BAD REP(48)

I hurried to my car, slinging my bags onto the back seat and threw the car into reverse.  I realized once I pulled out onto the road that Jordan was behind me.  It was hard to focus on the road when I really wanted to stare at him riding his bike in my rear view mirror.  He looked dangerous and more than a little lethal, his face obscured by the dark helmet and his strong hands gripping the handlebars.

I was so screwed.  Because I couldn't stay away from him, no matter how much I knew I should.  And I was starting to not give a shit about the consequences.  The fact that he was dating Olivia started not to mean so much.  Because I wanted him to be mine.  And that was clouding my better judgment.

I pulled into the Cup and Crumb, Jordan parking his bike beside me.  I held my breath as I watched him take off his helmet and tuck it under his arm.  I wiped my mouth, sure that drool had dribbled down my chin.  He waited for me to get out of my car then followed me into the coffee shop.

The Cup and Crumb was a popular hangout for Rinard students and it was pretty busy.  We approached the counter and I pulled out my wallet.  Jordan put his hand on mine.  “I've got this, Mays,” he said and I slowly put my wallet back in my purse.

“Hey Jordan!” The girl behind the counter squeaked.  Her name tag said Molly and she was batting her pretty little eyelashes at him as he looked at the day's specials.

“Hey, Molly.  How's it going?” he asked her.

“I'm good.” Molly puffed up at his attention before shooting a strange look my way.  Everyone on campus probably knew who he was dating and she was wondering who the hell I was.

“What are you getting?” Jordan asked.

“Caramel latte with extra whipped cream, and two of the mini chocolate eclairs, please,” I said, giving him my normal order.

“Sweet tooth, eh?” he teased.  He ordered a black coffee and we stood to the side while we waited for our order.

“So will Generation Rejects be playing Barton's again anytime soon?” I asked him as we waited.  Jordan cocked his eyebrow.

“Why, have you decided to become one of our groupies?” he asked jokingly.

I huffed.  “No way.  I don't do the groupie thing.  I was just wondering because you guys are sort of entertaining.”  I told him coyly, shooting him a small grin.

“Sort of entertaining?  You're breaking my heart, Maysie.” He clutched his chest dramatically.  I smacked his arm.

“Here you go, Jordan.” Molly appeared suddenly, handing him our drinks while I took my plate of pastries.  The girl shot me another look, this one not at all friendly, before turning to the next customer.

“I think she likes you,” I said as we made our way to a booth near the back.

Jordan rolled his eyes.  “Whatever.  Molly is in my poly sci class, she's just being nice.”  He dismissed my statement.  I slid into the booth and sipped on my latte.

“Are you blind, Jordan, or just oblivious?” I asked, shaking my head.

“Uh, neither,” he replied, looking at me over the lip of his mug.

I laughed but it came out as a snort.  “Okay.  You just choose not to acknowledge when girls practically fall all over you.”  My lips quirked in a smile.

“If that were true, I wouldn't feel as though I were chasing you all the time,” he murmured, taking a sip of his coffee.  I choked on the eclair I had just taken a bite of.  Was he being serious?  I had no idea how to respond.

The air was thick with the sexual tension between us.  I tapped my fingers on the table.  “So, tell me why are you so done with Pi Sig?  I thought you were Mr. Fraternity,” I asked, trying to refocus the conversation on something with less potential for an explosion.

Jordan cleared his throat.  “I used to be.  I mean, I like the guys alright.  But I get sick of the backhanded bullshit that goes on.  Do you know what I'm talking about?  I mean, you've got to see it over there with the Chi Delts,” he said.

I nodded, understanding him exactly.  “Yeah, it's kind of like swimming with sharks at times.  I worry they're going to take off my foot if I don't toe the line,” I joked.

Jordan frowned at me.  “Well, why do it then?  You don't seem like you belong with Olivia's herd.”  I didn't know if I should be insulted or not.