Page 50 of Drop Pass

“Chloe, I need your help,” I cut her off and waited for her to acknowledge that she heard me.

“What’s going on?”

I wasn’t sure how much Nikolay wanted everyone to know, but if he wanted help they needed to know.

“Nikolay’s little sister is sick.”

“Oh no.” I knew I was talking to business Chloe now not the fun event planner. “What’s going on?”

I relayed the limited information I knew. “Do you know anyone at the children’s hospital that we can send them to? Someone that will review them and maybe help us get her here for treatment?”

“Wow. Okay, yes. Send them to Dr. Thompson at the University hospital. She’ll review the case. The team volunteers there all the time. I know she’ll help out. Madi and Coach Romney also know the governor pretty well. I’ll have her reach out and see if we can expedite getting his sister here from this side.”

Tears filled my eyes. I was so grateful she was taking this as seriously as I was and eager to jump in to help. “Thank you so much, Chloe.”

“Of course. This is what we do for each other. Now, let Tiana know and I’ll let you know when I hear anything.”

I ended the call and went back to the kitchen. “Chloe knows a doctor who can review Yula’s records. Madi is calling the governor to see if we can help expedite getting her here.”

I waited for him to say anything but he remained silent. I sighed and was about to yell at him again when I noticed his shoulders shaking.

I hurried to him and wrapped my arms around his broad shoulders. “Nikolay, it’s going to be okay.”

He turned in his seat and pulled me against his chest and buried his face into my neck. I clung to his, rubbing his back and letting my own tears fall.

This was family. This was what mattered. I couldn’t believe just an hour ago I was mad at him for ignoring me. For not wanting the same thing as me.

How easy it was to forget what mattered.

“Nikolay, I promise I will be here for you. I’ll do everything I can to make sure Yula gets here quickly and gets the best treatment.”

He nodded against my skin and my heart broke. This big, strong, angry Russian’s tears were falling down my neck. He took care of everyone else, but right now, he needed to be taken care of.

I kissed the top of his head. “It’s going to be okay.”

16

Nikolay

Within an hour, my apartment was packed. Coach Romney and Rust were on the sofa each on their phones. Chloe was directing Erik, Reese, Derrek, Olli, and Colin in the dining room. I wasn’t sure what that group was doing but they each had a laptop in front of them at the table. Madi, Addi, and Kendall were in the kitchen making trays of food.

Other teammates and members of the Pride were scattered around on their phone while I sat at the island with my arms wrapped around Elena. I hadn’t let her leave me since she came and made the tears stop. I’d never cried in front anyone before. Not even Mama.

But I’d reached my lowest point. I was stressed, angry, helpless, and completely overwhelmed. She was there. She took over when I couldn’t. She helped my family when she could have easily ignored me and gone into her apartment. She didn’t need to stop, especially after how I’ve treated her. She didn’t need to talk to Mama and Tiana to find out what was going on. She certainly didn’t need to call my old coach and get things moving.

My phone rang and I saw Tiana’s name. Elena reached for it and answered on speaker so we could both hear.

“Hi Tiana.” She said as if they were close friends.

“Elena, hi, I just spoke to the lawyer Coach Bolshov contacted. He’s filling out the paperwork now. He thinks he can at least get Mama and Yula expedited, but he’s going to try to make sure me and Samara can come too.”

“That’s great. Did you hear about anyone that can review the paperwork sooner?” Elena asked as she wrote notes.

“Bolshov is working on that now. He said he knows a few people that should be able to help.”

Elena’s eyes lit up. “Great. Dr. Thompson called and said she got the records already. She’s reviewing them with a team now.”

“Thank you so much.”