Page 27 of Claiming My Grumpy Ex

Elena

The sunlight peeked around the curtains, gently waking me. Sunday mornings like this usually meant lazy breakfasts and catching up on chores, but today felt different—lighter, brighter, like the start of something good. I stretched, rolled onto my side, and grabbed my phone from the nightstand.

A grin tugged at my lips as I imagined texting Cory, inviting him over for breakfast. It would be nice for the three of us—Cory, Jake, and me—to have a slow morning together. Maybe we’d rake leaves in the yard, toss a football around, and cap the day off by grilling a brisket in the evening. The thought of such a simple, cozy day filled me with a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in a long time.

I opened my messages, ready to type, when I saw Cory’s most recent text, sent late last night.

CORY: Elena, there’s been a fire at the office. It’s bad. I’m heading to Dallas early in the morning to figure things out. Let Jake know I’ll be back as soon as I can. I will try to call as soon as the cell service is restored. Sorry!

The cheery bubble of my morning burst instantly. I sat up, rereading the message, a pit forming in my stomach. A fire? At his office? My heart sank as I imagined the stress he must be under. And here I was, planning pancakes and yard work while he was dealing with something this serious.

Without thinking, I tapped his name and pressed call. The line rang once, then twice, before going silent. I tried again, but it wouldn’t go through. A low groan escaped me as I realized the connection issues he mentioned in his text still affected the area.

I sank back against the headboard, my phone resting on my chest as I stared at the ceiling. What now? Should I wait for him to call? Should I drive to Dallas myself? A dozen questions swirled in my mind, each one more urgent than the last.

The sharp buzz of my phone jolted me from my spiraling thoughts. My mother’s name flashed on the screen. I hesitated momentarily, then answered, forcing my voice to sound steady. “Hey, Mom.”

“Elena! Good morning, dear.” Her voice was as warm and enthusiastic as always. “I wanted to see if you and Jake could come for lunch today. Your father and I sure have missed you two.”

I hesitated. Lunch with my parents wasn’t exactly what I had in mind for today, especially not after seeing Cory’s texts. But something in my mother’s tone told me she was eager—maybe even a little lonely. “Sure, Mom,” I said, trying to sound upbeat. “We’d love to come.”

“Oh, wonderful! Your father will be so happy to see Jake.”

After hanging up, I sat there with my phone still in my hand. My plans for a quiet day with Cory were officially off the table. Jake would be bummed, but he loved visiting his grandparents. At least there was that to be thankful for.

I swung my legs out of bed and stood, determined to put on a brave face. If I’d learned anything over the years, it was how to stay strong when things didn’t go as planned. Today would be no different.

The drive to Beaver Creek was quiet, save for the hum of the tires on the pavement. Jake had been briefly disappointed about not seeing his father today but was happy we were visiting his grandparents. Not long after we left Cedar Cove, he fell asleep, his ball glove clutched tightly against his chest like a prized possession. I glanced at him in the rearview mirror, his peaceful face reminding me just how young he still was despite the big questions he’d started asking.

The familiar curve of the road leading into Beaver Creek stirred up a mix of nostalgia and apprehension in my chest. The town looked much the same as it always had—quaint, timeless, its streets lined with old oak trees and modest homes with manicured lawns. It wasn’t until I turned onto the driveway leading to my parent’s house that I felt a jolt of panic.

As I pulled in, my father, Bill, stepped out onto the porch, shielding his eyes from the sun. My mother followed close behind, waving enthusiastically. Jake stirred in the back seat, blinking awake as the car came to a stop.

“Grandpa!” he exclaimed, his grogginess instantly replaced by excitement. He threw open the door and bolted toward my father, who caught him in a big bear hug.

“Well, look at you, champ!” Dad said, his voice full of pride. “How’s the star player today?”

“Great! We won the championship!” Jake practically shouted.

“Well, isn’t that something?” Dad beamed, fist-bumping with Jake. “Come on, let’s see what you’ve got.” He led Jake toward the backyard, their voices fading as they talked about baseball.

I stepped out of the car, grabbing my purse. Mom was already coming toward me, her arms open wide. “Elena, sweetheart. It’s so good to see you.”

Her hug was warm and familiar, but I sensed faint tension in her smile as she pulled back to look at me. “You look tired. Is everything okay?”

I nodded, giving her a reassuring smile. “Just busy, as always. You know how it is.”

She eyed me, her motherly intuition undoubtedly picking up on the cracks in my façade. But instead of pressing, she looped her arm through mine and started leading me toward the house. “Come on. Let’s get lunch started.”

The kitchen smelled like home—fresh bread, roasted chicken, and the faint tang of vinegar from Mom’s homemade salad dressing. I inhaled deeply, letting the comforting aromas settle me as I helped Mom gather dishes from the cupboard.

As we worked together seamlessly, the conversation turned to the usual topics—Jake’s school, Reflections, and Cedar Cove life. But as I set the last plate on the table, I knew I couldn’t avoid the subject weighing on my mind.

“Mom,” I began, lowering my voice in case Dad stepped in from outside. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

She paused, looking at me with a mix of curiosity and concern. “What is it, Elena?”

I hesitated, the words catching in my throat. “Cory’s back. He… owns a cabin in Cedar Cove.”

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