The Styles Triplets

Chapter 13

"Louis, you don't have to sit with us," Harry told him carefully. "You know John's going to hate you now, right?"

Louis shrugged, completely unfazed. "I know." He picked up his fork. "Honestly, I'm tired of watching him treat people like dirt. I don't understand how anyone still follows him."

I reached across the table and squeezed Harry's hand, "That was really brave of you."

Harry smiled, the tension finally easing from his shoulders. "I was just... done. You were right about standing up to him."

"Aren't I always right?" I laughed.

He laughed softly. "Debatable. Oh—Louis," Harry added, gesturing around the table. "This is Alex, Zayn, Edward, and Marcel."

"Nice to meet you all," Louis said warmly. His gaze landed on me. "Aren't you friends with Liam?"

My head snapped up. "Yeah... yeah, I am."

"I saw him a few days ago," Louis said casually. "At the bakery downtown."

"Liam's back?" I blurted.
Why hadn't he called me then? When did he get back in town?

Louis nodded. "Pretty sure it was him."

"Huh." I stared down at my tray, thoughts racing.

I hadn't seen Liam in months. Ever since he moved away, our contact had faded into occasional late-night texts and short check-ins that never said enough. Liam had always been chaos wrapped in charm — trouble followed him like a shadow. We'd grown up together. Gone through grief together. Sometimes we'd crossed lines friends weren't supposed to cross. And I missed him more than I ever admitted out loud.

"Alex?" Marcel's voice pulled me back. "You okay?"

"Yeah," I said softly. "I just... miss him."

An awkward silence settled over the table.

Marcel cleared his throat. "Thanks for standing up for me, Zayn."

Zayn bumped his fist lightly against Marcel's. "Always, bro."

Louis looked genuinely apologetic. "I'm really sorry about John."

"It's not your fault," Marcel said. Then he glanced at Harry. "And it wasn't yours either. Believe me."

Harry exhaled slowly, relief washing over his face. "I needed to hear that."

"It wasn't, seriously." Marcel insisted, "Thanks again for...that." he looked at John who was already glaring at us.

"Not a problem."

You could Almost see the weight lifted off Harry's shoulders. "See nothing to be worried about." I whispered in his ear and kissed his cheek lightly while the others weren't looking, "I think this could be a good thing for you two."

"It's a new beginning." Harry nodded.

----

Pick up, pick up, pick up.

"Alex?"

My chest loosened instantly. "Liam," I breathed. "God, it's so good to hear your voice."

He chuckled softly. "Yeah... it's been a while, hasn't it?"

"It has." I agreed.

"So," he said, voice lowering, "why'd you call, babe?"

"I just wanted to check on you. I've been worried about you, Li." I answered.

"Don't lie, Alex. What's the real reason?" he asked sternly.

Geez. He really could see right through me.
"Someone told me you were in town," I admitted. "Why haven't you come to see me?"