Two Truths & A Lie

Chapter 20

I wanted to slap someone.  I needed to hit something.  I had never gotten so mad so quickly in my life, and either a wall was about to be punched in, someone's face was going to get smashed, or I was going to physically explode.  My mind seemed to flash back to when I found Louis pounding into Clarice in the bathroom.  There was something about watching someone you cared so strongly about be intimate with someone else.  It was more than just jealousy.  As least for Louis and Clarice, I had time to think about them being intimate together before I saw it with my own eyes.  As a matter of fact, I didn't know anything about Clarice except for the fact that she was sleeping with my boyfriend.  

This was different.  I knew about Brynn.  While Harry and I had only talked about her once, I knew details many people probably didn't.  This was also different because I had no idea she would be here.  In America.  In the Styles' house.  I had no idea she would be kissing my boyfriend.  Right in front of me.  Right in my face. 

My hand struck Brynn's smug, little smirk with such force that she fell sideways into Harry.  It seemed like everyone leapt toward one of the two of us, either trying to pull me away from ensuing another slap or pulling Brynn out of the way of my forceful swats. 

"My god, is that the way you usually greet your house guests??" Brynn screamed at me through a mass of arms. 

"You're not my house guest, you bitch!" I bellowed back.  I took a deep breath until I wasn't seeing red anymore and looked around at everyone's hands, trying to figure out who was pushing on my boob and where Brynn was so I could slap her again.  Charles had me around my shoulders, keeping me from lifting my arms high enough for another strike.  

One of Harry's male cousins had his arms reached out to push Brynn and I apart, his hand on one of my boobs and his other on Brynn's stomach, pushing her shirt up enough to reveal her belly-button ring with the name "Henley" in cursive dangling from it.  I twitched agrily in Charles' grasp until the cousin realized where his hand was and yanked it back off of my chest.  His face turned red.  The other cousins were all looking at me, clearly appalled by my reaction as if I was in the wrong. I mean, maybe that wasn't the best first impression, but Brynn kissed my boyfriend.  What the hell else did she expect? 

Finally, my eyes landed on Harry, standing across the group from me with his arms protectively around Brynn.  Brynn was glaring at me from behind Harry's arm.  Harry's face was blank for the most part, but I couldn't help but catch a slight hint of disgust or disappointment in his slightly furrowed eyebrows.  Disgusted with Brynn?  Obviously not since he had his arms around her.  Disappointed in me?  Disappointed with my first impression to his extended family?

"Stupid, crazy bitch.  Who the hell is this, Heddie??" Brynn asked, batting her spider-like eyelashes up at Harry.

"Heddie??" I snapped.  "What the-"

"As in Harry Edward.  H. Eddie.  Heddie," Brynn sassed, her short brown hair flicking back and forth every time she jerked her head around.

"That's the dumbest fucking name-" I started.  Charles squeezed me in his arms as I tried to break free.  Yeah, Heddie was the worst fucking nickname I had ever heard for Harry.  Was that what made me mad?  No.  It was the fact that Brynn had a nickname for Harry at all. 

"What is going on in here?" George and my mother finally rounded the corner of the kitchen and peeked into the foyer, both of them with pot holders covering their hands. "Charles, what on earth are you doing to Emalia?" 

Charles loosened his grip until I tensed like I was going to pounce on Brynn again.  "Giving her... a hug?" 

George frowned and moved into the foyer to hug some of his nieces and nephews.  He greeted them with smiles and remained oblivious to the fact that Brynn and Harry were still twisted into each other's arms behind him.  "Where is Davis? Or Morgan? And Harr- Oh, there you are.  And... Brynn..."  George looked up at Harry, whose face was still blank.  George's eyes flickered to Charles, and then me, and back to Brynn and Harry.  "And Brynn..." George repeated slowly.