Page 29

Twenty-Eight. Fucking assholes

Vera

W ould I have made a different choice had I known dating an athlete would twist my life in such a way? Six months ago I would have said yes. Now that I’m obsessed with Elias, my answer is no. Even with all this turmoil, I’d have done everything the same way. Because when I look at pictures of us, I know nothing in the world would make me choose anyone else. I was mad at him for dropping the I love you bomb the way he did, but then I was mad at Dhruv. I rushed back into the city and spent hours with Zahira, then got on a conference call with Mr. Jaishankar, met his lawyers and cleared everything up.

All of it took way too much time. I don’t particularly enjoy the bureaucracy of the world, but it’s what I have to deal with given my standing in the industry.

Between Zahira and the Renegades lawyer, I was recommended to keep my mouth shut and not speak about what was going on until everything could be sorted. Which also took longer than necessary, but speaking to Elias before he went to bed certainly helped. His texts all day sounded panicky and worried, and he wasn’t wrong to be concerned. But I had it all under control.

Even if there were moments when I didn’t feel that way.

First order of business was finding him a new agent and Zahira generously offered her brother, Farhad, for the job. I met with him, made sure he’d be a good fit, and shared Elias’s number and details so they could connect later. I had to do another private call with Mr. Jaishankar to assure him that despite my relationship with Elias, nothing about the way we worked was going to change. Lucky Shot might be my company, but the person heading the Renegades team would be in charge every step of the way. It took some convincing, but I think he finally accepted it.

Especially when I told him we’d file whatever relationship paperwork was necessary.

Everyone, Dhruv and Mr. Jaishankar included, thought Elias and I were having a fling so their surprise was amusing. It might have started as one, but somewhere along the way it turned into more. I do love him and even though it scares the shit out of me, I don’t want to be anywhere else.

As the kids once said, he’s my endgame.

However , the one thing I couldn’t stop was the article from going out. Despite Zahira working her legal magic and making calls, there’s a multi-page spread about how I’m a bad influence on the young cricket superstar floating around this morning. Since then, my phone’s been blowing up with texts and Instagram notifications.

It would have been fine if it was a regular article of hate—one that put Elias in a good light and me in a bad one. But no, they had to do tons of research and interview people I worked with a long time ago so they could attack me and my company. My old bosses, former coworkers and, to cut me deep, Rakesh . The worst part is everyone they’ve spoken to are men who have always considered me high maintenance, too aggressive, and not a team player.

This isn’t my first hit piece, but it’s the one that hurts the most.

I curse Dhruv and his money-hungry ways as I force myself out of bed and into clean clothes. Ideally, my Sundays are to sit alone and do nothing. But I’m afraid if I don’t move, I might end up reading the story.

Stay off the internet. Please.

Superstar

I didn’t read it, but everyone’s talking about it.

I don’t care what they’re saying, peaches. I know you.

I blink back tears furiously and shake my head. Much like I want to protect him, he’s doing the same for me.

Good luck today.

Superstar

Are you going to be okay?

Going to see my folks, distract myself somehow. I’ll be watching the match, though.

Superstar

Call me if you need to scream.

I’ll see you soon.

“This is a surpri—what’s wrong?” my father asks when he sees my tear-streaked face. Despite every attempt to not cry, the entire drive from my flat to their house had me sobbing. “Oh, ponne? 1 , it’s okay.”

I’m instantly wrapped up in his arms as he sways me back and forth, my sobs muffled against his chest. Ever since I was a kid, hugging my father has always been the cure to all my problems. Another set of arms slide around me and my knees wobble, because I am so lucky to be surrounded by this much love and support.

“Come here, chakkare,” my mother coos and I’m transferred from one parent to the other. I let her guide me through the house until we’re lying on the guest room bed. I snuggle into her, my head resting on her chest, as she rubs a hand up and down my back.

The crying has finally ceased, but now I have a headache and my chest hurts. We don’t say anything and I know my father’s in the room, but they let me work through it on my own. When I finally catch my breath, I lean away and force a smile.

“We haven’t read it and we don’t want to,” my father says with a frown. “Because nothing they have to say changes the fact you are a brilliant woman.”

I sniffle, tears blurring my vision. These are the people who raised me to be strong and powerful and go after what I want. They’re also very biased. But I’m so glad they’re mine.

“I don’t know why this is the article that broke me.”

“Because they’re attacking more than your business. They made it personal.”

Nodding, I sit up and lean against the headboard. “I knew it was coming out today, I was prepared for it. Everything hit me all at once.”

“Did you read it?” Amma asks and I shake my head.

“My lawyer did and she tried to stop it, but we didn’t have enough for an injunction.”

“Your aunt did and she said it’s a whole lot of rubbish.”

