Page 77 of Game on, Love

My breath hitched, unsure how to respond to that so I tried my best to force a nod. I wasn’t sure what it meant even as I did it… all I knew was that it told him I heard him, and for that moment, it must’ve been enough for him because he stared at me for another beat before leaving the room.

Somehow, taking the air in the room with him.

Oliver

I RUBBED A HANDover my face. The selection match was in less than two weeks, and though I felt ready… my mind had been a bit over the place. I wasn’t exactlydistracted, and while Sean would definitely disagree with me, I was just living my life instead of existing in the world of cricket.

Mum, on the other hand, was clearly pleased at the fact. At our dinner the other night, I think she took each chance she could mention that she wassohappy I’d been focusing on creating a balance between life and the game before some of the busiest years of my life began. She had always been that way, though earlier, it was more me focusing on school and getting a degree—just as a backup. Though at that time, it came from a place of concern after her brother had lost his competitive athletic career after an injury, but after Dad’s diagnosis, she had been more focused on that than anything.

But today when Coach and Sean had recommended going over the footage, considering the selection was soon, it felt like being splashed with ice water. The past month, I had barely spent any time going overanyfootage when it was something I did with a religious fervour. Once Rihaan and I got home around midday, I spent the whole day in the theatre room, going over the Border–Gavaskar Trophy Series.

The good thing about having a bathroom in the theatre room meant we had no reason to leave during the match; the bad thing, on the other hand, was not being able to use it as an excuse so I could step out and see Raina. She’d gotten back at some point, which I only knew because Rihaan had gone to the kitchen to grab us some snacks at some point and instead returned with a look that was enough to tell me he had seen her. And the one time shehadcome to the theatre room, I’d gone up to take a piss.

I was irritated with myself for the rest of the game; no part of me was glad at missing the world’s most awkward encounter because what in the world happened that made her comfortable enough to come up here and give him the treats that he clearly loved so much.

Rihaan had offered me asinglepiece before he had annihilated the rest of it. Though, knowing Raina, I knew she’d have more downstairs. It had been only a couple of minutes since we were done. I wasn’t exactly sure why I hadn’t gotten up the moment he left, but I was glad I hadn’t because this way, he wouldn’t question it if I walked into her room—even though I’m pretty sure he already deduced the fact that she and I werefriendlier. But going into her room would raise questions that I didn’t want to answer just yet.

When Milo walked into the room, I knew I was fine to leave; considering how much he still hissed at Rihaan, there was no way he was still nearby.

I stood up and closed everything before grabbing my stuff in one hand, and Milo, who hadn’t been thrilled at the fact I was planning to leave just as he had entered the living space in the other hand. Taking a few steps, I was in front of Raina’s room, where I froze.

Rihaan was standing a few steps ahead of me, his back to me, while Raina was in front of him. And just like in the way she always did, she found my eyes which were already on her. He noticed her gaze and turned, instinctively taking a step back as he noticed Milo in my hand.

“What are you doing?” Rihaan asked, his voice a mix of confusion and wariness.

“Stopping by to thank your sister for her treats,” I replied, easily as a grin took over my lips, spotting his gaze on Milo. “And asking if there’s any more because you gave me a single piece before destroying the rest in seconds.”

I spotted the gleam in her eyes the moment I said it, and warmth filled me.

“They are mine,” Rihaan grumbled, shaking his head.

“Learn how to share, jerk.”

“No.”

I lifted Milo in his direction, who instantly hissed at him, and I chuckled lowly at my new partner in crime. “Say, yes.”

When he didn’t, I took a single step before he caved.

“Fine. Whatever, asshole. Just keep him away from me.”

I just grinned, giving Raina a nod. She was watching us with a lightness, and I took a mental picture before climbing back up the stairs.

THE SOUND OF A SOFTknock onmy door filled the air just as I stepped out of my bathroom.

“Yeah?” I called out, pulling out my duvet back.

Raina opened the door slightly and squeezed in with a tiny bowl in her hands before shutting it back behind her.

“Hey, Gorgeous,” I said, my eyes soaking in her presence.

“Hey,” She replied softly, walking over to the small mini fridge I had in the corner. “I took some pieces out for you. I know he said he’s fine with you having some, but they could very well be gone by the time you wake up, considering I heard him setting up his gaming stream.”

I laughed because even though she liked to say she didn’t know him much, she was spot on. But it was quickly replaced by the warmth I felt all over me at her small gesture, so I dropped my duvet and walked over to her. She straightened up, her back bumping with my chest, as I leaned down to place a kiss on her cheek.

Her soft skin warmed up slightly under my lips, and I whispered. “You’re cute. Thank you.”

She nodded, relaxing against me, catching me a little by surprise but almost like it was the most natural thing, I placed my arms on her hips, holding her in place. “I’m glad you liked them. I kept on thinking about them when I was reading my mum’s journal, so I thought I’d make them again.”