Page 35 of Claiming My Grumpy Ex

I honked lightly, catching his attention. His face lit up as he waved goodbye to his friends and jogged over to the car, sliding into the passenger seat.

“Hey, Mom!” he said, tossing his backpack into the backseat. “Guess what? I got an A on my math test. Mr. Parks says I’m doing better.”

“That’s great, Jake!” I said, grinning at his excitement. “Your hard work is paying off.”

As I pulled out of the parking lot, he leaned back in his seat, scrolling on his phone. “So… when’s Dad coming back?”

The question caught me off guard, but I was happy Jake was interested. “He’s working on some things in Dallas, but he should be back by the weekend.”

Jake nodded thoughtfully, his fingers idly swiping across the screen. “Cool.”

On our way home, we stopped at the deli to pick up sandwiches for dinner. The familiar smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air as we stepped inside. Jake knew exactly what he wanted, marching straight to the counter with the confidence of someone who had ordered the same thing a hundred times before.

“I’ll have a turkey and Swiss on wheat, with extra pickles, please,” he said with a grin. His excitement about the upcoming weekend was still evident in the way his eyes lit up.

I chuckled, placing my order for a light salad before joining him at the register. As we waited, Jake stood at the counter,talking about his day—how one of his friends showed him a new game on his phone at lunch break.

Once we had our food, we climbed back into the car, the aroma filling the space. Jake wasted no time unwrapping his sandwich, taking a big bite before settling back in his seat. “They always get it perfect here,” he said around a mouthful, his feet tapping against the floorboard in rhythm with whatever tune was playing in his head.

I smiled, watching him in the rearview mirror as I navigated the familiar streets back home. His energy was contagious. It was just a simple evening—a mom and her son sharing small joys on the way home. It was times like these that reminded me what really mattered.

“Mom,” he said between bites, “do you think Dad will ever live here, like… for good?”

The question made my heart skip a beat. “I don’t know, Jake. We’re still figuring things out. But no matter what, he’ll always be around for you.”

Jake nodded, accepting my answer, but I could see the wheels turning in his mind. His excitement about Cory’s return was evident; I couldn’t blame him. It was a lot for both of us to take in.

By the time we got home, Jake was buzzing with energy again, rushing to his room to do his homework. I watched him go with a heavy heart. His curiosity about Cory’s presence in our lives was only natural, but I still felt the weight of navigating this new chapter.

While Jake worked on his assignments, I spent the evening catching up with Cory on the phone. His soothing voice was a constant amidst the whirlwind of emotions swirling through my mind. We talked about our day, sharing the little things that made us laugh. I told him about my conversation with Luke, andhe chuckled, his warm laughter easing some of the tension that had been hanging over me.

“That’s good news,” Cory said. “It sounds like everything’s starting to align for all of us.”

“Maybe so,” I replied, feeling a flicker of hope. “It’s funny how life works sometimes.”

Cory hesitated before adding, “I wanted to let you know—I’m planning to stop by Beaver Creek before heading back to Cedar Cove. I need to see my folks, and my attorney will be helping me with the insurance claim on the Dallas building and contacting the real estate agent to put the house up for sale. It shouldn’t take too long, and I’ll be back by the weekend.”

I swallowed, surprised but understanding. “That makes sense… about the house, I mean. I don’t think it fits you, honestly.”

He chuckled, “Nope. It was just a short-lived fantasy.”

“They will be glad to see you,” I replied.

“They will be. And I want to tell them I’ve reconnected with you and that they have a new grandson,” Cory admitted. “And as much as I want to be back with you two, I must get this squared away.”

“I get it,” I said softly, appreciating his honesty. “Just keep me updated, okay?”

“Of course,” he replied, his tone warm. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

The conversation lingered in my mind even after we said goodnight. Something was grounding about how he worked to rebuild his life while balancing his time with Jake and me.”

Before I knew it, I heard Jake’s footfalls coming down the hall, and he stepped into my room. “Can you check this for me?” he asked, stifling a yawn.

I smiled, taking the notebook from him. “Of course.”

As I flipped through his homework, he rubbed his eyes and muttered, “Can’t wait ‘til the weekend.”

“Me neither, buddy,” I said softly.

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