Page 136 of A Little Crush
“I know, but you don’t understand?—”
“I understand better than most, Jax.” He glances over his shoulder, confirming we’re still alone as he drops his voice low. “Or have you forgotten you’re not the only one with an ex who has a penchant for friction and a lack of acceptance?”
Well, shit.
He’s right. If anyone gets it, it’s him. Rumor has it, his ex, Summer, threw a massive fit when she found out he was dating Kate.
If Iris gave me an ultimatum, what would I do? Would I let my daughter go? Not a chance. But would I let Rory go, either? The thought alone makes my fists clench, and a shudder of unease rolls down my spine. Poppy’s my world. She’s my baby. My everything. But Iris would never put me in that position.
Would she?
She couldn’t. Not legally, anyway. Not without forcing me to take a paternity test, which would put her monthly child support checks on the line, and she’s too greedy for that. Add in Iris lying during mediation about when she started sleeping with Chris, and I’m pretty sure the odds of her requesting a paternity test are close to zero. The real question is whether or not Rory’s ready to put up with Iris’s shit. Because that much is inevitable. And I’m so exhausted from the fighting. But let’s say she does play nice and doesn’t threaten to take my daughter from me. Iris still won’t be happy. Pretty sure she’s incapable. Doesn’t Rory deserve more than that? Dealing with a shitty ex all because I share a daughter with her? Then again, isn’t it Rory’s decision in the first place?
Shit. I don’t know anymore. Not really.
I want to protect her from it all. My past. My baggage. Not because she isn’t strong enough to handle it, but because they’re my mistakes. Mine. Then again, so is she. She’s mine. If she’ll have me. The familiar mind-fuck swirls through my brain, digging into every tiny crevice until my thoughts are so consumed, it takes me a second to feel Macklin’s curious stare.
“Seems you have a lot to think about,” he notes.
“Not that it’s new,” I clarify with a sigh. “But you’re right. She does deserve better.”
“She does. So the question is, what are you gonna do about it?”
47
RORY
“Are you sure you want to go out tonight?” I ask as I lean closer to the mirror and dab on some lip gloss. After the game, he sent me a text, saying he was picking up dinner. Instead, he showed up with a little black dress and a reservation at a local restaurant. Not that I’m complaining. Doing anything with Jaxon and Poppy is a win in my book, but still. “What if someone sees us together? I mean, I know we have Poppy as a buffer, but it’s a little harder to write off our motives considering this dress.” I twist the cap back on the makeup and motion to the dress in question. It's gorgeous and fits me perfectly, highlighting my curves and showing just enough skin to look sexy without making me feel uncomfortable. Honestly, the choice is evidence of how well the man knows me, and when I tried it on a few minutes ago, my stupid heart pitter-pattered like a lovesick puppy.
Leaning against the doorjamb with Poppy on his hip, Jaxon watches my reflection. “Don’t worry. I took care of it.”
“Are you sure you don’t want takeout or something?”
“In that dress?” His chuckle is low and throaty. “Not evenclose.” He strides toward me and kisses my cheek, careful not to step on Hades lounging on the tile at my feet. “You look way too good to be hidden in this penthouse.”
“Maybe, but outside of this penthouse is Lockwood Heights and way too many family and friends,” I remind him.
“It’s a risk I’m willing to take. The question is, are you?”
My brows furrow as the buzzer to the elevator sounds from the front. “Who is it?”
With a shrug, Jaxon stays quiet and moves aside, giving me room to go see for myself. Curious, I stride into the hallway toward the panel near the kitchen, confirming that whoever’s requesting access to the penthouse can come up, since it’s clear Jaxon knows their identity.
Thirty seconds later, the elevator opens. When I recognize the culprit, my lips part, and my breath stalls. “Oh.” Hades’ bark cuts through the awkward silence, and I show him my palm. “Hades, hush.” Leaving less than an inch of space between us, my grumpy beast plops his butt on the ground but doesn’t take his eyes off one of the last people I would’ve expected to see. I clear my throat. “Uh. Hey, Uncle Mack.” I peek over my shoulder in hopes of Jaxon being close so he can save me from an awkward conversation. Not that Uncle Mack is awkward. It’s just…what the hell am I supposed to say if he asks about my outfit? It’s not exactly my regular nanny attire.
“You look nice,” he says.
I smooth down the front of my dress, avoiding his gaze. “Thank you. Uh, Jax is…”
“Hey, Uncle Mack,” Jaxon greets from behind me. “Thanks for coming.”
With a frown, I glance at Jax. Did he plan this?
“We’ll only be gone for a couple hours,” Jaxon continues.
“I’m not worried. Take your time,” Macklin answers.
Dumbfounded, I turn back to Uncle Mack. Why is heacting like me being in a sexy black dress for an evening out with Jaxon is the norm?
