Page 8 of Drop Pass

“This is you.” Chloe handed me a key and nodded to the door next to her. Number four.

“Thanks.” I unlocked it and swung the door open before stepping in. This was my new home. It was a bit surreal. A blank slate for a new life.

The walls were an agreeable gray with white crown molding and wainscoting along all of the walls. I loved it immediately.

I moved farther in and found the kitchen to my right and more opening living area to the left. I moved to the windows and smiled when I saw the name of my new station’s sign lit up across the street.

“This is perfect.” I spun around and faced the group. “Thank you so much for finding this for me on such short notice.”

“This was only the second place we looked at, but we knew it was the one when we walked in and saw the station.” Lucy smiled brightly.

“Yeah and one of the guys actually lives here, too. If you ever need anything he’s just down the hall.” Emma said with a twinkle in her eye.

I looked around for clarification but the women seemed to be in on a conspiracy. I wasn’t going to get information out of them.

“Oh really? Who?” I pointed my question at the guys, holding eye contact with Colin. I knew he wouldn’t lie to me. He owed me too much for pushing Lucy into his arms in Mexico.

His eyes darted to her before looking back at me. He swallowed then glanced at Olli. Huh. So, this was how it was going to be?

“Olli? Reese? Anyone want to catch me up to speed?”

Reese seemed to be the only one not in on agreement. “Nikolay lives in unit one.”

My breath caught but I forced my expression to remain neutral. What were they up to?

“Oh. That’s cool.” It was not cool. My friends had ulterior motives with this apartment, and I knew they had a plan up their sleeves. I may not have known them for long, but I knew they were the best schemers I’d ever met. There was something in the works and Nikolay and I were merely pawns in whatever was going on.

I narrowed my eyes at Chloe and Lucy but neither of them reacted.

I should have known something was up. This place was too perfect.

“This is within the budget I sent you, right?” I asked Chloe knowing she was the mastermind behind this place. I could sense Lucy was weakening under the threat of my stare while Chloe looked as cool and calm as ever.

“Of course. I was even able to get you a discount.” Her smile turned wicked. “Since you’re such an influential person with such a strong social media following.”

I laughed. “Thank you, I appreciate it. And I don’t want to know what lies you had to tell for that discount.”

She mocked offense. “All I did was show your accounts to the business manager and he jumped on the chance to have you live here. It’s good for the reputation of the building to have names like yours and Nikolay tied to it.”

She was exaggerating about my name, at least. I have a few hundred thousand followers, in LA. It was something my old station spent time, money, and resources building. I have very little to do with it. I even had a media curator that would make my posts.

I guess it paid off now.

“We thought you would have a lot more. Are you sure there’s nothing else we can help with?” Colin asked and I shook my head.

“No, I’m going to look at selling my car or maybe trading it in soon. So, if you guys have any dealership recommendations let me know. But with being so close to the station I’m not in as big of a rush as I thought I’d be.”

The three guys turned to themselves and smiled, immediately discussing what car I should go with.

“We’re going to head over and get a work out in. We’ll get back to you.” Reese said with a cheesy grin.

“Thank you, guys.”

They kissed their wives and girlfriends on their way out then it was quiet.

“Now what?” Emma asked.

“I guess I should find a bed,” I said and realized I hadn’t even seen the bedroom yet. I wandered through the living area to a hall. There were a small bedroom and a full bathroom with a linen closet.