Page 24 of Claiming My Grumpy Ex

I glanced over and saw one of Jake’s teammates talking to him curiously. Jake hesitated for a moment before shrugging. “Nah, he’s just a family friend.”

Something in his tone tugged at me—not dismissive, but cautious. My stomach tightened as I turned away, pretending I hadn’t overheard. Jake wasn’t wrong, technically. That was the safest answer for now. Still, the words stung, a reminder of how much Cory had missed in Jake’s life and how much we had to navigate moving forward.

Cory appeared beside me, his hand lightly brushing my arm. “You okay?” he quietly asked.

I forced a smile and nodded. “Yeah. Just thinking about how much fun Jake’s having.”

He studied me briefly before letting it go, his focus shifting back to the celebration. But the worry in his eyes lingered.

Later, as the party began to wind down, parents exchanged goodbyes, and the kids exchanged high-fives one more time. Jake seemed reluctant to leave, bouncing from one teammateto the next, reliving every moment of the game. Finally, Cory crouched down to Jake’s level and smiled.

“Hey, champ,” Cory said. “Think you’re ready to call it a night?”

Jake grinned but nodded, his energy finally waning. “Yeah, but only if we can do this again next season.”

Cory chuckled, ruffling Jake’s hair. “We’ll see about that.”

The ride home was quieter than I’d expected. Jake sat in the backseat, his championship trophy clutched tightly in his hands, his head resting against the window. The day’s excitement had drained him, leaving him in a contemplative stillness.

Cory drove, his hands steady on the wheel, the glow of the streetlights playing across his face. I sat beside him. The air between us was thick with unspoken words, the kind that hovered, waiting for the right moment.

Jake finally broke the silence. “Cory, are you coming over again?”

Cory glanced at me briefly, his expression thoughtful before he answered. “If your mom’s okay with it, I’d love to.”

Jake grinned, leaning back into his seat, the smile lingering on his face. “Cool,” he murmured, his eyes drifting closed.

By the time we pulled into the driveway, Jake was half-asleep, and his exhaustion was apparent as he stumbled out of the car. Cory took the lead, carrying his gear into the house and down the hall to his room.

As I adjusted the shower in the bathroom, Jake’s voice called out, groggy but curious. “Mom? Why’s Cory staying so late?”

I paused, glancing toward the doorway where Cory leaned casually against the frame, his expression soft but attentive. “After your shower, we’ll talk,” I said, kissing Jake’s cheek. His brows furrowed slightly, but he didn’t argue, heading toward the bathroom with slow, sleepy steps.

The sound of running water filled the quiet as I turned back to Cory. Our eyes met, and for a moment, the weight of what we were about to say hovered around us. I exchanged a glance with him, silently asking if he was ready. He gave me a slight nod, his hand brushing mine briefly—a touch to reassure my nerves.

My heart pounded in my chest as Jake walked back to his room, freshly showered and with damp hair. Cory and I followed suit, and I sat down on the edge of his bed. It was time. There was no going back now.

“Jake, there’s something we’ve been meaning to tell you,” I started, my voice soft. “Cory isn’t just a family friend.”

Jake frowned slightly, tilting his head. “What do you mean?”

Cory stepped forward, sitting on the other side of the bed. His voice was steady, but I could see the nerves in his eyes. “Jake, I’m your dad.”

The room was still for a beat, the weight of the words settling in. Jake blinked up at us, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, a grin spread across his face. “Seriously?”

Cory nodded. “Seriously.”

Jake sat up straighter, looking between us. “I had a feeling.”

I chuckled softly, ruffling his hair. “Yes.”

Jake beamed, his excitement cutting through the tension. “Does this mean you’ll come to all my games now?”

Cory laughed, full of relief. “Every single one, if I can help it.”

Jake’s grin widened as he settled back against his pillow. “Cool. I always wanted a dad who likes baseball.”

I leaned down to kiss his forehead, my heart full as I whispered, “Get some sleep, champ. Cory’s taking me to pick up my car at the park, but we’ll be back soon.”

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