Page 81 of Stumped

“Ah, you’re the one in all those pictures with Elias Joseph. I knew I recognised that sneer anywhere.”

I laugh. “Imagine if I knew they were taking my picture. Vultures.”

Zahira chuckles. “Let me put you on loudspeaker for a minute. I actually have a copy of it here, I can skim it right now.”

“Mama, may I watch some TV?”

I smile as Zahira and her daughter talk softly, all while staring out the window to admire the view. I don’t come to Mahabalipuram enough, but I really should. Especially for the sunset and beach experience.

“Sorry about that. Right here we go—” she clears her throat and paper rustles “—there’s nothing in here about interpersonal relationships, so they can’t use that as a reason to fire you. But they do mention something about any indecent behaviour with the players is a cause for conflict.”

“I don’t know if I’d call what we’re doingindecent. But they could find a way to twist those words, right?”

“Possibly. Butlegally, they have no right.”

I sigh, rubbing my forehead. “Thanks, Zahira. I’ll keep you posted if anything comes up.”

We say our goodbyes and I skim through my notifications before putting my phone away. I put on a good show when we were talking about Dhruv, but I am worried. The last time I was asked to choose between my job and someone I was in arelationship with, I picked my job and got my heart ripped to shreds. I know Elias won’t do that, but the fear doesn’t go away.

The next fullday had to be planned around making sure Tamara and Patrick were never in the same room, a challengehemade impossible because he kept wanting to talk to her. As much as I wanted to spend time with Elias, I knew he needed to be with his siblings. From everything he’d told me, thanks to Olympics training, Patrick and Nina had been away from home for months. So if this was the first time he was seeing them in a while, I wasn’t going to try and commandeer all his time. Besides, we had one more night before he was off to win another match.

So while the Joseph siblings did whatever their hearts desired, I kept Tamara busy. We went for a long walk on the beach and didn’t say a single word. She mixed drinks for Elias’s friends and flirted with every single one. I liked this version of my cousin—free and uninhibited, single and up for a good time—because the last eight years with Kabir had sucked the joy out of her. But watching my cousin have the time of her life gives me all the time to think about my relationship.

Zahira got back to me after breakfast and said that there was nothing in any of the paperwork I signed about relationships being frowned upon. But she did remind me the Renegades management can find a way to misconstrue everything that’s happened. I didn’t tell Elias any of this, obviously. He’s got enough on his plate. And I really want him to have a good time with his siblings. He deserves a chance to unwind and forgetabout the first Qualifier for one more day, because once they get to Ahmedabad that’s all he’ll be thinking about.

Halfway through the day, the Joseph siblings appear and Nina invites Tamara for a swim in the ocean. My cousin doesn’t hesitate, but drags Bash with her. She won’t say it, but I know Tamara’s trying to piss Patrick off. And it’s working, judging by the way his jaw flexes as he watches them. Like his brother, Patrick Joseph is a specimen that must be studied. He’s the tallest of the three, broad and strong everywhere. His visible skin is covered in ink and his long dark hair is gathered in a topknot. He’s muscular and sturdy, from his head to his little toe. And I get why Tamara is putting on this act, because it’s a good way to show this Indian Viking he has no effect on her.

Not sure it’s working, though.

The boys suggest another round of beach cricket and this time, I pair off with Elias against Samar and Patrick. It’s not as fun as yesterday, mostly because everyone’s distracted. I can tell by the look in Elias’s eyes he’s already in Qualifiers mode, playing halfheartedly and forcing smiles. All my attempts at dumb dad jokes fall flat and even though I win, it doesn’t feel as good as I hoped.

When we get back to the house, dinner is served. We eat in our own little corners, most of them silent and some whispering amongst themselves. The idea of escaping their lives for two days didn’t seem to go as well as they hoped, but at least Elias got to be with his siblings.

“How much more brooding do you have in you?” I ask and Elias startles, turning to me in confusion. “You’ve been out of it all day, superstar.”

He groans and leans over to set his untouched plate on the table. “Thinking about the match, freaking the fuck out and feeling guilty I’m not being a good host.”

“You’ve been a great host. And why are you nervous?”

“Because the Legends are an incredibly difficult team to beat.”

“You’ve playedandbeaten them before. What’s different now?”

Elias scrubs a hand over his face and shrugs. He looks around the pool area where we’re seated before saying, “I know I put too much pressure on myself, but it’s because IknowI can do it. I’m not sure about this one, peaches.”

Setting my plate to the side, I reach for his hands. “All you’ve gotta do is go out there and play your heart out. This is not onyou, okay? You can only do your best, your team needs to do the rest.”

“Did you mean to rhyme?”

I laugh and move to sit in his lap. “I bet hearing everyone say you’re the reason the Renegades are winners is a huge weight on your shoulders, but it’s true. You’re considered the finest for a reason and while you should never forget it, you don’t have to prove them right every time.”

He nods slowly, arms loose around my waist. “Do my best, right?”

“Play like the superstar I know you are.”

“And I get to come home to you after.”

I nuzzle his cheek. “And we’ll celebrate.”

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