Page 5 of Broken Grump

“Earth to Hayden,” Noah, my older brother, says after his big head pops up on the main video screen during our weekly Zoom call.

My head jerks as I try to become more alert. “Right, sorry.”

Suddenly, it’s Gabriel, my rebel and daredevil friend, who dominates my monitor. “Yeah, he’s right. Something is off with you.”

We’re getting in a quick chat before we all start working, so I’m in one of my best suits. I tug at the lapel before looking up. “I just have a lot of things to do today.”That isn’t a lie, after all.

“Hmmm,” Victor, Noah’s best friend, and my honorary brother, vocalizes with squinted eyes. “I don’t buy it.”

Then, Denton, my more sensitive friend, gasps. “Guys! We’re so stupid!”

“What do you mean, Den?” Gabe asks.

Ugh.I close my eyes for a minute and press on the bridge of my nose. All the jumping back and forth between their faces is making me nauseous.Why we can’t just do our normal phone calls?

Denton sits back and looks smug as before dropping his conclusion,“One word: Addie.”

Fuck. They’re onto me.

On the smaller screens, I can see my brother’s faces fall.

“After all these years, he’s still got the hots for Adriana Flores?!” Victor jokes.

The utterance of her full name causes a shiver to roll down my spine. In response, I sit up straighter and cough to clear my throat.

“Of course, I saw her. It was her grandfather’s funeral.”

“Look at his face,” Noah jokes. “He’s turning red.”

“I am—” I shout before pulling at the tight neck of my button-up. Then, I repeat quietly, “I am not.”If we should be pointing out anything, it’s the graying at your temples, brother.

Gabe raises his arms above his head and then rests them on his neck. “No one blames you, Bro. Addie is hot as hell. She always has been. If you hadn’t gotten to her first, I would’ve loved to wine and dine her myself.”

I roll my eyes at the comment. “Alright, alright. Settle down.”

Noah laughs. “Yeah. It’s not like she’d ever go for you anyway.” he grins widely and twitches his dark eyebrows up. “Instead, she’d probably rather go for a successful, mature man . . .”

With that, Denton chimes in again. “People, people, people. It doesn’t matter whatyouwould’ve done with her or who shecould’vegone for.” Ever the sensitive and caring guy, I appreciate him sticking up for me. “It’s clear she picked Hayden.”

I feel my cheeks blushing again, but I push away from my desk a little in the hope to hide that.

Gabe, apparently not listening or caring about a word Denton said, leans closer. “So, is she still as hot as I remember?”

My mouth opens, but before I can say anything, my work phone rings.

Thank God!

I clap my hands together and say, “Sorry, boys. I’ve gotta go. Duty calls.”

As I’m lowering my screen, my brothers continue to razz me and make kissing noises, while Denton scolds them.

“Good riddance,” I say out loud after shutting it and muting all of their voices.

My attention automatically shifts to business mode. I don’t have the number saved on my phone, so I don’t recognize it. But nevertheless, I answer it.

“Hello?”

“Good morning. Is this Hayden Cohen?” a man on the other line says.

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