Page 69 of Game on, Love

“Finally, something worth appreciating in this gallery,” I said, reaching her and a shy smile overtook her face.

“What, you don’t think that it’s worth appreciating the simplicity of these?”

I glanced at it once; it was a bunch of lines overlapping each other from different directions but in one shape before looking back at her. “I think art should make you feel something so intense, it overwhelms you. Simplicity can be found in anything.”

“Sometimes less is more; to someone, it could be exactly what they want.”

“I agree, but that shouldn’t be something you say about art.” I shrugged as I moved behind her. She sucked in a breath at the closeness, my chest touching her back as I leaned down.

“Close your eyes, Gorgeous.”

When she exhaled, following my instructions without a question, I held back a smile as I whispered in her ear.

“Imagine, you’re standing outside your dream house, the architecture is absolutely stunning. The way everything is perfect, and the precision of it all makes you instantly think about the effort that was put into the design. You open the front door and walk in, and the interior is just as amazing, and as you look at the huge wall that welcomes you, you look at a canvas, and it’s something that makes youfeel.”Raina shivers under mybreath, but I continue. “It tells a story, not just about what’s on the canvas, but what the person who did it intended and the placement of it in the house. Now, open your eyes and look at it again. Still think art should be simple?”

She turned her head sideways, her eyes meeting mine with a strong emotion, and I wanted to devour each second of it. But as a voice called out for me, I realised how much of a luxury it was to share a moment with her, to see her break down her walls so I could see her expression.

Mum walked towards us with a genuine smile, one that I’d rarely seen on her in the past couple of years. But as I took a small step back, instantly missing the touch, Mum faltered in her steps for a second as she reached us.

I frowned slightly as she watched Raina, and before the moment got awkward where it was leaning towards, I introduced them. “Raina, this is my Mum, Heidi. Mum, my R—this is Raina. She is Rihaan’s sis—.”

“Sister.” Mum finished, and I blinked. However, a part of me was glad that neither of them was focused on the slip of my tongue.

My Raina.

“You look just like your Mother,” Mum said, her eyes softening, and my head pulled back in surprise.

“You knew her?” Raina asked, her voice strained.

Mum nodded as she replied. “I used to travel with Nathan for some of his matches, and Diya and I often sat together to watch, even if we rooted for other teams. And when your parents moved here, she became one of my closest friends… we lost touch when you two moved back to India, but I was still sorry to hear about her.”

Raina blinked, digesting her words before she whispered. “Thank you.”

She was trying to steady herself, and my hands itched as they hung next to me… and fuck it.

I reached out, engulfing her small hand, and when she held on to it for a second, I was glad I didn’t question myself.

“Sorry, I was just caught off guard,” Mum replied as she watched her with a gentle look. “I remember when you were just a little baby, and now look at you.”

She turned to me, and I didn’t think it was possible but her smile widened further. “And you’re here with Ollie! How did you two end up meeting then? I didn’t even know you were back. Your dad never mentioned it.”

Raina froze for a second, and before I could question it, she recovered. “Ah, yeah. I moved back a couple of years ago.”

Mum nodded as she waited for us to share how we met, and I raked my brain to come up with a brief and uncomplicated version of the night before speaking, “At this year’s championship party.”

Pride flashed through her eyes along with understanding, hinting that she must’ve read the tiny wariness in my tone.

“Do you work in sports like you’ve always wanted to?” Mum asked, changing the topics and Raina nodded, her own lips tipping up. “I’m so glad to hear that!”

FOR THE REST OFthe evening, I followed them as they talked about Raina’s mum, getting sidetracked once every often as they took in the different art pieces. Thankfully, we’d move on to a different set and were looking at some of their modern collections. Mum caught up with her clients, leaving us two. I watched Raina as she took in one of the pieces, her eyes wandering to the different corners of the canvas, and themoment it triggered a feeling, I watched my words from earlier fall across her face.

She turned to me, and she almost felt lighter as she murmured. “You’re meant to stare at the art.”

“I am.”

She shook her head, her eyes trailing back to the painting, mine staying on her.

“Oliver.”