not in love || l.s. ✔︎

CHAPTER SIX

Disclaimer: This chapter contains sexual content

HARRY/PAST

It was a shock to all of us when Liam declared that our tour break party would be over at his flat. I don't think he knew what he was getting himself into.

We invited old friends and everyone from management and the label. Earlier that week our first music video went viral and broke every record imaginable. One Direction was the number one trending hashtag in the world followed by "Harry Styles" and "Harry's bum." My phone was blowing up with texts from my mum and dad and the rest of the planet and the only thing I could think about was that I misspelled "tahnks" in my last tweet.

Liam took my advice and had the party catered—he served Spicy Tuna in Wonton Ice Cream Cones, Bermuda Triangle Goat Cheese on Almond Crisps with Ginger Fig Jam, Spicy Spanish Style Grilled Baby Octopus, Heirloom Tomato Toast Rounds with Aioli—but he could have rolled a keg into the room and everyone would have been thrilled.

Zayn was the DJ and I became an unofficial host, greeting guests as they arrived, taking their coats and urging them to use a coaster.

Niall too was helping Liam with a few errands. But in true Niall fashion, he forgot the ice in the cab and accidentally sat on the quiche.

Only Louis managed charm his way out of party duties.

Ever since I saw those photos of me on Louis' phone, I couldn't get him out of my mind. Onstage, backstage, on the bus, in interviews, I was distracted. I tried to pay attention but my gaze would invariably wander over to him—to his tousled hair and cruel eyes. If our relationship was strained before, it was non-existent now.

I soon spotted Kevin and Judith from management at the makeshift bar Liam had set up next to his pool table.

Judith charged at me in six-inch heels. "I'm so happy I could kiss you," she whispered enveloping me in perfume and silk. Her earrings were shimmery topaz and emerald pineapples.

Behind her was Judith's boss, a man I'd only met once. "Oh, you remember Kevin Donaldson."

"Hello, Harry. Wonderful seeing you again. It's been great having Judith here look after you guys while I've been preoccupied, but I'll take it from here."

I thought I saw a twinge of resentment flash across Judith's wide smile but it was quickly replaced by a nod of agreement.

Kevin wore jeans and a t-shirt in a way that looked like he had never worn jeans and a t-shirt in his life. He was prim and polished and even though his clothes bore no logos, you could tell he was rich from the way commanded a room. He gripped Louis' shoulder warmly, and playfully punched Niall under the chin but the lads seemed confused by this gesture of familiarity. There was a lot of excitement and happiness among us but there was also a lot of tension and things left unsaid.

"What I'd really like to do," said Kevin "is set up a proper tour, with a real crew, bigger venues, and have you guys record the album on the road. We can't waste any time. We have to strike while the iron is hot. While you're hot Harry."

I shifted uncomfortably in my chucks. "It's not all about me, it's about the music. They all love Louis' songs."

"Of course, of course," Kevin said with an unconvincing smile. "The important thing is that you have a fanbase now and they're going to want as much of you as they can get and we've got to give it to them before they lose interest and move onto the next big thing."

"Sure," I said. "We'll do whatever it takes."

I kept say "we" but the only thing Kevin wanted to talk about was me.