Page 36 of Drop Pass

Instead of focusing on him, I looked past him to Hartman. “Hey, I still need to sell my car or trade it in for something that will do better in the winter. Do you have any recommendations?”

He smiled and nodded. “One of our sponsors will have the perfect thing.”

I saw Nikolay turn toward us out of the corner of my eye but I kept my attention on Hartman. “I don’t want anything too big though.”

“A car like Kendall’s would be good for you. It’s an all-wheel-drive sedan. I think you’ll like it.”

“Oh yeah,” Kendall said, “I finally let him get me one a few months ago and I love it.”

“Perfect.” I smiled and realized I was trying to use Hartman to make Nikolay jealous. Real mature, Elena.

“Do you have time this weekend to go to the dealership?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I can go over.”

“Cool. We can meet there.”

“Oh no. You don’t need to come with me. I can manage.”

He gave me an easy smile. “I don’t doubt that, but I want to make sure you get exactly what you want and a good deal.”

That actually did make me feel better. I wasn’t exactly knowledgeable enough to describe to a salesman what I wanted and I didn’t want to get taken advantage of.

“Thank you.”

Nikolay was still watching. I could feel the weight of his gaze. Part of me wanted to say something, but I left it alone. He hadn’t done anything wrong. I was just disappointed with the way things had gone. I’d thought we could at least be friends. That wasn’t his fault.

“Why didn’t you ask me?” His voice made my chest tighten and I took a deep, calming breath before turning and meeting his gaze.

“What do you mean?”

“Why didn’t you ask me for help? I live right down the hall.”

Confusion washed over me. What on earth was he talking about? Suddenly he thought we were close enough for me to go to him in my time of need? Last time I saw him he practically ran from me. He didn’t want to spend time with me, obviously, so why would I ask him.

I looked to Kendall for help but she looked as surprised by his question as I was. “I don’t know. I guess I didn’t think you would want to help.”

His eyes narrowed. “Why would you think that? When have I ever not helped?”

Whoa. His personality changes were giving me whiplash. One moment he was sweet, and the next a total grump. Then he came to me only to push me away. I couldn’t keep up.

I shook my head. “Never, I guess.”

Hartman between Nikolay and me and I almost asked him to explain the disconnect, but he didn’t seem to know what was going on either.

“You could have asked me.” He said with a curt tone.

“I’m sorry.” I wasn’t sure I really was, but it seemed like the right thing to say.

I looked down at my lap before Kendall squeezed my knee. I looked up to see her raise an eyebrow in question. I shook my head a few millimeters. I didn’t know what was going on or why he was suddenly so sensitive.

I ate in silence, allowing the conversation to wash over me. When Lucy asked if I was ready to go, I practically jumped out of my seat. I was more than ready to leave the tension on this side of the table. Nikolay hadn’t spoken another word. He just glared down at his pizza and ignored everyone around him.

I said a quick goodbye to the table and rushed out behind Lucy, hoping whatever had gotten into him would be gone the next time I saw him.

12

Nikolay