Long Time Running - By Hannah Foster Page 0,58

"More like a very weak thank you."

"Dude, I was doing my job." Glancing at his watch, he gave him a curious look. "You're here awfully late."

"I was just going to swing by and see how she is."

"She's sleeping and she's as fine as can be expected. Why don't you go home and sleep in your bed instead of the chair in her room."

Seeing Eric's look of surprise, he shook his head. "Oh don't play innocent with me. Even if I hadn't found you there more than once, the nurses have and you have become quite the talk of the floor. They all think they've figured out why you're still single and they are giddy over the return of your great love."

"They should spend more time doing their jobs and less time gossiping about me," he sniffed, playing with the lid of his coffee cup.

"Imagine the tizzy they'd be thrown into if they knew you were sleeping with her."

Eric's head shot up and he glared at his friend. "I don't know what-"

Andrew gazed levelly at him. "Don't even try to deny it" he told him evenly. "She was wearing your t-shirt when she came in. And I guess it makes me wonder what the hell you were thinking?"

"I don't answer to you" he replied sharply.

Andrew shrugged and took a long drink from his coffee. "I suppose not but Eric someone needs to call you on your shit and that's what I'm doing. You have done some stupid things in your day but sleeping with her has got to top the list."

"First of all," he began angrily, "her name is Nathalie not 'her'. Second of all, don't you dare tell me that being with her was stupid. Because we both wanted it-"

"Wanting it is not the issue Eric. Anyone who knows the two of you knows that you have some kind of intense connection. When you two are in a room together, everyone else ceases to exist. The issue is where the two of you are right now and quite frankly, where Jack is. That kid is having his world turned upside down and his parents need to figure out how to coexist and not let any of their crap land on him."

"Are you done?"

"Not even close. Nathalie is so incredibly fragile Eric - you can't yank her chain for sport or to get back at her."

"I'm not doing that!" he protested.

"Not to mention," he continued, ignoring the protest, "you have been carrying the damage of her leaving for years and to just jump back into bed is a bad idea."

Seething, Eric slammed his fist against the desk. "You have no idea what you're talking about!"

"No?" he shot back angrily. "Who cleaned up your vomit after the three week bender you went on the last time she left? Who would pour you into bed and listen to you beg for her to come back?" he paused to take a breath as Eric lowered his eyes to again focus on coffee cup. "Besides, if everything is so peachy between you two then why were you arguing?"

Exhaling slowly, he slumped into his chair. "I missed her, okay?" he admitted. "I missed kissing her, being with her and for just a little while I was able to forget all the crap and remember what it was like to love someone. It may have been dumb but I won't apologize for it."

"Eric, you need to be careful. There are enough land mines around the two of you to blow up a small country. You need to look out for yourself and for Jack."

He sighed. "I'm trying, really Drew I am.

"I believe you, I'm just trying to look out for all of you. Despite what you think, I don't want Nat hurt anymore that she obviously has been." Taking another sip of his coffee, he studied him for a moment. His friend was at once conflicted and peaceful, if that was even possible. "When are you going to tell Jack that you're his Dad?"

He shook his head. He had been so single minded before Nathalie had come face to face with Jack and now he was not as sure. He wanted Jack to know - he needed to tell him - but he wanted to make sure the timing was right for all of them.

"I'm not sure," he finally answered. "Maybe next week before his birthday. And I guess Nat and I need to figure out what's next - I mean what if she wants to go