Unpredictable Love

Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Karleigh's POV

The soothing patterns Harry was drawing on my thigh, has stopped. My eyes flick to Harry's face, but he's staring at Todd as Todd approaches us.

"Todd this is Karleigh, Karleigh this is my boyfriend Todd." Scarlotte introduces us, for what has to be our third introduction. I can't seem to form a sentence, so I just stare blankly at Scarlotte.

"Karleigh, I thought you said your name was lousy, I think it's fierce." His voice is smug and I lean in to Harry subconsciously. Scarlotte is smiling at him as if he's the sun, and I feel nothing but pity for the poor girl. What has he done to manipulate her kind heart. She must not realize how much of an asshole he is yet.

"Scarlotte, this is Harry. Harry this is Scarlotte." My mouth is dry as I speak the words. Harry squeezes my thigh lightly, before removing his hand from my leg, to shake Scarlotte's.

"Nice to finally meet you Harry, Karleigh's said--"

"Um, Scarlotte, I love your shirt." I cut her off before she can expose anything I've said to Harry. Harry turns to glance at me, a cheeky smile playing on his lips. From the corner of my eye I notice Todd staring at me, and I turn to stare at him.

While Scarlotte and Harry aren't looking, Todd looks me up and down, winks and bites his lips. Vomit rises in my chest and I cover my mouth to prevent myself from throwing up. "You okay?" Scarlotte asks and I nod.

"I'm going to use the restroom really quick." I blurt and rise from the couch to use the restroom. I walk towards the back hallway that I saw Scarlotte come from. My hand twists a random doorknob as I try to remember which specific door Scarlotte came out of. The door swings open and my cheeks flush as I see a petite blonde girl sleeping on a bed. Quietly, I close the door to I'm assuming Zayn's room. I open the next door over, and thank goodness it's the bathroom.

The door closes with a click, and I lock the door. For a moment I just stand there, staring at my reflection. My fingers rake through my hair like a comb. I run the sink water and dip my hands under the cool water. I didn't really come to the bathroom to use it, I just wanted to get away from Todd. Finally I shut off the water, and unlock the bathroom door.

A warm hand lands on my shoulder, as I step out of the bathroom and my breath gets caught in my throat. I turn to see who's hand is placed on my shoulder and much to my relief it's only Harry.

"Shit, oh my god. It's only you, I thought you were someone else." I express my panic aloud and Harry frowns slightly.

"You alright?" He questions and I nod.

"It was him wasn't it? Todd, who hit you..." Harry asks, his voice tinted with anger.

"Yeah, it was him." I whisper. He nods as if he's suspected this all along, and I drop my eyes away from his.

"We should go, before I do something I regret." Harry decides, and I don't bother complaining that we've only a been here for an hour.

His finger lace with mine and he leads me back out into the living room. Numerous eyes fall on Harry and I as we step back into the threshold of the loft. Without thinking, I glance over at Scarlotte. She pays no mind to me as she studies Todd's face and talks cheerily to him. Todd is clearly not paying attention to Scarlotte, because he's smirking at me. Our eyes make uncomfortable contact, and I grip Harry's hand tighter. Harry glares at Todd, and I can see his chest moving faster as he tries to control his breathing.

"Zayn," Harry calls, not stepping any further into the living room than we are right now. Zayn rises from the floor and pads over to us.

"We're going to head out man, thanks for inviting us." Harry informs him, and Zayn frowns slightly.

"You've only been here for about an hour, mate." Zayn weakly complains but doesn't try to persuade Harry.

They say a brief goodbye, and Zayn gives me a friendly hug.

"Nice meeting you Karleigh." He says and I smile.

"Likewise, lovely apartment you have here. I look forward to hearing you deejay again."

"Hopefully this time, you'll stick around a little longer?" He asks, raising an eyebrow.

Harry tugs me towards the front door and I wave goodbye to everyone else, except Todd. Scarlotte smiles and winks at me from her place on the couch, and I give her a weak wave.

The door closes behind Harry and I, and my hand falls against my chest as I take deep breaths.

"That was fucking horrible." I mumble as we walk in sync to his car. His lips are pressed in a tight line and his hand is squeezing mine tightly.

"Please walk faster." Harry snaps, and I pull my hand away from him and stop walking.

"Excuse me?" I retort, surprised by his attitude.

"I'm sorry, I'm just trying to hurry before I turn around and beat the shit out of him." He justifies himself, and reaches for my hand again. I don't resist, and I pick up my pace.

Harry's anger is obvious in his driving, because he's recklessly speeding and scowling at the road.

"Harry." I say softly, but he doesn't acknowledge me.

"Harry." I say again, louder this time. His eyes flick to me then back to the road, but he doesn't respond.

"Dammit Harry! Pull over." My voice is stern and his speed starts to decrease. The blinker flicks on and he glides over a few lanes until he can safely pull off of the road. I study him, his fists clenched tightly around the steering wheel.

My hands move to unfasten my seatbelt, and my eyes dart up to look at Harry. "Let me drive." I command and he looks at me, finally.

"I'm okay to drive. I'm just a little upset, but I'm okay." He lies and I roll my eyes.

"Harry please, you're giving yourself an aneurism over there. Let me drive." I insist and he eventually unbuckles climbs out of the car to get into the passenger seat.

"To my place." Harry murmurs, and I turn to face him. Our eyes meet for a few moments before he speaks again. "Stay with me tonight? Please?" He begs and my eyes soften. "Sure." I find myself promising him, as I pull back onto the road and drive to his apartment.