Page 72 of A Little Crush (The Little Things #6)

JAXON

W e’re able to take Poppy home a while later, though Iris left shortly after our showdown in the hospital room.

The Lions lost, and even though my phone’s blowing up, not a single message is about the score or how it might affect the team’s stats.

No. Everyone wants to know how Poppy’s doing.

If she’s okay. If they can bring anything or help out.

Sometimes, I forget.

The family I’m lucky enough to have. Some by blood. Others by circumstance. They’re one and the same.

Exhausted, I carry Poppy into the house, then change her bum before putting her in her crib to get some rest, since Rory already gave her a bottle on the car ride home.

Poppy goes down without a fight, falling asleep before her head can even hit the firm mattress.

When I get back to the family room, I find it empty.

“Hades?” I call. “Rore?”

Nothing.

I collapse on the couch in the family room and pull out my phone so I can call Rory to find out where she is when the time on my cell distracts me.

Shit.

The elevator opens. Squatting next to Hades, Rory removes his leash, and he bounds into the family room, jumping onto the cushion beside me.

Scratching behind his ear, I cautiously say, “Hey.”

“Hey,” Rory returns.

I zero in on her hand, curious to see if she’s tapping away on her thigh, but there’s no shaky movements.

“Where’d you go?” I prod.

“Figured Hades could use a quick walk and a bathroom break before I sit down and never get back up again,” she explains. Rummaging through the fridge, she adds, “Hey, are you hungry?”

“Nah, I’m good. Too exhausted to be hungry.”

She finds something to snack on, then grabs a spoon from the drawer and sways into the family room before curling up on the cushion beside me.“You’re missing out. It’s strawberry.” She pulls the lid off the yogurt, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm.

Is she really okay?

Digging her spoon into the cup, she pulls out a massive bite, but instead of putting it into her mouth, she brings it closer to me.

“Rore, I’m really not?—”

Yogurt smears against my nose, and I jerk back, wiping it away. “What was that for?”

“Told you I owed you.” She smirks and shoves the bite into her mouth.

With a low laugh, I wrap my arm around her shoulder and tug her into my side. “Smart-ass.”

“Mm-hmm,” she hums around another bite of yogurt as Hades lifts his head. “Give me a minute,” she tells him. “I’ll let you lick the cup once I’m done.”

I’d tease her for assuming he understands what she’s saying even though he’s a dog, but he lowers his head back to the cushion, proving she might be onto something. “You spoil him,” I point out.

“I totally do, and I regret nothing.” She scoops up another bite, devouring half the serving in under a minute.

“You really were hungry,” I realize.

“You have no idea.” She licks the edge of her mouth, cleaning up a small splotch of yogurt. “I was too stressed about Poppy’s fever to eat any actual dinner, but now that we’re finally home, and I know she’s safe, I feel like I can kind of breathe.”

Home.

She called this place home.

Warmth spreads through my ribcage as I watch her finish the yogurt with one final scoop.

She sets the empty container on the ground. “Here you go, buddy.”

Hades jumps off the couch without having to be told twice and starts licking the container clean.

A soft smile plays at the edge of Rory’s lips as she watches him, and I can’t help but lean in to kiss her. I’ve always loved this about her. The way she’s always thinking of others. The way she finds joy in making others happy. The way she looks outside of herself. Fuck, I love this girl.

When I pull away, her smile widens. “What was that for?”

“Just love you.”

“Love you, too.”

“Come here.” I pull her into my lap until she’s straddling me and kiss her forehead, anxious to touch her. To make sure she’s still here and hasn’t given up on me, even after all the shit we went through tonight. “How are you? ”

“Tired.”

“What else?”

She shrugs. “Just tired.”

Tired? That’s it? That’s all she has to say?

“Did you, uh, did you see what time it is?” I push.

I don’t know if I’m shooting myself in the foot by bringing it up, but I can’t help myself.

She thinks I don’t notice the way she still wakes up every morning, but I do.

And she can hide it all she wants, battle it all she wants, but I know how much of an effect early mornings bother her.

Knowing it somehow slipped past her today is huge.

With a frown, Rory shakes her head, and I show her my phone.

Lips parted, she breathes in a sharp breath of air but stays quiet.

5:48 a.m.

She missed it. Or made it? I’m not sure which term is more fitting.

Her gaze flicks to mine. “I didn’t notice,” she whispers. “I didn’t…the hospital kind of sucked up all the time, and I didn’t notice.”

“Rore, that’s amazing,” I point out. “This is a huge win. How are you feeling?”

“Torn.” She hesitates. “And elated? And confused.” Her smile wavers before she focuses on me.

“Jax, I haven’t not stared at the clock and counted down the seconds to 5:34 in the morning since the accident.

” Another long pause hangs between us while she tries to wrap her head around the monstrosity of this moment.

“And I know it’s a good thing, that it slipped past my radar, but…

holy shit.” A tear slips past her defenses, rolling down her cheek before she wipes it away.

