Page 4 of Claiming My Grumpy Ex

He gave a small nod, his eyes scanning the car like he could figure out the problem just by looking at it. “Mind if I give it a try?”

I handed him the keys, grateful but feeling a touch self-conscious. “Be my guest.”

He slid into the driver’s seat, his broad shoulders nearly filling the space. As he turned the key, the engine stuttered once and went quiet, refusing to do anything more than that weak sputter I’d heard before.

“Looks like this car’s battery is dead,’ he said with a tight smile.

I couldn’t help but crack a tiny grin, appreciating his attempt to lighten the mood. “Dead battery… perfect,” I muttered, trying to keep the edge of panic out of my voice.

Cory’s gaze met mine. “I can give you a lift if you want. Sounds like you need to get to the hospital more than you need to deal with this.”

I hesitated, glancing back at my car, half-expecting it to spring to life out of sheer willpower. The last thing I wanted was to rely on someone else, especially someone I’d just met. But Jake was waiting, and I didn’t have the luxury of being picky.

“Are you sure? I mean, I don’t want to pull you out of your day?—”

“Ellie,” he interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You need to be with your son. Let me help.”

I nodded, letting out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “All right. Thank you.” As he opened the passenger door, I slid in, still feeling slightly out of my element.

As we pulled out of the parking lot, I couldn’t help but steal a quick glance at him. There was something familiar about the way he moved and the quiet confidence with which he carried himself. I’d felt it ever since he walked intoReflections, a strange déjà vu that I kept brushing off. He looked a little like my high school boyfriend, CJ—but that didn’t make sense.

CJ had been wiry and boyish, and this man’s build looked like it could hold up half the town if he wanted. His face, though, had a familiar ruggedness, now lined with a few extra years and experience.

I shook my head, dismissing the thought. Cory was probably just one of those faces that reminded you of someone else—especially in a town as small as Cedar Cove, where familiarity was part of the territory.

Despite my worry for Jake, a small part of me felt the odd comfort of being in this man’s presence, even if he was practically a stranger.

“Thank you,” I managed, my voice a little shaky. “This… this means a lot.”

He nodded, glancing over at me with a calm expression. “Not a problem, Ellie. I’m just glad I could help.”

There was something reassuring in the way he said my name, a casual ease that made me want to believe everything would be okay. I looked out the window, trying to distract myself from the million worries racing through my head—how Jake was handling things, if he was scared if they’d need to do any procedures… but every question seemed to lead to another worry.

“Jake’s going to be fine,” Cory said, almost as if he’d read my mind.

I looked over at him, surprised. “How can you be so sure?”

He shrugged, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. “I’ve dealt with worse situations in my work. Kids are tougher than we think.”

I felt a small pang in my chest, both from the compliment and from the unexpected kindness in his tone. He barely knew me, and yet, there was a sincerity there, an understanding that felt… familiar. Almost too familiar.

“Thanks,” I murmured, not sure what else to say. I hadn’t let myself rely on anyone like this in a long time, and it felt strange to accept help so openly, especially from a man who still felt like a mystery.

As we turned onto the main road toward the hospital, I stole another glance at him, studying the line of his jaw and the quiet confidence in his profile. Something about him stirred a feeling I hadn’t expected. It was like a dream or something from the past, a memory that hovered just out of reach.

After a few moments, he glanced over, a hint of curiosity in his expression. “Are you a single mom?”

I nodded, feeling a familiar weight settle over me, a mix of pride and exhaustion. “Yeah, it’s just Jake and me.”

He didn’t say anything, just gave a small nod of understanding. There was no pity in his expression, no judgment—just acceptance. Somehow, that look made me feel seen in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time.

“Thank you,” I said again, turning to look at him. “For everything.”

He gave me a quick nod, his gaze softening. “Anytime, Ellie. Really.”

The automatic doors of the ER slid open as I hurried inside, my heart pounding. I scanned the signs to find the emergency room check-in. I barely heard Cory’s footsteps behind me, his steady presence trailing along as I reached the reception desk.

The nurse looked up, and I quickly called her by name. My hands trembled as I fished my ID out of my purse for proper verification. “Hello, Beth. My son, Jake, was brought in from Cedar Cove Elementary,” I said, my voice shaking slightly.

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