Same Old Love (sequel to Heartbreak Girl)

ten.

B E L L A

"You lost your job? And now you have no money?" Harry asked, after I recounted the events of the last twenty-four hours. Ashton was sleeping in the bedroom, and Will and Riley had gone to school. I deliberately "forgot" to tell them the news.

"Pretty much, that's the story," I confirmed. I drank another sip of my fifth coffee of the day. I had always been addicted to coffee, but it started acting as a drug for me.

"Bella, I'm so sorry. If there's anything I could do..."

"No," I interrupted the curly-headed lad. "We'll figure it out. Moral support, I guess?"

Harry smiled. "Of course. But no matter what happens, my offer still stands."

"Thank you. It's very sweet. I just have to get back on the drawing board, and Ash'll need to find a job. Then I'm sure we'll be able to get back on track," I assured.

Harry smiled at my sympathetically. "At least let me handle food. I'll take you all out every night. It'll be fun."

"Harry-"

"Please," he interrupted. "I've done enough to hurt you. Let me make it up."

The radio played softly in the background. I heard a familiar strumming of a guitar. My stomach lurched.

"Our song," Harry whispered.

"Harry! This is... I can't... I love you!" I gushed at the sight in front of me. A fully furnished, clean flat with the keys in my hand.

"That's not it," he continued. He pressed the button of a remote, and music started playing. He switched the lights so they were dimmed. He took my hand in his, and rested his other hand on my waist.

Softly, he started singing. "I won't let these little things slip out of my mouth."

I grinned, pecking his cheek excitedly. I continued the song for him. "But if I do, it's you, oh it's you, they add up to."

"I'm in love with you." He looked into my eyes lovingly.

"And all these little things," I finished.

"It's your home," Harry said.

"It's our home," I corrected, nuzzling my head into the crook of his neck.

I breathed slowly, remembering that as the first night in our first home together. He had promised to have my back all those years ago. Who knew that the same Harry that broke my heart still had my back after so long?

Harry took a deep breath, before shaking his head slowly. "How's Jordan? Louis? Audrey? Your parents?"

I laughed at his attempt to shift gears. "Jordan is great. He's changed a lot, but we still hang out whenever we visit England. He just got divorced actually. It's his third one."

Harry stared. "Wow."

"Yeah. For some reason he thinks marriage is just like dating. No serious commitment," I elaborated. "And Louis... don't you talk to Louis much? We last met a few months ago. Him and Allison got married, as you probably know. They don't have kids."

"Yeah, I knew that much. We don't talk a lot, so I figured you would know how he's doing," he said.

"Yeah, I talk to Liam occasionally. But I pretty much only talk to Niall, Louis, and Zayn at a regular basis," I said, before realizing I mentioned Zayn.

Zayn quit the band a couple months after Ashton and I got engaged. I completely understood his motives, but according to Louis, the boys were not in contact. I was proud of them for keeping the band strong, and I was proud of him for listening to his heart and doing what he truly wanted to do.

"That's great. Now you can add me to the list, hopefully."

"Definitely. Audrey's the same as always. We probably keep in touch the most. Still traveling all the time, of course. She's Riley's godmother," I added. "And my parents... not together, but still very happy. My mum's still working. Keeps her busy after Max died. Dad is still in marketing. He visits often."

"That's good. My family's definitely a lot more tight than that. Mum always watches over Lizzie when I'm busy. Scarlett and her family don't give two shits. Gemma and I have brunch every Sunday, before Dad and I swim every Wednesday and every Friday Elizabeth and I go to Mum's for dinner," Harry explained. 

"Nice. It's like that with Ashton's family. His sister, Lauren, she's engaged. Next year, in Puerto Rico. Everyone's going mad," I said with a laugh. "She's the only girl in the family."

"Thank God Gemma isn't married yet. I think I would've killed the guy," Harry said in response. 

I giggled, remembering Harry's overprotective nature very well. He loved his mother and his sister very much. I was sure he was the same way with his daughter.

Footsteps were approaching, and I realized it was Ashton. He walked into the kitchen, and when he saw us, he frowned.

"Sleep well?" I asked, diverting my attention from Harry to him.

Ashton grunted. "Yeah. Lovely."

Harry was clearly taken aback by the sudden attitude. I made sure to remember to apologize on his behalf later on.

Ashton shuffled off and made his way to the door. 

"I'm sorry," I apologized. "He's stressed. He's not usually like this, I promise..."

"It's fine, Bella," he said, but his eyes were trained at the spot Ashton just left. "Totally fine."