Page 66 of A Little Crush (The Little Things #6)

JAXON

I ’ve never been one to feel nervous. Not really. Even the spiral after the first game of the season wasn’t based on nerves but rather from crumbling under the pressure of holding myself to unrealistic standards. I know this.

And I also know that if Poppy came to me and told me she was dating someone—had been dating someone—who’d already fucked up one relationship and had kept his feelings for my daughter from me instead of coming clean and being open, I’d be…

Well, let’s say I’d be less than enthusiastic about the whole thing.

I tug at the collar of my button-up with my free hand, keeping my opposite on Rory’s waist as we approach the hostess table.

“Hello, we have a reservation under Thorne,” I announce.

The hostess smiles. “Yes, of course. The rest of your party is already seated. Follow me.”

When we reach the table, I fight the urge to remove my hand from Rory’s side as Henry stares at the location like it’s Pandora’s box. Maybe it is.

“My baby!” Mia gushes. She pushes to her feet and cuts off Henry’s pinpoint stare, tugging her daughter into a hug. “I missed you!”

“Missed you, too!” Rory says. “What are you doing here?”

“Your employer requested our presence for the evening.” She gives me a curious look over Rory’s shoulder.

It’s even heavier than Henry’s stare from seconds ago.

Not angry or judgmental, just…heavy, as if she’s warning me to tread wisely.

Then, in an instant, it disappears, and she lets her daughter go, giving Rory a smile.

“Take a seat. We ordered a few appetizers to nibble on. Hope that’s okay? ”

“Oo, thank you,” Rory returns. “I’m starving.”

I pull out her chair and help her sit down before doing the same to my own.

The cheesy scent of artichoke dip turns my stomach as I grab my cloth napkin and place it on my lap.

Part of me wants to take control. To announce why we’re here and what Rory means to me.

The other part? Call me a fool, but the other part wants to let Henry have a minute to digest what I’m pretty sure he already knows. The question is, for how long?

“So,” Mia starts. “I heard my daughter accepted a full-time position.”

“Mm-hmm,” Rory returns as she scoops a piece of pita bread into the dip. “We figured, why fix what isn’t broken, right?”

“Not broken, huh?” Henry interjects. His expression is locked down, but I know what he’s doing. He’s probing. Baiting us. To catch us in a lie or to come clean.

Why do you think I brought you here, Henry?

So much for giving him a minute to process shit. I guess it’s now or… now .

Clearing my throat, I announce, “Rory and I are dating.”

“Oh?” Mia returns. If she’s surprised, she doesn’t show it. Or maybe she’s finally mastered Henry’s poker face. Sure enough, he’s sporting the same one, refusing to give me the slightest clue as to what he’s thinking.

Reaching beneath the table, I grab Rory’s knee and squeeze, stealing her strength and silent support. “We reconnected at Maverick’s wedding and wanted to see how things played out before announcing it to everyone.”

“At the wedding, huh?” Henry says. “What about Dodge and Crowther?”

Twisting the linen napkin in front of her, Rory peeks at her dad. “I think we all know there’s only ever been one guy for me.”

Damn, if it doesn’t make my chest swell with pride. And guilt. For taking so long to reciprocate, even if it was the right thing to do.

“And you?” Henry challenges, giving me his attention. “Is she the only girl for you?”

My chin dips. “Yes, sir.”

“For how long?”

“Dad,” Rory whines.

I squeeze her thigh beneath the table. “For as long as she’ll have me.”

“Does this mean you’re not house sitting for your brother anymore?” Mia interjects.

Rory has the decency to blush as she chews her bite of flatbread and artichoke dip. At least she doesn’t choke on it. Swallowing, she weakly offers, “Surprise?”

“What about your career?” Henry pushes.

“Nannying can’t be a career?” Rory tosses back at him.

Henry doesn’t budge. “You know what I mean, Squeaks.”

“Rory’s career is independent of our relationship,” I explain. “I’d love it if she watched Poppy while I’m working, but if she decides she wants to pursue child psychology or anything else for that matter, we’ll make it work. Whatever she needs. ”

“As long as she stays in Lockwood Heights?” Henry’s same indecipherable expression gleams back at me.

“It’d be more convenient,” I acknowledge dryly, “but we’re in this for the long haul, and I’ll make anything work.”

“We both will,” Rory adds. She dips some more flatbread into the artichoke dip as if she’s trying to act normal despite her knee bouncing beneath the table. “Like I said. Jaxon’s it for me, and let’s be honest, staying in Lockwood Heights makes life easier for Jaxon with Poppy and the Lions?—”

“And you?” Henry challenges, pinning me with his stare.

“Henry,” Mia warns. “I know we agreed to let you play hardball, but you’re walking on thin ice.”

“Two minutes.”

“I’ve given you two minutes,” she reminds him, refusing to back down.

“Give me one more.” His gaze cuts to her. “ Please .”

Please. Henry Buchanan doesn’t say please to anyone.

He doesn’t need to. His attention cuts to his wife, and the two volley back and forth in a silent conversation only two people in love and who’ve been together for decades can.

With tight lips, brow knits, and cocked heads.

Finally, Mia settles back in her seat, giving her husband the floor while proving exactly how much she trusts him.

Satisfied he has his wife’s approval for at least sixty more seconds, Henry turns to me and Rory again.

“Let me be clear. I’m not saying I don't support this relationship.” He hesitates, giving me a glimpse of the Uncle Henry I was raised with as he gives his daughter a reassuring smile before sobering.

