BAD REP(59)

“Did you really hook up with Jordan Levitt in the bathroom?” Gracie asked, putting her hand on my shoulder.  I couldn't say anything; my throat felt like it had closed up.

So, I simply nodded.  “Well, shit,” was all she said and then she put her arm around my shoulders.  Her act of compassion was all it took to unleash my tears.  I started to sob.  Deep, ugly crying.  And Gracie let me.  She didn't say anything until I had finally calmed down.

I looked up at her, hiccuping.  “What happened?” she asked me.  I clutched at her kindness like a lifeline.  In that moment I knew with absolute certainty that most of my so called sisters weren't my friends.  I paid all of that damn money to hang out with girls who would turn their backs so much as look at me.  What a depressing realization.

“I don't know.  It just sort of happened,” I said lamely.  Gracie shook her head.

“No.  Jordan Levitt doesn't just sort of happen.  Now spill.”  I took a shaky breath and sat back in my chair.

“I really don't know how to explain all of this.  Jordan and I work together at Barton's.  You know that.” My explanation wasn't explaining anything at all.

“Yeah, well that doesn't tell me how your lips ended up on his.  Not that I blame ya, girlfriend.”  She gave me a small smile and I couldn't help but chuckle.  Man, I loved her.  Our smiles disappeared as fast as they appeared as we both grew serious again.

“Jordan asked me out while Olivia was away this summer.  I didn't know who he was when I met him.  I had no idea he had a girlfriend when he asked me out.  You know me, Gracie!  I wouldn't do that!  Especially not to one of my sisters!” I said, my voice rising in desperation.

Gracie squeezed my shoulders.  “I know that, Mays,” she said quietly.  I shook my head again.

“I found out that he was Olivia's boyfriend when you, Vivian and Milla came into the bar that first night.  And I told him to back the hell off.  That nothing was going to happen between us,” I said.  Gracie nodded.

“That sounds like you.”  I appreciated her believing me.  I had a feeling that that was going to be in short supply over the next few days.

“I tried to keep my distance!  I really did!  But there's something between us.  I can't explain it.  It's like this crazy connection that is impossible to resist.  It was harmless flirting for a while.  But then tonight...” My words trailed off.  No need to explain what had gone down this evening.  She already knew.

“So you like him.  I get that.  But, Mays.  He's Olivia's boyfriend.  They've been together forever.  The other girls aren't going to take this well.  You could get blackballed for this,” she told me matter-of-factly.

Blackballed?  Christ! I hadn't even thought about that.  I could get kicked out of Chi Delta.  But after seeing the way the other girls were treating me already, I wasn't sure I even wanted to be a part of the sorority anymore.

“He said he wanted to break up with Olivia,” I whispered.  Gracie gasped.

“Are you serious?” she squeaked.  I put my head in my hands.

“Jordan told me he wants us to be together.  But I can't do that.  Not now.” It all seemed so hopeless.  How had I made such a mess of things in such a short amount of time?  Gracie tugged on a piece of my hair and I looked up at her.

“Maysie, I think you need to get out of here.  They're probably lying in wait to attack in there.  You need to give everyone time to cool off.  And stay the hell away from Jordan.  Don't even entertain the idea.  No guy is worth losing your friends over,” she said with such surety.

But at that moment, I wasn't so sure I would be losing anything.  But I agreed that I had to leave.  I needed to get out of the fire.  And I sure as hell needed to keep a healthy distance from Jordan f*cking Levitt.  He made everything way more complicated than I could handle.  And I wasn't sure that was something I could deal with now, or maybe ever.

I got to my feet and Gracie followed suit.  We looked at each other for a minute before she pulled me into a hug.  I tried to choke back the tears that threatened to resurface.  Gracie rubbed my back comfortingly.

“It'll be okay.  It will all blow over.”  She sounded as though she didn't believe her words anymore than I did.