BAD REP(39)

She breathed out a sigh of relief.  “Good.  If you need any help getting ready, I can come over and we can hit the party together,” she suggested.

“That sounds good,” I responded.  It's not as if I needed help getting ready. I could put myself together pretty damn nicely.  I had style and I always looked good, but Gracie had a need to put her touch to things.  So I figured it was just easier to let her.

Gracie came and sat down beside me on the bed.  She grabbed my ankle and gave it a little shake.  “Have you finally ditched the townie?  You ready to find yourself a decent guy?”  Not her too!  Gracie had met Eli a couple of times and had never seemed bothered by our relationship.  Apparently she had disapproved as much as Riley had.  She was just less vocal about it.

“Yeah, we're done.  But I don't think I'm looking for anyone either.  I might take a bit of a break from the whole dating scene for a while.” I said, knowing that I couldn't even think of hooking up with anyone while Jordan was still front and center in my mind.

Gracie made a noise of disapproval.  “No, no, no.  You have to find someone to take you to the mixer!  It's important, Mays!” she implored.

“Well, what about you?  Do you have your sights set on anyone?” I asked, trying to move the topic away from me and my love life.

“I don't know, I have some potentials.  I'm thinking of checking out Gio.  I mean, he's cute, he lives with Jordan so you know he's really popular and he's a senior.” She ticked off each characteristic as though she were buying a car.  What a sterile way to go about deciding whether to go out with someone.

“Sure, Gio's nice,” I replied, though truthfully I had always heard he was a bit of a dog.  A love 'em' and leave 'em' sort of guy.  Gracie was too nice to be another notch on anyone's bedpost.  But I didn't say anything.  Who was I to tell someone who they could and couldn't like?

We hung out for a while longer before she finally kicked me out, saying I had to go home and start prepping for tonight.  I had the obstinate desire to show up to the party in my rattiest pair of jeans and a damn t-shirt.  But I knew my sisters wouldn't be happy with that.  They wouldn't be able to see the funny of it.  But Jordan would get it...

Okay, I had to stop that.  Every thought seemed to find its way back to him and I was driving myself crazy.  I let myself into my apartment and found Riley watching television, still in her pajamas.  She had come home late last night.  I had heard her letting herself in around three in the morning.  Looking at her now, I could tell she was feeling rough.

The blinds were still drawn across the windows and I felt like I was walking into a tomb.  I sat down beside her on the couch.  “How's it goin' Riley?” I asked too loudly.  I couldn't stop grinning at her.  Normally our roles were reversed and I was going to enjoy this.

Riley gripped her head.  “Ugg!  Volume, please!” she whispered hoarsely.

I slung my arm around her shoulders and squeezed.  “Feeling a little crappy today?” I asked more softly this time, taking pity on her miserable state.

Riley groaned.  “I am never drinking again!” she swore, turning the TV off and laying down.

“Have you eaten anything?” I asked her.

Riley shook her head.  “The thought of food makes me want to puke.”  I got to my feet and headed into the kitchen.

“Well, you have to eat something, or you'll feel worse,” I called out as I put two pieces of bread into the toaster and got the ibuprofen down from the cabinet.

I took the dry toast, a large glass of water and the bottle of pain meds into the living room.  “Drink all of this and take three ibuprofen.  Trust me, if there's anything I know how to deal with, it's a hangover.” Riley gingerly took the capsules out of my hand and put them in her mouth.  Then she drank the entire glass of water.

“Now eat.  Dry toast is the best thing for an upset stomach.”  I shoved the plate into her hands and she took it, glaring at me.

“You're enjoying this way too much.” She accused, nibbling on the bread.  I smiled at her as I took a seat again.

“Well, considering it's usually me in a fetal position on the couch, I don't envy you.  But I must say, it's not like you to over indulge.  I've never seen you like this.  So what gives?” I ask her.