i love you (it's ruining my life) » l.s.

ten

Harry got wind of some dumb house party in the desert and, since he wasn't at Coachella with anyone in particular, he figured he might as well attend to pass the time. It was being hosted by DJ Fayze, someone Harry hadn't met before but heard about plenty of times, and it didn't seem like there was a guest list or bouncer. The large house — mansion, really — was full of everyone who was anyone. Music drifting out could be heard from at least half a mile away; people were mingling and dancing and there were too many rooms to count with at least one bar set up in each.

When Harry arrived, he wandered around by himself, exploring and hoping to find someone that he knew. The reason he even had tickets to the festival was because of Tyler. The pop star was performing the next day and had gotten weekend passes for himself and his team, one of which he'd given to Harry weeks ago. With nothing else to do this weekend, Harry figured he'd come. After all, he and the alpha didn't end on a bad note. Things just got awkward once Tyler realised that Harry was entirely into someone else. Tyler was a good sport about it all and even looked apologetic when he told Harry he was done with their ruse, as fun as it was.

After passing by the third bar since he'd arrived, Harry decided to get a cocktail. While waiting for the drink, his eyes scanned the spacious room. Still, there was no one he recognized or knew well enough to approach, so he considered leaving after finishing his drink. He had a cute little Airbnb with a pool and a hot tub he could relax in instead of walking around here like a lost puppy.

"Here's your drink," the bartender said, sliding the cup over to Harry with a perky tone.

"Thanks," Harry responded, tucking some bills in their tip jar.

He took a sip of his drink and continued to the next room where he leaned against the wall to observe everyone. An internet starlet was making out with a D-lister. An ex-friend's sister was doing lines of coke on a glass table while onlookers raucously laughed. And Louis was sitting with some omega who was practically draping themselves over his lap.

While driving to Palm Springs last night, Harry had looked at the lineup for the weekend. When he spotted The Rogue, he felt nervous about seeing Louis again. But then when he saw the alpha backstage earlier, those nerves slowly went away, and he could sense that Louis was also past everything that had happened between them. At least enough to talk civilly. Harry just didn't know where they stood now.

His eyes now zeroed in on Louis and the omega next to him. Harry felt like he recognized the omega but couldn't entirely place her. She had a familiar face and it was bothering him that it wasn't coming to him right away. His eyes drifted over to Louis and he was startled when he saw Louis looking back at him. Their eyes caught in a long, heavy gaze before Louis turned back to the omega, who was still talking away.

Lifting his cup to his lips, Harry took another sip and didn't look away from the pair. To his surprise, Louis looked back at him again, his eyes dark and loaded, and Harry smiled into his drink. It was evident that Louis was attractive and everyone wanted him, but even with a perfectly beautiful omega currently all over him, Louis' eyes still kept returning to Harry, eyeing him like he couldn't help himself.

Harry could tell when somebody still wanted him and if he was being honest with himself, he'd never stopped wanting Louis either.

The alpha laughed at something the omega next to him said, bubbly and infectious, and Harry rolled his eyes. Whatever it was couldn't be that funny. Louis was just acting like he was paying attention when Harry could tell that all Louis was thinking about was him. His suspicions were proven right when the omega turned to follow Louis' gaze and her eyes landed on Harry. It was then that he remembered where he knew her from. She had been sitting next to Louis during Paris Fashion Week at the Yves Saint Laurent show.