Run Away

3.

Katherine adjusted the coat she was trying to stuff Leo into. He whined softly and looked up at her with his big green eyes and pouted lips. "Mum." He complained waving his arms. 

"Leo, it's ten degrees exactly outside and it's snowing. You're the one who wanted to go out so deal with it." She narrowed her brown eyes in a threatening motherly tone. 

Leo huffed slightly but nodded helping button up the coat the rest of the way. "I love you." He stretched up and kissed her cheek taking her hand in his. 

For Leo and Katherine the idea of having a mother-son relationship was a troubling one. Katherine didn't want to overstep her boundaries and he didn't want to be a brat, but there were something's Katherine just couldn't do. Same applied to Leo. 

"I know you do bub." She ruffled his hair and led him out of the hotel room they were staying in. Her gloved hand held tightly onto his as Aaron emerged from his room, running a hand through his hair. 

"Nina and Liam in the lobby?" Aaron asked buttoning his long dress coat up closer to his neck. 

Leo nodded and grabbed Aaron's hand, happy to have Katherine and Aaron on each side of him. "Mum?" He chirped looking over at the brunette as they got into the elevator, being greeted by a bellhop. 

"Yes love?" 

Leo licked his lips, curiosity pulsing through his veins. "Why's Daddy not coming?" 

Tangible silence fell across the elevator as the bellhop hid a smile as he opened his hand for a tip. "Greedy bastard." Aaron grumbled handing him a bill. "Mind your damn business."

The bellhop zipped his lips and stepped aside as the three of them left the elevator and entered the spacious lobby. 

"He's working." Katherine knew this wasn't exactly a lie, but that didn't stop the dread and disappointment in her heart.

"What's he do?" Leo pressed on, wrapping his arm around Katherine's. 

"Business. We've gone over this." Aaron sighed, finally snapping. A heavy stress laying on his shoulders. 

Liam and Nina were the only saving grace to a painfully awkward and angst filled conversation. Leo blissfully forgot about Aaron and his attitude, running off to his aunt and uncle instead. 

Katherine followed him with her eyes making sure he reached the safety of Liam's arms before stopping and turning toward Aaron, her heels clicking sharply on the tile floor. "What the hell was that?"

Aaron rolled his eyes. "Katherine it was nothing. I just don't feel good."

"Bullshit Aaron." She called catching his arm as he tried to leave. "Seriously. What's wrong?"

"Fine! You want to know what's wrong? Everything. For the past four years I've watched Nick push Leo off on you and me. Hell, the teachers at his school probably think we're fucking I'm around so much. I need someone in my life Katherine. I'm tired of babysitting." His murky eyes softer with teasing tears; his hair in dire need of a cut. 

Katherine nodded knowing it was all true as much as she hated to admit it. "Do you still want to come ice skating with us? Central Park is once in a lifetime." 

Aaron shook his head and stuffed his hands in his coat pockets. "I don't want to be a downer, besides, there's a head shop I saw not too far from here. Might as well go get some kicks." 

It pained Katherine to nod, but she did giving his hands a squeeze. "Alright. We're still all having dinner with Nick's cousin here at six so don't stay out too late." 

He smiled, let go of her hand, and walked out the rotating door to the hotel. Flicking his collar up he pulled out his phone knowing the call would come any minute. 

The ringtone was nearly drowned in the chaos of Manhattan but he still heard it. Answering the phone he smiled slightly. "Jesus Styles keep it in your pants will you? I'm on my way."

Harry would have laughed if he felt like he could trust Aaron, but that was all shifty at the moment. "This better be worth my time Dominguez." 

Aaron barked out a laugh, holding the piece of paper with the address scratched on it and his phone in the other against his ear. "Ouch, that was cold. I'm hurt. Here I am, sweet little Aaron trying to save your ass but if you're going to act that way then I'll tell Nick about that butt dial you gave me."

A short silence followed. "Sorry. Please don't involve him, not yet. What's he doing anyway?"

Aaron tried to shrug but realized it wouldn't do him much good. "I don't know. Business. " 

"Business? That bullshit again?"

"What can I say we're compulsive liars." Aaron's shiny dress shoes looked out of place on his body and on the threshold of the record store he was about to enter. 

Hanging up, he slipped his phone in his pocket and brushed against the switchblade he kept there as well. The store thumped with the sex crazed lyrics of The Struts as he made his way to the back. He slid off his gloves and held onto them as he approached the register. 

He coughed slightly, clearing his throat and steered away from the pretty girl working the check out. Moving over to the rows of records, he feigned interest at the 1975 and made a face. 

"Caroline, you can take your break if you want." A deep throaty Cheshire accent boomed. Harry Styles emerged from a back room that's door was a string of beads. His hair was clearly longer as it was up in a bun. More tattoos laced his body and could be seen from the sheer shirt he wore. 

Aaron turned to the curvy girl at the counter, seeing her smile in relief. "Thanks Harry, everything still back there?"

Harry nodded with a dimpled smile. "Yep, I made sure of it." He gave her a pat on the head and turned to Aaron, whose eyes were locked on Caroline's retreating ass. "Easy tiger."

Aaron threw a bitch face and handed him the slip of paper. "This is her latest phone number and mine.   I'll be going to get you a new phone today. Don't call until I say so. Understood?"

Harry nodded eagerly and handed Aaron the cash. "Thank you."