Page 78 of Broken Ice, Mended Hearts

“He’s unconscious.” Javy’s voice was heavy. “The doctors need you to tell them what to do.”

“No!” Rising panic cut off my words, and I had to swallow before I could say, “This is a mistake. They don’t need me.”

Javy shook his head. “Your name is listed as the emergency contact on his phone, but the hospital couldn’t reach you. They called the Congressmen’s office, and someone who was still there pulled his paperwork and found your name on his medical POA.”

“Sven’s hurt, buddy.” Nick’s soft voice was close to my ear. “He needs you.”

“But—”

The roar of men coming into the dressing room invaded the stuffy closet I was sitting in. While I struggled to breathe, Stick held a phone in front of me. “Javy and I will stay with you unless you want us to leave.”

His phone seemed unusually heavy. This all had to be a mix-up. I’d call, and they’d apologize for interrupting our game. I handed the phone to Javy because my hands had started shaking. “Dial it for me. Put it on speaker because I don’t think I can hold on to it.”

Minutes later, tears streamed down my face as the voice on the other end of the connection told me what was going on. I heard parts of what he said, words and phrases exploding in illogical flashes of understanding and confusion. “Multiple blunt force trauma… extensive internal bleeding… surgery… head injury… tibia and fibula… spleen… liver… exploratory… uncertain… traumatic…”

When I thought the doctor would never shut up, he seemed to stop in the middle of a sentence. I looked at Javy. “Did he hang up?”

“I’m here, Mr. Gagné.” The doctor seemed less patient than before. “I asked if you have any questions.”

“What does Sven say?”

“I told you he’s been unconscious since the paramedics brought him in.”

“Will you need to do surgery?”

Stick put a hand on my shoulder while the doctor sighed. “Mr. Holmer is in the operating room now. He’s already arrested twice, and we need to know how much you want the surgeons to do. Should we try to resuscitate him if it happens again?”

I glanced at Javy. “What does it mean?”

“Sven’s heart already stopped twice,” he said. “Should they try to restart it if it happens again?”

“His heart stopped?” The words came out in a miserable croak.

“Yes, sir,” the doctor said. “Twice.”

“If it stops again, make it restart. Every time. I’ve got to get down there.”

“Mr. Holmer’s injuries are very serious, and we can’t guarantee he’ll ever regain consciousness. Are you sure?—”

“Shut the fuck up! What kind of doctor are you?”

Nick squeezed my shoulder. “Easy, buddy.”

“I’m absolutely positive,” I gritted out. “Do anything possible to help him. I’ll be there as soon as I can get on a flight.”

“All right, Mr. Gagné. I’ll let the surgeons know.”

“Wait.”

Stick tightened his grip on my shoulder, and Javy widened his eyes.

“Will you do something for me, doctor?” I asked.

“If I can. What is it?”

“Get someone to talk to Sven. Tell him I’m on the way.”

“He’s under anesthesia, so he won’t be able to hear anything.”

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