Page 23 of Dr. Brandt

“I would appreciate that, yes,” I said, a bit harsher.

“Sir?” I heard the valet call, finally driving my car up for me. “Your car is ready. Sorry about the wait.”

“I’ll need a moment,” I said, seeing that my car wasn’t parked to hold anyone up. “Thanks.” I nodded after he kindly left me to wrap this up with Jessa.

“I was an idiot,” she said, a tear slipping down her cheek.

I instantly wiped it away. “Don’t insult yourself,” I returned. “Let’s just leave it where it is. I’m here, and I will help our son.”

I needed to figure out how best to approach my care of Jackson with St. John’s since they didn’t look favorably upon surgeons treating their family members. I needed to get out of here, sit with the guys, and ask for their advice. Hopefully, they were all still at Darcy’s. If nothing else, I could use a stiff drink. I walked to my car and grabbed my bag from the trunk.

“I’m going to take off,” I said as I handed her the duffel. “He’s a chip off the old block, Jessa. A handsome young man, great athlete, and a well-mannered personality.”

“He is.”

I got in the car and headed out of the parking lot, calling the guys as I pulled out onto the street.

I only had to try two different numbers before someone finally answered.

“What’s up, douche?” Jake, the heart surgeon, said.

“You guys still at Darcy’s?”

“Just finished dinner,” Jake answered. “Is everything okay? Collin mentioned something was up, and you sound like hell.”

“I’m on my way.” My voice had an unmistakable edge.

“Sounds bad, man. Did the stalker ex-girlfriend hold you hostage in that office of yours?”

The humor in Jake’s voice elevated my mood.

“Turns out I’m a dad.”

“The fuck?”

“I’ll explain when I get there.”

“Yeah, I’ll set us up with another round.”

“Thanks, man.”

If there was one night I was grateful to meet the guys at Darcy’s, tonight was it. I needed time to organize my thoughts, but I also needed to talk.

I didn’t want to be angry at Jessa about her secrecy, but I’d lost sixteen years nonetheless, and I knew that sooner or later, I was going to feel that deeply. All I could do in the interim was to try to sort out my feelings and keep my cool for Jackson’s sake.

Chapter Eleven

Cameron

I planted my ass in my seat at the table permanently reserved for the guys and me. It was back in a corner, surrounded by windows, and mainly used for privacy from the rest of the patrons in this restaurant. Given the high profiles of my friends—and the staggering amount of money we spent—the establishment had no problem ensuring we were always cared for.

The guys didn’t say much as I downed the scotch they’d ordered for me like a glass of water. I ran the back of my hand over my wet lips and motioned to the waitress for another, something entirely out of character for me. As I sat in silence, surrounded by curious stares, I stared at the empty glass I clenched in my hands as if it were a magic ball that could give me the answers I needed.

In the time it took me to drive here, I’d gone through an array of emotions, and now, I was utterly overwhelmed and more than a little confused. I had more questions than answers. Could I still operate on my boy, knowing he was mine? Should I try to become the father this boy deserved in his life? Would he want me to try? If I got Jessa pregnant sixteen years ago, knowing how careful we always were, could I have other unknown children running around out there?

“Cam,” I heard Jim say. James Mitchell was CEO of Mitchell and Associates, which owned St. John’s Hospital, and he also happened to be Jake’s brother. I could tell by his voice that it wasn’t the first time he’d called my name.

“Sir, your scotch,” the waitress said.

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