Free Edge of the Past by Jennifer Comeaux Page B

Elena and the kid she had for Sergei?”
    Aubrey, Chris, and Marley were the only people I’d told about Elena’s pregnancy and her father’s threats. My friends had been there for me when I found out Sergei had lied. Sensing more trouble on the horizon, I suspected I’d need them once again.
    “It’s been a whirlwind two days,” I said.
    “So, why are Elena and Liza staying with us? Did Sergei ask you to put them up?”
    I picked at my flannel pajama pants, wincing in advance of the expected reaction. “I invited them.”
    “Are you nuts?”
    “You know the old saying – ‘Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.’ I mean, I don’t really know Elena so I can’t say she’s my enemy, but you get my drift.”
    Aubrey was silent again. I could picture her green eyes crinkling with concern. “This is so totally insane,” she said. “How are you processing all this? Or are you still in shock?”
    “I honestly don’t know. We’ve just been going, going, going since yesterday when we first saw Elena. I’m sorta numb right now.” Turning my head, I looked out at the lights of Moscow, visible between the half-drawn curtains. “I’m sorry I didn’t check with you before I invited Elena and Liza. It was one of those things where I had to make a move fast.”
    “I know you, and you wouldn’t have suggested something so crazy if you didn’t think it was necessary. Besides, it’s your parents’ house, so you can invite whoever you want.” Aubrey stopped and gasped. “Oh, no, you had to tell your parents everything. Your mom must’ve had a conniption.”
    “She wasn’t pleased, especially when I told her about my invitation.”
    “Please tell me these people speak some English so I won’t need you to translate for me the entire time.”
    “Elena’s English is good. Liza actually lived in the States before her parents died, and I get the impression she knows very little Russian. I’m not sure how much she’ll be talking, though. I think she’s pretty mad at Elena for keeping the truth from her.”
    “Great, so we’ll have their uncomfortable drama to deal with.”
    “I’m sorry. I know it’s not the best time to throw our routine out of whack with Worlds coming up. Believe me, if I thought there was a better answer…”
    “Is Sergei not thinking about Worlds and how this will affect you? How are you supposed to be on your A-game with all this going on around you?”
    Hearing Aubrey’s concern lifted a layer of my numbness, revealing irritation. “Sergei doesn’t seem to be thinking about anything except Liza right now.”
    A quick knock came from the door. “Somebody’s knocking,” I said. “I really hope it’s not my mom. I ran away tonight before she could corner me.”
    “Good luck. Call me tomorrow.”
    I put the phone on the nightstand and crept on my bare toes to the door. If it was Mom, I wanted her to think I was asleep. Peeking through the peephole, I discovered my visitor was Sergei.
    I opened the door and Sergei glanced at my T-shirt and pajama pants. “Did I wake you? Sorry, I’m still so wired I couldn’t sleep.”
    “No, I was just talking to Aubrey.” I motioned him inside and shut the door.
    “Is she okay with Elena and Liza staying with you?” he asked, stopping at the foot of the bed.
    “She’s worried this is a bad time for them to visit with Worlds in three weeks. And now that I’ve had a minute to breathe and think about it, she has a good point.”
    “They can stay in a hotel. You don’t have to–”
    “It’s not just the matter of where they’re staying.” I folded my arms “It’s the fact that you invited them to come at all without talking to me first.”
    Sergei stepped closer to me. “I’m sorry, Em. When Liza asked to come with us, it got me thinking, and I had to do something quickly. Elena was so upset that I was afraid she might make us leave.”
    “I understand you did what you thought was good for Liza, but you still