Out of Bounds [h.s. au]

Chapter 21

I could tell by the look on Harry's face that he was prepared to tell me something, but he didn't like it. I bit my lip and held my breath as I walked up to him.

"So," I exhaled. "I got a call from Justine last night."

Harry nodded. "She told you?"

"Well, it was a voice message, so I didn't actually talk to her. But she said she was at Mikado's and you were her waiter."

Harry groaned, running his hand through his hair.

"What is it, Harry?" I inquired.

He stared as his shoes before lifting his head to look at me.

"She was with that man, Tisa," he answered.

"What man?" I began to ask. I dropped my jaw when realization hit me. "The one who came to my house?"

Harry shut his eyes and nodded.

"But...how..." I had so many questions running through my mind. Who was this man? And how did Justine know him? And worse, how is she connected in all of this?

"Justine knows then," I confirmed. "She knows about the divorce. I didn't have to tell her."

"Yeah, she knows," Harry said. "My guess is she knew before you did."

"Wait," I held up my hand. "What exactly happened last night? What did she say?"

Harry sighed, shifting his backpack on his shoulder.

"Well, I saw the bloke first. I thought oh, shit. When I got closer to the table, I recognized the woman he was with was Justine. I tried not to make eye contact with her, but then realized that was stupid. She knew who I was and where I worked."

I shrugged. Justine had only met Harry the one time, but of course she would remember him.

"She said hello and asked how you were. I tried to play it cool. I said you were fine, and she said to tell you hi. I acted like I didn't recognize the man she was with. I didn't acknowledge him at all except to take his order.

Anyway, there wasn't really much else to it. She drank a lot. And laughed a lot. They left a big tip. I was going to call you when I got home, but reckoned you were asleep."

Harry took my hand and squeezed it.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

I shrugged again. "Nothing to be sorry for. I hate that you have to be part of this. Whatever this is. I'm just so confused right now."

"You and me both."

I reached forward and wrapped my arms around his waist, taking in his scent. He was my comfort and my rock. I knew he'd help me through this.

"Do you want to stay with me tonight?" he murmured.

"Don't you work again?" I raised my head.

"I got Brian to trade shifts with me."

"Oh," I mouthed. "Well, I kind of promised Penny I'd go see her band tonight."

"That's fine," Harry shrugged. "We can do that."

"Really?"

"Yeah," he kissed my forehead. "I just want to be with you."

I smiled and kissed him on the cheek. Yes, I was going to be just fine.

**

Penny's band was loud and energetic, exactly what you want in a live band. They already seemed to have somewhat of a local following. The small bar was packed.