Trace of Innocence (No Control Book 3)

Chapter 34

(No Control - 34. Half A Heart)

The first thing I think of when I wake up on Monday morning is that Jess has a boyfriend. I can't even feel enthusiastic that we have a day off today, because I feel like shit and I can't be arsed moping around. I would much rather be doing interviews or rehearsing or something. Anything to keep my mind busy.

Niall calls for me around 10.30 and drags me down to the gym, and I spend an hour and a half working out and hitting the punch bag to take my mind off things. I head straight from the gym to the pool, where I find myself thinking about Nadine as I'm doing some lengths. I think back to our shortlived relationship, and the arguments that ensued towards the end when she started getting narky about me talking to other girls.

Like, what am I supposed to do when a female approaches me and starts chatting? Say, 'Sorry, I'm not allowed to talk to you because my girlfriend doesn't trust me not to drag you behind those bushes and shag you'? I wouldn't mind, but Nadine was never exactly short of offers herself. All those male models hanging around her all the time - albeit a large majority of them were gay, but a lot of them weren't, and I didn't give her any hassle. And I also never gave her any reason to doubt me, that I could see.

I smirk too much, apparently. Like I can help that. According to Nadine, smirking can be misinterpreted as flirting. I roll my eyes to the ceiling as I remember the argument about that.

'It's the way you were looking at her - all smirky and flipping your hair.'

'I don't know what you mean. You know I have to talk to the fans.'

'You just looked like you were enjoying it too much.'

'Well I was enjoying it! She was a nice girl! She said she cried when her mum wouldn't let her vote for us when we were on X Factor! It was funny, so I laughed! I don't get what your problem is.'

'No, Harry, you never do. That's exactly what my problem is.'

I reach the side of the pool and haul myself out to sit on the side. My heart is beating fast from my energetic swimming, and from the memory of that argument that has pissed me off all over again. It really fucking winds me up when people don't trust me.

I head to the private changing rooms and towel myself off, and then go back to my room for a shower. I call room service to bring up some lunch and then I call Mum and tell her about Jess having a boyfriend. I can tell by her reaction that she's shocked.

"Have you spoken to her?" she asks.

"No," I sigh.

"Don't you think you should before you believe the story?"

"I don't want to make a fool of myself," I mumble. "Lou thought the reason she hadn't been in touch was because she was already seeing someone, and this just confirms it."

"Well I would still get the truth from her before you start jumping to conclusions," Mum advises. "You know how much it annoys you when people believe lies about you."

She has a point, but I feel in my heart I would just be making an idiot out of myself and quite frankly my ego is bruised after Nadine dumped me and I'm not in the mood for it to take another battering.

As I'm saying goodbye there is a knock at the door, so I slide off the sofa to answer it. It's Louis, and he looks subdued.

"What's up with your face?" I ask him.

"Got caught with that girl," he mumbles.

"What - having sex?!" I grin. Haha, this is awesome.

"No," he scoffs. "Got photographed kissing her in the pool last night and the fucking Daily Mail want to print the story."