BAD REP(72)

“I need to get out of here.  Please, Gracie.”  She didn't try to convince me otherwise.  She must have seen how close I was to losing it.  We went to find Riley who was wrapped around Damien as though they were one freaking person.  She started to insist on coming with us but I had simply held up my hand to stop her.  I asked Damien to make sure she was taken care of and then with a hug to my best friend, Gracie and I left.

When we got back to the apartment I insisted on Gracie heading on home.  It was after midnight and I didn't feel like being around people anymore.  “Okay, well as long as you're okay.” Gracie looked at me skeptically.

“I'll be fine.  I'm just going to go inside and put my face mask on and go to bed.  I'm exhausted.” I faked a yawn.  In truth, I was the farthest thing from tired.  I was so keyed up I thought I would blow a gasket.  But the last thing I wanted was small talk or my friend's efforts to make me less miserable.  As well intentioned as they were.

Gracie nodded.  “Alright, girlie.  I'll call you tomorrow and we can get lunch or something.”  I gave her a small smile.

“Sounds great.” I got out and slammed the car door.  I waited until she had driven off before making my way into the apartment.  Where I was left alone with my bitterness.
Chapter Fifteen



I changed into my tiny little pj shorts and a tank top.  Pulling my hair into a high ponytail on top of my head, I grabbed my basket of nail polish and accessories and headed back out to the couch.  I started to give myself a late night pedicure, choosing a garish red.  Might as well look the part of the harlot if I was going to be labeled one.

I had finished the final coat on my nails when there was a loud knock on my door, startling me.  I peered up at the clock on the wall.  It was almost 1:30 in the morning.  Who the hell could be beating my door down at this time of night?

Whoever it was, wasn't very patient as I heard another pound on the door.  “Alright!” I called out, getting up off the couch.  I sort of waddled to the door, careful to keep my newly painted toenails up off of the floor.

I unlocked the door and pulled it open.  And almost dropped dead right there.  “What the hell are you doing here?” I asked in shock, coming face to face with a very pissed off Jordan.  His jaw was tense and he was clicking his tongue ring back and forth over his teeth in agitation.

“Can I come in?” he asked, his calm voice at odds with the tension radiating from his body.  I blocked the doorway, not sure what to do.

“Don't you have some groupies to keep company?” I asked and hated how jealous I sounded.  Jordan shook his head.

“Don't start this immature shit, please.  If I gave a damn about any of those girls would I be here right now?” he asked, clearly frustrated.  Hmm.  Do I get annoyed that he called me immature? Or giggle like a school girl because he admitted to wanting to see me?  Ack!  I needed to get it together!

So I tamped down both reactions and concentrated on the matter at hand.  “How did you find out where I live?” I asked, suddenly very aware of my barely there shorts and shirt and the fact that I wasn't wearing a bra.  I tried to discretely cross my arms over my chest.

“Does it matter?” he asked tersely.  I frowned at his attitude.

“Well, actually it sort of does.”  Jordan ran his hands over his buzzed head and I could see the fine tremors in his arms. He was very worked up.  He braced himself on the door jam, leaning into me.  I backed up a fraction, uncomfortable with our close proximity.

“You think I'd let you hide from me forever?” he asked softly, his eyes sparking with an intensity that took my breath away.

I swallowed and moved aside, letting him come in.  There was no point in having this conversation in the hallway.  And I had the feeling he wouldn't leave, even if I slammed the door in his face.  He had a look of pure determination.  “I was getting ready to go to bed.” I replied, trying to put a serious time limit to this little discussion he seemed insistent that we have.

Jordan stood in the middle of my living room, his back to me.  I couldn't help but check out the strong muscles of his shoulders and upper back.  I had never found the back of someone's neck to be sexy before.  But damn if Jordan Levitt didn't have a sexy neck.  I wanted to put my lips right below the hair line.