One Plus One

Chapter Fifty-Six

Harry's eyes widened at my suggestive comment. He seemed more surprised at my courage than he did the comment itself.

"I'm surprised there's been no comment about my arse."

"Well I have to leave some things for the day itself. Go and get changed." he replied with a light smack to my backside.

After buying the dress and finding the appropriate accessories to match, we got back in the car to go home. Harry pulled up outside my house, pressing a lingering kiss to my cheek.

"You're not coming in?"

"No, not tonight."

"Why?"

"I...um..."

"It's doesn't matter, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Erm, yeah. See you soon, angel."

I couldn't help but notice the nervous glint in Harry's eyes as we tiptoed around the subject of where he was going. He was suddenly set on edge, unable to keep still in his seat until I was out of the car and away from the topic.

Once in the comfort of my room, I couldn't help but notice how much bigger my double bed felt without another person to cuddle in it. I found one of Harry's t-shirts that he'd left around mine and slipped into it ready for bed. I raised the material to my nose and inhaled Harry's familiar scent. I was slowly falling into a daze until my phone buzzed against my headboard.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Marlie, it's Brody."

"Oh, hi, is everything alright?"

"Is Haz there?"

"No, why?"

"He's not answering his phone, could you try and just ask him to ring me?"

"Yeah, I'll call you back in a sec."

"Thanks, babe."

I quickly dialled Harry's number and heard it ring, but it rang out and went to answer phone. He wasn't answering to me either. I tried once more, but the same thing happened again.

"He's not answering to me either, Brody." I said when I called him back.

"Don't worry about it then. He's probably asleep."

I didn't deem him sleeping as a viable reason for Harry to not pick up the phone. It had to have something to do with our awkward exchange in the car. I crawled into bed and kept my phone by my side in case Harry saw the missed calls and called me back.

*****

"Have you spoken to Harry yet?" asked Brody.

"Nope. It's been two days and I haven't had anything. I'm worried."

"Yeah, me too."

"I'll try him again tonight but I don't think he'll answer."

"Oh wait, I've just got a text from him."

Brody fell silent upon reading the text. He snook a quick glance up to me, then back to his phone, shoving it back into his pocket.

"Well?"

"He's alright."

"And?"

"...uh..."

I stared at him expectantly. He tried to back away but I caught hold of his forearm, preventing him from moving any further.

"You know something." I said, narrowing my gaze on him.

"It's nothing. I have to go."

"You're going to him?"

"Yeah."

"Then take me with you."

"No, Marlie."

"Brody, please."

"I can't."

"Don't make me beg, Brody. Please just take me with you."

I could see I was wearing on him. Brody flicked his head towards the door, signalling for me to follow him out to his car. The ride was intense. Brody sped down the streets, setting me on edge. I gripped tightly onto my seatbelt, pulling it away from my body. It felt constricting combined with my swirling thoughts. I began to panic when the car came to an abrupt stop in an alley way.

"Stay in the car, Marlie. Don't argue with me, just stay."

Brody's gaze narrowed on me as I tried to protest. I sunk back into the seat and turned away from him, staring straight ahead out of the windscreen. I jumped on hearing the door slam, then followed Brody's path with my eyeline, trying to figure out where he was going.

BRODY'S POV

I'd parked in the alleyway so that Marlie didn't see where I was heading. I came face to face with the ageing block of flats, pulling my sleeve down to cover my hand before pressing the buzzer to Harry's. He and I were the only people who knew about this place. Harry would often come when he needed to clear his head or when he was in the midst of doing something. His text had explained everything to me. How he'd managed it was beyond me. Harry had found Jamie's address and gone to confront him about what he did to Marlie. From what I understood, things hadn't quite gone to plan. I wasn't that prepared for the guy I was faced with when I was let in to his flat.

"Bloody hell, mate. What did he do to you?"

Harry's face was almost unrecognisable. Both of his eyes were almost black, bruises and cuts covered his cheeks. His lip was split, quite deep from what I could see.

"I'm surprised he didn't kill me." Harry muttered, low and cold.

"What happened?"

Harry just shook his head. I tried pressing for more information, but Harry only closed himself up more.

"Marlie's been really worried."

Harry tensed at the mention of her name. I heard a faint sniff. I walked closer to him and he was. He was crying.

"Haz, what's going on? What happened?"

"I've fucked up big time, Brody."