One Plus One

Chapter Forty-Six

I had hardly seen anything of Marlie. She was completely wrapped up in Harry. Even in work she didn't seem to be altogether there, she was just waiting for the moment when she could run to the sports centre next door and sit and watch Harry at work. It made me happy to see her so happy, but it worried me how attached she had become to him.

Jasmine's funeral was fast approaching. Marlie had seemed to brush the idea off, not wanting to linger on the subject. I didn't blame her, but a part of me knew that Harry was bound to take advantage of her emotional state. She may not have been able to see it, but he always held that certain look in his eye, something I was acquainted with quite well. I waited for her to shower and change after one of her extra sessions, hoping for a bit longer than a five minute conversation.

The double doors swung open and sure enough, Harry had hold of her by the hips, pushing out of the door, his lips locked on hers, and Marlie giggling quietly. I cleared my throat to alert them to my presence.

"Oh, hi, Lily." she spoke in a quiet voice.

"Nice to see you, Harry." I said, with a tiny hint of sarcasm.

Harry acknowledged my comment with a nod, obviously feeling uncomfortable.

"You wouldn't mind if I stole Marlie from you for a sec, would you?"

"No, go ahead. I'll wait in the car, gorgeous."

Harry retreated out of the studios and once I was sure he was gone, I turned back to Marlie.

"Is everything ok, Lily?"

"Yeah, yeah, fine. I just wanted some time with you without him."

"Oh don't be like that. I'm sorry I haven't been spending much time with you, but you know how things are."

"No, that's the thing. I don't. I'm lucky if I get a phone call from you now."

"What's brought this on?"

"I'm worried about you, Marlie."

"Why?"

I turned my head to the exit Harry had previously taken. She followed my eyeline and saw his car on the opposite side of the street.

"Harry?"

"Yeah. He's gonna take advantage of you, Marlie."

"No he's not. I've told you before, he's not like that."

"That's what he wants you to think, Marlie! He'll have his way with you and then be shut of you."

"Then why hasn't he by now? Hmm?"

I widened my eyes at her. She really was naive.

"You turned the tables for him, Marlie. You made things more exciting. You'll be sorry eventually."

"You don't know anything about my relationship with Harry. Actually, screw that. You know fuck all about relationships full stop."

"What?!"

"Do you think the way you go around, throwing yourself at anybody is dignified, Lily? Not everything is about sex, Lily. There's so much more to it."

"Oh, so because you've got a boyfriend do you think you know everything now?! Harry is the type of guy that will fuck you and not care. Trust me, I know one when I see one."

"Yeah, well it takes one to know one."

I was then shoulder barged out of her way. She stormed towards the exit, ignoring the calling of her name. She took a deep breath as she stood at the doors before slowly, and calmly, pushing it open.

Bitch.

HARRY'S POV

I was busily typing away at the touchscreen of my phone, responding to an earlier message from my sister about the plans for the weekend. The phone almost flew out of my hand upon hearing the passenger door violently slam.

"Alright, leave my door on its hinges."

"Sorry."

"What's up?"

Marlie's features were tight. I noticed she had gripped the bottom of he shorts rather than doing what she normally would. Usually her cheeks were only red when I made her blush, but the colour had resided there for a different reason this time, a reason Marlie didn't seem open to sharing.

"It's nothing."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Nothing I can't handle."

Marlie flashed me a smile before pecking me on the cheek.

"Why don't we go back to my mums tonight?"

"What?"

"Don't look so scared."

"Harry, I don't know."

"Please." I begged.

Marlie still looked worried. I titled her chin with my finger, dotting kisses all over her face. Her squeaky giggle filling the car. She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me into her, directing my kisses straight to her lips. She playfully tugged on my bottom lip before pressing one last kiss to the corner of my mouth.

"So what do you say?"

"Ok."

I had a feeling the way I was staring into her eyes helped in making her give in. When I focused my green gaze upon her silver one I usually got my own way.

"You're such a little fucker." Marlie giggled, shaking her head.

"Why?"

"You suck me in every time."

"That's because I know how to get my own way."

"I've told I you before, if you get your way, I'll end up getting mine."

I started the engine to distract me from my thoughts, the memories of all the moments Marlie and I had shared pushing to the forefront of my mind. I had to bite my lip to stifle a smirk. I had every intention of letting Marlie getting her own way. It usually turned out well for me.