Page 5 of A Little Crush (The Little Things #6)

RORY

“ H ey!” Tatum’s voice echoes through the Bluetooth speaker as I pull onto the main road. “So, how’d it go?”

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 said fuck when 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, he flunked 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?”

“Yup,” she confirms. “Poor guy. He hates the groomer.”

“I don’t know a dog who doesn’t.”

“Hey, Kovu didn’t mind, and Nala was an angel,” she adds, mentioning the puppy who started it all. The one my dad gifted her with when they first started dating.

“Yeah, well, they can’t all be like Nala, now can they?”

She chuckles softly and stands. “I guess not. Are you hungry?”

“Yeah, but I can make something?—”

“Don’t even think about it. I’m your mom, and I haven’t seen you in what feels like forever. Take a seat and tell me about your plans for after the wedding.”

Slipping onto one of the bar stools tucked under the center island, I rest my elbows on the cool surface and ask, “Is it bad if I tell you I don’t have any yet?”

“You? With no plans?” She rifles through the fridge, pulling out mayo, mustard, turkey, and a few more toppings for sandwiches. “Who are you, and what have you done with my daughter?”

I stick my tongue out at her for good measure, despite knowing she’s not wrong.

I’m a sucker for a plan. The problem is, plans mean commitment, and with the whirlwind of graduation and traveling home for the wedding, I wasn’t ready to jump into anything with both feet.

“I mean, I have a couple feelers out,” I tell her.

“There she is,” my mom teases.

“Nothing concrete, though,” I clarify. “It wasn’t really worth applying anywhere when I knew I’d have to ask for a few weeks off for the wedding.

Besides,” I steal a pickle from the jar and pop it into my mouth, “I love Harden Heights, but if I accept a job there, I’m officially committing to stay there for at least a couple years, so I’m kind of playing things by ear. ”

“Well, if moving’s on the table, I’m pretty sure your dad could find you a good deal at my old place.”

Yeah, I’m pretty sure her pretty sure is an understatement.

My family owns a few buildings around Lockwood Heights, one of which is an apartment complex by LAU’s campus.

He used to live in the penthouse, and my mom lived in the apartment beneath his.

It also happens to be where my most embarrassing moment transpired.

The thought of going back there, let alone living in those four walls, is enough to make me break out in hives.

Yeah, no thank you.

However, admitting that little tidbit to my mom is a different story, so I lie, “I’ll be sure to keep it in mind.”

“Mm-hmm.” Giving me the side-eye, she pulls out a few pieces of bread and untwists the lids on the condiments. “So, I assume that means you aren’t seeing anyone?”

Seeing anyone? The thought alone is laughable. If only it were so easy.

“I think we both know the answer to your question.”

“You know, I thought I knew the answer until receiving your RSVP,” she notes.

I peek up at her but stay quiet .

“You and Dodger, huh?”

So that’s what this is about?

I fight the urge to snort. “We’re just friends.”

Her eyes thin. “Are you sure?”

“One hundred percent positive, yes.”

“And Dodger?” she prods. “Does he know you’re just friends?”

“I repeat, a hundred percent, yes.”

“And you want it to stay that way?”

“Moooom,” I drag out.

“I’m only asking.”

Sure, she is.

“Yes, I want my friendship with Dodger to stay in the friend zone.”

“Okay, because he’s a good guy, and?—”

“Seriously?” I give the woman a look daring her to push the subject more than she already has.

“I’m trying to make it clear that your father and I love and support you in every way. I know after the whole…” The sandwich making stops as she looks over my shoulder, confirming we’re alone. “Jax incident?—”

“Mom,” I snap.

“Let me finish,” she insists. “I know the experience made a huge impact on you, whether or not you want to admit it out loud, and I only want to let you know you’re allowed to love whomever you want, and I mean that in every way possible. Older, younger, man, woman…whatever.”

I’ve always loved my mom. Always. She might not be perfect, but I’ve never had to question whether or not her actions come from the right place.

Reminding myself of this, I mutter, “Not gay, and not interested in Dodger, or anyone else for that matter. I’m choosing to focus on me and my future, and if, by some miracle, the stars align, and I find someone I’m interested in, then…

good for me. But for now, I am blissfully single, and I have no problem keeping it that way. Happy now?”

“I mean, I wouldn’t say I’m ecstatic,” she says dryly. “But I guess this’ll do.” I give her a mock glare. “Just remember. I’m your mom, and I’m allowed to check in and receive updates every once in a while.”

“And would you look at that? You just did,” I quip. “Does this mean I’m off the hook from giving you updates for the next year?”

Lips pursed, she cuts a slice of cheese, adding it to my sandwich. “I’ll give you six months.”

I roll my eyes. “Gee, thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.” Setting the freshly-made sandwich on a plate, my mom scoots it toward me as the front door opens.

“Honey, I’m home!” Tatum calls.