Medical malpractice case

Chapter 12 Jamie

I run to Andrew, giving him the biggest hug I ever did. He doesn't pull away until I do. I look back, and just as I turn, Noah starts driving off. I haven't seen Andrew in 10 months now.

We walk up to my apartment. I dig through my bag and pull out the keys. I unlock the door, stepping in, then switching on the lights. As soon as I step aside to let him in. He walks to the kitchen and starts rummaging in the fridge. Typical. I drop the keys on the coffee table in the living room and then walk to the kitchen where Andrew is munching on grapes.

"Jamie... your fridge is full... Do you even eat?" He says the last part as a joke. Little does he know I don't eat. I haven't been eating well until today. When Noah took me to lunch. My lunch. I left it in his car. I chuckle nervously at his words. He immediately looks at me. "Jamie... you don't eat, do you?" I stay silent, not wanting to tell him much. I'm pretty sure that's gives its own answer. Me being silent, that is.

"Jamie." I see him glancing at my stomach.. I think it's really time to tell him. I haven't even told anyone. Only Noah knows.

"Oh yeah, how have I been? I've been great. I dealt with 25 cases since I last saw you, and I broke up with Jake, and it turns out I'm pregnant. One of the clients in one of the cases is my doctor. He is actually the only guy who knows im pregnant and is also the guy you saw me coming out of his car." I drop all the news at once. I look at him. His mouth fully widened.

"You're...?" He asks. I nod, taking a grape and popping it in my mouth. "Only Noah knows and meaning Jake has no idea?" I nod in response.

"Pretty much, yeah."

"How...will you take care alone?"

"I'm not alone. I have you." He smiles.

"Jamie, true, but I live 20 minutes away." I think for a moment. I open my mouth to speak, but just as I'm about to, he sits up on the barstool. "Okay, let's put that to the side. Congrats on the pregnancy, by the way, but this is the most important question." I immediately tense up. "What are you gonna do when Jake finds out?" I could feel my face lose all its colors.

"Let's hope he won't." I say, taking a sip of water to calm down.

"And hypothetically, if he does?"

"He won't." I say my voice sharp. "Let's talk about something else. How's work?" He groans.

"Please, I hate it right now, I'm getting settled to work with the FBI, and based on what I heard, I'll be working with this stuck-up girl called...I forgot something that begins with a c."

"You shouldn't always believe what you hear, you know." I tell him popping another grape in my mouth. "What if she'd be like...your soulmate?"

"You still believe in that crap?" He scoffs "honey no one believes in soulmates. Come on, I was in love with Lauren, like out of my mind in love, and she never loved me. Saw me like a brother." I go silent.

"Sorry to say, Andrew, but your relationship was only platonic. You were only delusional."

"Jame, she was like... the only girl I could trust. She was always there supporting me and all, and you're saying I wouldn't fall in love?" He sighs,"but now she's happily taken.. whatever good thing we're still friends."

__________

We don't even realize the time passes by in a flash. It feels like it's been less than 2 hours. We're on the couch watching TV when the doorbell suddenly rings. I pull the blanket off me and walk to the door slowly. Who would it be? I wasn't expecting anyone?  I open the door. Glasses. Chestnut hair. Uneven beard.

"Noah?" I look up him.

"Sorry for disturbing you. I just wanted to... you forgot your lunch in my car. Thought I'd drop it off for you." I see his gaze on Andrew on the couch. I look back at him to see him clenching his jaw.  "Seems like you already have company." He says softly. I glance over my shoulder at Andrew munching apples now.

"Oh yeah. Noah, this is Andrew, my brother. Andrew, this is Noah, the doctor I told you about." His expression relaxes immediately.

"Breaking news thunderstorm warning. Stay in your houses all night and do not leave to go anywhere." The newsreporter from the tv speaks. I look back at Noah, still standing at the doorway.

"Um... that means you can't leave." I state the obvious.

"I guess it does." He just stands there. I clear my throat and step aside.

"Come in." I take the pasta from him, our fingers brushing and sending electrical energy through me. As they brush, we look up at the same time, and our eyes lock. I clear my throat and pull my hand away.

He walks in and takes off his shoes. I can tell he's uncomfortable.

"Make yourself at home." I walk in the kitchen to cool myself down. I glance up from the corner to see him already chatting with Andrew. I have noah who's my doctor, who was my client who was the first guy to know I was pregnant in my house. I down a whole cup of water, trying to cool myself down. But it's no work.

I walk out with 2 cups of juice. I hand one to Noah, and our hands brush as he takes it. I give the other to Andrew. Andrew downs it in one go, and Noah plays with the rim of the cup.

I sit back on the couch, noticing I ended up sitting next to Noah.

"I'll get you some clothes." Andrew stands up and heads inside, leaving Noah and I  alone.