Twenty-four hours later, I’m standing in the guest bathroom at Elias’s house. It’s as basic as my flat—a bed, a large built-in wardrobe and a spacious bathroom. Which is perfect. I caught the early morning train from Bangalore so I’d get to Chennai and have enough time to rest before going to see Tamara. Unfortunately, I picked the same day she’s getting together with her girlfriends. Elias invited their partners too, so when I show up, it’s not awkward. Things could still go either direction.
Elias wasn’t home when I got there, but I had the most delicious lunch courtesy of Mariammachechi?1. Growing up, she and her husband, Kuriakose, were a big part of our family. I spent a lot of time with them after Elias was born and my mother was busy. When he moved to Chennai to join the Renegades ICL team, Kuriakose moved with him as his driver. A few weeks ago, his wife joined him, and now they share the house Elias built for them in the back of his property.
A heavy lunch, coupled with my jet lag and exhaustion, I was knocked out for a long nap. I woke up groggy and cranky, and hoped the shower would help. Staring at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, I’m not sure it did. I’m still tired and my head is heavy. At least I’m awake.
I dry my hair, tie it up in a knot and trim my beard before getting dressed. I let my beard grow out this year, as some kind of good luck charm, but given that it grows way too fast, I have to keep trimming it. I can’t remember my face without the beard and I definitely don’t want to know. Wallet and phone in hand, I check the address for where I’m meeting them. And make sure to take the box with my medal.
Despite it being a weekday, the traffic is ridiculous, but when we finally pull up outside the bar, I wish I was still inside the cab. Chennai is known for its heat and even though I spent years here as a kid, I don’t remember it being this miserable. The queue outside Yesterday, a retro bar, is long and winding. I text my brother to let him know I’ve arrived and seconds later, the door swings open to reveal Vera. I grin at the sight of her and am once again shocked my brother scored himself such a beautiful woman.
It’s packed inside. At least the temperature has dropped a couple of degrees, thanks to the centralised AC. I take in the sepia toned art and vinyls on the walls. While I can’t identify the song, I know it’s something my father listens to. Vera leads me to the table and introduces me to her friends—Krystina and Venkat, Millicent and Jonathan—and they’re excited because they know who I am. Elias gives me a hug and I pat my brother on the back. It’s been three months since I saw him and he’s changed so much, mostly thanks to the love of a good woman.
Being back on the field and winning the ICL championship must help too.
I notice two empty chairs at the other end of the table and my smile falters. I look around and then back at my brother. “Where is she?”
“Uh…around?”
I narrow my eyes and Vera clears her throat, nodding at something over my shoulder. I turn and a growl slips out of me. “This fucking woman,” I mutter under my breath.
She’s standing too close to some asshole aggressively reaching for her. Anger is my first emotion and it hits me instantly that I’m being silly and irrational. Do I have the right to be angry with her? I shake my head as I walk over, cataloguing her outfit—long skirt, full-sleeved crop top with a deep back and sneakers, her curly hair is in a high ponytail, flaunting the lotus tattooed between her shoulder blades. The very same tattoo I kissed not too long ago. Wonder if this douchebag knows that.
“I’d really like it if you took your hands off me,” she says as I get closer, attempting to scoot away from the guy. He sneers and reaches for her again. “Seriously, dude. Back the fuck up.”
He laughs. “Come on, darling. You were flirting with me a few minutes ago. What changed?”
“I think someone needs a dictionary, I was just getting myself a drink.”
“Don’t be a cock-tease,” he groans and reaches for her hip.
I step up behind her and grab his hand before he can make contact. His eyes snap to mine and he snarls, but I tighten my grip. “You heard the lady. Now be a decent fucking human and get the fuck away from my wife.”
Tamara sucks in a sharp breath and turns to face me, her shoulder pressing against my chest. The asshole winces and tries to pull away, but I don’t let go. Instead, my attention shifts to her and I notice she’s not wearing a lick of makeup. And her eyes? A mixture of lust and frustration.
I finally release the guy. He swears under his breath, but scuttles away. Grinning, I say, “Hey, Lotus.”
Nine. That was by design
Tamara
The fucking nerve of this man. We’ll ignore the way my pussy clenched when he said my wife; we’re not supposed to feel anything for him right now. These days my feelings for Patrick are confusing. I’m angry one minute, turned on the next, frustrated soon after and plain torn about how to respond to his presence. At this very moment, I’m annoyed because he swooped in, swinging his dick and calling me his wife. Ugh, stop thinking about his dick. However, I am grateful he stepped in, because the man I accidentally smiled at would have taken far more liberties than grabbing my hand and calling me darling. Blergh men.
More importantly, who told Patrick it was okay to show up looking like this? He’s not even dressed up, but his tall frame fills out his clothes, his hair’s tied back and his beard is smooth enough to not leave burn marks on my skin this time. Oh my god, quit thinking about sex. I can’t blame the pregnancy for the horniness; it’s entirely Patrick’s fault. And now he comes charging in like a freaking Viking to save the damsel. I’m not in distress, but I am a damsel.
“Your wife, really?”
“Mother of my child sounded too complicated.”
I huff and turn away, thanking the bartender for my drink. Patrick looks at it and frowns. “It’s soda and lime. Helps with the nausea.”
“Still nauseous? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“What are you going to do, threaten it like you did that guy?”
He looks murderous and for some reason, it turns me on. “I could try.”
“Please, I know how to handle myself. I don’t need your alpha male help.” I wave him off and he rolls his eyes.
“Are you okay otherwise?”
