Page 148 of Broken Grump

He rolls those gorgeous eyes of his. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

“That’s ten dollars in the swear jar, Hayden!”

He grunts.

“Fair is fair,” I mutter.

He goes over and slides money into the small glass. “Happy now?”

“Yep,” Luna and I say in unison.

Then, he puts his finger in my face. “But we are not stopping at no store. You’ve bent over backward for this party. If that Carlos is going to throw a hissy fit over one little snack—well, then, I’m sorry. Maybe he isn’t all you’ve cracked him up to be.”

Luna and I both act highly offended.

“How dare you!” she says to me with her hand clenched to her chest.

“Yes, how dare you!” While my abuelo may not have known about him, I know he would’ve appreciated the awareness he was bringing to the culture.

Hayden holds his hands up in the air. “I’m sorry. But this is just ridiculous.”

Suddenly, something hits me. “Hey, Loones?”

“Yeah, Mom?”

“Will you go to the freezer and get your Uncrustables?”

She throws her arms down at her sides and stomps at the ground. “What? No!”

“I’ll buy you more, I promise.”

She hesitates, but after I hold my ground, she finally does as I ask.

“Good enough,” I mumble before popping them into my bag. They’re peanut butter and jelly, but I’m hoping to God that they’ll suffice.

***

When we arrive, the place looks absolutely amazing. There are spotlights in all the right places, and Carlos’ music is already booming from the outdoor speakers.

Once inside, I see that Sam beat us there, and she is ogling over the famous musician.

“He’s so good!” she screams over his guitar riff after giving me a hug.

“I know, right?”

“Do you know if he’s single?” She continues to watch him while twirling her long, black hair on her finger.

“I don’t—I mean, I don’t know!” That’s the least of my concerns right now.

Then, she flicks her wrist. “Never mind. Sorry. What can I do to help?”

I remember the bulky box in my purse, and I throw it over at her. “Here. You’ll enjoy this. Give these to him when he’s finished warming up.”

“Oh, my gosh. You’re the best.” Her knees buckle, and she smiles like a goon.

“Yeah, yeah. I know.”

I turn to walk away from her, but she stops me by grabbing my arm. “I’m so sorry. But there is something I wanted to tell you before more people start coming in and everything gets too hectic.”

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