Page 84 of Game on, Love

I laughed softly, thankful that he wouldn’t be able to find any evidence of my blood rushing to my cheeks. “Thank you.”

Though my stomach was still somersaulting at how easy it was for him to make sure I knew that he was sincere while also making sure his obvious attraction for me was always at the front of my mind. It was strange yet thrilling all at once.

“By the way, I got us tickets to this new experience they’ve opened up where you can use Virtual Reality to try and play a match,” He grinned as he leaned back on the couch. “That is why I wanted to call you.”

“How is that different from us going to a park or even the nets to try and play cricket?” I asked as I parted my hair.

“You can choose different players to play with, and almostbe them,and it breaks downs different moves and actions they make. This way, I can showexactlywhat happens on the field instead of trying to break it down in notes.”

“That sounds cool.”

His grin widened, clearly pleased. “It does, doesn’t it? We did a whole shoot for it last year, recording bits and pieces, but the way they’ve pulled it off is more than what I expected. I got the tickets for when you are back.”

I paused when my phone buzzed with a notification, the wordBreaking Newsin all capitals, making my heart drop. But it was what followed after I had my eyes widened.

BREAKING NEWS: PATEL TO JOIN MONTCLAIR RACING FROM 2024

“What’s wrong?” Oliver’s voice pulled me out of my trance, and I opened my mouth before he cut me off. “Careful with your curler, love.”

“Oh… thanks.” I moved it away from my face, unplugging it and dropping the idea of using it because, well, priorities. I was sure I wouldn’t be able to do it without burning myself now that my mind was going to be distracted.

I picked up my phone, and the call still connected as I clicked on the notification, my eyes quickly going over the article.

“Raina,” Oliver tried again, gently, and I took a deep breath.

“Sorry, sorry. Nothing’s wrong. Vedant just…” I trailed off, reading the article further.

The reigning world champion revealed that the deal was finalised in Singapore after he took his career-best win from P15 on one of the most unforgiving tracks on the calendar.

I tried my best not to let my feelings be hurt, but it stung regardless.

I was there with him and he still didn’t tell me?

“Oliver, I need to go.”

“Tell me what happened first, please.” His voice was soft, but my throat felt tight regardless.

I closed my eyes.

Deep breath.

Opening up the app again, his face filled my screen again. I swallowed as I met his worried gaze, but my phone buzzed again. This is time with a message from Hazel.

“Just F1 stuff… Hey, my manager is calling me. I’ll talk to you later,” I gave him a small smile but didn’t give him a chance to reply before I hung up.

THE AIR AT THECircuit of the Americas buzzed with energy, a mix of roaring engines and energetic fans, as the Texas sun bathed the track.

I tugged at the strap of my bag, looking for my media pass, when a familiar voice called out to me. “Raina!”

Looking over my shoulder, I spotted Axel walking down the paddock entry, stopping to take pictures with some fans as I pulled out my lanyard. Scanning it, I quickly walked through the barrier, not in the mood to be in any of his media shots, but as he raced through to reach me, I knew that was a failed attempt at best.

“Hey, Rain? When someone calls your name, you’re supposed to stop,” Axel said, matching my pace.

I gave him a side-eye, annoyance running through me. “You, out of everyone, are literally not allowed to say that.”

We’d passed over a dozen fans by now, all calling his name, and yet he just gave small smiles as he walked next to me. It wasn’t anything new or different for him, but today I was already upset over one driver and the way he was walking; something in me told me that another one was about to join my shit list.

“Okay, the pissed look on your face tells me you didn’t know about the deal until an hour ago,” He muttered, and I frowned.Maybe it was because I’d already been overthinking it, but thewayhe had said…