Taste (H.S. / A.U.)

Chapter 30

DOUBLE UPDATE: Chapter 29 & 30

HARRY STYLES

"In the middle of the night?"

I groan, because I already know how bad it sounds before Mitch repeated it back to me. "Yes Mitch, the middle of the night because once again, I have zero self-control and I do not understand how to be a normal person. Thank you for pointing it out."

Mitch tries to disguise his laughter as coughing, but it was apparent. "H, you get how ridiculously hard this girl is going to laugh when she hears this story?" No, because I am hoping that Jade does not tell her.

Mitch pats my back with a spare hand, "Honestly, it's kinda cute. Harry has a little crush, I love that." I roll my eyes but Mitch doesn't notice. We both grab our salads and start to walk through the dimly light back halls of Olympic Stadium, with over an hour has passed since we were on stage and pouring our hearts out to all that attended. Tonight a girl held up a sign saying Mitch was her favorite and I told her that he was mine too, I think the giggles in the stadium were almost louder than the screams. It sometimes surprises me what they get excited over, but I love to see the enthusiasm honestly. 

Something about the twinkle of lights on the faces of someone who adores you while you share a moment makes you really start to believe in true happiness. That's what being on stage is like. 

Mitch checks his phone before sliding it into the back pocket of his jeans, loose denim blue jeans that were paired with a simple rusty red t-shirt, because Mitch went for comfort rather than flashy like myself. Our opposites was something I always loved and yearned to replicate with each of my friendships, because it made everything seamless and simple. 

Mitch was rare though, he always was there for me and that was something I noticed. He never judged, never held a grudge for my bad moods, always tried to uplift me, and cared about me and my feelings ultimately. Mitch was probably my best friend, the only one who came close to that same status since the band ended. 

"Did I tell you I called him back last night and asked if he wanted us to visit while in London?" Mitch perked up at my question and raised a brow, "he said yes and that he would be offended if we didn't." I chuckled under my breath, because honestly, I would feel the same way if one of the guys came to my area and didn't stop by for a visit. 

Mitch read my mind sometimes it seemed, "we could make a day of it since we are around that area for three days." I nod. "Enough changing the subject though, so you are visiting this girl, the same girl you already have had quite the connection with. In fact, you went on a date and posted her for the world to see, and now you are flying five hours away just to learn to cook with her. Does she know you are a great cook already?"

I shook my hair, a sweaty curly strand threatening to fall into my face, a reminder of a haircut that is overdue. I haven't been very willing to change up my style for the past year, because apparently I broke the internet after I shaved my head a few years back. At least, that is what the rumor mill tells me.

"Hasn't came up."

"Hasn't came up." Mitch mocks me.

I wave my hand in the air to dismiss him but he giggles at his insinuation that I need to tell Elle. What she doesn't know won't kill her, and honestly, she is talented in the kitchen, I am just a novice. If I had the skills she did, well, singing and acting would not be my career path. 

The path that leads out of the stadium was winding, but we were close to the exit because it no longer smelled like a sweaty basement, instead fresh air was permeating the space and the doorway in front of us held a neon exit sign. It would be dark outside, but that's fine because I want to get back to the hotel and catch a nice short sleep before I take the jet over to Thailand tomorrow attend Elle's class. "It's not a crush by the way."

Mitch presses on the door and holds it open for us both, "are you sure about that?"

I consider Mitch's question, because maybe he sees something beyond what I do, and I should notice it. I stuff the idea away, because if it is a crush it will die down, we are different and in different parts of our life, and honestly, who knows if Elle notices me more than a friend. Despite having sexual chemistry and a shared night in the bedroom, it does not mean there is a future there beyond a few FWB sessions potentially, and I wasn't going to build it up in my head more than I needed to... despite potentially already doing that on my own. I didn't need to bring that up now and admit to it.

A sigh fills the space as we walk along the streets now, a back alley with fences around the lot we were in, just in case some fans had hung around late in hopes of seeing someone. Usually we allow the bodyguards to walk us out, but tonight seemed mellow and different, so we allowed them to take an early night. Now as the two of us walk in tandem across the dark parking lot towards the rented vehicle that was left for us, Mitch is the only one to fill the quiet, "sometimes I wish the concerts were during the day so afterwards I could call Sarah and tell her about it, but I know she is asleep."

I know for Mitch being on tour is hard because he misses his wife and child so much, but I selfishly also am glad he is here with me. I just wish there was a way Sarah and his family could join us and be a mini little family on a tour bus hanging out all day every day. Would that be an actual good idea? Not at all, but it is a fleeting dream.

I allow the still of the night take over while we both quietly get into the SUV, the radio playing a station filled with more talking than music, but we don't change it. We simply open the moonroof and allow the breeze to roll through the vehicle while we both melt into the leather interior and decompress. 

My own brain was filled with considerations of Elle, my future, and tomorrow. Mitch seemed to have his mind on his own girl, and that was enough for me to allow him some peace of mind and quietness.