Page 71 of A Little Crush
She has no clue about a lot of things. She’s young and innocent and works for me and is a family friend, and if I screw this up, her dad will never forgive me. Neither will her brother or her mom or my mom or…anyone. My eyes trail to the camera attached to the door. Did Henry see this? Did Mia? It’s cloudy and pouring rain and we’re far from the lens, but is it enough?
What the hell am I doing?
I’m a divorced single father who travels for work. She’s an incredible, recently graduated woman with her entire life ahead of her. No baggage. No hang ups. She deserves morethan being caught up with a guy like me. And that’s if I can commit in the first place. I need to think this through. She needs to think this through.
Slow the hell down.
“You should…” My throat constricts, but I force the words out anyway. “You should go inside. I don’t want you to catch a cold.”
Something hits her eyes as the rain slides down her face, but she doesn’t open up. Doesn’t talk to me the way she used to. The way a small part of me still wants her to, even if I’d never admit it out loud. It’ll only mess things up even more.
“Of course not,” she murmurs, licking the moisture from her swollen bottom lip. “That kiss was, uh, was definitely a memorable one, so…I guess your job here is done.” Turning toward the door, she walks slowly up the steps, and I can’t help but notice the way her clothes cling to her skin, leaving little to the imagination. I fist my hands at my sides to keep from chasing after her and pushing her tight little body against the door, but fuck, do I want to. When she peeks over her shoulder at me at the last moment, the last of my restraint threatens to snap, but instead of inviting me inside, she says, “And don’t worry. I’ll, uh, I’ll delete the footage. My parents never check the camera anyway unless something weird happens. See you later, Jax.”
Like a punch to the gut, I take the hit and keep my expression in check. “See you later, Squeaks.”
She doesn’t hear me. The sound of water hitting the pavement drowns me out. If only it had the power to quiet my racing thoughts, too.
27
RORY
Ithought a hot shower would be enough to erase the feel of Jaxon’s hands on me. It doesn’t work. Then again, maybe I should blame the panty-melting video footage I deleted because that kiss was one for the books. After drying the shampoo and conditioner bottles so there isn’t any potential soap scum on the little shelf, I towel myself off, then slip into some sweats and a T-shirt before finding a text from Tatum.
Tatum
Hey! How was your flight? I’m ready for an update.
With a quiet groan, I dial Tate’s number and bring my cell to my ear, figuring it’ll be easier to word vomit the entire ordeal instead of telling her everything over text. There’s no way I’m keeping this mess to myself.
It rings a handful of times before my best friend’s voice echoes through the speaker. “Hey, Rore!”
“Hey,” I return. “I figured a call might be easier. How are you?”
“Good. Just hanging out. How are you? How was the flight? I’m sorry about the Lions’ loss.”
“You watched the first game?” I flick off the bathroom light and enter my bedroom. “You never watch?—”
“Technically, Lia told me.”
“Ah, makes sense.”
“Yeah, just because I’ve decided I don’t hate all things Lockwood Heights anymore doesn’t mean I’m willing to sit through anentirehockey game.”
A spark of amusement manages to break through my mopiness. “Of course not.”
“So?” she pushes. “Was this trip as uneventful as the last one? How’s Crowther and Poppy and Jax and-—”
“He kissed me,” I blurt out. There. I said it. And maybe I shouldn’t have, but I don’t know. I guess I could really use my best friend after whatever the hell happened outside. Honestly, I’m still spinning. My lips still tingle. My heartbeat is still erratic and unsteady, and…I can’t believe he kissed me.
“Crowther?” Tatum asks.
“Nope.” It comes out as a squeak, and a burn hits my eyes at the memory as I press my fingertips to my lips.
“Wait,Jaxonkissed you?” Her voice cracks on his name like she’s just as blindsided as I was before the sound of her phone clattering to the ground greets my ears. “Sorry,” she adds. “But seriously.Jaxonkissed you?”
“Mm-hmm,” I choke out. My butt finds the edge of my bed. “Yup. Twice, actually. He also touched my boobs, but he was drunk that time, so I’m not sure if?—”
“Hold up,” she orders. “Rory, slow down and start from the beginning.”
