Page 144 of The Failed Audition

I run to catch up to him, clasping his wrist. “Nikolai—”

“Nik!” Katya shouts, sprinting up to us. “We found it!” She wipes her reddened nose with her gloved hand. She looks between us for a moment, and her smile begins to fade.

I drop Nikolai’s wrist.

Nik tells her, “Let’s see it then.”

She brushes our expressions under the rug, the way we do, and takes both of our hands, pulling us in the direction of the Christmas tree.

Nikolai ison his fourth beer while I help Katya string bulbs around the large spruce. Italmostknocks into the flat-screen television. Timo claimed it was a Christmas miracle that the tree even fit in the room. He was planning on laughing his ass off (and recording it) when it smashed into the ceiling.

Nikolai didn’t look amused, but my phone call with Shay depleted most of his Christmas cheer. We just need a moment to talk.

Between the tree limbs, I notice Nikolai hovering around the kitchen, not able to sit down and relax. I feel like I’m channeling his volatile emotions, my muscles never loosening. This is worse than a normal bout of holiday stress.

Nikolai motions to Luka who’s opening a package of ornaments, Timo shuffling through holiday tunes on his iPod nearby. “Where did you get the lights?” he asks.

“I bought them.” Luka raises his hands. “I promise.”

“The receipt is in the bag,” Katya calls out, crouched near my feet.

Nikolai fists his beer bottle, not checking.

Luka glares. “Please look, okay?”

“I don’t need to. I believe you.”

Luka groans. “I don’t want you to believe me. I need you toknowwith actual proof.” Nikolai doesn’t budge. Maybe he’s wary to encounter more bad news. “Please.” Luka says a few more words in Russian before Nikolai leaves his post beside the bar.

He picks out the receipt from the paper bag. And with an indecipherable expression, he puts it back.

“And?” Luka asks.

Nikolai doesn’t blink. “And I said I believed you.”

Luka sighs exasperatedly. “You could at least look proud of me.”

“I am proud, Luk,” he says, his words coarse. And I know it’s not from his brother. He’s still fixated on other things. Okay, this has to end. I quickly plug the lights into the outlet, only half blinking on.

“Oh crap,” Katya says, her voice muffled as she crawls around the tree.

I squeeze out from behind it, being whacked by pine needles, and I hurry over to Nikolai.

Luka holds a couple blue ornaments, meeting my gaze. He gestures to his older brother. “Fix him, please.”

Nikolai glares. “I’m fine.” He growled those words.

Timo switches the song to “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” He’s too amused by this.

“Let’s talk,” I tell Nik, grabbing his hand. I just hope I find the right things to say.

He follows me towards his bedroom, and Timo calls out in a sing-song voice, “You’ve got garlic in your soul! I wouldn’t touch you with a—”

I shut the door.

Nik sets the beer on the dresser. He waits for me to speak since I dragged him in here.

“I know you’re upset, but nothing has happened yet…” I trail off as his gaze narrows and jaw muscles twitch.

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