Page 21 of Game on, Love
I looked at him; his eyes were searching mine as if remembering the same memories. The chaos we used to create together, the shared secrets and the same connection we had with Ma.
I gave him a small smile, the warmth of the moment settling between us.
Dev leaned back in his chair, watching the two of us with a genuine smile. “I’m just glad someone managed to cheer him up. He was sulking like a toddler before you walked in.”
Vedant shot him a look. “I wasnotsulking.”
“You were definitely sulking,” I added, grinning at the bickering between the two of them.
“Great, should I expect you two to gang up on me every race weekend from now?” Vedant rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair and inspecting the box in his hands. “Leon will have my head for this.”
He took out another mithai, debated for a second and stuffed it in his mouth with a shrug, making me chuckle.
“I’m gonna lose the weight off tomorrow anyway.” His mouth was full as he justified his actions, and I shook my head.
We sat in a moment of silence before someone knocked on the door. Vedant sighed, standing up and stretching. “I gotta head back for debrief.”
He placed a hand on my head, ruffling my hair, and I gave him a stink eye. “Glad you came, Raina.”
I slapped his hand away, brushing down the fringes he had created. “You’re so annoying. Please leave.”
His grin widened, and the warmth in my chest grew. It wasn’t often I let myself step into the sibling role anymore, but today reminded me that no matter how much I distanced myself from them, the bond we had once shared was still there.
Vedant left, closing the door behind him, and I leaned back in my chair. Dev was still sitting opposite me, watching me closely.
“I know you can’t see it, but that meant more to him than you think.” Dev’s tone was quiet, but there was an edge to it, one that made my chest tighten. For a moment, he sounded so much likeDad that it took me by surprise. I bit my tongue hard, holding back the words that almost slipped out.
Comparing him to Dad wouldn’t just be hurtful; it would be cruel. “To both of us,” he added, his voice softer but still carrying that weight.
I nodded, “I know I haven’t been around much, but Vedant was there for me when I needed him, and I wanted to make sure he knew that I was there for him too. Even if I couldn’t exactly help him,”
“That’s where you’re wrong. You beingherehelps him. You have no idea how difficult it has been for him to watch you be on the sidelines. He doesn’t expect you to come in and fix things for us, neither do I; we just need you to be here. Not just… show up and be polite.”
I frowned. Axel had used those exact words, and a part of me wondered if it was merely a coincidence or something more.
When I didn’t say anything, his gaze flicked to the floor for a second before he looked back at me. “Vedant told me that you had to move in with him, Rihaan and Oliver,” He spoke slowly as if testing the waters. “How’s that been like?”
I let out a half-laugh, holding myself back from rolling my eyes. “You mean living with Rihaan or having my place destroyed?”
He winced, the discomfort clear in his expression. “What even happened that night?”
“I wish I could tell you,” I joked, forcing a smile. “At this point, I think life hates me,” There was a hint of sincerity in my words, and Dev didn’t miss it.
“Hey, don’t say that,” He leaned forward, pulling me in a hug. I took a slow breath, caught off guard by his actions. “I know it’s been rough, but life doesnothate you.”
“Everything is falling apart at once. I don’t know how to handle it.”
“That just means something better is coming. And you don’t have to handle it alone. You’ve got us. You can lean on us.”
“I don’t know how to do that. Not anymore,”
“Then we learn,” He whispered, tightening the hug. “We start small, and even if it’s messy and uncomfortable, it’s better than whatever we’ve been doing.”
His words chipped away at my defence, and I let myself admit the truth. “He doesn’t want me there. After all these years, he still hates me.”
Dev tensed at my words, but his voice was controlled when he spoke again. “Rihaan has his own issues, Rai. He may have a horrible way of showing it, but he still loves you. In his own way, but he does.”
When I stayed quiet, he just sighed. “What about Oliver, how’s he been like?”