Show Me 2 - Remember Me (A Harry Styles Fanfiction)

Chapter Twelve - Makes Me Wonder

I still don't have a reason,

And you don't have the time,

And it really makes me wonder

If I ever gave a fuck about you.

- "Makes Me Wonder", Maroon 5

....

Josh opened and closed his mouth like a goldfish, quickly dropping the can.

"What the hell are you doing?" Liam growled, snatching the can Josh had dropped off the floor.

"What are you guys doing here?" His eyes were slightly glossier than usual. He was tipsy.

"Visiting you." Liam looked disgusted. "Why are you doing going behind my back and drinking in my own damn house?"

Josh didn't answer.

"I thought you were sick," I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest.

"I..." Josh's eyes flickered to Niall and back. "Babe, can I, uh, talk to you? Alone?"

My eyes flickered away. Liam was glaring at Niall, who was studiously avoiding everyone's gazes.

"Don't break him," I warned Liam as we left, and Josh faced me in the hallway.

I folded my arms over my chest again.

"I know you're mad," he murmured, running his hands up and down my forearms. "You're cute when you're mad."

"Don't even try flattery," I snapped.

"Baby." He planted his lips across my forehead. "Please let me explain."

He smelled too much like Pabst for this to work at all. I wrinkled my nose, pulling away from him. "Fine. Explain."

"I...I wasn't sick." Josh lowered his head, audibly swallowing. "I skipped today, okay? And I wanted to hang out with Niall."

I narrowed my eyes. "Why didn't you just tell me?"

"I...I don't know," he said quickly. "But I'm sorry, okay? It won't happen again."

"You lying to me, or the drinking?" I snapped.

"Both," he responded, then winced.

"What?"

"Nothing," he sighed. "I'm really sorry, baby, okay? Forgive me?" His arms slid around me, pulling me back into him.

I sighed, but Josh kissed up and down my neck, to my shoulder, hugging me tighter. "Please?" he murmured.

"Fine," I finally groaned.

"Hey, sweetheart." Josh's fingers went under my chin, lifting my face to his. "Smile. I want to see you smile. Don't stay mad at me."

After staring at his sincere face for a moment, one half of my mouth pulled up in a smile. He squeezed me and gave me a deep kiss. His mouth tasted like that awful beer, but I just fell under. I missed being kissed like this, held like this. If Josh cared about me to apologize and promise never to do it again, that was enough.

Right?

XXX

Liam was waiting inside the room, and he and Niall weren't talking when we went back inside.

"Ready to go?" Liam said to me.

"Yeah."

"Clean all of this up, and Niall I want you out."