Page 118 of Broken Grump

Two can play at this game, Cohen.Since Hayden was drinking whiskey, I went for the same. I let the smooth liquor coat my throat after I sipped it right out of the bottle.

A few pours down my gullet later, I’m feeling a little warm inside but still mad as all hell at stupid Hayden Cohen.

Even after all of these years, the hurtful words and insults he hurled at me still sting as if he just said them. Although I didn’t leak the fucking story about his miserable bastard of a father and his affair, sometimes, I wish I did. That way, in more ways than one, at last, Hayden and I would be even.

I didn’t necessarily want blood on my hands, but at least I would’ve hurt him just as much as he’d hurt me throughout the years. But instead, I have just been his willing, unreciprocating punching bag.

And you did it again.I can’t help but laugh at the irony. After all of my attempts to stay strong and avoid his charm, I fell right back into the same trap.

With tears stinging my eyes, I think about how he’ll never change. That’s now more apparent than ever. And if anything, he’s only gotten worse.

I find a new invigorating power inside myself, and I rise to my feet.

“I’m done. I’m so done with all of this.” I’m so grateful that Luna never learned the truth about her father because now,we can escape this madness without any more attachment than necessary.

Hayden Cohen will forever remain her big, goofy friend. Nothing more.Will I ever let him see her again? Fat chance.I’d be doing her a disservice by allowing her to get close to a ticking time bomb like him.

I also don’t give a rat’s ass about my inheritance. Yes, this was Abuelo’s dream, but so was me attending and graduating from architecture school. At least the first chunk has been crossed off, and I can continue his legacy by going back to Phoenix and making a name for myself there. Heck, maybe I’ll even design and build my own Ivory Shores Hotel.

With that resolve, I call the estate lawyer. But it goes straight to voicemail.

Damn it!However, as I wait for thebeepto prompt my message, I swallow and prep myself to sound as sober as possible.

“Please leave your name and number, and I will call you back as soon as I can. Thank you.”

Beep.

“Hello. This is Addie Flores. I just wanted to let you know that I will be going away for a few days. Uh, upon—upon my return, I will be transferring the inheritance back to Rosalinda or a charity. I don’t care which. So, let’s arrange for you to swingby my grandfather’s office and pick up a few documents, okay? Thanks.”

Once I hang up, I feel a sense of relief and dread all at the same time.

So, my mind goes to Sam. She’s the one person who can always set me straight.

Fortunately, she answers on the third ring. And after I explain everything to her, it’s clear she thinks I’m doing the right thing.

“Come back to Phoenix now. Right now.”

I laugh. “I can’t do that. Luna’s at a sleepover. Oh, and did I mention, I’m pretty fucking drunk right now.”

“Okay, well, hurry back as soon as you can.”

All this time, I had it in my head that we’d just stay at my old apartment. But that’s no longer an option now.

“Once we’re back, can we—”

“Stay with me?” she finishes my sentence like only a best friend could.

“Yeah. Unless that’s too much to ask.”

“Are you kidding me? Of course, you can!”

I’m not sure whether I’ve ever been more thankful for her in my entire life. Well, except for when she took care of and kept my child alive while I attended to business in L.A. after Abuelo died, that is.

“I promise it won’t be too long. Just enough time to get me back on my feet and settled into another job.”

“Don’t worry about any of that now. You’re welcome to stay as long as you and Luna need. I gotchu, girl.”

Unlike when Hayden said it, I actually believe her.

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