One Plus One

Chapter Twenty-Three

I passed the time I had to myself in the dance studio. It felt like some sort of release. I managed to work out my entire solo piece for the showcase in the two days I was in there. I heard a faint knock on the door to the studio. Lily stood in the doorframe peering at me. Her hazel eyes seemed to be filled with worry.

"Marlie, is everything ok?"

"It's fine."

"You only ever do this when something is wrong. So I'll ask you again, is everything ok?"

She stared at me expectantly. I could tell that withholding the information from her wasn't going to get me anywhere.

"It's Jaz. She hasn't been putting payments down for four months. And I haven't got the money for this month. I've got until the end of next month to pay otherwise I'm out."

"So just ask her for the money."

"I already did. I'm not gonna get a penny."

"How does she expect you to pay for it?"

"I don't know."

"It's strange. This only started since you met Harry."

"I know. She's the reason behind his reputation."

I instantly cursed myself for speaking those words. Lily sat down next to me and nudged me, prying for more information.

"She basically started the whole rumour about his relationship with girls. It's been blown completely out of proportion. He's not like that."

"Are you sure that's not just what he wants to think?"

"He's not Lily. I know he's not. His friends have repeatedly told me. Your brother is his best friend and even he told me that it's a load of shit."

"Well, you'll find out eventually I'm sure."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing."

The tone in Lily's voice made me suspect she was up to something. She rose to her feet and quickly said goodbye, rushing out of the studio. I was left alone once again with my thoughts.

*****

LILY'S POV

I had to do something. Harry wasn't the right guy for Marlie. He had reeled her in so well and I was shocked to find out my own brother had helped in the process. But it seemed he regretted his actions. He told me that he needed to find a way to split them up. I knew why. He knew he wouldn't be getting any action with Harry off the market. It was always Harry that hooked him up with girls. Brody was useless at it. The two of us had the same objective so I knew it was best to talk to him.

"Brody, I need to talk to you."

"About?"

"Marlie and Harry. We need to split them up."

"I agree. And I have a plan."

"Yes?"

"My 21st is at the beginning of August. I'm having a party which will be the perfect time for you to get your claws into Harry."

"What do you mean?"

"Work your charm on him. Get him into bed with you."

"But Brody, Marlie is my best friend, that'll break her in two. It's your fault they're together. If you would have told her that everything about him was true she would have left well enough alone."

"Well maybe I have to prove myself wrong. Come on, Lily, do you want to split them up or not?"

My head started to spin. What Brody was asking me to do was beyond comprehension. As much as I didn't want them together, I couldn't betray Marlie's trust. She was the most alone she'd ever been, she needed all the friends she could get. But she had to wake up. She had to realise that sooner or later, Harry was going to hurt her. She would probably learn to trust me again, so maybe it was worth the sacrifice.

"Fine, I'll do it. You owe me."

"It's got to start now. You have to flirt all the way up to my party, reel him in."

"And what are you gonna do, or is it all down to me?"

"This one is on you."

*****

MARLIE'S POV

NEXT DAY

Once I'd showered and changed after working, I went next door and found the sports hall. I slipped inside to see Harry hard at work teaching the kids how to play basketball. His niece was constantly running around his feet looking for attention. He let them loose with the basketball and quickly got out of the way, not wanting to get hit by the over excited children.

I didn't realise he'd spotted me until I noticed he was jogging in my direction.

"Hi, gorgeous." he raspily spoke.

I didn't have time to reply. He crashed his lips against mine, almost forcing me into the wall. He tried to pull away but I reached around his neck and pulled him back down to me, kissing him again.

Harry sat down on the bench next to me, placing his hand on my thigh.

"Was that an apology for not coming yesterday?"

"Kind of. I was hoping I could persuade you to stay in mine tonight."

"Oh, I don't know about that. I've enjoyed being cold and alone in mine." I teased.

"What will it take?"

"Throw me some ideas and I'll tell you."

"I could just take you to mine and chain you to the bed with those handcuffs."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me." he whispered in my ear hotly.

I grabbed hold of his t-shirt in my fist and began to drag him towards the door. He complied, his palm pressing flat to the door and easily pushing it open. I ducked under and pulled him into the corridor.

BRODY'S POV

"For fucks sake. Look at that again." huffed Danny.

"Chill. I'm sorting it alright."

"What are you gonna do?"

"Two words; My sister."

"Brody, mate, you're a fucking genius."

I stared at the double doors the couple had just left through, waiting for Harry to come back in. A couple of minutes passed with no sign of him. I looked at my watch and it was time to call it a day. I blew my whistle and all the kids ran back to their parents. This gave me a chance to sort out Romeo. I stormed over to the doors and was fully ready to interrupt whatever was going on behind them.

I swung them open but there was no one there.

MARLIE'S POV

Upon hearing the whistle blow, Harry had shoved us into the store cupboard. We were squashed up against each other which Harry seemed more than pleased about. He kept shushing my giggles with tiny kisses, the heat of our session in the corridor still yet to dissipate.

As if we weren't already close enough, Harry pushed us closer. His lips found mine once more, his tongue desperately searching for entry. I denied him, forcing him to pull away and stare at me intently. He knew exactly what his green eyes could do to me. I teasingly shook my head, edging out of his hold which was a mistake. My hand found the door of the store cupboard, forcing it open and the pair of us tumbled out, right into the path of a very annoyed Brody.

"You can finish up." he practically growled.

He stormed past, leaving Harry and I giggling in the corridor like a pair of school children.