Catching Red Eyes - NYC

Chapter 55

I woke the next morning in a bath of sunlight pouring into the hotel bedroom. I was laying sideways on the bed and quickly sat up and instantly regretted it. The pain in my face was throbbing and I put my hand to my cheek. The gauze was peeling off my face as I made my way into the bathroom. My reflection was atrocious; my eyes were red and my cheek was swollen. I stuck my tongue out and saw the spot where I had bit down when I fell. I chuckled at myself in the mirror and made my way back to foyer of the suite.

Harry was missing so I quickly grabbed my phone. I had a few texts from Laurie and at least a dozen from my mother. Panic set in as I hit the send button. She picked up on the first ring.

"Rowan! Are you ok?! I've been trying to reach you all day."

All day? I pulled the phone back from my ear and realized it was almost 2 PM. What the hell?

"Rowan Ann! The photos and videos are all over the internet of you falling, please tell me you are alright!"

What? My head was throbbing now along with my cheek and I couldn't comprehend what she was saying.

"Mom, what are you talking about?"

"Have you not seen yourself all over the place?? Harry's girlfriend takes a tumble in front of hotel in New York City. You need to come home and have your father take a look at it-"

"Mom, relax. I am fine. It's honestly just a cut and Harry had a doctor in the room immediately after it happened. I have antibiotics. Really, I'm fine."

My mother didn't say anything for a little. I waited.

"Rowan...I think you should come home."

"Mom, stop. This is ridiculous. Why are you overreacting about this? People trip and fall on their faces all the time. I have to go."

I hung up on her as I heard the hotel door swing open behind me. Harry strolled in with two coffees and a bag of something. He had on dark sunglasses, a soft dark green t-shirt and his usual dark jeans and boots. He could wear anything and he would look like a damn model.

"Love, you're awake. How are you doing? Let's get that bandage off and get the cream on." Without a word, he took my hand and led me back into the bathroom and sat me down on the toilet. With his long, delicate fingers, he peeled back the bandage. I winced a little but nodded to keep going. With the last piece off, I moved my jaw to see the extent of the pain. It actually didn't hurt as much as I expected. I got up and looked at my reflection. There was a very small cut under my eye. It was still red and a little swollen but it wasn't as bad as I had thought.

"I really thought I was going to look like Leatherface or something," I said with a laugh. Harry washed his hands and grabbed the ointment. Without trying to touch the open wound he applied it. It was cold and smelled gross. He furrowed his brow when he was finished.

"What? Wait, do I look like Leatherface for real??" I said, laughing.

"Rowan, stop...I feel terrible. You have this now because of me...I didn't keep you safe." Harry stormed out of the bathroom and I followed him out to find him sitting in the living room with his hands interlaced and he was staring off.

"No, Harry, you stop. Really I am fine. Like I was saying to my mom-"

Harry's head snapped up and a look of fear and anger crossed his beautiful face.

"Your mum called?"

"Yea...I guess she saw something online about me falling but really its fine."

Harry got up again and paced into the kitchen.

"Harry, stop, please. I don't know why everyone is overreacting. I'm the one who fell!"

"That's just it, Rowan! You fell because I didn't keep you safe. I haven't even met your mum and she probably already hates me."

"Oh my God, she does not. You guys are acting like I'm paralyzed or something. Seriously, stop."

Harry let out a frustrated breath and looked at me. "You sure, you're alright?"

"For the last time, yes. Now enough of this. What are we doing today?"

"Well, the lads and I have to leave in about 8 hours so I wanted to meet your family but I am sure your mum hates me."

The thought of Harry meeting my family made my heart swell.