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I watched Liam's face as he stood there staring at me, then staring at Harry as if he hadn't heard him correctly. I had to admit, I was just as surprised. Harry wanted to be my friend. Because I helped him. Like no one else could.
My chest felt warm, and there was a funny flutter in my stomach.
"You wouldn't understand. No one does. Except for Evelynn. She's helped me a lot the past few days. Having her to talk to is what I need right now."
The flutter turned in to fucking dinosaurs jumping around in my stomach. I had to remember Harry had said, "Just friends." He hadn't said, I'd like to kiss her again.
He was hurting, and he liked talking to me. That was all this was.
"She.. uh... she doesn't talk," Liam said, glancing at me with an apologetic look on his face.
I waited. I didn't want Harry to tell Liam that I talked to him. But then how else did he explain wanting to be my friend?
"She has her own way of commutating, and that's enough," Harry replied.
I wanted to sigh in relief. If my aunt Karen knew I was talking to Harry, she'd be trying to get me to talk to her.
Liam pressed his lips together then nodded. "Okay. Yeah... if you want to be friends I'm okay with that. But just friends. Don't..." He paused, and I felt Harry tense beside me.
"She's safe with me. I respect her, and I also won't let anyone else hurt her," Harry said with firm determination in his voice.
The dinosaurs in my stomach started up again. Usually people say they get "butterflies" but butterflies are small. Whatever the fuck is happening in my stomach and even further down is not a fucking butterfly.
He wanted to be friends. I could do that. I wanted that. I needed that too.
Liam appeared to believe him. "Good. Well, you want to come inside? Mom made chocolate cake."
"Yeah." Harry looked down at me. "Do you liked chocolate cake?"
I hesitated then nodded. I didn't want to interfere in Liam's life, but Harry wanted me there, and I wanted to be there for him. This side of Harry wasn't anything like I expected. He wasn't cruel or harsh. He wasn't putting up a facade for anyone. This was the guy I wanted him to be when he kissed me that time at the field.
"Then let's go get a slice of Karen's chocolate cake. It's delicious."
Liam looked confused, but he turned and headed inside. Harry nodded for me to follow Liam, and as I did, Harry walked up beside me.
I could eat some cake with Harry then go up to my room and leave Liam alone with his friends. That way I made both boys happy while still protecting myself. No matter how much I wanted to be there to help Harry because I knew what it was like to do this alone, I wouldn't let my guard down completely.
Liam walked inside and headed for the den. Aunt Karen stepped into the hallway from the kitchen and smiled when she saw Harry. It was a sad smile but also one that said she was happy to see him. I knew she was worried about him.
"Harry, it's so good to see you. I missed you this summer. You're not around enough." She went straight to him and hugged him, then pulled back and looked at me. "You're back from your walk," she said, sounding pleased. "Now you're burned some calories, you want to have a slice of chocolate cake with me in the kitchen?"
"She's actually going to go have some cake in the den with us," Liam informed his mother.
Aunt Karen's eyes went wide, then she smiled brightly. "Well, okay. That's wonderful. I'll bring some fresh milk and two more glasses in there." She turned and hurried back to the kitchen.
"I think that just made her day," Liam whispered, glancing back at me.
And this time I smiled. Because he was right. She was happy, and that made me smile.
Harry's hadn't slid behind my back, and he led me into the den where the guys I was used to seeing around Liam were lounging on sofas and beanbags, while a couple are shooting hoops at a basketball hoop on the wall.
"Evelynn!" Louis said the moment he turned around from taking a shot and saw me standing there. It was the first time he'd spoken to me since I'd sent him that text. I guess the shock of seeing me in here made him forget he was ignoring me.
Harry kept his hand on my back as he moved me into the room toward the table.
It was obvious Liam hadn't told the other guys about Harry's dad. None of them looked at him like they were worried about him or like they didn't know what to do. I was relieved for him. He had just faced Liam and Aunt Karen. He needed a break before he faced the rest of them.
"So, Evelynn's here... with Harry," Louis said because no one else was saying anything.
Liam turned and looked at all of them. "Evelynn and Harry are friends. Just friends. And I"m good with that."
There was an awkward silence, and Harry pulled out a chair for me to sit. Once I was seated he looked at his friends and teammates who were still watching the three of us like they weren't sure what to think.
"She's my friend. Deal with it. It's none of your fucking businesses," he informed them, then sat down close to me. He leaned his head toward mine. "Sorry they're acting like idiots. I don't normally have girls who are friends. And you were completely off-limits because of Liam. So they're trying to figure out what's up." I nodded. I understood that. Although right now all I really wanted was to run off to my room.
"Here's more milk and cake," Aunt Karen announced.
The guys went back to watching TV and talking. I didn't turn around to see if Louis was still playing basketball or staring at us.
"She doesn't eat enough. Make sure she finishes the whole thing," she told Harry as if she knew we were friends now and the idea tickled her pink.
"Yes, ma'am," he replied, taking the plates form her hands and putting one in front of me.
When she left the room, Harry smiled down at me. "You need to relax. You look like I"m forcing you to sit here beside me. They'll get over it soon enough. I swear."
I tilted why head down to hide my mouth from everyone else. "I know," I replied quietly. "I just hate being stared at."
He chuckled and moved his fork to get a bite of cake.
"Then you shouldn't be so damn pretty."
The dinosaurs in my stomach were back. How was I supposed to fucking eat now?
