Trace of Innocence (No Control Book 3)

Chapter 69 - part ii

(No Control - 69. What Makes You Beautiful, second part)

There's a weird atmosphere on Friday when I arrive at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Louis seems on edge, and Niall is in a bad mood. Liam is his usual cheery self, and we exchange knowing looks behind Louis and Niall's backs as we have a quick meeting before lunch with the stadium management. Louis disappears a couple of times on his phone which Niall is quick to jump on, and the two of them bicker quietly as we eat our sandwiches.

We have an hour before sound check and I'm just about to call Jess to see if she's arrived in Cardiff yet, when Louis suddenly speaks up:

"Um, lads, can I have a word?"

He looks terrified, and my stomach drops. I have a horrible feeling this isn't going to be good. What if he wants to leave the band? Liam glances at me nervously and Niall lifts his head to look at Louis questioningly.

"You alright, Tommo?" Liam asks, his brow creased.

Louis clears his throat and his eyes flick away, and my heart gives a sickening lurch.

"Well, yeah, but no," he says. "I need to tell you something."

"Fucking hell, man, don't fuck with us. Are you leaving the band?" Niall asks.

"No," he says, but I don't feel relieved. I stare at him, waiting for this bombshell I can feel he's about to drop.

He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.

"I'm, uh, I'm going to be a dad."

There is silence.

Literally silence.

We stare at him.

He isn't laughing.

Is this a joke?

I look over at Niall whose mouth is open slightly. I feel Liam's gaze shift to me, and I turn my head to look at him. His expression probably mirrors mine. Total disbelief.

"What?" Liam says eventually.

"Briana's pregnant," he says. "She's due next year. Apparently I'm the dad."

"Woah," Liam says quietly.

"Fuck - seriously?" Niall asks, his lip half curled in a confused snarl.

Louis nods. "That's what she's saying. Obviously we can't prove it until the baby is born and then I'll be taking a DNA test straight away."

More silence.

"When... what...?" Liam begins.

"I slept with her a few times over in LA," Louis elaborates. "It was just a casual thing. Mostly drunk, you know how it is..."

"No," I blurt. "I don't know how it is. What the fuck?"

I don't intend this to sound as harsh as it does, and Louis looks over at me in nervous surprise.

"I was pretty trashed when I was partying in LA," he says. "I was off my face most nights, just enjoying living the single life. I just wanted to let my hair down after the stress of the first leg of the tour, and my break-up with El. I needed to blow off some steam."

"And what better way than to get someone pregnant?" I retort sarcastically.

"Harry," Liam says softly, and Louis for once is lost for words.

"How do you feel, mate?" Niall asks.

Louis gives a shrug and runs his hand over his hair before resting it on his knee. "Still trying to take it all in."