Page 62 of Not In Love

“Kat wasn't always loyal to him,” Kaif blurted out after a long pause. “Especially in those years when Diego was spending every free minute trying to make it into the leagues. She got back with him later when he made it, but even then…” He looked away, a vein pulsing in his jaw.

Kash stared at her brother’s profile, the words slowly sinking in. The last piece of why Diego had been so upset with her that day after the Josh incident slotted into place. "What are you saying?" she whispered, her throat full of regrets.

"I had my doubts,” Kaif said, looking at his hands, “but I didn't have a leg to stand on. She brought him back for Tia’s sake and then the accident...it was better to leave it alone.”

"Kaif, just say it," she urged, her voice barely above a whisper.

He met her gaze, eyes filled with regret. "I confirmed this with Muriel. Kat cheated on him. Worse, apparently, he caught her at it with one of his teammates and felt betrayed. Which is why he didn’t believe her when she told him she was pregnant with his child. Why he abandoned her.”

Kash's breath caught, the world tilting slightly as the weight of his words settled over her.

“But when his mother saw Tia as a months-old baby and tore a strip off his hide for abandoning a child, he begged Kat to let him be a part of Tia’s life. We both know that Kat wanted an easy life,” Kaif continued in the same monotone. As if he wasn’t shredding one sister’s character to help the other one heal. "I didn't want to bring this up in front of Mama, but you should know."

Kash looked down, processing the revelation. "He didn’t tell me. He was angry that I judged him, he pointedly said I should know him better. Even after we got—” Kash shook her head and looked away.

"He wouldn't,” Kaif said, not sounding surprised at all. “Not if it meant tarnishing Kat's memory for you."

She glanced back up at him, a mixture of emotions swirling in her eyes. "Why tell me now, Kaif?”

"Come on, di," Kaif said, a hint of lightness entering his tone. "You're clearly in love with each other. There are enough hurdles between you two without this too, no?”

Kash's lips trembled. "You really think he loves me?"

Kaif smiled gently. "Of course he does."

She stepped forward again, wrapping her arms around him. "I'm scared, Kaif."

He held her close, resting his chin atop her head. "Have faith in who you are, and in him.” His laughter jostled her and Kash let her tears soak his shirt. “Muriel will kill me if she hears this, but you two are made for each other. Anyone can see it.”

CHAPTER19

Diego’s thoughts were a goddamn whirl.

His body vibrated with energy, as if he were back on the pitch before a championship game, lungs too full, legs tight with anticipation.

But it wasn’t nerves weighing him down tonight, it was excitement. Pure, heart-bursting excitement.

The news from this afternoon’s meeting still hadn't settled fully in his chest.

Two full scholarships.

Which meant two kids would get to train at his academy for free because of the benefactor Kash had introduced him to. Simon’s old friend turned out to be not just a soccer fanatic but a Diego Ferrera fan, and the conversation had gone from cautiously optimistic to soul-filling within a single lunch.

Diego hadn’t seen Kash all day since he’d been gone for most of it. Hadn’t told her the great news yet. He had typed numerous texts to tell her and then deleted them all. Because he wanted to see her face when he did, see her eyes light up. Maybe she would hug him, even kiss him.

God, he was a goner.

He would tell her at the Sangeet function tonight. If he could stop pacing inside his own damn skin long enough to find the right words. If he could find two private minutes with her. Which was a big ask now that her two besties Mona and Chaaru had arrived in town late last night.

Not that he begrudged her the sheer joy he had seen in her eyes in passing as she hugged them. Neither had he missed the broad smile that Chaaru had given him or the saucy wink Mona had thrown at him.

Feeling like a teenager who’d gotten his note across to his crush, he looked around him.

The banquet hall pulsed softly around him, decked out in glowing gold and pink and vivid jewel tones. Fairy lights spiderwebbed across the ceiling, weaving through swaths of gauzy silk saris that cascaded down like waterfalls at the corners of the room.

The air smelled of cardamom, spiced rum, and something sweet and fried from the food stations lined along the far wall. Low tables framed the dance floor, each lit with small brass lanterns and little bowls of marigolds. The DJ in the corner tested the speakers, a low thrum of bass rattling faintly under the chatter of early guests.

It felt warm. Alive. Exactly what Muriel deserved on one of her big days.

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