Bad Rep (Bad Rep #1)(54)
Author: A. Meredith Walters

“Why, you don’t think I look hot in this? I thought I’d try and bring sleep deprived college student back as a legitimate style. What do ya think?”

Riley pulled on my ponytail. “Well, I guess the coffee stains and torn elastic could be considered trashy chic.” We laughed together.

“I can’t find anything to wear, Riley. I mean what do you wear to a biker bar?” Dave’s was a pretty rough place to go. I had heard of numerous stabbings there over the years. I had never dared to venture to Dave’s myself, but I had been told it was pretty hard core.

“Come on, you’ve got to have some black leather in there somewhere.” Riley peered into my closet.

“Actually…” I got to my feet and dug around in the pile of clothes on the floor and pulled out a short red leather mini skirt that I had gotten for the Chi Delta “Biker Babes Bash” last spring. Riley gave me a thumbs up.

“That’s more like it!” She enthused. I found a black halter top with a collar and open sleeves and then pulled out my black ankle boots to finish the ensemble. Okay, I felt better. Nothing like a killer outfit to pull me out of my doldrums.

“Now get dressed, the band goes on in thirty minutes. There isn’t enough time for your marathon primping. Just hurry up,” Riley told me blandly. I waved her out of my room and went about making myself look bikerlicious. When I was done (in record time, I might add), I took in my reflection and had to admit that I looked damn hot. Hell, I’d do me if I could.

I had put my hair up in a teased ponytail on the top of my head and left some chunky strands around my face. I did my makeup a little heavier than normal, rimming my eyes in dark liner. My lips were a deep, but I thought kissable, red. The tight mini skirt and even tighter top made my body look awesome. The whole process of getting ready to go out had done wonders for my spirit. I found I was looking forward to my evening. Ready to go see my man’s band and enjoy hanging out with people who weren’t there to judge or look down on me for my choices.

Tonight was supposed to be my first time hanging with Jordan’s band mates. Garrett was having a party at his house after their gig. Jordan warned that they usually got a little wild. I hadn’t really met the band yet, but Jordan had assured me that they were nothing like his brothers in Pi Sig. These were a bunch of guys who didn’t do the whole college scene. It was a little weird how Jordan had these two totally different lives. On one end you have Jordan #1. Mr. Pi Sig, the most popular guy at Rinard College. On the other, there was Jordan #2. The hardcore rocker who played music and went crazy with a bunch of townies. I wasn’t sure what to expect with Jordan #2. But I was excited to find out.

Riley had promised she’d come too. That made me feel better. She and Damien had been attached at the hip lately and I was with Jordan constantly. Our friendship had its ebbs and flows, but we had never gone this long without spending time together. I missed her.

We got to Dave’s with only ten minutes to spare. The place was packed. I had gotten my obligatory underage stamp on my hand. I intended to wipe it off using the small container of salt I had brought in my bag for such an occasion. This crowd was quite different than the ones I was used to. I didn’t make it a habit of hanging out in biker bars and as I took in the scary looking dudes and even scarier looking women, I knew why.

Riley pushed her way through the crowd to a table near the back. Damien had saved us a spot and we sat down, taking it all in. “Hey ladies. Lookin’ fine as always,” Damien yelled over the noise. Damien was cute in a math geek with an edge sort of way. He wore black framed glasses and had messy brown hair that fell nicely over his forehead. What was most important was the way he looked at my best friend. I knew love when I saw it and that was what was painted all over both of their faces. It warmed my heart.

Damien had brought his friend, Adam. Adam nodded in greeting, but was more interested in nursing his rum and coke than having a conversation, so we left him to it. “Hey, I’m going to head to the bathroom and try to get this off.” I held up my hand, indicating the huge green ‘x’ that let everyone and their brother know I was underage.

“You want me to come with?” Riley asked from her perch on Damien’s lap.

“No, I’m cool. I’ll be right back.” I made my way, very slowly, through the heaving crowd. I was knocked sideways a few times and almost lost my footing. I was finally able to push my way into the bathroom. I pulled out the tiny bottle of iodized salt and poured it on the back of my hand. Then I turned on the water and started scrubbing. These underage stamps used serious ink and this was a little party trick I had learned very early on in my college years.

I stood there at the sink, rubbing my skin raw in an attempt to get rid of the annoying x when I heard a very familiar voice. “I think this is the bathroom.” Olivia’s voice filtered in through the door and I hurriedly turned off the tap and bee lined to one of the stalls. Yuck. The stall was foul and I had to hold my nose so I wouldn’t breathe in the stench.

I heard the bathroom door open, the commotion of the bar wafting in. The stalls on either side of me opened and shut and I waited. What the hell was she doing here? I heard Olivia and at least two other girls leave the stalls and turn on the faucets. “Are you going to go back and see him before the show?” I recognized Milla’s voice. Great. The bitches were all here.

Then I realized what Milla had asked. There was no question as to who she was referring to. “No, I’ll see him afterwards at Garrett’s party. He said he’d be there.” I know I made a noise and I clamped down on my lips to stop myself. Oh god, Jordan had invited Olivia to Garrett’s party? What the hell was going on?

The girls got quiet and then the water turned off. “Do you think they’ll play your song tonight?” I recognized the voice as Talia’s, one of the new pledges.

“Which one?” Olivia giggled. I thought I would gag.

“You know, the song. The one Jordan wrote after you guys…you know…” Milla said suggestively. I could feel the acid in the back of my throat and I really thought I would lose my dinner. I could just picture Olivia’s dainty little blush at Milla’s comment.

“They always play that song, Milla. It’s Jordan’s favorite.” Olivia’s voice became husky, as though she were turned on or something. What f**king song were they talking about? Now I had to know, even though I knew when I heard it, I would wish I hadn’t.

My reaction was ridiculous, because I knew Olivia and Jordan’s history was as deep as it was long. But the thought of him writing songs about her was too much for my delicate self-esteem. Without a thought to the massive amount of germs living on the toilet seat, I sat down heavily and waited for them to leave.