Page 43 of A Little Crush
“Promise me if you catch feelings, you’ll leave. You’ll put yourself first, and you’ll get out of there.”
“I won’t?—”
“Rory.” She gives me a look that would make both our mamas proud.
“It’s not even an issue,” I retort. “Besides, Jaxon thinks I’m with Dodger, and I’m sure if I ask Dodge to continue our little ruse, he’ll be up for it as long as not too many people find out, and any potential awkward encounters will be mitigated because Jaxon will know I’m not interested. Because I can’t be. Because I have a boyfriend.”
Giving me the side-eye, Tatum argues, “Yeah, that was really convincing.”
I shove her shoulder and lay down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. “It’ll be fine.”
“You’re right. It will be. And the moment it isn’t, you’ll call me and Pax, and I will fly to where you are, and we’ll pick you up. We promise.”
She would, too. I know it. Even though I want to tell her there’s no need and she’s being ridiculous. The truth is, I’m grateful. That she has my back even when I don’t necessarily deserve it. After all, I’m willingly putting my fragile heart in a very difficult position, and I can say I’m fine all I want, but if I’m honest with myself, I’m not entirely sure. I want to be. I want to be over him. I want to be solid with my stance on our friendship and my own feelings. But wanting something doesn’t make it true. Not really. Only my sheer determination will get me through this, and even that wavers from time to time.
Don’t think like that, I silently remind myself.
Rolling onto my side, I face my best friend. “Thanks, Tate.”
“You know I’ve got you.”
And she’s right. I do. It’s my favorite thing about the girl. Tatum might be a mess in some areas of her life—hell, before she met Pax, she was a mess in all areas of her life—but when it comes to her relationships, when it comes to me and our friendship, she’s as solid as stone, and I’ve never been more grateful for it.
As Tatum lays beside me, I ask, “So, how are you and?—”
My phone buzzes with a text, interrupting me.
Jaxon
Hey. Is this still Rory’s number?
My heart surges into my throat as I scan the message. Even if I didn’t have his number saved in my phone, I’d still recognize it even after all these years. Whether or not it’s a good thing is debatable, though.
“Who is it?” Tatum asks.
I gulp. “Jax.”
Curious, she rolls onto her stomach and props her head on her hands. “What’d he say?”
Showing her my phone so I won’t have to relay the entire conversation, I type my response.
Me
Hey, Jax. Yes, it’s me. Hi.
Jaxon
Hey. I was thinking, would you be interested in grabbing a drink with me tonight so we can talk?
Talk? Talk about what? My palms sweat at the thought alone as I fight the urge to dissect every single word like it holds the answer to world peace despite the other half of my brain screaming at me that it isn’t a loaded question. He wants to meet up to talk. Simple. Straightforward. And very Jaxon Thorne. I shouldn’t expect anything less. But if that’s the case, why is the thought of sitting down alone with the guy so nerve-wracking?
“He wants to buy you a drink?” Tatum asks.
I glance at her. “I mean, it’s logical. Right?”
“Coffee’s logical. Drinks?” Tatum whistles. “Drinks are dangerous.”
“His mornings are probably full,” I argue. “The guy’s busy.”
