Second Chances (Liam Payne AU)

Part 37

Harry was waiting for her when she walked in. He was sitting on the stairs, his cell phone in his hand. "What in the hell, Jill? Scott said you just left? Some guy called you easy and you smacked him and left? Was it Liam? Did you let him get to you? How you managed to run into him again is just ridiculous. How can...I mean...."

Jill held up her hand. "Stop. I know. It's a small fucking town. And I swear I am a magnet. That man just always seems to know where I am! Tell Scott I'm really sorry, okay? I'm just not ready. I'm so...just crushed. I really thought he was the one, Harry. He made me feel so amazing. Just sitting next to him was perfect. I just can't believe that it wasn't enough." Jill said next to him on the stairs and took his hand, sighing.

"He wasn't ever going to let you in, Jill. He wasn't. You can't let this ruin you. Just...I don't know, move on?"

"Easy for you to say. I know you think he was a total asshole, but you didn't see what I saw. You only saw him when he was angry." Jill said.

"Which was all the damn time!" Harry shot back.

"You just don't know. You just don't know. He made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. When he touched me, my skin felt like it was on fire. His smile just made my day better. He held me so close when we danced, like he never wanted to let me go. Plus, he's the kind of guy who twines his fingers with mine when he held my hand. And he held my hand all the time. He called me Jillian. Always Jillian. He loved me. I know he did. I just wish I could have been enough for him. He was so hurt by Sara, he just can't let that go."

Harry stood up. "I can't help you if you don't want help."

"I'm just not ready to forget him."

Harry sighed and walked into his loft. Jill went into her own loft, feeling disappointed.

"Harry! Make her stop! Go over there and turn it OFF!" It was 3am. Matt had a pillow over his face, trying to block out the loud music coming from Jill's loft.

"I don't have a key anymore."

Matt got out of the bed and walked over to the front door of Harry's loft. "Fine. I'll do it!" He opened the door and walked across the hall, pounding on the door. "Jill! TURN OFF THE MUSIC!" He yelled.

Harry walked up behind him. "She can't possibly hear you. What is that song? I know I know it!"

"Kick the fucking door in, Harry. Please!" Matt turned and walked back into Harry's loft, slamming the door behind him.

Harry tried the knob on Jill's door. I was unlocked. Sighing, he opened the door. The song had stopped and was starting over. Oh, he did KNOW that song. Jesus Christ. He looked over into the living area. She was laying on the floor, feet up on her couch, singing at the top of her lungs.

Guess mine is not the first heart broken

My eyes are not the first to cry

I'm not the first to know there's

Just no getting over you

You know I'm just a fool who's willing

To sit around and wait for you

But baby can't you see there's nothing else for me to do

I'm hopelessly devoted to you

Harry walked over to her iPod and pressed pause.

"But now there's no where to hide..." Jill was still singing.

"Stop, Jill!" Harry said. "Stop!" He sat on her hips and put a hand over her mouth. "STOP!" he yelled. She stared up at him with blank eyes. "What's wrong, now? What can I do?"

"Nothing. Nothing. Nobody can do anything." she cried.

Harry moved off of her and lifted her into his arms. Hugging her he said, "It will get easier. I promise." He rubbed her back and let her cry.

"No! I won't go to bed!" Jack yelled. "I want JILL! I want JILL to read to ME. Tell her you are sorry!" Liam picked Jack up and threw him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Put me DOWN! I HATE YOU!"

Liam stomped up the stairs and dropped Jack on his bed. "You, young man, are grounded. You may not speak to me like that."

"Yes, I can! You are MEAN! You were mean to Jill and now I can't see her anymore! I HATE YOU!" Jack yelled.

"Once more, Jackson Payne, and you are getting a spanking. You do not hate me or anyone. You may not speak like that." Liam said, trying to stay calm. He'd just about had it with Jack's attitude. It had gotten worse since he saw her at his dad's birthday dinner. He shouldn't have told him that Jill moved away and that was why she didn't come over anymore. He had figured out pretty quickly that he was lying. The bloody, bruised nose tipped him off.

"Why were you mean to her at the restaurant? Why didn't you just say sorry? I know you miss her, too. You complain about cooking dinner! You say you wish I didn't have to go to daycare. You look at her pictures all the time. Just say SORRY. You make me say sorry when I am bad. You say sorry."

"It's not that easy, Jack. This is grown up stuff. You won't understand. Just, go to bed. You and I are fine. We were fine before and we are fine now."

"We are NOT fine. I want her BACK. I like her! You get her back or I will run away!" Jack yelled.

Liam rolled his eyes. "Stop, Jack. Go to sleep. You have school tomorrow. Daycare is picking you up."

"But, Dad!"

"I said that's enough. Good night." Liam turned and went down the stairs, turning off the light.

"Jerk face." Jack whispered.

Liam nearly turned around. He knew that if he did, he'd lose it and spank Jack. He kept going, pretending he didn't hear. Sitting on the couch, he pulled out his phone and checked his messages. Nothing. Not even Lou. He closed the app and looked at his background. Jillian. Looking beautiful and perfect. He dropped the phone and leaned his head back on the couch, covering his eyes. He did the right thing. He knew he did. She'd leave him sooner or later. He wasn't good enough for her. Plus, he didn't want to get hurt again. Woman were nothing trouble. They fucked up your life, then left. It didn't matter how much you loved them. It didn't matter that you wanted to marry them and spend your life with them. It didn't matter. They left. He could take it. Getting Jack involved was the first mistake. Well, the second. The first was sleeping with her more than once. The second was Jack. He should have ended it then. He should have let her walk out that night. Why didn't he? Why?

He grabbed at his hair. He knew why. He knew. He fucking loved her. God damn him. God damn it. He was so stupid.