“I’m saying I need to know where you land on Jaxon’s priority list, since we all know he’s been at the top of yours since you were only a kid. ”

“Dad,” Rory scolds. “Really? We’re going to bring up my childhood crush right now?” Red blooms across her cheeks, and her body curls in on herself as if she’s ashamed her dad just aired out her deepest, darkest secret. The fact that she’s loved me for as long as we all remember.

“Let your dad finish, baby,” Mia murmurs. “We care about you, and need to know?—”

“If Jaxon’s feelings for me are real?” Rory snaps.

Henry sighs. “We know they’re real, Squeaks.”

“Then what’s the problem?” She wipes the crumbs from her fingers and folds her arms, clearly over tonight’s appetizer, thanks to the conversation.

“I love him, and he loves me, and I know you want me to be happy, and he makes me happy, so I’m a little confused as to why you’re grilling him instead of congratulating me on my first real and pretty freaking healthy relationship. ”

Another look is exchanged between Rory’s parents before Mia reaches for Rory’s hand while I continue clinging to her opposite one.

“Baby, he’s your only relationship,” Mia says, gently. “Your only person. Ever. And it isn’t a bad thing. Honestly, Jaxon’s the luckiest man in the world, okay? We just want to make sure he’s aware of it, too.”

“That he’s my only relationship?” Rory grumbles. “Gee, thanks. You guys are super supportive?—”

“Rore, it’s okay,” I interject.

Because suddenly, it makes sense. The real reason behind their reservations.

I’ve hurt their daughter before. Ruined her.

And even though it was the right choice at the time, it couldn’t have been easy for them.

Seeing their daughter fall apart and run away, leaving them feeling helpless as parents.

If the roles were reversed, I’d feel the same way. Hesitant. Restrained.

Keeping this in mind, I say, “To be clear, I am the luckiest guy in the world. I know you think that because we took things slow and kept our relationship private that you’re afraid I’m not willing to stick around if and when things get tough.

Because they will,” I clarify, “It’s part of life.

I know I have a shit-ton of baggage, more than anyone, let alone your daughter, should have to help carry.

I know Rory deserves the world and more.

I also know I love her. Have loved her for as long as I can remember.

I mean it. And that platonic love—and only platonic love—” I emphasize, “shifted into something more when we reconnected at Maverick’s wedding.

It turned into something deeper. And I know it’s scary.

Trusting someone to look after someone they care about.

Trust me. I’ve thought about what I would do if Poppy showed up with an asshole like me.

But I promise you,” I turn to Rory, holding her gaze, “I promise you,” I reiterate, “I will always put you first, and the feelings I have won’t go away.

I don’t want them to,” I add honestly. “I’ve already lived a life without you in it, and I refuse to do it again.

Even if it means giving up my job or moving across the country.

Even if it means putting up with a pissed off ex who loves making my life miserable.

” I turn back to Henry. “I love your daughter, and one day, I hope you accept it.”

The same intensity I’ve grown accustomed to during Lions meetings glares back at me, making my pulse ratchet as I hold Henry’s stare from across the table, refusing to back down or cave under his scrutiny.

“I love her,” I repeat. “I do.”

“I believe you,” Henry decides. “Only needed to hear you say it.”

“Then it looks like we need champagne,” Mia announces. She orders a bottle from the waitress, and within minutes, glasses with amber liquid are set in front of us.

Raising hers into the air, Mia says, “To Jaxon and Rory. The couple we had pegged long before any of us shipped Finley and Griffin or Maverick and Ophelia.” She grins.

“What?” Rory gasps, lowering her half-raised glass as she registers her mom’s words. “You had us pegged? ”

“Of course we did,” Mia laughs. “I mean, it was a little touch and go with the whole Jaxon-decided-to-get-married and all, but after he announced the divorce earlier this year, and we knew you’d be coming back to town for Mav’s wedding, I had no doubt you two would wind up together.

” Her eyes cut to Henry. “By the way, you owe me big because that was a lot longer than sixty-seconds.” Her attention drifts to me.

“I’m sorry we had to put you through the wringer.

Trust me. It wasn’t fun for us, either, but we needed to be sure. ”

“I get it.” My mouth curves up. “And I’m glad I passed.”

“With flying colors,” she promises.

“Hold up,” Rory interjects. “You’re saying you had us pegged before anyone else?”

“Of course we did,” Mia returns. “Baby, a love like this doesn’t go away, and it’s not something you can fight, either. You just needed to be patient until the timing was right.”

“She’s sugarcoating it,” Henry clarifies. “But we know Jax is a good guy, and after watching you grow up and holding onto your feelings for him despite your best effort to let him go, we knew he was the only person who could ever really make you happy.”

Rory’s bottom lip juts out like she’s fighting back tears and she reaches across the table, squeezing both her parents’ hands. “I love you.”

“Love you, too, Squeaks,” Mia returns.

“Love you, Rore.” Henry raises his glass into the air with his free hand. “To Jaxon and Rory.”

“To Jaxon and Rory,” Mia repeats.

Peeking over at me, Rory raises her glass. “To you and me.”

“You and me.” I clink my glass against hers then lean in for a kiss, sealing my promise for everyone around us to witness .

This is it. No more running. No more hiding. I brace myself for an onslaught of trepidation or second guesses. But instead, all I feel is…peace. And damn, if it isn’t the most cathartic feeling ever.

“Love you, Beautiful,” I murmur against her lips.

“Love you.”