Page 20 of A Little Crush (The Little Things #6)

JAXON

I ’ve never been a fan of small talk, but I’d give anything to discuss the weather instead of drowning in Iris’s ramblings.

I used to find it cute. The thought is laughable now.

Or maybe there was less venom before. Less nitpicking on her end, and less tongue-biting on mine.

By some miracle, she let me keep Poppy overnight after the wedding.

We stayed in one of the rooms at the country club with the majority of the wedding party, though I left the reception earlier than most, grateful it was Poppy’s bedtime and I had a solid excuse to hide away.

After my conversation with Rory, I appreciated the quiet.

The time to think. If only Iris hadn’t ruined it with an early morning phone call, demanding Poppy be ready in ten minutes despite our original plan.

Scrubbing my hand over my face, I buckle Poppy’s car seat into the back of Iris’s Land Rover while she prattles on about how it would’ve been nice if she’d received an invitation to the wedding.

We’ve had this conversation at least a dozen times, and even though Mav gave me the final call as to whether my life would’ve been made easier or even more of a shit show than it normally is if Iris was invited, I’m not sure what path would’ve made Iris less nasty.

“I told you I would’ve been happy to drop Poppy off at the house this afternoon like we planned,” I remind her before giving my daughter one more kiss on the forehead.

“It’s not your week,” she snaps. “Remember?”

Not anymore , I want to clarify, but I swallow my comment.

After all, Iris is the one who asked if we could switch weeks despite the wedding being on the calendar for over a month.

The change gave Iris two weeks back-to-back, along with free ammunition for her allowing me to steal Poppy for one night thanks to the big event.

The irony isn’t lost on me, since I was the first to accommodate the switch, even if it messed with my own plans.

It’d be nice if she didn’t throw my generosity in my face, but here I am. The bad guy all over again.

Too tired to put up a fight, I mutter, “My mistake,” and unfold myself from the back of her car, closing the door behind me.

“Speaking of mistakes,” she continues, “Have you found a nanny yet?” She crosses her arms. “Because I will not let some stranger stay with my baby while you traipse around the world.”

Continent , I silently correct. And no, I haven’t found a nanny yet because anyone who even comes close is shot down as soon as I forward Iris the resume.

Not that it matters. It’s not like Poppy likes anyone but me, and the idea of her bawling for hours on end anytime I’m coaching is almost enough to make me draw up my resignation papers right here, right now.

It’s not like the weeks when I don’t have her are much better, though.

I hate it. Being away from her. Feeling like she’s leverage Iris can use anytime we’re apart .

Fuck.

I don’t even know what to do anymore.

“You know, you could always leave her with me full time,” Iris continues. “Although we’d have to take it into account when it comes to child support, but I’m sure my lawyer would be happy to send you his revisions.”

Of course, he would.

“That’s a very generous offer, but I’m taking care of it,” I reply.

“Oh, you are, are you?” She cocks her head.

“How so? Because it looks to me like you’re doing nothing but procrastinate.

The team’s training camp is in three days, Jaxon.

Three. Days. Have you even asked if I can cover your week and watch her?

” She scoffs. “No. You haven’t. Because you don’t think about anyone but yourself. ”

Bullshit. The last person I think about is myself, and if Iris hadn’t asked me to swap weeks a little while ago, I wouldn’t have had to find a nanny to drag to training camp with me, and I would’ve had more time to find someone.

My mom, who also happens to be my lawyer, warned me about this.

About Iris weaponizing her time with Poppy so she could ask for more child support despite my initial generosity during mediation.

Yeah, my mom warned me about that, too. How I should’ve fought harder instead of giving in to Iris’s every whim.

Not that it matters anymore. If I don’t find someone to watch Poppy while I travel, Iris will be my only option.

Sure, my parents can step in here and there, but that isn’t a long term solution. Hell, it’s the furthest from it.

So where does it leave me? Fucked. Absolutely fucked. My molars grind as I stare at Poppy’s profile through the back window. Her button nose. Pouty lips. The way they wobble ever so slightly, like she’s dreaming of her bottle or some shit. My mouth lifts at the view .

Reaching for my bicep, Iris twists me to face her. “Are you ignoring me, Jaxon?”

My patience thins even more, but I mutter, “Not ignoring you.”

“Then why won’t you answer me? Hmm?”

