Page 27 of Thunder

I huff, “No pressure,” before I state, “Bradley, let’s get your observations done,” and he hums as he takes a step closer to me, then, ever so gently, he wraps an arm around my waist, and I lock eyes with him again at how right he feels wrapped around me.

Okay, so this isn’t good, nope, not good at all.

“Show me the way, Dr. Aimes,” he murmurs, and I swallow hard but nod and allow my feet to move for me while my mind stays on the hand that is holding my waist, sending lightning jolts throughout my body. The tingles evolve dramatically so that it makes it difficult to breathe.

I’m not ready for this feeling. I’m working two jobs, trying to study for my exam so I can progress in my career, and I’m basically bringing up my nephew, something I didn’t want to admit to, but it’s the truth. I don’t have time for a brother to claim me, and claim me he is.

He gave me his legal name...

The men make room for us as we leave, and whatever my dad sees in my eyes, he softens his face and says, “I’ll be hanging around until you’re finished,” and I nod as I guide Bradley to an exam room.

***

“So, do you think I’ll make it through the surgery?” Bradley asks, and I look up from my notes to find him smirking at me, and I smile.

“I think that you’ll be just fine,” I chuckle, and he hums as I sign the chart.

“You go in on yourself when you’re working on a patient,” he mentions, and I close the chart and look his way.

“I don’t want to mess up,” I admit, “When I have a patient’s life in my hands, I want to make sure everything is right.”

“Like with my scans?” he confirms, and I nod and reply, “Exactly, and it was Dr. Thomas who taught me to be thorough.”

“Yet he didn’t pick up on my knee,” he goads, and I smirk.

“Oh, he did, he was testing me,” I say, and Bradley grins, and I shrug. “He already had the repeat scan booked. He noticed it, and he wanted to test me.”

“And you passed with flying colors,” a voice says behind me, and I chuckle as I turn and say, “So you think I’ll pass my exam?”

Dr. Thomas smiles and admits, “Yeah, you will,” and I beam before I freeze as a stunning woman with long caramel hair, sapphire eyes and a baby bump rushes past Dr. Thomas, who groans, “Britanny, who gave you clearance to come up here and where is Trigger?”

The woman glares at Dr. Thomas and snaps, “He’s my brother, I didn’t need clearance and Trigger is downstairs!”

Oh…

She accidentally bumps past me, causing me to stumble, and I gasp, half expecting to fall into the counter. A strong arm comes around my waist, following a grunt, and I quickly look at Bradley with wide eyes, knowing that was a grunt full of pain.

“Bradley, don’t cause yourself anymore damage,” the woman, Brittany, snaps, but the man doesn’t look at her. He keeps eye contact with me as he growls, “Then maybe you shouldn’t knock your pregnant ass into people and slow down!”

“I-I, crap, I’m sorry,” Brittany says, and I reluctantly break eye contact with Bradley and look her way.

“That’s okay,” I murmur before I gently push Bradley back, seeing he’s struggling with my weight, and I state, “And you shouldn’t have caught me. I wouldn’t have landed on the floor.”

“Treasure, I wasn’t going to risk it,” he grunts, and I gently rub my thumbs into his shoulder to help ease the pain.

“Treasure?” Brittany whispers, and Dr. Thomas mentions, “Brit, maybe give them a minute?”

“No, I’m not leaving my brother who I have only just seen again in eight months,” she says, and Bradley murmurs, “You’re good at that,” and my lips twitch.

“I kind of have to be,” I say. “Now, do me a favor.” he raises a brow, and I demand, “No more catching people with that shoulder. Your nerve is trapped, and I don’t want you tearing it.”

“Okay,” he says softly, and I nod as I take a step back and my eyes race between his before I say, “I’ll leave you with your sister and see you in two days for your surgery.”

“What if I can’t wait two days?” he asks, and I swallow hard.

“Well, you’re just going to have to,” I murmur, “I’m clocking off in ten minutes, and my dad’s waiting for me.”

I’m not sure why Dad showed up, I’m not sure why he’s trying to make an effort or why he stayed. Something is telling me to give him a chance, or Tilly's voice is at least. Tonight I’m at the store, meaning I’m only going to get four hours of sleep before I have to leave home.