Page 1 of A Little Crush
1
JAXON
Ishould probably be in a better mood. After all, one of my childhood friends is getting married and has been head over heels for the girl for years. I think all of us knew they’d tie the knot at one point or another. Add in everything they’ve been through to get here, and I’m pretty sure they’re soulmates.
Guess I’m a little jaded after my own experience. It doesn’t help that I just dropped off my daughter, Poppy, with my ex. A shiver runs up my spine from the memory alone as I reach for Maverick’s parents’ front door and walk inside without waiting for an invitation. To be honest, his parents would be offended if I did anything else.
It’s quiet for what feels like the first time in months as I take in the empty foyer before walking further into the house. Ever since Maverick announced his proposal to Ophelia, the hinges have been working double-time to accommodate all the Sunday brunches as family and friends gathered to plan their big day.
The question is, where is everyone? I know I’m a few minutes early, but still. I take in the empty kitchen and largefamily room. A veggie tray, a bowl of fruit, and a basket of bagels sit on the kitchen counter as Maverick’s mom appears from the opposite hallway. Her hair is the color of honey at the moment, though I’ve seen it range from black to silvery blonde over the years. I’m pretty sure this color suits her best. When she smiles, her eyes crinkle in the corners, and it never ceases to amaze me. The way she carries herself. So inviting and genuine. It reminds me of her daughter, Rory, though Archer, Maverick’s twin, was the same way.
“Jax.” Opening her inked arms, she strides toward me and pulls me into a hug. “Hey. You’re early.”
I return her grasp with a smile, wrapping my arms around her willowy frame. “Hey, Aunt Mia.” The name rolls off my tongue with ease, despite the lack of actual blood relation. Even so, she’s family, thanks to being one of my mom’s best friends. Always has been, always will be. Letting her go, I explain, “I know I’m early, but I dropped Poppy off and figured, why head home only to turn back around and?—”
My phone vibrates in my pocket, making my brows dip as I pull it out. “Shit, one sec.” It’s my ex, Iris. My stomach bottoms out at the four letters shining from my screen as I glance back at my Aunt Mia. “Sorry, I have to take this.”
“No worries.” She motions to the sliding glass doors off the kitchen. “People are going to be here in a few minutes if you want to use the balcony for some privacy.”
“Thanks.”
Heading toward the glass doors, I answer my phone, bringing it to my ear. “Hey, Iris?—”
“You forgot her backup bottle.”
My muscles seize as I register her words. Of course, that’s why she’s calling. It’s not like she doesn’t have a dozen bottles at her place. And I know I put it in the diaper bag. I fucking know it. It was in the side pocket, where I always put it. I also made sure to pack at least four extra diapers, twobinkies, and diaper rash cream since the last time Iris watched her, she came back with a sore bum. So, no. I didn’t forget the bottle. I know it, and so does Iris. She’s calling to pick a fight.
Squeezing the bridge of my nose, I mutter, “Are you sure? I thought I?—”
“I’m not an idiot, Jax. It’s not here.”
I grind my teeth and drop my hand to my side. “Never said you’re an idiot, Iris. I’m sorry if I forgot to pack?—”
“If?” she snaps.
Breathing in deeply through my nose, I pray for patience and step outside, hoping the fresh air will help ground me. It’s warm and bright, making me squint as I offer, “I’m at Mav’s right now, but I can swing by and drop off another bottle in a couple of hours.”
A quiet splash from the pool echoes from beyond the wrought iron railing, distracting me. I walk toward the sound, confused. I thought I was early? Finley suggested a lazy pool party so all the ladies could soak in some sunshine and the kids could play in the water as everyone catches up. But if I’m early, who’s in the pool now?
The warmth from the wrought iron seeps into my forearms while I listen to Iris berating me yet again and peer over the edge. The grass surrounding the pool is green but free of the dozen-plus bodies I have no doubt will be scattered across it within the next half hour. Mav, Ev, Reeves, Griffin. They’ll be here soon with their families. The chairs surrounding the pool are empty, too, except for a stack of folded towels. Aunt Mia must’ve laid them out in preparation for the looming chaos.
Someone’s in the pool, though I don’t know who. Thanks to the light reflecting off the surface, I’m half-blind up here. Squinting, I try to collect clues as to who it might be. Baby blue bikini. Tan skin. No kids. No boyfriend or husband insight. She’s alone. A divot forms between my brows. Bending closer, I try to place the stranger beneath the water’s rippling surface. She kicks her legs, stretching her arms in front of her as she swims from one end of the pool to the next, her head never fully breaking the surface. My dick stirs at the imagery. Her body rolling like a mermaid’s. Her long hair trailing behind her. Her baby blue swimsuit outlining her tight ass.
Who the hell is this girl?
“Are you even listening to me?” Iris snaps. The venom dripping through the speaker is almost enough to convince me to drag my attention from the woman beneath me. But not quite.
“Yeah, sorry,” I mutter. “I’m here.”
Except I’m not. I’m still lost in the water. The fluid movements. The sun-kissed skin. The subtle curves. Fuck, thanks to the fallout with Iris earlier this year, I haven’t wanted anything to do with the opposite sex in too fucking long until this very moment.
Nice to know I’m not dead.
When the stranger reaches the opposite end of the pool, her head fully breaks the surface, her long, ashy blonde hair floating around her. She flips onto her back, not bothering to open her eyes as she lazily soaks up the sun above us.
Gorgeous.
Fucking gorgeous.