Because right now, you’re trying to poke the bear, and I’m not in the mood. The thought flickers through my mind, but I clear my throat, preparing to answer when someone calls out, “Hi!”

My head twists toward the sound as a barefoot Rory strides across the lawn.

“Hi,” she repeats. Offering her hand to my ex, Rory waits for her to take it.

Instead, Iris stares at Rory’s extended arm. “Who’s this?” she asks me.

“I’m the new nanny,” Rory answers. “My name’s Rory. Hi.”

“You’re the nanny?”

“Yes. Hi,” Rory repeats for what, the third time? Fourth? Honestly, I’ve lost count already. It’s way too early for this shit.

“Hey, Rore,” I offer. The words come out more accusatory than I mean them to, but also, what the hell is she doing?

Rory’s attention flicks to me. “Hi.” But the look in her eyes? It screams, trust me.

And I want to. Fuck, do I want to. Seeing Rory with Poppy last night messed with my head on a level even I don’t understand.

My daughter looked happy. Content. In someone else’s arms other than mine.

And the spark of hope that filtered through me was only slightly tainted by resignation.

Because…go figure. The one person my daughter likes is the one person who wants nothing to do with me.

Or at least, she didn’t. So, why is she saving me now?

Ignoring Rory’s presence, Iris folds her arms, giving me a pointed look. “I thought you said you were working on it. ”

Shit, she’s right.

“Just finalized the paperwork this morning,” Rory interjects. “Last night was a test run to see if I was a good fit with Poppy, and…”

“And I offered her the job after seeing how well they got along,” I finish for her. “I was just waiting…”

“For my official acceptance, which…here it is.” Rory steps forward.

“I’ll take the job. Obviously. By the way, Poppy looks so much like you,” Rory adds, giving Iris the warmest, kindest, most genuine smile.

And honestly, I shouldn’t expect anything less.

It’s Rory. “Anyway, I know if the roles were reversed, I’d be super anxious to let my brand new baby hang out with just anyone, so if you ever want to chat or…

anything at all, I am open to whatever you need, and, uh, I’ll be sure to send pictures if…

” she peeks over at me. “If that’s what my employer wants.

Um, I’ll leave you two to it.” Still facing us, she takes a step back toward the main building where the rest of her family are probably still tucked in their beds.

“Nice to have met you. Have a good day.” Then, she turns on her bare feet and strides away, leaving me in a whirlwind of confusion.

Did that really just happen?

And is it a bad thing?

A good thing?

I don’t even know.

Is she serious? There’s no way. She doesn’t even live in Lockwood Heights anymore. This is only a…a short term solution, but at least I have a few more days to come up with an actual game plan. It's more than I had two minutes ago.

“Rory, huh?” Iris clicks her tongue against the roof of her mouth, giving me an icy stare that could curdle milk. “As in the Rory?”

My jaw clenches, and I tear my attention from Rory entering the country club, turning back to Iris.

I’ve never talked about her. Not really.

Not because Rory or I have anything to be ashamed of, but because…

I don’t know. Maybe a small piece of me always knew Iris would never understand any of it.

How close we were. The way Rory always looked up to me.

The way I always looked out for her. Like a brother. That’s all.

“She just graduated,” I tell her. “Came home for the wedding and hit it off with Poppy so I…I offered her the job.”

“Hmm.” Iris purses her lips. “She’s young.”

“She’s in her twenties and more than capable.”

“And young,” Iris repeats.

My shoulder lifts. “Poppy likes her.”

“I don’t give a shit if Poppy likes her, Jaxon, I?—”

“I’m not required to give you a say in who watches our baby, Iris,” I remind her. “Not when she’s with me. Just like I have no say in how you let Chris move in with you.”

“Are you saying you’re interested in her?” she seethes, jumping to non-existent conclusions so fast my head spins. My patience threatens to snap.

“She’s an employee and a family friend. Nothing more. And if you knew Rory at all, you’d know Poppy couldn’t be in better hands.”

The same purse of her lips swallows her expression, making me wonder how I ever fell for her in the first place.

I’m not sure why I’m pushing this. Why I’m committing to this insane idea when there’s no way in hell Rory was serious.

She was being impulsive. Rushing in to save the day without thinking of any actual consequences or long-term effects.

Hell, we don’t even live in the same state.

It would never work. But at least it buys me a few more days.

I can come up with a solution by then. Can’t I? Not sure I have a choice. Not anymore.

“Do you need anything else, Iris?” I ask .