Page 53 of Fractured Hope
“I’m sure you are. That was quite a knock to the head you’ve taken.” She smiled kindly at him. “You can go back to sleep now, but no boyfriends in the bed. Okay?” Turning, she raised a thin eyebrow at me.
“Yes, ma’am,” I responded quickly as I sat in the chair.
“It’s about to be shift change, so someone new will be by in an hour. Good luck and hopefully I won’t see you here again.” With a wave, she left.
Turning to Atticus, I smiled gently at him. He looked better than before, or at least, more alert. The bruise on his temple was turning a nasty purple-blue and his eyebrow was red and angry under the butterfly bandages. The swelling around his eye was still there and puffy, but it would all heal.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” I said, not for the first time. I’d uttered some form of those words a lot recently, and I’m sure I would again. I was just so thankful to whoever was up there watching over Atticus. “Go back to sleep. I’m not going anywhere.”
He smiled at me with tired eyes. “I’m glad you’re here.”
I laid my hand over his on the bed and rested my head next to our joined hands. I wanted to be as close as possible but didn’t want to break the rules again.
I must’ve fallen asleep because the next thing I knew, the early morning light was streaming into the room, and Theo was gently shaking my shoulder.
“Jeez.” I flinched as I straightened my neck and felt the pang from sleeping at a right angle for so long. Slowly stretching from side to side, I glanced up at Theo. “Is it visiting time already?” I whispered.
“Almost. I just have special access.” He smirked. “Here, I brought you some coffee.” He handed me a cup.
“Thank you.” I inhaled the scent of the delightful brew before taking a much needed sip.
Theo stared at Atticus. “How’s he doing?”
“The nurses came throughout the night. They said he’s doing fine.”
“Hmm.” He turned to me as he shook his head. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine. A bit scared but so thankful he’s okay.”
“Me too.”
We settled into silence as we waited for Atty to wake up. I took a moment to glance at Theo. While all the brothers looked related, Theo had deeper bronzed skin and nearly onyx hair with rich brown eyes. His hair was also curlier than his brothers’ and was shortly cropped at the sides and a little longer on top. I had to wonder what their dad had looked like because I didn’t see much of Kat in Theo.
Theo was shorter than all the brothers and not that much taller than me, but he was stacked with toned muscles I could see through the tight black T-shirt he had on. He must stay in shape for his work.
“I’m sorry this is how we had to meet, but I wanted to say I’m glad Atticus has finally found someone. Seb tells me he’s smitten with you,” Theo said.
My cheeks heated at his comment. “I’m stuck on him, too.”
“Good, good. He deserves to be happy.”
A doctor came in just then, pausing when he saw Theo. “Mr. Papadakis,” he said, somewhat coldly, before turning to me with a smile. “It looks like Atticus here had a good night. He should be able to go home later today.”
“That’s great news! Is there anything I need to know about his condition?”
The doctor, who’d introduced himself as Dr. Farbor yesterday, ran through postconcussion care and what I needed to look out for. Theo was practically vibrating beside me, resolutely not looking at the doctor.
The doctor gently roused Atticus and checked him over. He was methodical and professional.
“Everything looks good,” he said to a now awake Atticus. “I’ve gone over postconcussive care with your partner, and Theo here knows all about it, so you shouldn’t have any problems. I’ll have a nurse come by with your discharge papers soon.” And with a derisive look at Theo, he left the room.
“That was rude. What was that?” I asked Theo.
Theo sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s nothing, just a stupid pissing contest.” Shaking his head, he turned to Atticus. “How you feeling, bro? You look far less hazy than you did yesterday.”
“I feel better. Still tired and sore. We’ve all had a concussion before or at least been around one, so you know how it goes. I’ll be fine.”
Theo visited a bit longer before he left to call Kat and fill her in, leaving me alone with Atticus once more.
