Page 108 of Dr. Brandt

“It’s the fear of losing that sex drive that will help you make better decisions, this one being the first, of course,” Nat said.

“Or she could want to have a night out with friends?” Bree said.

“Like I said, fear of losing the sex drive. Depression is the beginning, and then the meds bury it. I’m not a doctor, so don’t go quoting me, but in my experience, that’s usually how it goes. A controlling man controls more than he knows.”

“And ruins more than he knows,” I answered with a laugh. “Listen, I’m going back to the house, and I’ll see you both tonight. I turned down Cameron’s offer earlier, so I’m not sure he’ll be—”

“Who cares?” Bree said. “Cameron’s a big boy. He’ll be pleased you showed up whether you came by his invitation or ours.”

I shook my head and laughed. Then I noticed the mysterious smiles the two women offered each other.

“Am I missing something?” I questioned.

“Nope, we’re taking off.” Nat turned and hooked her arm through Bree’s. “We’ll see you tonight, gorgeous,” she said with a laugh and a wave of her hand.

I would’ve loved to brush it off, but I could tell that I didn’t run into these two on the beach by accident, especially in Laguna Beach, this far south from where all of Cam’s billionaire friends lived.

Maybe the girls really were down here walking the beach and just randomly ran into Jacks and me. Shit like that can happen, right? A text buzzed on my phone, stopping me from overthinking.

Jacks: Warren and I are heading out together.

Jessa: Okay. I guess I’ll order in food and enjoy some alone time ;)

Jacks: Go have fun with your friends, Mom. Please.

Something was definitely up. Jacks never wanted to go anywhere with Warren. Warren was dull and dry, and when he tried to fit in and be Jackson’s buddy, the awkwardness of it drove Jacks insane. The divide with Warren had only seemed to grow since Cam and Jacks had become closer, especially since Cam had spent so much time with Jacks lately to help with rehab. We owed Cameron everything. I knew Cam was the reason Jacks had worked so damn hard to get this far. Cam pushed him, and Jacks loved it and thrived.

I didn’t have the mental capacity to dig into any hidden conspiracies about getting me out of the house, but I was grateful for the opportunity. And if all these outside forces were working on getting me to socialize, they’d succeeded.

Chapter Forty-Five

Cam

“How’s the kid?” Spencer asked.

I looked over at the sharply dressed businessman, wishing I could be as much of a dick as he was at times. For the last couple of months, my attempts to get Jessa back had failed miserably, and I was stuck with that terrible empty feeling. Even staying busy at the hospital these days didn’t do anything for me.

“Doing great,” I managed, tipping back my beer and downing half the damn thing in one swallow.

“When are you two going to get your bitch-asses in this pool and help us turn up this fucking water polo game?” Jake asked, throwing the ball from inside Jim’s rooftop pool to where I sat on lounge furniture with Spence.

“When we go back to the days when we were four, like you idiots,” Spence answered, taking a drink of his scotch and laughing.

I eyed the hard liquor, debating if I should take my chances and pour myself one, but with the mood I was in, it probably wasn’t the best idea.

“So, tell me,” Spence said, leaning his elbows on his knees, “what’s going on with you? You look like hell, which shouldn’t be the case from everything Jim has told me about how well your son is doing in recovery.”

I shrugged, and in the distinguished art of trying to go bald at a young age, I rubbed my forehead for the millionth time this month.

“Jacks is doing amazing. The kid is determined to get past the limp, and his vision and right arm are still trying to fuck with him.” I smiled and stared into the firepit, “He just doesn’t quit.”

“A lot like you then, eh?” Spencer said.

I looked over at Collin, Jake, Alex, and Jim tossing the ball around in the pool, making up some game like we always did, and wondered how I’d somehow traded places with Jim. He was usually up here, chilling with Alex or Spence on the sidelines. They were notorious for having one of their epic business conversations while the rest of us entertained ourselves like toddlers at the park.

“Guess so,” I said.

“How’s Jessa?” he asked.

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