After the End: Book 3

42. Walk Right Into It

Harry's POV

Louis walked out of that meeting looking quite proud of himself for his little stunt. I'd rounded on Melvin and that's when I'd learned that my status as Melvins weird kid friend absolutely held no water to what Louis had made himself.

Louis tremulous relationship with Melvin had been rocky and difficult, but when it came to the two of us, Melvin clearly knew that Louis was the better bet. Louis was the one who brought results and Louis was the only one anyone believed I would become compliant too. Melvin told me as much as I begged him to take my side in Louis absence. Louis made money. I barely showed up and had yet to finish the single only project I'd ever agreed to. Not only that, we'd spent money on me and my album that we hadn't paid back yet. I was out of luck. Louis was more valuable. I was just a fun little kid whom Melvin viewed affectionately enough to have a little draw sometimes. I'd overestimated my importance.

After my venting phone call to Naomi I had cooled off a bit, but I didn't view things any more positively. Louis was being an asshole. Louis had betrayed any form of trust and put my issues on blast for Melvin. He'd taken the album, which was the one thing I was sort of enjoying in my otherwise miserable day to day existence and threatened me with it. He hadn't even come talk to me first. We had one fight and he decided to go nuclear.

I ascended the stairs to my flat feeling particularly pissed about the fact that Becca's car was in the lot. She had been horrendous in her behavior as well. After the meeting, she'd demanded I allow her to drive me home. I'd told her to piss off. She'd been really worried about be being out while high and I didn't know how to break it to her that I was arguably the most experienced with that. I wasn't even on anything wild. Adderall was nothing.

I got to the top of the stairs and hesitated at my door to let my heart calm down. It was so quick to get racy all the time now that I lived in constant anxiety and substance hazes. I often wished it would just quit being a wimp and stop. Cardiac arrest would not be the worst thing to happen to me that year. It might actually be pleasant in a grotesque way.

When it calmed, I pushed the door open with my posture already reflecting how annoyed I was. In the brightness of the living room, I expected to see Becca waiting to lecture me, but instead I was met with the unexpected sight of Louis lounged back on the sofa. He had one leg crossed comfortably over the other and his arms were raised and crossed behind his head like a pillow. He still wore his stupid slacks and button up from the meeting, but the first few buttons had been loosened so his tattoo was slightly visible. His entire posture was that of smug relaxation and I hated it.

When I stepped through the door, he perked up and smiled at me like he was very proud of himself.

"Hey, welcome back!" He exclaimed. "How was the weather?"

"Fuck you," I snapped.

"I'm sensing a little hostility," Louis commented humorously.

"You aren't supposed to be here," I informed him. I slammed the door behind me.

Louis reached to the side and grabbed something off the floor beside the sofa. When he held it aloft in his lap I realized the faded blue and red striped fabric was my backpack. He reached into the top and pulled my wallet out.

"Found your wallet," he said pleasantly. "Naomi called me last night and among her many other concerns about you, she asked me to call and cancel your cards because you were sure you'd lost it. Lucky I looked for it first, right? It was in your little drug filled backpack the whole time. Also, stellar of you to leave that lying around in my flat."

I just stared at him. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to say to that. It obviously hadn't been my most brilliant move. I also hadn't even thought about the fact that it was missing since I'd offhandedly mentioned it the night prior. I knew Naomi was going to call him anyways, despite my requests but the fact that he was still attempting to take care of me was just infuriating.