I smile, because this is how incredible my family is. They’ll do the hard shit and still support you. “I never even considered how our relationship could turn into this. Or how it might impact Elias in his career. I just…”

“You followed your heart, ponne,” Appa says. “And there’s nothing wrong with that. What did he have to say?”

“He didn’t read it either and said he doesn’t care what they’ve written, because he knows the truth.”

“And you trust in him and in your relationship. All this is a way to unsettle you. Don’t let them win.”

My father is my greatest champion, guiding me through my business and helping me understand how to be a good boss. He’s also a tough man, forcing me to learn how to navigate the hard shit while standing by my side. He believes that if you want something bad enough, you have to work for it. Nothing worthy comes easy. But he’ll always drop everything when I’m falling apart. Like today.

“Okay, now you can go,” Amma tells him and Appa laughs. He leans over to kiss my forehead before leaving the room. My mother shifts to sit beside me and squeezes my hand as we sit in silence for a while.

“They spoke to Rakesh,” I say finally and she sucks her teeth. “I want to know what he had to say, but that requires me reading what everyone else is saying.”

“You never told me what happened with him.”

Shaking my head, I wave it off. “He was nobody, one of many destinations on my way.”

“To Elias. Is he the one?”

“Yes.”

“Oh?”

I laugh at her surprise, because for years I was never looking for the one . It always sounded like something people said to avoid committing in relationships. I refused to think that way until Elias. He’s changed everything about how I view relationships and that’s how I know he is the one. He makes me so happy it sometimes catches me off guard.

“I should have known. He can’t take his eyes off you.”

“Obviously. Look at me.”

She smiles and squeezes my hand. “That afternoon, he tracked your every movement and smiled when you weren’t looking. Elias looks at you the way your father looks at me.”

My father worships the ground my mother walks on. Theirs might have been an arranged marriage, but it’s always been one of love. I’ve caught them cuddling on the couch, I’ve seen him watching her adoringly during large family functions.

“What more can I ask for?”

“Exactly.” I lean against her and sigh softly. “Ignore everything else, chakkare. The only thing that matters is you and him. I know this hurts and they took it too far, but you can rise above this.”

“I have to let it go or it’ll make me miserable.”

“And in a day or two, they’ll find something else to be assholes about.”

“Amma!” I gasp.

“What? I’m an adult, I can say assholes. Maybe even say fucking assholes.”

“Oh my god, you rebel.”

She laughs and hugs me. “I’m so proud of you, Vera. And happy for you too.”

Show those Legends they messed with the wrong team.

Superstar

My father invited me to stay after lunch to watch the match with him and my brothers, but I decided to be alone. Except a call went out and now I’m squished on the couch between Tamara, Millie and Krys with their men at our feet, as the Renegades battle the Legends. It’s tense and very stressful, so much so none of the snacks laid out on my coffee table have been touched. The condensation on our drinks has seeped into every coaster and it’s probably warm and gross now. But nobody cares. Our eyes are fixed on my TV as Samar runs up for the final ball of this over.

And he scores a hat-trick? 2 , knocking the third Mumbai batter out.

My living room erupts in loud cheers. We’re on our feet, bouncing around and screaming with joy. The Renegades have taken out the Legends’s best hope and our chances of winning the Qualifier has skyrocketed. The game returns after the commercial break and everyone settles down. This time, food is passed around and drinks are consumed. My friends are talking at once and I’m glad they showed up. The Legends have three overs left to salvage whatever score they can, but there’s no hope. Knowing this, I head to the kitchen to get myself a glass of water.

I’m not even a little surprised when Tamara follows me.

“Do you want to talk about you or me? Which will be a better distraction?”

I snort and lean against the fridge. “You, obviously.”

“Patrick asked me to meet him so we can talk .”

“And you said…”

“Nothing.”

“Tam.”

She shrugs and tugs at her hair. “It’s been twenty-something years. Does it matter?”

“Um, yes . You were seconds away from killing him when he showed up. Don’t you want some closure?”

“What if it confuses me even more? Besides, I just got out of a long-term relationship and I don’t need anything new.”

Tilting my head, I smile. “Who said anything about something new?”

“Ugh, I hate you.”

“Look, you have nothing to lose by meeting him. Maybe talking won’t help, but you won’t know unless you take the chance, right?”

“Being in love makes you too logical.”

“So weird, right?”

Tamara laughs and pulls me into a hug. I allow myself to lean into her, letting the worries of the day, the week, the year fade away in that embrace. My cousin is my favourite person and she knows exactly how to help me calm down, even if she did show up with all our friends. But she still knew they would distract me enough to move past the article.

“Thanks for tonight, Tam.”

“Please, you’re doing me a favour from working through my Sunday evening.”

I poke her in the side. “Just say you’re welcome .”

“Absolutely not. Velliamma raised us better than that.”

I finish my water and drag her back to where our friends are bouncing around because the first innings are over. And now begins the best part.