Page 19 of Claiming My Grumpy Ex

“I practiced today!” he announced, almost bouncing in his seat with excitement. “Coach said as long as I don’t push too hard, I can start in Saturday’s game.”

“That’s awesome, Jake!” I ruffled his hair, feeling a mix of pride and relief. “You’re going to have to be careful, though. No overdoing it, okay?”

He nodded earnestly. “Promise. But I’m starved.”

The drive-thru was a few blocks away, and as we pulled up, I realized that getting dinner this way would save us time and avoid me hovering over the stove, pretending my mind wasn’t elsewhere. We ordered, and as I reached for my purse to pay, Jake turned to me, his eyes gleaming with suspicion.

“You’re acting weird, Mom,” he said with a smirk. “Did something happen?”

I rolled my eyes, keeping my voice light. “Can’t I just be happy for my favorite baseball player?”

He narrowed his eyes, clearly not buying it. “Right… but you’re usually so… focused on cooking and eating together and all that. And now you’re… I don’t know. You’re smiling a lot.”

“What’s wrong with me smiling?” I teased, nudging him gently. “I’m allowed to be in a good mood, you know.”

“Uh-huh,” he said, his tone skeptical but playful. “Alright, Mom, whatever you say.”

He didn’t push it further, thankfully, instead diving into his burger with the enthusiasm only a growing kid could muster. I let out a quiet sigh, grateful for the distraction his chatter about practice provided.

I let him talk as we drove home, chiming in where he wanted me to. But my mind kept drifting, my heart fluttering as I thought of Cory’s late-night visit. I was nervous, no doubt aboutit. But there was an excitement under all that—a thrill I hadn’t felt in years.

Back home, I carried our bags of food inside as Jake followed, dropping his backpack by the door. He glanced at me, his brow furrowed with the kind of suspicion only a kid could muster.

“You sure everything’s okay, Mom?” he asked again, his voice soft, a hint of genuine concern slipping through his teasing.

I forced a reassuring smile, squeezing his shoulder. “Everything’s fine, Jake. I’m just… I’m just happy that you can play ball again.”

“Okay…” he said slowly, still not entirely convinced, but he shrugged it off. “I’ll finish up my homework so you can check it.”

“Thanks,” I said, patting his back as he headed to his room, the backpack in his hand.

As soon as he was out of sight, I took a deep breath, letting my shoulders relax. Cory would be here tonight, and I wanted everything to be just right. It wasn’t just about looking put together; it was about feeling ready to let him back into my life, even if only for a little while.

After Jake settled at this desk, I slipped into the shower, allowing the warm water to work its magic on the nerves buzzing under my skin. As I washed away the remnants of shampoo and the day’s chaos, my mind drifted to Cory. I closed my eyes as I fantasized about how his arms felt wrapped around me after so long. They were strong and steady as they had been all those years ago.

But reality nudged its way back in, bringing practical thoughts. Even with Luke, I hadn’t been in a sexual relationship in ages, which meant I hadn’t given any thought to birth control. My mind whirred, counting back to my last period, and a sense of relief washed over me as I realized I was in a safe zone. Taking a deep breath, I shook off the lingering tension, focusing on the excitement of the evening ahead.

After drying off, I pulled on a simple, soft dress with spaghetti straps. I quickly looked in the mirror, noticing the nervousness in my eyes and the slight tremor in my hands. It had been so long since anyone stirred this kind of anticipation in me, and I could feel every inch of it tonight.

I was finishing my makeup when I heard Jake call from his room, “Night, Mom! See you in the morning!”

“Goodnight, sweetheart!” I called back, poking my head into his room just to make sure he’d actually settled in for the night. He’d already flipped onto his side, eyes barely open, and gave me a sleepy smile before rolling over and pulling the covers tight. I watched him for a few moments, feeling the quiet pull of gratitude for him. Whatever else happened, Jake would always be my first priority.

Once he was sound asleep, I slipped back into the kitchen and reached for my phone. My fingers hovered over Cory’s name in my contacts, a flutter of nerves sparking in my stomach. Taking a deep breath, I pressed "call" and held the phone to my ear, the ringing tone feeling like an eternity. But then, he picked up, his voice friendly and unmistakably eager.

“Elena,” he said, my name wrapped in a smile that I could almost feel through the phone.

“Hey,” I replied softly, keeping my voice low so as not to wake Jake. “Jake’s asleep. Are you… still up for coming over?”

“Absolutely,” he replied, and I could hear the excitement in his tone. “I’ll be there in a few.”

I hung up, feeling a thrill shoot through me. I looked around the house, ensuring everything was in place, before heading to the back porch. The night air was warm, a light breeze rustling through the trees as I set up the candles on the little table by the porch swing. Their soft glow cast a gentle light, and I couldn’t help but feel a rush of nostalgia, remembering the countlesssummer nights we’d spent under the stars, dreaming about the future.

As I finished lighting the last candle, I caught a glimpse of headlights pulling up outside. My heart skipped as I watched Cory step out of his SUV. He looked effortlessly rugged in worn jeans and a fitted shirt that highlighted his broad shoulders and muscular torso. He held a bottle of wine in one hand and walked toward the porch with the easy confidence that had always drawn me to him.

“You look beautiful,” he said as he reached the steps, his voice low and intimate.

“Thanks,” I replied, feeling a little breathless. I reached out, my hand brushing against his chest as he stepped closer. Cory’s fresh scent caused a rush of old feelings through me—feelings I had kept hidden for so long. “You really do look… different,” I said, almost teasingly, as my fingers lingered on his shirt, feeling the solid muscles beneath.

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