Page 56 of A Little Crush (The Little Things #6)

RORY

I still don’t know how we did it. How we walked out of that bathroom without looking guilty as hell, but somehow, we managed it.

They won two away games and lost the third, but Jaxon didn’t freak out like the first game of the season.

Part of me wonders if it’s because he’s found a good coping mechanism—aka burying himself inside of me afterward and finding solace in my body.

Or maybe he’s growing accustomed to the social pressures of being the head coach and a few losses here and there aren’t enough to make him crumble. Then again, I’m not sure it matters.

When we aren’t traveling with the team, I’ve been staying at his home. In his bed. Ever since we slept together. And even though we’ve been keeping things under wraps in general, the sleepovers have been…eye opening. And really, really enjoyable.

Thankfully, Maverick is traveling with Ophelia, so I told my parents I’ve been staying at their house to keep an eye on things, and they haven’t batted an eye. Hades seems to like it here, too. If Jaxon had his own yard on top of the penthouse, I’m pretty sure he’d never want to leave.

Stretching my arms over my head, I move toward Jaxon’s side of the mattress, only to find him resting his back against the headboard with a phone in his hands.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

Without tearing his attention from his cell, he answers, “I had an idea.”

I rub at my tired eyes. “Okay?”

He clicks a few more times on his screen, then tosses his cell to the end of the bed and gives me his sole focus. “Do you think your parents would be okay watching Hades for a day or two?”

“Probably?” A yawn escapes me. “Why?”

“I want to take you somewhere.”

“Okay?” I repeat. I prop my head on my hand, blown away that the man manages to look even more attractive with unkempt hair and no shirt than when he’s bossing the Lions around on the ice, and that’s saying something.

“Today,” he clarifies, oblivious to being checked out. “I want to take you somewhere today.”

“Okay?” I repeat for what feels like the hundredth time.

“Gonna need you to pack your bag.”

Pack my bag? What is this man talking about? Usually, we travel so much for the Lions that we barely leave his place during any downtime. The idea of him planning an impromptu vacation feels…I don’t know, it feels like there’s a weight to it. A reason, maybe. Or maybe I’m overthinking things.

Sitting up fully, I let the sheets pool around me. “For how long?”

“It’s a short trip. We need to be at the airport in an hour, then we fly home tomorrow night.”

An hour? He wants me to be packed and at the airport in an hour? This man is highly overestimating my abilities right now.

“Don’t panic. You’ll be fine,” he says, as if reading my mind.

“Where are we going?”

“Well,” he brushes my hair behind my ear. “I was thinking about our run-in with my parents at the golf course, and how you said that it’s hard to date and pretend like everything’s normal between us when you’re a terrible liar.”

With a mock gasp, I smack his chest. “I never said?—”

“You did, but it’s okay.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “It’s one of my favorite things about you.”

“That I’m a terrible liar?” I challenge.

“Considering who I was married to, yeah.” His head dips in a subtle nod. “Yeah, Beautiful. It’s one of my favorite things about you.”

I can’t decide if I should be offended or preen like a peacock at his little admission.

I never thought of it that way. Being a terrible liar has only ever been a bad thing, but maybe it has its perks after all, like quieting an overthinker’s thoughts.

“Well, when you put it that way.” I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling like a lovesick lunatic, and he leans in, kissing my forehead.

Seriously. What is it with forehead kisses?

I’m not sure, but I’m definitely a fan. Basking in his affection, I try to stay on topic and ask, “So, what does my excellent candor have to do with our impromptu trip?”

“Figured it might be nice to go somewhere you don’t have to lie.” He kisses me again. “You should’ve seen your face after we hooked up on the flight. I thought for sure my brother was gonna call us out for it.”

My brows pull. “What are you saying?”

“Wanna show me around Harden Heights?”

My pulse leaps. “You mean…Harden Heights, as in the Harden Heights? Where Tatum and Paxton and?— ”

“Dodger?” His nose wrinkles as if he’s tasted something rancid. “You said he already knows you have a thing for me, which is why he offered to fake date you.”

“How did you know he offered?—”

His smile stretches. “Told you I know you.” As if he can’t help himself, he leans in for yet another kiss. “And you already told me Tatum knows about us, too, so what do you say? Will you show me around your college town? Maybe soft launch our relationship? See how it feels?”

Excitement bubbles inside of me as I consider holding his hand and walking down the road.

Without fear of being seen or photographed or…

anything. Just me and him. In the open. Add in the possibility of hanging out with Tatum and Paxton, and I’m pretty sure I could break out in a happy dance right here, right now.

“Yes,” I announce. “Yes, that sounds like an amazing way to end the week.”

“Perfect.” He kisses me again. “You’d better get dressed and pack, or else we’ll miss our flight.”

