Page 11 of Doctor Do-Over

“I appreciate your concern, Dax,” I say. Ever since I learned his real name, I use it when I’m frustrated with him. “But this isn’t a part of your job description. I’ll tell him when I’m ready and not a moment sooner.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he replies, and turns toward the door.

Guilt washes over me for talking to him that way. I rush after him and grab his arm. He stops and looks down at where my hand rests.

“I’m sorry. Thank you for your concern. I’ll take it into consideration. I’m just scared.”

He pats my hand, and a part of me wishes I had feelings for this man instead. He’s a stand-up guy and actually very handsome, but he isn’t Tanner. I made sure not to give him Tanner’s name because I know he’d start looking on his own if he had it. I see the emotions flicker in his eyes, and I know he cares for me. I bite my top lip when tears start to form in my own eyes. He turns to face me and gently brushes his hand across my stomach.

“I’ll always be there for you and baby girl. I know you don’t care for me like that, but never fear. If he’s an idiot, I’ll be here to pick up the pieces.” He leans down and kisses my forehead. For a fleeting moment, I feel something, but I quickly realize it’s just the memory of Tanner doing the same thing.

When I open my eyes, he’s gone. I turn back to the room and climb into bed, where I cry myself to sleep.

Five

WRYAN

EASTPORT, RI

“Ican’t believe you were so irresponsible to get pregnant. Didn’t you take health in high school like the rest of us? Don’t you know that nothing but celibacy is completely perfect? At least a condom is ninety-nine percent effective, while the pill is somewhere close. Fuck.” J.D. rubs a hand down his face as he gripes at me in the elevator. I got home on Saturday, and he’s been on my case for the last couple of days.

“I think that’s enough,” Shakespeare says, coming to my defense.

J.D. turns to him, his eyes narrowing. “Why are you here again? Are you the father and just not wanting to stand up for my sister?”

Shakespeare pulls away from the wall and stands to his full height. He looks down at my brother, who is a few inches shorter than him. I had asked that we just tell my family he’s my friend, not my bodyguard. My family still doesn’t know about the attack in London.

“If your sister was pregnant with my baby, I would step up. I’m here because I’m her friend and she asked me to be here,” he growls.

I release a deep sigh and lean against the wall, upset that my life has come to this. Before I can argue back, the doors slide open on the main floor of the hospital, and I’m struck dumb for a moment.

“Tanner.” I gasp, and I can feel Shakespeare’s body tighten next to me as he puts his hand against my back. My brother grabs my arm to lead me out of the elevator, not noticing what is happening. I take him in. He cut his hair shorter, and his five o’clock shadow is thicker. My eyes meet his, the startingly green still holding the same intensity. For a brief moment, I see wonder pass over his face.

“Wryan?” Tanner looks between my brother, me, and Shakespeare. He then looks down at my very obvious pregnant belly. I’m wearing the cute dress I bought during our layover in New York. The long white tank dress falls to mid-calf, but the cropped sweater doesn’t quite hide the swell of my belly.

“Well, I guess you lied to me. Do your boyfriends know what kind of woman you are? That we fucked? That you cheated on them? I didn’t know you were into polyamorous relationships.” His words are bitter and full of anger.

My pulse kicks up, and my breathing increases. I hear the growl next to me and know Shakespeare is going for him, but my brother reaches him first. He hits Tanner hard in the face. I scream and follow them out of the elevator. I try to get to them, yelling for them to stop, but no one is listening to me.

“No, Tanner. It’s not like that. I didn’t lie,” I try to explain, but he doesn’t hear me. I start to move into the mix when I see my brother fall back, but then Tanner turns to Shakespeare. “No, Dax. Don’t hit him,” I scream.

Distracted, Dax turns to look at me. Tanner takes full advantage and lands a punch to the side of his head.

“You like my sloppy seconds,” Tanner yells as security tries to get in between them.

I can almost touch Tanner when someone grabs me and spins me away from him. The motion sets me off balance enough to make my head swim.

“You’re the father, Tanner,” I say before everything goes black.

Tanner

For months, I’ve been trying to find this woman. Now she’s right in front of me, lying in the bed, attached to monitors that are keeping watch over her and the baby. A baby I heard her say was mine just before she collapsed. The bigger of the two men she was with hit me, almost knocking me out. To be fair, I did sucker punch him. I shift my focus to the first guy who attacked me.

“Who are you to her?” I ask him, and he grits his teeth. I’ve seen him around the hospital; he’s a paramedic. J.D., I think is his name.

“He’s her brother,” the big guy replies. “I’m her friend.”

“What kind of friend?”

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