Page 79 of A Little Crush
Maintaining the facade of indifference, I nod. “Will do.”
The song ends seconds later, and Crowther snakes his arm around Rory’s waist, guiding her off the dance floor when Rory’s eyes light up.
“Hey, Dad!” she rushes toward him and gives him a hug.
“Hey, Squeaks,” Henry returns before letting her go and tilting his head toward the man beside her. “You gonna give me an official introduction?”
“Dad, this is Eric Crowther, as I’m sure you know. Eric, this is my dad, Henry Buchanan.”
Crowther’s eyes bulge as they dart from Rory, to the owner of the NHL Lions, then back again. “I thought you were my boss’s nanny, not my boss’sboss’sdaughter.”
“Rory Buchanan,” she says, proudly, and offers her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
With a low laugh, he takes her hand, kissing the back of it like they’ve been transported to some 1500’s bullshit ball or something. “Should I call you princess, or…?”
She stifles a sweet giggle that makes my throat knot and pulls her fingers from his grasp. “Lady Rory’s fine.”
He laughs even harder. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“You know, I think I like where this is going. Every man wants his daughter treated like a princess,” Henry notes. It makes my mind reel even more. He likes where this is going? He likes the idea of Crowther and Rory together? The man’s a womanizer. Henry has to see?—
“So, Coach,” Crowther says, addressing me. “Tell me something. How did you win over Rory’s dog?”
Rory laughs. “Eric?—”
“The thing almost bit me in the ass when I picked up our Rory here,” Crowther continues, speaking over her. “And she mentioned the only guy Hades has ever approved of is you.”
The world feels like it’s spinning as I process Crowther’s words. First of all, since when is RoryourRory? Yeah, that pisses me off. But the idea of Hades nearly biting Crowther in the ass is almost enough to stifle the emotion. And the reminder that I’m the only man Hades approves of? Call me a sucker, but it’s like music to my fuckin’ ears.
I open my mouth to tell him to fuck off, but Rory chimes in, cutting me off.
“I never said he’s theonlyguy Hades approves of,” she defends. “He likes my brother and dad, too.”
Henry’s giant hand lands on Rory’s shoulder. “Hate to break it to you, but yesterday, your dog growled at me for kissing your mom goodbye.”
She rolls her eyes. “That’s only because I hadn’t let him outside yet.”
“Sure it is.” With a smirk, Henry gives his attention to Crowther. “I’ve tried peanut butter and beef jerky as bribery, and neither of them got me anywhere. If you figure out something that works, let me know. And you.” He turns to me. “Should’ve known you’d be the one to crack the code with Hades. Did the same with Rore from day one.” He kisses his daughter’s cheek. “I’ll see you at home, Rore.”
“Bye, Dad.”
As he leaves, an awkward blanket settles over our little threesome, and I tuck my hands into my pockets, rocking back on my heels. What the hell am I supposed to do now?
“You bring a date tonight?” Crowther asks me.
The asshole probably means well, and it only pisses me off more. The way he’s trying to be inclusive.
I shake my head. “Nah, I’m not seeing anyone.”
Rory’s gaze drops to the ground as she gives a single dip of her chin before giving Crowther her full focus. “Hey, we should get a drink. Or three.”
“Anything for you, princess.” He touches her back again, then leads her to the bar. With every step she takes, my frustration grows. It clouds my judgment, threatening to blind me completely until all I’m left with is jealousy.
She’s not mine. I know it. Fuck, do I know it. But now that I know what she tastes like, I can’t help but wonder if I should do something about it.
Yeah, I need a drink.
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