“I can’t decide if I feel hopeful about this or…

” She gives me a watery but relieved smile. “Jaxon, I made it past 5:34. ”

“I know, Beautiful.” I pull her against me. “I know.”

A relieved laugh bubbles out of her as she sits up again and touches her cheeks to cool her heated skin.

“You’re killing it,” I say, encouraging her. “Kicking OCD in the ass.”

“Is that what I’m doing?” she challenges. “Because it feels like I’m floundering around most of the time.”

“Nothing wrong with a little floundering.” I grab her hands, lowering them from her face.

“Speaking of OCD and wins. You went to the hospital today.,” I remind her.

“You. The girl who would’ve rather lived with a dislocated shoulder for the rest of her life than step one foot inside a hospital went straight into that building today with her head held high. That’s huge.”

She tucks her hair behind her ear, fighting back tears as if just now feeling the gravity of today’s events. “I mean…it’s Poppy. She needed me to put on my big girl pants, so I did.”

“Which is huge,” I repeat. “Because there’s no way it wasn’t hard for you, but you still did it. Rore, that’s amazing.”

Mouth bunching on one side, she gives a half-assed nod. “I’m just glad she’s okay.”

“Me, too.”

“I was thinking about it, though. And…” Her fingers dance along my T-shirt. “Even with today’s win with the time and the hospital, I think…I think I should go back to therapy.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” She hesitates. “When I first started watching Poppy, I could tell I was having more intrusive thoughts. And I thought I was okay, but I think…” Her lashes flutter as if she’s fighting a battle only she can see. “I think it would be good to kind of get a tune-up, you know?”

“Yeah, I think it’s great.” I hold her waist and kiss her, grateful for her honesty. “Can I do anything to help? ”

Her smile is genuine when she shakes her head, seemingly present again. “I’m good. Thank you, though.”

“Okay.” I drag my hand along her spine, loving the way she melts into me more and more with every sweep of my touch. “How’s your arm? I know Iris grabbed you?—”

“I’m fine. Honestly, she’s lucky I didn’t deck her.” She smirks before hiding it behind her hand as if she feels guilty for finding the interaction amusing. “Shoving her back was like a reflex. I kind of feel bad, though. Should I apologize?”

“The last thing you should do is apologize,” I grumble. “You’re too nice for your own good.”

“Well, someone’s gotta be, right?” she quips. “By the way, I talked to your dad.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, while you were in the room with Iris. He said something to me.” She snuggles in closer to my chest. “Something about you.”

“What’d he say?”

“That you need me.”

“I do need you.”

“And that I should stick by your side.”

“That’d be nice,” I agree.

Her mouth lifts, but she stays quiet, studying me, and I don’t miss the mirth in her pretty gaze. It’s like she knows a secret. One I’m dying for her to share.

“What is it?” I ask.

“It’s just…” Her smile widens. “I found it a little ironic, is all.”

“Why?”

“That he thinks I’m even capable of not sticking by your side.” A quiet laugh escapes her. “Considering our past, I mean…”

Our past. As in, her long-standing crush. I guess it is a little comical. The idea of Rory getting bored of me or cutting ties after everything we’ve been through. She even moved out of Lockwood Heights to escape her feelings, and look where it got her. Right back where she belongs. With me.

“Maybe he’s afraid you’ll finally gain some common sense,” I argue.

“Nah.” She waves me off. “That ship sailed a long time ago.”

“Oh, really?” I say, not bothering to hide my laughter.

“Yup. You’re stuck with me, Mr. Thorne.”

“Good. Then, it looks like you’re stuck with me, future Mrs. Thorne.”

Her eyes widen. “Future Mrs. Thorne, huh?”

“Yeah.” I kiss her softly, surprised by the lack of fear that accompanies those words.

Future Mrs. Thorne. Fuck, they’ve never sounded better, and considering the swell of regret I felt the last time I toyed with those words, it shocks the hell out of me.

But maybe that’s the point. The reason why Maverick and Ophelia had no issue moving up their wedding date.

Because they knew what real love was supposed to feel like.

The same way I know I’m never letting Rory go. Ever.

Leaning back, Rory murmurs, “You know, I like the sound of that.”

“Thought you might.”

“Mm-hmm.” She tilts her head to the side, giving me better access to her throat as I skate my lips across her sensitive skin. “Now, I can dig out all those older binders and use them again.”

“Huh?”

“Since they all say Mrs. Thorne on them,” she teases. “Wait, am I a psychic or…?”

I roll my eyes and kiss her again. “Smart-ass.”

Smiling against my mouth, she wraps her arms around my neck and presses herself against me. “And you wouldn’t have it any other way.”

She’s right. I wouldn’t. In fact, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Life is funny that way. The way it winds, taking unexpected turns.

Some good. Some bad. But none that are regrettable.

Not for me, at least. Because if they were, I wouldn’t find myself here.

With the love of my life in my lap. Her dog at our feet.

And my little girl in the room next to us.

Fuck. Henry and Mia were right. I really am the luckiest guy in the world.

And I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure Rory knows it, too.

The End