Since We're Alone |NH|

Chapter 59

"Morning, Ophelia," Tomi said, walking outside holding a cup of coffee.  I jumped at the sound of her voice.  "Whoa, sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

I shook my head, "It's okay.  Was lost in thought."

I had been sitting out here for several minutes while Niall took a shower and got ready for our "first adventure of the next two weeks" as he put it.  I hadn't a clue but hoped I got to go home and change for it, otherwise I was stuck wearing his t-shirt all day, which, quite frankly, I was fine with.  It smelled like him.  But I am going to want my own clothes at some point.

"Ophelia?" I snapped back to reality as Tomi clapped her hands in my face.

"Oh, sorry," I said, sitting up a bit.

"Everything okay?" She asked.

"Yeah, I think so?" I said, but knew that was more of a question more than anything else.

Tomi scooted closer to me.  "Alright, what's going on?  Hungover?  Did Niall do something?  Did one of those stupid boys do something?" Tomi giggled a little trying to change the mood.

I shook my head.  "No, no one did anything."  I paused.  "Actually, that's not true. Someone apparently did do something and it's got me wondering."

"Oh?" Tomi raised an eyebrow at me.

I sat up and looked around us to make sure no one was around that could hear us. I leaned in closer to her and whispered, "Do you remember the name of Niall's ex girlfriend?"

"Uhhh, Megan?  Marjorie?"

"Maggie?"

"Maggie!  Yes, that's it!" Tomi said, getting way too excited.  "What about her?"

"I think she did something," I whispered, again.

"Yeah?  Like what?"

"I don't know.  I, uh, overheard Niall talking with Willie and Deo a bit ago.  It sounded like they were discussing me.  Well, they were talking about me because my name kept coming up and so did Maggie's.  Deo and Willie kept telling Niall to relax because I wasn't Maggie.  Which, I guess is a good thing?  I don't know.  But, the way they were talking is that it sounded like this Maggie chick did something to all of them.  Niall went so far as to say he felt 'used' when describing her; saying he likes me but was scared I was using him the same way Maggie did.  And then Willie...or Deo...I don't know who, said something about some time when Niall had seen a paparazzo and Maggie apparently kissed him right in front of the camera?  I don't know.  But, something's fucking weird about it."

Tomi looked at me, a strange expression on her face. "Hmm, but they were all saying you're better than this Maggie bitch?"

"I think so.  They kept saying I wasn't her and to give me an honest chance.  Which Niall repeatedly said how much he liked me but that he's just scared.  It just has me wondering what the fuck this girl did to him, ya know?"

"Hmmm, interesting.  This calls for a little detective work, don't ya think?" Tomi suggested, taking a sip of her coffee.

"I'm beginning to think so," I said, looking around again.  I didn't want to be caught talking about this.  "I mean, Niall has never mentioned her to me, which I guess I get.  I mean, why talk about your ex with your new girlfriend, but he's clearly talking about me and her with his friends.  And I realize that we all get compared to each other's ex's but, I guess now that I know everyone actually is comparing me to this girl, that I feel like I need to know more about her. Like, what am I up against? Or is this me being paranoid and crazy?  We all have shit ex's." I bit my bottom lip, nervous for some reason.

"I don't think it's crazy at all.  I've been telling you that something had to have happened for him to act the way he does sometimes.  I mean, what guy takes that long to sleep with a girl who clearly wants to sleep with him?  What guy freaks out the way you said he did?"

"You once said you wondered if she had cheated on him?"

"Yeah, I did.  And now I really think she did!"

"So, what should I do?"

"Keep being you, Ophelia.  First and foremost.  You are way better than whoever the fuck this Maggie girl is.  Just keep proving that to him.  We can start doing some research on her later.  Mully is working tonight.  What is Niall doing today?"

"I don't know.  Something with me for now but I have no idea how long or what we're even doing."

"Okay, well, you spend the day being the amazing woman that you are and let me start the digging later."  I nodded. 

"Ophelia!  Where are you?"  We both jumped at the sound of Niall's voice.

"Shit!" Tomi said, laughing a little.  "We've got to be better spies if we're going to do this."

I let out a nervous laugh.  "Yeah, right."

"There you are!" Niall said, coming outside.  "Morning, Tomi."

"Morning, Niall." She smiled at him, watching him as he walked over to us and sat down next to me.  "Can I just say how glad I am that you finally allowed Ophelia to come over here.  Now I don't have to be the only girlfriend in the joint."

Niall laughed a little.  "Yeah, I know, you've been bugging me about that.  I still like that we get more privacy at her place though.  But yes, Tomi, I'm glad she's finally here, too."  Niall wrapped his arm around my shoulder and brought me closer to him, planting a kiss onto my temple.  "Sorry it took me so long to get you over here."

I shrugged, "It's okay.  I wasn't complaining.  But I am happy to see where you live and meet your friends.  Last night went well, don't you think?"  I looked at him, watching him.

Without any hesitation, he answered, "Yes, it did.  You both seemed to hit it off with everyone.  Speaking of, Tara texted me earlier wanting to know if she could have your phone numbers – both of you – something about a girl's night and trivia night?  But, don't think for a second I'm giving up my trivia partner." He looked at me and then at Tomi, jokingly accusing her and Tara of stealing me away.

"Yeah, yeah, Horan," Tomi said.  "Try to remember she was my trivia partner before you.  And that she was my friend and belonged to me before you came along."  T

"See, I told you she needs lots of attention," I said leaning into Niall.

"Indeed, I do," Tomi responded just as Mully, Deo, and Willie walked outside.

"There you all are," Willie said.  "Are we ready for the day?"  He looked over at Niall and me.

"I, um, I need to go home and change.  I didn't bring any other clothes with me," I said.  "Also, I don't know what we're doing."

"Oh, you're fine in that," Niall said.  "It looks good on you.  We can get you your clothes later."

"You sure?" I asked, hesitantly.

"Yeah, it's fine."

"What about my boots?"

"Perfect!" Niall exclaimed, getting up and offering me his hand.  I took it and he helped me up.

"Okay, well, at least let me brush my teeth.  Oh, um, do you have an extra toothbrush?" I asked Niall.

"Yeah, I'm sure I do. Follow me."

Tomi grabbed my hand and pulled me to her.  Whispering in my ear, she said, "Have fun and don't worry about Maggie.  I'll start the snooping after Mully goes to work."

I nodded at her and followed Niall back up the stairs.