40. Katrinia
40
Katrinia
“ C ooper?” I call out on a rasp. My throat burns, feeling rough like I’ve been left in the desert for weeks without water but it doesn’t stop me from calling out for him again. “Cooper!”
I’m screaming on the inside but the reality is my voice is barely a whisper. I open my eyes, turning my head to see Luna walking towards me from where Theo is talking with a doctor.
Looking down I watch as she cups my hand. Dragging my tired eyes back up I meet hers before I say his name again. Every letter feels like acid razor blades slicing down my throat.
“I’ll get him as soon as I can. I promise.” Surely my face reflects my confusion but instead of answering my expression she pats my hand as Theo makes his way over with the doctor.
“You’re one lucky lady.” The doctor declares though his delivery lacks the humor he surely intended. “When you arrived…” I hold up a hand that I notice houses an IV to stop him.
“Cooper needs to be here.” I wheeze before laying my hand back down.
“Miss, Mr. Cabrera is currently sedated. He was… shall I say, reluctant to follow our protocols.” The doctor admits and I cough a laugh.
“Then un-sedate him.” Theo nearly growls, turning to step closer as he faces the doctor.
“I will see what I can do.” He shuffles on his feet for a brief moment before leaving the room.
As soon as the door clicks I push back the thin blanket and itchy sheet before dragging my legs over the edge of the bed. My body feels heavy, like the blood in my veins is liquid lead while every muscle screams in agony.
“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” Theo asks as he steps in front of me, placing his hands on my shoulders. Careful not to touch any of the tubes or wires currently connected all over my body like I’m some sci-fi experiment.
“I need Cooper.” I groan out as I reach for the pole currently holding up my IV.
“You need to lay down. You just got out of surgery Trin.” I look up at Theo and that’s when I finally notice the pain and fear in his eyes.
He was scared. No, he is scared. I haven’t seen the amber flakes turn dark since the night Cooper left on the bus that took him away for boot-camp. He was scared then and he is scared now.
“Don’t make me put your ass back in this bed Trin, lay down. Luna can go find Cooper. Right, amor?” Theo asks though his eyes don’t leave mine.
“Yes. Yes, of course. The nurse said he wasn’t too far. I’ll go check on him.” Luna blurts as she stands and leaves the room.
Theo leans down and gently lifts my legs back onto the bed before slowly guiding me back. He tucks the blankets back over me before he runs a hand down his face.
“What happened to him?” I finally ask, now that I’m settled and Theo sighs, shaking his head.
“You flat-lined when you woke up after surgery and he fucking lost it. He was fighting two male nurses and a security guard trying to get to you before they stabbed him in the neck with something in a needle. They dragged him out of the room, tossed him on a bed and wheeled him away.” Theo fills me in as he pulls a chair over, taking a seat. “He was screaming so loud Trin. I’ve never heard anything sound like that. It was almost inhuman.”
I lean my head back, closing my eyes and I drag in painfully deep breaths. My attempts to calm myself fail as I hear the beeping on the monitor next to me pick up pace.
I feel Theo’s forehead on mine as he whispers, “He will be OK. You both are going to be fine.”
Tears sting my eyes before I open them. When I do my lip trembles as I watch Theo wipe away his own wetness from his cheeks.
“How are you here?” I finally ask as I recall where I am. Forgetting for a second that we are nearly on the other side of the country.
“Cooper called me from jail.” Theo rolls his eyes at that and I remember the sirens. “Luna and I were with my friend Sebastian who called in a favor and hooked us up with a private plane. We got here as fast as we could.” His lips turned up at the end only for a split second. Just enough for me to notice and commit my energy to teasing him.
“Wow a private plane… Mister fancy pants.” I wiggle my eyebrows as I taunt him and he finally breaks a smile.
“Hey I’m still me just…” I cut him off.
“Just living the life you’ve always deserved?” I reach over and squeeze his hand. “I love you Theo. I’m so proud of you and happy that you found Luna. Someone to keep you safe and care for you.”
Opening my arms as wide as I can he scoffs before leaning into my embrace.
“I love you too Trin. I’m so glad you’re OK.”
Just then the door slams open and Cooper bursts into the room. He grips the back of Theo’s shirt, yanking him out of the chair as he gets closer to me. Hesitating before he gently runs his thumb across my cheek.
Cupping my face, his lips fall to mine in a desperately gentle kiss. Everything he can’t bring himself to say is confessed in that kiss and when he pulls back the look of agony on his face is battling with one of relief.
“Don’t you ever do that to me again.” His words come out on a shaky breath before the doctor comes back in.
“Miss Mikhaylov, have you ever heard of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy?” I shake my head and the doctor continues. “It’s commonly known as broken heart syndrome. In most cases it causes a slight weakness in the heart muscle after an emotionally distressing event. Typically this condition heals itself in a matter of months but for you that wasn’t the case. Either yours never healed or you’ve suffered multiple instances where your heart has been stunned or weakened. Over time this has caused a build up of scar tissue and weakness in the muscle which is what led to your arrhythmia. My team and I were able to remove a large amount of the scar tissue and correct the arrhythmia with a surgical procedure called a cardiac ablation. The surgery was successful but you will need to remain here for observation and follow up with a cardiologist back home on the east coast.”
Cooper falls to the chair not letting go of my hand as he stares blankly at the floor. Tugging on his fingers he’s reluctant but eventually drags his remorseful eyes to meet mine.
“This isn’t your fault.” I remind him and he huffs like he doesn’t believe me. “It’s not Coop, trust me.”
“Trust you? Trin, I almost killed you. You are here because of me. You almost died twice because of me. Of course this is my fault.” He shakes, barely able to stand looking at me.
“My weakness is not your burden. Don’t take this on.” I plead with him as tears now stream down my face.
“Weakness? You think you’re weak? Trinia, baby, you are the strongest person I’ve ever known. If I were in your shoes I wouldn’t have made it. I’ve considered it again and again over the years and every time I’m the one that comes up weak. I punished myself repeatedly for it too, because this is my burden. I’m responsible for all of this. For causing you pain and breaking your heart again and again. Dorogoy, I’m so incredibly sorry.” Cooper leans down and kisses the top of my hand before rising from the chair to stand on his feet.
He lays my hand down on my stomach then follows the doctor out the door.
As I watch him go I hope silently that he comes back.
Hoping this isn’t the last time we walk out on each other.