BAD REP(55)

“Whatever, bitch.”  And he stormed off.

“I need to go teach that shit some manners,” Jordan growled, ready to go after him.  I grabbed a hold of Jordan's arm to stop him.

“Jordan.  Chill out.”  He stilled and looked down at me.  We stood there staring at each other for a minute and I realized I was still holding onto his arm.  Feeling self-conscious, I dropped my hand and wiped my clammy palm on the skirt of my dress.

“Thanks,” I said a little shyly.  Jordan gave me cute half smile.

“Anything for you, Mays,” he said quietly and I had to seriously suppress the urge to jump up and down.  This boy was my complete undoing.

“Thanks for helping out our girl, Mays.  But I think she could have handled herself.”  Olivia said a little cooly, appearing beside us.  I took a quick step back, making sure there was an appropriate amount of space between Jordan and me.

Olivia, flanked by Milla, was looking at me in a way that made me anxious.  I had to defuse this situation and fast.

“You're right.  I could totally have taken him.  But guys like Jordan have to step in and ruin our female empowerment, right?” Okay, so my attempt at lightheartedness was going down like a lead balloon.  Jordan gave me a funny look.

“Well, thanks again, Jordan,” I said one last time and then got the hell away from all of them.  I found Gracie in the back corner of the room, tangled around her date.

“Gracie, could you help me find the bathroom?” I asked her, looking away as I saw her tongue fly into the guy's mouth.  I stood there awkwardly for a few minutes before calling her name again.  She finally pried her lips from Eric's, a trail of saliva connecting them.  That was just nasty.

“What?” she asked shortly.

“Can you help me find the bathroom please?” I asked nicely.  I had to pee, but more than that I needed some girl talk.  If I didn't unload some of this bullshit going on with Jordan I thought I might explode.  And I trusted Gracie.  I knew she'd listen and not gossip behind my back later.

But I had caught her at a very bad time.  She gave me the look of death.   “I think you can find it yourself.  Later, Mays.”  She gave me a very pointed look before returning to the full examination she was giving Eric's tonsils.  Sighing heavily, I made my way to the staircase.  I figured going upstairs would be the best bet at getting some quiet.

I just needed a moment to get my whirling thoughts straight.  Jordan was wreacking havoc on my head and my heart.  One minute I was determined to do the right thing and stay away, the next he was making that very resolve next to impossible.

I hurried up the stairs and found the bathroom.  I splashed some water on my face and took a dozen deep breaths.  I can do this!  I am not a slutty backstabber!  I chanted to myself.

When I thought I had composed myself enough to return to the party, I opened the door.  And ran smack into Jordan.  My hands flew up in front of me and I braced myself against his chest.  His hands came up and gripped my upper arms, holding me in place.

In my wedged sandals, I was almost at eye height, and it was nice to look at him without getting a crick in my neck.  I tried to move to the side to let him by.

“It's all yours,” I said, motioning to the bathroom.

Jordan didn't let go of my arms. Instead he pushed me backwards so I had to stumble into the bathroom.  He flicked the light on and closed the door behind us.  I backed up into the wall and stared at him.  I was acutely aware of the fact that we were in a tiny space.  Alone.  Together.

I knew Jordan was drunk but the intensity in his eyes made my stomach flip over.  “What can I do for you, Jordan?” I asked lightly, trying to alleviate some of the crazy tension crackling in the air between us.

Jordan ran his hands over his head and clasped them together behind his neck.  His eyes bored into mine.  “I can't keep doing this, Maysie.”  I coughed to cover my discomfort.

“Can't keep doing what?”  I nervously started twirling a strand of hair around my finger.

Jordan reached out to touch the hair that I was frantically wrapping around my finger.  “This. I can't keep doing this.  I can't keep pretending that I don't want you.  That I can handle seeing other guys watch you and look at you.  Jesus, Mays, I wanted to beat the shit out of Gio!  And I would have!  I see f*cking red when another guy even breathes in your direction!  I can't keep lying to myself that I don't care about you.  Because I do.  So damn much.”  Okay, I had officially stopped breathing.