Page 106 of Dr. Brandt

“They’re not grounded when they’re with you. Not everything is yachts, expensive cars, and beach houses on loan by friends. That isn’t the real world, and until you can see that, you’ll never understand why Jessica blames herself for her son falling into that coma.”

He turned and left as quickly as he could.

I didn’t know what to think. What I did know was that this intimidated asshole had insulted me and my life, which he knew nothing about. The idea that I wasn’t grounded was laughable. I was a top pediatric neurosurgeon at a world-famous hospital, and I didn’t become so by galivanting around the world on a yacht with no responsibilities.

I certainly hoped that short-sighted prick heeded my warning because I was on a mission to take back the two most important people in my world, and none of his petty insults would stop me.

Chapter Forty-Four

Jessa

With Jacks and I living with Warren in the Laguna Beach condo, one might assume that Warren’s and my relationship had been rekindled, but that couldn’t have been farther from the truth.

Warren and I had picked up where we left off, minus the engagement. There was no sex, no romance, no connection…nothing. Vanilla was a spicy way to describe us. But Warren made me feel grounded, secure, and comfortable, whereas Cam made me feel wild, carefree, and, for lack of a better word, careless.

No matter how often I tried to work things out in my head, I always ended up on that fateful day in Mexico, where I was lost in bliss, debating whether to have another drink, when Cameron walked out to me. I was floating on clouds and higher than Snoop Dogg (as that joke goes), believing he was about to propose marriage to me.

Then, reality hit me like a meteor. The downside of living in a fantasy world is that the stresses of everyday life will hunt you down and find you, so you better be ready. Being half-buzzed and deciding whether I’d accept Cam’s marriage proposal was me living in that fantasy. My son falling into a coma was life’s way of telling me to keep my ass planted in reality and pay attention to my responsibilities.

Warren agreed, and the three of us moved into this lovely condo in Laguna Beach. And every morning that Jacks and I got out and walked the beach, I would look up at the incredible beachfront homes, reminded of the house Jake and Ash so generously let us use and of Cameron’s place in Malibu.

“Jessa?” I heard a woman call over the sound of waves crashing onto the shore. I turned and saw Bree Grayson, a lovely woman I’d only met once. Her husband was one of Cam’s close friends, and Bree was introduced to me by Ash, Avery, and Elena when we met for dinner a while ago. Her bright smile popped the cutest dimples on her cheeks, and she half-jogged over to Jacks and me. “You must be Jacks!” she said, noticing the brace on his right leg and arm. “Well, aren’t you adorably handsome? You look great!”

“Jacks,” I said, smiling at his confused expression, “this is Bree Grayson. Her husband is Alex. He’s good friends with Cam and Cam’s friends.”

“I’ve heard them talk about him. It’s nice to meet you, Bree,” Jacks said, reaching out his right hand. His movements were still slow, but he was making good progress. “Sorry, it’s a bit hard to shake with this hand.”

“Don’t you dare apologize,” she said. “I’ve met grown businessmen who have full use of their right hand, and they don’t even have the courtesy to use it to shake my hand.”

“Tell me about it,” another blonde woman said as she approached. She looked like she’d been transported from a Gucci runway to the beach for God knows what. She peered at Bree through her oversized sunglasses. “Those men don’t offer you the courtesy of shaking your hand because they’re full of themselves.” She looked over at Jacks, “So, always make sure you shake a woman’s hand because if you don’t, chances are she will assume it’s because you wore it out the night before giving yourself a little hand if you know what I mean?”

She took a sip of the Cosmopolitan she held unabashedly in her hand, unconcerned that any random police officer could see her and fine her for it, and I couldn’t help but laugh. Who the hell is this woman? I thought in humor. Her large, floppy beach hat and the way she spoke made me feel like I was standing with the real-life version of Samantha from Sex and the City.

“You’ll need to pardon my friend. Everything is sexual with her,” Bree said, staring at her friend in shock as the woman shrugged her shoulders. Bree shot her friend a look as if to censor her, and then she looked at Jacks. “Jacks, this is Natalia; Nat, this is Cam’s—” she paused, and I knew she was searching for words other than Cam’s son, “Cam’s patient. He’s recovering from surgery, and he’s doing remarkably well.”

She pulled off her sunglasses and eyed Jackson. “Dear God, you look just like Dr. Brandt!” she said. She looked at me as I subtly shook my head, pleading with this woman to shut her mouth immediately. I must’ve looked like a deer in headlights because she caught on instantly and corrected herself. “I just mean, you certainly are a gorgeous young man, aren’t you? Cam would love to know he’s been compared to a handsome man like yourself, especially coming from me.”

Jacks smiled but didn’t say much because I knew he was inwardly drooling over this woman. She was one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen, so I could only imagine what a teenage boy thought of her.

“So, you know Cameron?” I asked, wondering if Cam was dating or had dated this woman. I wouldn’t have been surprised.

“Oh,” she smirked at me while Bree chuckled, “that’s a story for a better day when young men who have proper manners aren’t around.”

Now, my interest was piqued. Who was this woman?

“I’m down here checking out some real estate with Breanne,” she said. “Why don’t you join us for lunch later?”

“They’re not in the market, Nat,” Bree said. “But we’re all going to Jim and Avery’s house tonight for Jake’s birthday. We’re lowkey getting everyone together.”

“I’m going to pass,” I said. “Cam was over this morning, working with Jacks a little bit, and he invited as well, but I think it’s best for us to hang back.”

“Best for whom, dear?” Nat said. “These little bashes are where the good stories about all these crazy men are told.”

“Right,” I answered.

“Mom,” Jacks interjected, “you need to stop hiding from everyone.”

My face flushed red, irritated that Jacks would embarrass me in front of Cam’s friends. He’d been a bulldog in recovery and that mentality had him smarting off every chance he got these days. I knew he was angry that we were back to living with Warren again, and that anger was pointed in my direction.

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