Page 104 of Stumped

“I interrupted a little something.” I gesture to the kitchen and hold up my plate. “Snack?”

“Rather be snacking on you.” He wraps his arms around me and presses his mouth into my neck.

“We have a house full of people. Do not get frisky right now.”

“They won’t even know.”

I chuckle and turn my head to kiss his bearded jaw. “Later, okay?”

He hums and our lips meet for a soft peck. “Think your family is having a good time?”

“My brothers are loving this and my folks…well, they’re on a date.”

We look out at everyone and I smile. This is whatourworld looks like now. All we’re missing are Elias’s family members and everything will be complete.

“Thank you for inviting them,” I say and he shakes his head.

“You never have to thank me for that. I’m glad they’re here and they’re comfortable enough to be on a date.”

I lean into him and listen to his steady heartbeat. I’ve never been a romantic, but since meeting Elias, there are signs everywhere.

“You’re supposedto hit the ball you handsome oaf!”

We’re in the third quarter of the match and my cousin has not held back on her thoughts about Patrick’s form. He’s playing well and defended every attempt that Ireland has taken to score a goal. But she’s obviously angry with him and picking apart his playing. My mother has tried to calm her down, but that lasted about five seconds before Tamara was yelling again.

“You’re an idiot,” she grumbles, now on her feet as one hand holds her drink and the other gestures wildly at the screen. “Defend him, you fool!”

Between bouts of silent laughter, Vikram’s recording this whole meltdown. As he has the last three matches. I’m not entirely sure what he plans to do with the footage, but I’m pretty sure that he’ll torture Tamara with it for the rest of her life. Elias isn’t faring any better, because he’s tipped back in his seat and his whole body is shaking as he laughs. His friends are split between watching the Tamara Show and keeping up with the match. My parents and I might be the only people worried about her.

“One job, Trick. You. Have. One. Job,” she says shakily.

She’s about to cry and before I can get to my feet, my mother has an arm around my cousin. She guides Tamara out of the room, their soft whispers reaching me briefly. I pat Elias’s thigh and follow, finding my mother attempting to soothe Tamara, who is being stubborn as usual.

“I’ve got her, Amma.”

My mother doesn’t look convinced and I don’t blame her. The two of us have always caused drama when we’re together. But not tonight. My cousin apologises as my mother walks away and then looks at me. I see the tears in her eyes and I pout.

“Come on, let’s go outside.”

She follows me to the side veranda, where the humid Chennai air clings to our skin instantly. I love my city, but Ihatethis fucking weather. Who thought torturing us for nine months out of the year was a good idea?

“I hate him,” she says, stomping a foot as she stares out into the garden.

“Really?”

“Would be easier if I did. Listened to his voice note, though.”

I wince in preparation for what she’s about to say. “And?”

“I wish he wasn’t being so nice, because I could really hate him then.”

“What did he say?”

“Everything I wish he’d said to seventeen-year-old me.”

I sigh. “Can you just tell me what he said instead of this cloak and dagger nonsense?”

“He apologised and then…asked me for another chance.” I stare at her as she knocks back her drink, grimacing as she swallows. “I don’t trust him to not hurt me again.Andhe’s a professional athlete. He’s going to be gone a lot and I can’t be waiting for him to come home every single time.”

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