Evie | H.S |

43. I'm with the band pt. 1

"I knew you couldn't resist his charm" Annie teased in a hiss, watching as I melted against Harry's lips pressed to my temple before he moved to sit down next to me. I think she had tried to be subtle but he almost certainly heard it.

I widened my eyes at her, silently pleading with her to be normal as we sat in the quiet catering room. She just gave me this knowing grin and sipped her bottle of beer like she could see right through me. Like it was second nature, Harry's hand found my bare thigh. Fingers drawing invisible circles over my bare skin, it was as if the mere thought of not being able to touch me was torture. It was a pull that made me feel the most alive I've ever felt.

The Love band could be faintly heard out in the stadium, alongside the general buzz of the hive of crew workers getting things ready for the evening.

A faint smirk played at his lips as he pinched the fork out of my hand and stabbed at the mushroom risotto in front of me. "That's mine!" I whined, looking up at him with playful disdain.

"I'll have you know, I actually did all the chasing Annie". Harry shrugged, speaking to her matter-of-a-factly, totally ignoring me and my outrage over the food stealing. "She's a tough egg to crack, I'll give her that". He ruffled the hair on my head playfully.

"And managed to get past the guard dog, obviously". She raised her brow, toying with the beer bottle cap between her fingers as she leant into her forearms on the table.

I almost choked on the sparkling water I was sipping on. I glared at her again.

"More bark than bite with that one I think" Harry sat back in his seat with a smirk. Arm draped over my shoulders, his thumb lightly grazed over the skin on my shoulder as his eyes met mine briefly. A smooth chill ran down my spine.

Harry and Annie then both smirked at each other. I could instantly recognise the unmistakable camaraderie between two strangers who share a strong dislike for the same individual.

Awesome. Let's change the subject.

"You soundchecked my favourite song" I pressed, swiftly redirecting the fork in his hand so that I got the mouthful he was about to take. "Will I finally be hearing that one live?"

Harry didn't reply and instead just shot a mischievous expression.

I pursed my lips and nodded, taking the straw of my drink between my lips for a moment. "Keeping your cards close to your chest, I see".

"Gotta keep you on your toes". He threw Annie and I a charming wink as he stood to leave us. "I'll be side stage as soon as you're ready to go on, Eve". I couldn't help but pout at the inevitable separation as we both had our pre-show rituals to tend to.

Imagine what you'll be like when he heads home, Evie.

For my sanity, I had to shake the thought.

Picking up on my nerves, his hands gently pinched between my neck and shoulders, thumbs rubbing reassuring circles into my tense muscles.

I looked to the automatic glass door that opened up nearby as my band approached.

"Soundcheck time, Eve" Lee waved me over with a smile. I exhaled out pursed lips, nerves settling in.

"Found a straggler" Sam chuckled from a pace behind, arm draped over Ziggy.

Harry's arm fell from my shoulders as I leapt up to hug her. Ziggy wore a pair of washed out blue jeans that sat low on her waist with what I'm assuming was a handmade T-shirt that caught my eye.

"I'm with the band, really?" I tugged at the hem, inspecting the photo printed on the shirt under the text. It was a photo of me as a kid with a guitar almost twice my size in hand. My hair was a mop of crazed curls and I had a pair of pink framed sunglasses wonkily balancing on my face.