Page 35 of Drop Pass

“Yeah sure.”

“You didn’t drive, did you?”

I shook my head. “No.”

“Okay, I’ll give you a ride.” Addi stood with us and we headed up the stairs followed by most of the Pride.

It was a short drive to the restaurant. Well, it didn’t look much like one but Lucy swore it was the right place.

“It’s in the basement.” She said as she started down the stairs. The walls were covered with graffiti and stickers, hundreds of them.

“This is really where you guys like to go?” I looked like a mix between a dive bar and somewhere college students would go to be ironic.

“The pizza is amazing. Trust me.”

I didn’t really have a choice. I guess I could have called a ride service, but that would be rude. I followed her in and saw some of the players and their wives had beat us there. The group had taken over a back room and waved when we walked in.

“Welcome Elena!” Grant cheered and I laughed. He and I became fast friends in Mexico, and I had a feeling he would see himself as indebted to me forever. I may have encouraged Lucy to give him a second chance, but he won her over all on his own. If I didn’t approve of him, I never would have let my friend repeat her past mistakes of being too forgiving, but Grant was one of a kind.

A few others joined in welcoming me before Kendall waved me over. “Sit over here. I didn’t get to talk to you during practice.”

I left Lucy with Grant and navigated through the crowded room to Kendall. I took the seat next to her and looked around. Two open seats were across from us and I had a feeling she was saving one for Hartman.

I’d been intimidated by him the first time we met, he was the captain and one of the most famous hockey players in the NHL, but once I got to know him, I realized he was one of the most down to earth people I’d ever met. He and Kendall were so perfect for each other it was sometimes hard to be around them. It was a harsh reminder that I hadn’t found my person yet.

“How’ve you been?” She leaned toward me so we could hear each other over the noisy room.

“Good. Settling in at work and I finally got furniture for my apartment so I can finally eat dinner at a table and watch TV on a couch rather than my bed.”

She laughed. “I guess that would get old after a few days.”

I nodded. I bought several of the big pieces from Chloe’s designer friend, but they started to add up, so I decided to get the rest on my own. I gone through a local store’s website and ordered everything I needed after work one day. It had been a risk, but I loved everything that came. It was still a little bare but at least it looked like someone actually lived there.

“Are you staying here for Christmas or are you going back to California?”

“I’ll be here. The weather still has to be reported.”

She shook her head. “Right, of course. I’m sorry.”

I shrugged. “It’s fine. My parents considered coming here but I told them to stay in Texas.”

“I didn’t know that was where you’re from.”

I laughed. “Is it the accent?”

“Yeah, actually.”

“I learned to talk like I was from the west coast before I got my first broadcasting job.”

“Huh. I can’t believe I never thought to ask. I just assumed because Lucy was from there.”

I smiled. “I totally get it. I don’t talk about home much. I haven’t lived there in about twelve years.”

“There you are,” Grant called. I looked up to see Hartman walking in with Nikolay right behind him. Hartman came around to kiss Kendall before taking the seat across from her, leaving the only empty seat for Nikolay. Across from me.

Our eyes met and I smiled. He nodded once before looking down the table.

I shouldn’t have been bothered by the blow-off, but I was. Why was he so hot and cold?