raging party?” he asked sarcastically.

I shrugged.  “Don't know.  It all depends on what I have going on.”  Jordan tipped his head toward me and dropped his voice.