Page 84 of Stumped

“I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what I did.”

He chuckles dryly. “Does this mean you don’t want to talk about how the Renegades management found out the woman they hired to run their PR and marketing is also the one warming your bed?”

I stare at Dhruv, hoping my eyes are conveying all of the things my mouth can’t seem to do. He knows he’s got me by theballs, but I’m also crossing my fingers and hoping Vera’s lawyer found nothing.

“What the fuck did you do?”

He shrugs, like none of this is his fault. “I told you this would backfire. That if you weren’t careful, everything would fall apart.”

I step closer, fists clenched tight. “What. Did. You. Do?”

“I know you think I’m doing all of this for the big paycheck. But I do have your best interest at heart, Elias. We’ve worked together for years and I’ve never steered you wrong. So why did you choose to not listen to me this time?”

My heart is racing so fast I might pass out. I’m not even sure if I’m breathing, but everything feels heavy. It doesn’t help it’s hot as fuck in Ahmedabad and the heat is pressing against me too.

“You should have let me figure thisrelationshipout for you. But you had to do it yourself.”

“She’s not a brand negotiation,” I grind out and Dhruv laughs.

“She should be. Do you know if the Renegades decide to do something about this relationship, you’re the one suffering? She’ll be fine, Miss CEO.Youwill be off the team and hanging by a thread. Nobody will want to touch you.”

Now I’m definitely not breathing. I can’t tell if he’s being serious or if it’s a hypothetical, because his vicious expression hasn’t changed.

“She’ll ruin your entire career, but this indiscretion won’t touch her. Are you okay with that?”

From everything she’s told me, anything bad that happens to or around her always affects Vera in the long term. Women in positions of power are accused of using their feminine wiles to get ahead, while men are celebrated. If this gets out and becomes a big deal, shewillsuffer more than me.

“Yes,” I say, forcing the word out even though my throat is so dry.

My response shocks him, because Dhruv stares at me a moment too long. I use that break to get into the car and close the door.

“Dude, what the fuck?” Bash and Samar stare at me.

I don’t trust myself to speak because it’s static in my head. My hands are shaking, my chest feels like it’s going to split open. The front of the car opens and Dhruv gets in. He glances at me and I see venom in his gaze. How did I not know this side of him all these years?

“I’ve explained to Mr. Jaishankar you didn’t know who she was when you first started dating. I even implied you still don’t know who she is or that she runs the company they hired.”

“Dhruv, man. What the hell is going on?”

“Stay out of it, Bash. This doesn’t concern you.”

I swallow a few times, wetting my throat. “I’m not going to lie to Mr. Jaishankar and whatever stories you’ve concocted, I want no part of it.”

Dhruv laughs. “Your funeral, E.”

Turning around, he signals for the driver to go and I look out the window as his words and everything settles in my mind. I have to believe we’ve got the law and truth on our side, but being so far away from Vera has me in a slight panic.

I hope your lawyer has some good news, because Dhruv’s been up my ass since we got here. Apparently the Renegades management knows about us and I’m not sure what the fuck is happening anymore. I don’t want to believe him, but Dhruv’s pretty convincing. I’m heading off to practise now, but I’ll check my phone as often as possible, let me know when you know more.

It’shard to leave my phone in my bag as I head into the batting net. It also doesn’t help that I’m on edge, my skin prickling with worry and stress weighing me down. Bash and Samar are the only ones who know I’m not okay, but if I don’t get it together, everyone else will know too. None of the coaches or staff on the field look at me differently, nobody is pulling me aside for ‘a word’, so I suck it up and get into the headspace.

Afterwards, we pile into the ballroom at the hotel to watch game tape. We’ve played the Mumbai Legends for years, but like any good team they’ve updated their methods and style with every season. And they’re definitely not a team to underestimate. Our coaches analyse each bowler and batter, showing us every move from different angles. We spend a lot of time understanding their fielding system and who to keep an eye out for when we’re on the pitch. It’s easy in situations like this, to look at the screen and identify the players. But when you’re standing at the crease, bright lights in your eyes and the crowd chanting your name, it’s hard to see it all.

It would definitely be easier if our jersey numbers were also on the front.

You gotta text me back, peaches. I don’t know what the fuck is going on or how to handle this. Let me know you’re okay.

One section of the ballroom has been cordoned off for the medical team, so while the rest of my teammates are dismissed, I strip off my shirt and hop onto a table as Dr. Theo comes over.

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