18. Katrinia
18
Katrinia
I t’s been two weeks since Cooper and Theo almost got arrested for the domestic disturbance they caused by brawling in the kitchen like a pack of rabid mutts. Theo ended up with a broken nose and a few good scrapes and bruises.
Cooper however, did end up dislocating his jaw and fracturing his tooth. All while finding out he needs his wisdom teeth removed in the process. He is scheduled for oral surgery this afternoon.
Currently he’s wrapping up one final tattoo he insisted on working in, even though the doctors advised against it. I’m in the office clearing out some paperwork, attempting to distract myself, before we head to the surgeon’s office.
I have given myself a bit of a pep talk and driven Cooper’s car around the block everyday this week in preparation for today and it’s going to be fine. At least that’s what I keep repeating to myself in my head.
Filing the last document away I shut down my computer.
Stepping out into the studio Cooper’s battered face looks up at me as I make my way over to him.
“Looking good. You almost finished up here?” I ask, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“Yeah baby, just a couple more shading spots and I’ll be ready to go.” His voice comes out as a mumbled whisper. The doctors in the ER gave him a wrap to keep his mouth shut while some of the other swelling and damages healed before they could get him scheduled with the oral surgeon.
“OK don’t rush, we have time.” I say walking over to the lobby counter, making sure he canceled all of his appointments for the next few weeks, but I notice a meeting in Boston that wasn’t rescheduled.
“It looks like you missed rescheduling one of your appointments. Do you want me to call Kimberly from Boston?” I shout over my shoulder and the sound of the tattoo machine stops.
“Don’t call her. She’s nobody.” He mutters before I hear the steady buzz of his gun again.
Something about the way he responded regarding Kimberly from Boston is turning the cauldron where my intuition brews. I don’t think he’s cheating or seeing anyone. He’s been all in on us since the second I walked through the door.
Maybe she’s someone from before?
But before he said he’s never seen the same girl twice, meaning he hasn’t been in any steady relationship, so who the fuck is she?
A few moments later I notice the guy jump off the table to check out his new ink in the mirror. He comes back with a smile on his face and the two men clasp hands before coming in for one of those one armed hugs men do.
I already double clicked the button for his fancy car to auto start so it will be warm when we get inside. Believe it or not, tattoo artists make a pretty comfortable living, or at least Cooper does anyway. He’s not a millionaire or anything but he is doing very well for himself and I have to say, I’m proud of him.
He walks over and wraps his hands around my waist, pulling me against him. Exhausted and probably in pain since he hasn’t taken a pain killer since last night he lightly kisses my forehead.
“Who’s Kimberly?” I opt for the blunt option and just straight up ask him instead of allowing myself to be eaten alive with curiosity.
“Valentine’s Day is coming up and I wanted to do something special for you. Don’t ask anything more about it because I won’t tell.” He attempts a smile as he runs the back of his fingers over my cheek.
“I’m sure I could get it out of you. After all you’re no Theo when it comes to secrets.” I scrunch my nose at him and he flattens it with his index finger.
“Too soon, Trin. Too soon.” Shaking his head he tugs on a coat before we head out the door.
Feeling more settled behind the wheel I loosen my grip on the ten and two position. We cruise at a comfy thrifty five miles per hour down a quiet road for a little while before I say, “I’m really proud of you. The shop and your life here. You’re doing a really good job, Coop. I just thought you should know.”
“Thank you, dorogoy.” His hand squeezes my thigh and I smile over at him.
“Your Russian sounds better with your jaw wrapped shut.” I tease and he smacks my leg.
“That’s because Russians all sound like they have their jaws broken and a sinus cold.” We laugh because it’s kinda true. I was raised around plenty of Russian men and some at times had various parts of their faces busted in.
“Maybe that’s why Russian men are so rugged and handsome.” I wink to let him know I’m just playing.
“Oh you think so huh? You don’t seem to be finding Nordic Spaniards too bad looking either or was that someone else’s lips milking every last drop from my cock this morning?” His hand slowly slides up my thigh and when he reaches his desired destination he begins rubbing me through my leggings.
“Baby stop it. I’m driving.” I giggle as I attempt to swat him away.
“Maybe you should pull over.” His pressure increases and my grip tightens on the wheel.
“Control yourself.” My words come out more breathless than I intend them to, but he relents with a huff of a laugh and puts his hand back in a more suitable place on my thigh.
Fifteen minutes later we are pulling into the parking lot of the hospital and I find a nice parking space with no other cars around. It’s a little further of a walk but I would rather brave the February chill than risk hitting someone’s car.
We get checked in and I help Coop fill out his intake forms. Coming to the spot where it says Emergency Contact I go to write in Theo’s information when he stops me.
“Put your number down.” He looks over at me with a serious expression.
“This space is for family or a spouse. If a real emergency happens Theo should know.” I insist knowing the hospital wants someone who could handle matters on someone’s behalf. Even though Theo was my emergency contact on all my college forms and when I was in the hospital.
“You would be my spouse… if you’d marry me.” He takes the clipboard and the pen and scribbles in my name and number before handing it back to me.
Cooper’s brought up the idea of us getting married multiple times in different instances over the past month or so and every time I think he is joking but I’m starting to think he is actually dead serious.
“Coop.” I give him a soft smile as he tucks a few loose strands of hair behind my ear, kissing the top of my head.
Just as I finish up the forms a nurse comes out and calls his name. I hand her the clipboard and we both follow her down the hall. She guides us to a room where she tells Cooper to get seated and relax and that the doctor will be ready shortly, before she closes the door.
“I’m sure you are going to do great. I’ll be here when you wake up.” I promise as I lean in and softly kiss his lips.
He pulls me down on the chair with him and he wraps his arms around me. A few minutes later there is a knock on the door and the nurse peeps her head in.
“We are ready for you whenever you are Mr. Cabrera. After surgery they will take you to a recovery room and that’s when I’ll bring back your wife. Should be about an hour and a half total.”
“Oh I’m…” I go to correct her but Cooper stops me.
“That sounds fine. She’ll be in the lobby.” He gives me a wink.
“OK then.” She waves a hand encouraging him to follow and starts out of the room.
“I love you.” I breathe, waving from the door.
“YA lyublyu tebya, zhena.” He says it back to me including the Russian word for wife.
* * *
In the waiting room my phone dings and it’s a text from Willow.
After that she sent me a GIF of a cat wearing a sombrero clapping his paws and a video of Taylor Swift being iconic as always. I sat there and scrolled social media for a while until I noticed I had a message request.
Opening it I see there’s no profile picture, just an auto generated username. I can read the beginning of the message and curiosity getting the better of me I open the message and it’s a video of Cooper fucking Jenna. She’s bent over the tattoo table as his fingers dig into her hips and a whiskey bottle hangs down at his side.
He will get tired of you
With my blood raging I try to remind myself that this is old news. I take a few deep calming breaths before looking back down at the message. Clearly she sent this, but does he know she recorded him?