He’s right, and sixty minutes to pack and drive to the airport isn’t going to be an easy feat. I’m so blown away by his thoughtful gift, I can’t help but ask, “How long have you been planning this?”

“Since about an hour before you woke up.”

My eyes widen. “An hour? Seriously?”

“I’ve been thinking about it for a little while, but officially booking things? About an hour, yeah.”

His boyish grin tugs at my core, making me want to jump his bones and slip in a quickie before we need to leave. Or at least, I would if the idea of seeing Tatum and showing Jaxon a glimpse of my college days wasn’t so damn tempting.

“Okay. I’ll get dressed. Wanna let Hades out for me while I call my parents?”

“Sure thing.”

My parents are awesome. A little oblivious sometimes, but awesome nonetheless.

I told them the truth. That I’m going back to Harden Heights for an impromptu trip.

I just left out the part where Jaxon’s tagging along.

They agreed to watch Hades without any reservations, even adding a part about how they’ll do the same for their human grandbabies, too.

You know, whenever I decide to have any. Bless their souls.

The flight goes by in a flash, and so does our short drive to Paxton’s beach house. I’ve only been here a handful of times, but the view is as breathtaking as I remember. After Paxton unlocks the automatic gate, we drive along the winding path before reaching the driveway.

“Thanks again,” Jaxon tells the driver. He reaches for the door handle and lets us out as Tatum squeals from the front door.

“Squeaks!” The pitter patter of bare feet smacking against pavement greets me, and I look up in time to catch a glimpse of dark hair before a pair of arms wrap around my torso, squeezing the daylights out of me.

“Tater Tot,” I say between gasps. “Can’t. Breathe.”

She lets me go and slaps my butt. “Missed you, too, Sweet Cheeks.” Her attention catches on Jaxon. “Why, hello, Grandpa.” His expression drops, and her grin widens. “Just kidding. Come on. Paxton and I are making lobster rolls.”

Threading her arm through mine, she leads me up the steps while Jaxon grabs our luggage. I give him an apologetic look over my shoulder, but he only mouths, “You’re good. I got this,” before Tatum drags me into the house and Jaxon disappears from sight.

Paxton’s house is gorgeous. Floor to ceiling windows give a perfect view of his backyard, which is the beach and ocean. Add in the winding staircase and insanely tall ceilings, and it’s basically like a castle and beach house made a baby. A really gorgeous, really breathtaking baby.

“Tatum!” Paxton calls from the kitchen. “The butter’s burning!”

Tatum blanches. “Shit!” She darts into the kitchen and turns off the stove as I follow behind her.

When the smell of burnt popcorn hits my nostrils, my mouth spreads into a grin.

I kind of love seeing my best friend like this.

Playing the domestic partner, when a not-so-small part of me wondered if she’d ever settle down.

Period. It’s nice. Really nice. Watching her fall into the role of partner, even if it makes me feel a little replaced sometimes.

The reminder is as bittersweet as the scent permeating the air.

She’s found her other half, and I can’t help but wonder if maybe, down the road, I’ll get confirmation that I’ve found mine, too.

The thought hits harder than I expect, and I glance toward the entrance, finding Jaxon juggling our luggage.

“Hey, Baby,” Paxton calls over his shoulder, greeting me.

I motion for Jaxon to join everyone in the kitchen and reply, “Hey, Pax.”

“Good news,” Paxton adds. “The cold lobster rolls are in the fridge and taste delicious.”

“He already stole one as an appetizer,” Tate informs me.

“Hey, I gave you half,” he reminds her. “And I think we bought more butter if you’ll check in the fridge.”

Their banter fills the kitchen as I scoot around them and look for extra butter. When I find some behind the eggs, warmth hits my back.

“What’d I miss?” Jaxon asks.

“Burnt butter.” I turn and wiggle the newfound cube in my hand. “How are your cooking skills, Mr. Thorne?”

“Depends, but if you’re asking if I’ve ever made a lobster roll, the answer’s no. ”

“It’s all right, we hadn’t, either,” Pax chimes in. “Obviously.”

“And we’re clearly killing it,” Tatum quips. “Now, toss me the butter and take a seat. We want to hear all about how much Jaxon loves my best friend.”

My eyes bulge at Tatum’s use of the L-word.

She did not just say that. To anyone, let alone the man himself.

Jaxon doesn’t love me. Not yet, anyway, and maybe not ever.

We’re taking baby steps, dammit! Part of me wants to call her out for making assumptions, but if I do, I’ll probably just stumble over my words and look even more like an idiot than I already feel.

But seriously? Have you no filter, Tatum?

“I got a better idea,” Paxton announces. “Who wants drinks?”

I knew I loved this rockstar.