Tell Me a Lie - L.S. English

~ Thirteenth Chapter ~

**trigger warning - homophobia**

"So whats the problem?" Lottie asked angrily, crossing her arms over her chest after we sent Phoebe and Daisy to wait for their grandparents despite their objections. She looked at Jake with a disgusted look as if she couldn't believe that this was the guy she brought with her.

"The problem is that they're all over each other like fucking whores and it's disgusting." he said, gesturing at us and a cold shiver ran down my spine.

Louis opened his mouth to answer the little shit but Lottie put her hand in front of his chest so he would stop. She will take care of it. Her eyebrows pinched together in anger and her disgusted gaze does not move for a moment from Jake.

"What did you just say?" she hissed at Jake angrily. Louis raised his hands, surrendered and leaned back in his chair. Jake looked like he wasn't sure he wanted to repeat what he said.

"If you call my brother or any of my siblings whores one more time, you'll regret the fucking day you were born, do you understand?" she warned him and he rolled his eyes and stood up.

"I don't need this. You're not that hot anyway." He grunted and buttoned up his blazer. What a loser!

He didn't have time to move a single step before Louis stood up and grabbed him by his collar. "What did you just say to her?" He said in a low threatening voice right in Jake's face, completely in his personal space.

Jake made an effort to look like he didn't mind that Louis was so close to him and it didn't stress him out.

"Are you going to answer me?" Louis hissed between his teeth.
"I'm sorry, okay?" He muttered, avoiding Louis' gaze. "What was that? I didn't hear you."

"I'm sorry." Jake hissed louder this time.
"Now tell her 'I apologize, I'm sorry for the nasty things I said to you. It's not you, I'm just a messed up piece of shit.'  And don't you dare put her name on your lips." Louis threatened.

"What? There's no way I'm saying that!"  Jake protested but remained silent as Louis gave him another scowl.

Jake swallowed visibly before turning to Lottie.
"I'm sorry for the nasty things I said to you. It's not you, it's me. I'm just a messed up shit." he mumbled, slurring the words.

"Good, now apologize to my boyfriend." Louis said and Jake flinched again. My heart sped up. "No, no way." He said and tried to push Louis off him but he couldn't.

"Sorry." He spat out as if the word was bitter in his mouth. "Fuck you." I answered with a fake smile and he looked at me abhorrently. I rolled my eyes.

"Take your eyes off him." Louis ordered him and he lowered his angry gaze.  Louis released him.

"Now get the fuck out of my face." Louis ordered and he left as fast as he could without running.

Louis turned to us with a worried look on his face.
His gaze flickered over me with concern and I nodded to him, he nodded and walked over to Lottie, kneeling next to her chair.

"Are you okay?" he asked her and took her hand. She nodded. "You were great, thank you." she said with hollow affection and he squeezed her hand.

"I'm sorry this had to happen to you. You don't deserve whiny children like that. You deserve men who will treat you like a queen." he said and she smiled sadly at him.

"You're an amazing brother." she whispered to him and the corners of his mouth curved into a little smile. "And you're an amazing person." he answered and kissed her head.
He released her and approached me.

"Are you okay?" he asked me quietly and I nodded. He looked in my eyes for confirmation and I didn't know what he was asking for but I agreed with a nod.
He caressed my cheek and then wrapped his arms around me and... oh.  How I needed that hug.

I hugged him back and unloaded all my tension into his embrace. Hugging him felt good. Felt right. I understood that both the caress and the hug were just a show for Lottie but it still warmed me on the inside.

When we broke from the hug it felt like hours had passed and yet somehow only seconds. We sat back down and were silent for a few minutes. We didn't really feel like talking.
Louis continued to stare worriedly at Lottie as she ordered white wine.

Finally the twins returned with their grandparents and the little twins, Daniel's and their mom's children.  Louis' face lit up and so did Lottie's.  They rushed to get up and hug them before they helped seating the kids.

"How are you?" Louis asked as he sat back down next to me.
"We're fine," his Nan replied and his grandad nodded in agreement.

"Who's this?" their Nan asked Lottie and smiled mischievously at me.
"This is Harry," Louis introduced me and his grandmother looked surprised.
"Did he come with you?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with hope. "Yes." Louis answered in a slightly defensive tone and she nodded and smiled.

"It's very nice to meet you, Harry. I'm Jen Poulston and this is Louis' grandad, Len Poulston." she introduced herself and her husband and I smiled at her.
"It's very nice to meet you too." I said politely.

"What happened to Jake?" Daisy who was now sitting in his place asked. To her right sat Phoebe and the chair to her left remained empty.
Lottie didn't seem to know what to answer.

"He had to leave." Louis answered instead.
Jen raised her eyebrows but if she wanted answers she didn't demand them right now.

Jen started to interrogate me about my birthplace and my family and meanwhile the waiter had already arrived and left and returned with all of our orders.

"Do you love him?" she asked me after we thanked the waiter. Me? Do I Love Louis? No. I loathe him most of the time and the rest I'm not sure what I think of him.

"Nan, let him eat calmly, okay?" Louis intervened to my help unexpectedly. I didn't know he was listening to the conversation.
"Oh, sorry, bon appetit." she smiled in sincere apology.
"It's fine, Mrs. Poulston. I enjoy talking to you." I replied and she smiled at me as she shook her napkin.

"Well, Louis. Learn to suck up to your Nan like that." she teased him and he chuckled.

_________

(1104 words)

A little shorter chapter and a bit of a bummer but hey!!! A chapter is a chapter!!
I'm already starting to work on the next one 🙏🏼💙
I'm sorry it took me so long!