Page 55 of Game on, Love
“Is he okay?”
“Yep, good as new.”
“And Lilli?”
“She was with Axel in the car, I didn’t want her to be distressed over nothing. Milo is manageable compared to her.”
I nodded as she watched me closely. Lilli jumped from her arms but stayed nearby as I closed the gap. I knew I had to address what happened earlier, and the last thing I wanted was to make it more awkward or outright upset her.
“You alright?”
“Yeah,” She nodded. “Just… a long day, I guess.”
“What happened earlier?” I asked, testing the waters.
She took a long breath as though trying to convenience herself. “Nothing.”
I didn’t believe her for a second. I noticed the exhaustion in her body, but her eyes told me it wasn’t physical. I also knew she wouldn’t open up to me unless she felt safe to.
“Can I hug you?” I asked, and her eyes widened slightly in surprise before narrowing into a frown.
“What?”
“Hug. It’s when two people have their arms around each other as they hold the other.”
“Thanks for the definition,” She replied, and something lighter appeared in her, as though she was also reminded of the time she did the same to me.
I stayed quiet, waiting for her reply as I took another step closer, but it never came. Just a nod.
I released a small breath before sliding my arms under hers, leaning down and pulling her into my chest. Her arms instantly went around my neck as though we’d done this a million times before. Her entire body was pressed against mine, and she fitlike a wave against the shore, instantly melting into my hold. Her breathing was uneven, filtering as I felt the exhaustion slowly drop out of her.
“I know you said you get it, but you’re wrong,” I whispered, tightening my hold, knowing it was the only way I could say it. “Look, Rihaan is my best friend; he’s been there for me in times when I’ve needed him the most, and I want to be there for him. But I want to be there for you too.”
She didn’t say anything, but I felt her heart race under mine, so I continued.
“And I didn’t hesitate because I’m worried I need to choose between the two of you. It’s not a competition. I can be there for youandhim. I just don’t want to make it worse between you two.” I felt her lay her head on my shoulder.
“You don’t even know what happened,” She whispered, and something in my chest tightened. “What if he makes you pick?”
The way she asked that made me wonder if he’d done it before. My mind filtered back to Vedant’s words from the first morning she was here.
“I’ve taken your side long enough. Longer than I should have.”
Her grip on me tightened as I tried to pull back. “I will tell him the same thing. I’m not picking sides.”
“He’s your best friend.”
“If he is the person I know him to be, he won’t make me pick,” I replied honestly. “And Raina, you’re important too.”
She faltered under my hold, and I pulled back. I brushed a piece of hair behind her ear as she watched me. “I don’t know what this is between us, but I know it’s worth taking every chance.”
“You barely know me.” She stated.
“Maybe in this lifetime, but it feels like I’ve known you in all the ones before this one.” She took a sharp breath beforesomething like understanding crossed her face. As though she had been trying to explain the pull between us, and my words were the only ones that made perfect sense. “And I know everything is chaotic right now, and you’re afraid of taking it too fast and getting overwhelmed. But I just want you to know that I’m here for you, and I can take it as slow as you’d like. I just don’t want you to go through it alone.”
Her eyes softened for a moment before something flickered in them. Like the voice in her head was trying to keep her on gaurd. “What if I’m not ready?”
“I can wait.”