Page 8 of A Little Crush
I glance at Hades, my German Shepherd sitting pretty in the passenger seat after I picked him up from the groomer. “I mean, I think they did a pretty good job. He’s nice and clean, and?—”
“I meant the run-in with Jaxon,” she clarifies. “Smart-ass.”
My mouth lifts. “Oh.That.” Scrunching my nose, I debate whether or not opening this particular can of worms is worth the effort or if it’ll only feed my obsessive tendencies. I’m an overthinker on a good day. Add in my best friend’s two cents, and I could wind up spiraling for a week.
“Yes,that,” Tatum says. “How was it seeing Jaxon? I wanted to ask at the party, but I was being nice and biding my time, which is officially right now.”
“It was very uneventful,” I lie. “As it should’ve been, since he’s married and all. How was the family dinner with Pax?”
“You already asked me that question at the pool party,remember? And way to be subtle about the subject change, Rore. Spill.”
Sometimes I hate how well my best friend knows me.
Tongue in cheek, I offer, “There’s nothing to spill.”
“Rory Buchanan, don’t think I won’t drive back to your house and smack you upside the head if you don’t fill me in. I already pointed out how I was nice enough not to bring it up at the pool in front of Dodger and Raine, but this is like, ten years in the making, girlfriend. I repeat,spill.”
Scratching behind Hades’ ear with my free hand, I’m grateful for his presence in the passenger seat as I mutter, “He saw me at the pool before everyone else got there, said, ‘Fuck,’and disappeared back into the house. Later, I ran into him in the hallway when I went to pee. He said it was good to see me, I said it was good to see him, then Dodger found me and escorted me back to the pool. That’s it. See? Nothing to spill.”
She hesitates, and I know she’s sorting through each and every minute detail I gave her during my short debrief. “Hmm.”
“Told you,” I say.
“I mean, he saidfuckwhen he saw you in a bathing suit, so?—”
“It wasn’t like that,” I argue.
“You sure?”
“A hundred percent certain, yes.” I flick on my blinker and turn onto my childhood street. “Now, will you please let it go?”
“Fiiiine,” she drags out, “but only because I can hear how testy you are right now. If there are any more updates, I expect full details, okay?”
Pulling into my parents’ driveway, I mumble, “Sure thing.”
“Perfect. PS, I’m actually on my way to your house right now.”
“What? Why?”
“No idea. You’re talking to amicable Tatum. She doesn’t ask questions and only follows orders from the bride, and the bride just texted, asking if I could meet at your parents’ house, so I’ll see you in a few.”
“See you then.” I tell her, ending the call. After shoving my car into park, I turn off the ignition and open my door, calling for Hades to follow as I head inside.
It’s kind of weird. Being home again. Don’t get me wrong. I visited over the years. For holidays. Birthdays. Long breaks from school. Unlike Tatum, who avoided all things Lockwood Heights like the Plague until recently, I didn’t mind coming home for short stints of time. But I’ve never had to field whether or not I’d run into Jaxon. Or maybe my parents fielded him for me. I wouldn’t put it past them. It’s not like I’m a hard person to read. But this trip is different. Jaxon is one of Maverick’s closest friends, and I’m Maverick’s little sister. Of course we’re going to run into each other during all the festivities. But it doesn’t matter how much I’ve tried to prepare myself, or how insignificant yesterday’s encounter was. I’m still on edge. Still anxious. So much so, I can’t help but scan the street one more time to be sure he isn’t here.
So far, so good. Hades runs ahead, and I follow behind before opening the front door. In a flash, he gallops off with my parents’ dog, Mufasa.
After Kovu died, they purchased another German Shepherd from the same breeder, continuing the lineage and tradition the same way I did after moving to school and realizing how ugly my obsessive compulsive disorder could be when I was away from home.
Yeah, Hades might not be as friendly as Kovu. Hell, heflunked out of his training. But I needed him during those first few years of college more than I’d ever admit out loud.
“Hey, Hades.” My mom’s voice filters in from the kitchen. I follow it, finding her squatting next to the island as she pets my demon of a dog. “Don’t you look handsome.” Hearing my footsteps, she looks up and smiles. “So, what do you think of the groomer? Not too bad, right?”
“Yeah, I think he looks great. Thanks for the recommendation.”
“He does look great,” she agrees. “And you’ll look so handsome at the wedding, won’t you, Hades?” Her mouth curves up. “I think Fasa knows he’s next.”
“His appointment’s tomorrow, right?”
