Truly Madly Deeply

Chapter 13: Caught in the Act

The bus was alive with chatter and laughter as the lads settled into their usual routine after another crazy show. Savannah was sprawled across one of the worn leather couches, her head tilted back as she listened to them banter. But her attention was fixed in a very specific direction—or, rather, on a very specific person: Liam Payne. He had just come back from changing after the show, a towel slung over his shoulder and no shirt in sight. His abs? Front and center. His arms? Right there, toned and glistening, as if he'd just casually walked out of some perfectly lit cologne ad.

She tried to play it cool, but her eyes kept flicking over, again and again. And just when she thought no one had noticed, Louis's voice rang out.

"Oi, Savannah!" Louis crowed, practically leaping onto the armrest beside her. "I'd watch it with the staring, love, or you'll burn a bloody hole in Liam's chest with those laser eyes of yours!"

Savannah's face turned every shade of crimson as all heads snapped in her direction. Liam's brows shot up, looking between her and Louis, an amused, almost bashful smile tugging at his lips.

"Wha—Louis, I was not staring!" Savannah spluttered, but the grin tugging at her mouth wasn't exactly helping her argument.

Louis rolled his eyes and mimicked her in a high-pitched voice. "I was not staring! Yeah, right, Sav, tell that to the drool on your chin."

"Are you done?" she hissed, mortified, but she couldn't help but laugh despite herself.

"Not even close, babe," Louis replied, leaning back and crossing his arms smugly. "Now, I know Liam's got his whole Prince Charming thing going on, but seriously, love, you've gotta at least pretend to have a bit of dignity!"

Savannah covered her face with her hands, laughing even as she tried to swat Louis away. "You're an ass, Louis."

"Oh, I know it, and I wear it proudly." He smirked, looking around at the others, who were all either laughing or exchanging glances as if they'd just tuned into the best episode of a sitcom.

Liam just chuckled, looking at her with that easy, laid-back smile that made her heart thump a little faster. "It's alright, Sav," he said with a shrug, still shirtless and apparently entirely too comfortable about it. "If you need a better view, just let me know."

Savannah's jaw dropped as the rest of the lads erupted in laughter. Niall almost choked on his soda, and Harry fell off the arm of the couch, howling.

"Oh, this is priceless," Zayn muttered, shaking his head, clearly enjoying the scene. "Louis is right. You're a menace."

"Menace?" Louis scoffed, his eyes twinkling with pure mischief. "I'm a public service, mate. Someone's gotta keep her grounded before she faints right here on the bus."

Savannah shoved him with her shoulder, but he didn't budge. "Oh, I'm perfectly grounded, thanks," she shot back, trying to salvage whatever dignity she had left. "Unlike some people, who go around looking like they're starring in their own personal cologne ad—Liam."

Liam grinned, scratching the back of his head. "Hey, if you need a photo, I can probably arrange that."

"Oh my god, stop," she groaned, burying her face in her hands again, laughter bubbling out despite her embarrassment.

"Or maybe you could just keep a little photo tucked under your pillow," Louis suggested with a wicked grin, as if he hadn't already exposed her enough for one lifetime. "Frame it, light a little candle—"

"I'm going to strangle you," Savannah declared, finally looking up with a glare that could have scorched metal. But Louis only cackled, as if that had been the exact response he was hoping for.

"Oh, you love me," he said, flashing her a wink.

"I do," she admitted with a sigh. "Even if you're the biggest pain in the ass in the entire world."

"That's the spirit!" Louis clapped her on the back, then turned to the rest of the lads, who were still laughing. "See, Sav here is actually my best friend and my number one fan. Been putting up with me since we were snotty kids in Doncaster."

Harry snorted. "Honestly, Sav, you're a saint. Don't know how you manage."

Savannah shrugged, smiling as she looked at Louis. "It's a full-time job, but someone's gotta keep this diva in check."

"Diva?" Louis feigned offense, clutching a hand to his chest. "That's Mr. Superstar to you."

"God help us all," Liam laughed, finally slipping a shirt over his head. Savannah tried to ignore the slight pang of disappointment as he did.

The banter continued, spilling over into more laughs and cheeky jabs until they were all breathless with laughter. Savannah couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this alive, this at ease. Sure, being best friends with Louis had always been a bit like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded, but being here, with all of them, was something different. Something wild and chaotic and wonderful.

Louis might've been a pain, a diva, a cocky little menace, but he was her best friend, and somehow, surrounded by him and his bandmates—now her friends too—she felt right where she was supposed to be.