Page 1 of Broken Grump

Chapter one

Prologue

“What?” I can’t believewhat I’m hearing. I came into the Cohen Residence to console Hayden, but instead of a grieving son, I found an angry friend. Well,formerfriend, it seems.

A true friend would never accuse me of the things that spouted from his mouth like acid—each word sizzling and burning as much as I imagine the substance would if it came into contact with the skin.

And to make matters worse, I just found out about the little miracle growing inside of me. For that reason, I feel even more vulnerable than usual.

“Let me get this straight,” I say, removing my hand from my stomach and holding my arms on the marble counter. “You’re blamingmefor your father’s death?”

Hayden, in his designer suit, crosses his arms across his chest and leans back. Then, with an arched eyebrow, he doubles down, “I am.”

“That’s unbelievably unfair!” I cry out.

He looks at me like with disdain, and there’s hatred in his moss-colored eyes. “All evidence points at you.”

“Hayden—” My throat feels dry and scratchy as I search my brain for more ways to defend my innocence. But they don’t come.

Next thing I know, he’s yelling, “Just leave! Please!” I stand frozen in place, tears threatening to fall from my eyes. Then, he continues, “I don’t want to see you, you drama-craved harlot.”

. . . And that was the first time Hayden Cohen broke my heart.

Days later, I book my flight out of town.

Abuelois sad to see me go, but I know that’s only because he doesn’t know about the baby yet. Being a strong, devout Catholic, he’ll likely ostracize me when he finds out.

All the more reason to leave.

“Do you really have to go,mi preciosa?” he asks in his comforting accent. His hands are cupped on either side of my face.

“Si,Abuelo.But I’ll be careful, I promise.”

“Bueno.” He smiles sweetly, the wrinkles around his eyes deepening, and then kisses my cheeks.

“But what about Hayden?” He’s been aware of my affinity for our troubled neighbor for a while.

The memory of his accusations hurt to even think about, nevertheless, repeated out loud. Instead, all I offer is, “Our time passed.” It’s a simple sentence, but it’s all-encompassing. At the same time, it also expresses so much more than I’m letting on.So much more that Abuelo doesn’t, and hopefully will never, fully understand.

“Okay, if you say so.” He has no option but to trust me on this. “Te amo, pequeña ratón.”

“Te amo,Abuelo.”

With that, I leave, and don’t look back.

Later, as the airplane catapults towards the sky, I watch Los Angeles vanish below and vow to be the best mom and to never, ever trust a man like Hayden Cohen again.

It’s just you and me, little bean,I think while looking down at and clutching my belly.

Just you and me.

Chapter two

Addie

I’m really going tomiss those stories.I think as I shift my weight onto one of my legs and rub at my upper arm. When Abuelo was alive, he was always telling me about his childhood in Honduras.

I can still hear his boisterous voice as clear as day.