Dr. Brandt: Chapter 12

The weekend seemed to last a year. I couldn’t get answers for Jackson soon enough, and despite the luxurious accommodations, I’d hardly slept a wink since Cam booked Jackson and me this penthouse suite.

Now that it was officially five in the morning, I felt I could justify getting out of bed and making coffee while waiting for Cam’s secretary to call me and schedule my son for his appointment.

Once I set the coffee in motion, I strummed my fingers on the counter, staring at my fingernails while a string of worries ran through my head like they were trying out for the Olympics. Making its way to the top of my anxieties was Warren and his “k” response to the text I’d sent him with the details of Cameron taking on Jackson as a patient.

I felt a weird spasm in my stomach, realizing that Warren was acting like he didn’t care about what was going on and there was zero support from him. It wasn’t the first time Warren had pulled a cold-hearted move, but we always found a way to make up and move forward. This was hitting me very differently, though.

I wiped a tear that’d streamed down my cheek, feeling hurt that Warren was treating Jackson and me this way. A lot of what attracted me to the man was how he provided security and cared for us. Even on his worst, busiest workday, he was always reliable. He was always there, whether by text or phone call or by surprising me and showing up in person. I’ll be damned if I could understand why he was acting like this now.

I knew it wasn’t because he was jealous of Cameron. I didn’t think so anyway. If he knew Cam was competition for him, he’d find a way to work remotely so he could be here with us. How fucked up was it to think that if he was at least jealous, I could have the man’s support?

Ring! Ring!

I nearly jumped out of my skin when the phone rang, and I saw Warren’s caller ID show up. I didn’t want to answer the call; under other circumstances, I would not have. But I was in such a precarious situation, needing support like never before, and part of me wanted to be able to explain his horrible behavior away. I wasn’t sure I could deal with drama on top of everything else, so there was only one way to find out how to move forward from here.

I answered. “I thought I’d never talk to you again.”

“Ha,” he said dryly as if he needed to continue making a point that he was displeased. “So, what’s the deal with Jacks?”

“I’m supposed to get a phone call around seven or so from Cam’s secretary to set up an official consultation.”

“Ah, so Cam is not calling you himself to set this up?” He mocked Cameron’s name.

I was wrong to give him the benefit of the doubt. He’s pissed and jealous.

“No,” I returned flatly. “Why would he? I texted you that he confirmed he would take Jacks as a new patient. Doctors don’t do in—”

“Does he know that he’s Jackson’s father yet?”

“Jesus, Warren, why did you call if all you’re going to do is continue your dickish behavior? This isn’t about me hooking up with a boyfriend who ditched my ass a million years ago. This is about getting Jacks the best treatment possible.”

“Right,” Warren said in a low voice. “Well, does he know that he didn’t only skip out on you, but he also left his son behind in the process?”

“Why does it matter?”

“You’re kidding me, right?” Warren shot back.

“I’m not. And yes, he knows. Jacks looks exactly like him. He’d be blind if he didn’t see the obvious resemblance.”

“And with this information, what does he plan on doing?”

“He plans on taking Jackson as a patient. So why the hell are you calling me and acting like this? If you were worried about Cameron, you shouldn’t have pulled that stunt at the airport. This is my son’s life hanging in the balance.”

“You’re acting as though it’s owed to you to have Cameron Brandt take him on as a patient, and you’ve pulled a hell of a lot of shit since you’ve been trying to demand an audience for Jackson. Do you think he’s doing this for anyone but himself?”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“How can you be so naïve?”

“If you think I wouldn’t walk over hot coals to get my son help, then I don’t know what to tell you.” I knew what he was insinuating, and I couldn’t have felt more disgusted. He was insulting both Cameron and me, all because he was feeling insecure. I didn’t know where this breakdown in our communication had started, but I was positive I’d never felt farther away from him. If he was trying to get me to see things his way or be sympathetic to him, he couldn’t have gone in a worse direction.

“Anything else?” I questioned, tears pooling in my eyes again.

“You know where I stand. Don’t say I didn’t warn you if things don’t work out for Jacks.”

“Warn me? What the hell does that mean, Warren?”

“You know what? It doesn’t matter. You’ll do whatever you want, regardless of my opinion or feelings, so this is on you.”

“What are you warning me about?” I questioned again.

“The guy probably wants to get laid, Jessica,” Warren sighed. “I saw what he looked like, and he looks the type who would take that as payment from a gullible woman like yourself.”

“You’re such an unbelievable asshole,” I stated bluntly.

“Well, someone needs to keep your head out of the clouds. Jess, professionals like him don’t just take patients and do friends a favor. Can’t you see that? For Christ’s sake, the man’s a world-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon, and you’re treating him like he’s a hook-up for discount movie tickets. He’s doing this all for a piece of ass; trust me on that.”

“You know what?” I finally spoke up, stopping Warren mid-lecture. “I know you’re pissed, but this isn’t fair to Jackson.”

“Oh, so what’s fair, then? His mom hooks up with his dad, whom he doesn’t even know about yet, and then insists that this man will perform magic on him, fix him, and all will be well in his life again? It doesn’t work that way, Jessica, and you know that.”

“What I know is that not trying doesn’t work for me. You, of all people, should know that when it comes to Jackson having a chance at the life he deserves, I’m willing to throw it all on the table.”

“Even our relationship?”

“You’re the one doing things to threaten that, not me.”

“If you’re the woman I want as my wife, you’ll respect that I have a problem with this. I know you think I’m being an asshole but put yourself in my shoes. Imagine how it feels, knowing that my beautiful fiancée is with her ex-lover and their son, and I’m not there to protect you both from this man should he have other motives.”

“We don’t need your protection. I’m not a damsel in goddamn distress, and I have never been. What I am is a competent woman, listening to the insecure ramblings of a man who is being extremely selfish.” I contained my emotions as best I could, so I didn’t end up screaming at him the way I wanted to. “Furthermore, I think I’m smart enough to know if a guy is doing me favors for a piece of ass. This conversation is ridiculous, and I’m not having it anymore. If you want to support Jackson and me, as you used to be keen on doing, then get out here and do it.”

“Yeah, well, I’m working. Someone has to pay the bills, right?”

With that last dig, Warren hung up on me. I was so sick of his shit, and I knew I didn’t deserve it. I deserved better. Fuck him.

There was a lot at stake here emotionally, and now, my future marriage was in jeopardy. I couldn’t get swallowed up in those thoughts, though. I needed to be focused and clear-minded and set up Jackson’s appointment with Cameron and see all this through until the very end. My relationship drama would have to wait.