Missed Connections

Chapter 24 - Baby Steps

Still snuggling me closely, Louis moves in to steal a quick kiss. There is a lightness in his expression that wasn't there before. It's as if my asking about his band's name has somehow given him the reassurance he was craving. Even his shoulders seem less tense, and it a joy for me to see the change in this countenance.

"One Direction," Louis says into my ear, as he nibbles my earlobe.

"Wait, what?" I push his torso upwards so I can see his face. "The boy band?"

"I might just have to punish you for calling us that."

"So you're not a boyband?" I smile teasingly.

"No, we're a group of lads who like to sing and write music together."

"Oh, so you're a ladband? That's just semantics."

"That's it! Punished!" Louis grabs on to my sides and starts a tickle onslaught. In mere seconds I am putty in his hands, barely able to fight back as he pulls himself up a little bit over me to get a better angle for tickling my sides. I start to slip down the couch and notice that I am centered perfectly below his waist. Think I will submit that easily, Lou? You've got another thing coming. I wrap my legs around his torso and pull them downwards. The element of surprise in my favour, Lou drops his arms slightly, allowing me to tickle him on the sides of his ribs. He starts giggling like a school girl in heat. Gotcha, 'lil bitch!

Recovering himself, Louis grabs my arms and firmly lifts them over my head so that they rest on the arm of the sofa. My legs are still wrapped around him and I no longer feel like laughing. From the dark and sexy look in Lou's eyes, I don't think he does either. We lock lips, and let our tongues do the talking. When we finally come up for air, I pull myself up into a sitting position.

"Are you trying to distract me from talking about how awesome you are? Ignoring the fact that you just dropped a bomb on me?"

"No, I don't need people telling me how awesome I am, I already know." Louis shoots me a very facetious expression, and I can't help but laugh.

"I'm glad you told me, Lou," I say, furrowing my brow. "I can't help wondering what this means for us, though. Up until a few minutes ago, my only knowledge about One Direction was a few radio music snippets and that Wes' baby sister mentioned you once or twice."

"I would argue that you have better knowledge. Insider knowledge." Louis winks, rubbing my arm.

"Carnal knowledge, you mean?" I reply, flirting back. "I think I need a few more lessons."

"They can't come soon enough," replies Louis as he reaches out to caress the top of my breasts that peak out from my tank. I grab his hand.

"No more distractions. Can you tell me what this will mean for us?"

Louis' shoulders droop and her turns away from me slightly. "I honestly don't know, Ev. Not really. Life in a fishbowl doesn't come with instructions. Sure it comes with rules and regulations, and tons of people wanting to blow smoke up your ass. But it doesn't have to be like that, not here. So far, I've been managing to keep under the radar in Toronto. In the immediate future, it means we need to be careful about where we choose to go."

"Okay..."

"Or get creative about making places private. Didn't you notice how empty the bar was for our first date?"

"I did." My eyes widen. "That was you?"

"Yeah, I pulled a few strings on the down low."

"Oh, wow." My mind buzzes. This is nuts!

"Don't get your knickers in a twist, luv. It was worth it. You are worth it."

I gulp. This is so much to process. I feel a little numb. Unwittingly, I start staring off in to space. Louis' warm hand around mine tugs me back to reality.

"Please, Ev. Come back to me."

I smile, and squeeze his hand reassuringly. "I'm here, doll. Just taking it all in. Baby steps, I guess."

"Baby steps?"

"Have you ever seen the movie What About Bob?" Louis shakes his head. "It's a 90s black comedy starring Bull Murray and Richard Dreyfus. The latter is the former's psychologist who teaches him to cope with his phobias using a 'baby steps' method."

"You've lost me."

"Baby steps to the hallway. Baby steps to the elevator."

"Still nothing."

I sigh, and say "Nevermind. Short version: it's a movie quote I use to mean I am going to take it moment by moment with you. Does that work?"

"It's brilliant, luv," Louis replies, chuckling. "I was beginning to think you'd lost the plot."

"What?" I say, confused. "I didn't discuss the plot."

Louis laughs even harder. "It's means gone crazy, babe."

"You Brits are weird. Just because you need a movication, doesn't mean you need to throw out words like crazy." Annoyance is bubbling up. God, I hate being labelled. And laughed at.

"Woah, relax, luv. I don't actually think you are crazy. We just happen to be talking a different language for a few, yeah?"

"You're right. Sorry. Been a weird morning."

"S'alright. I still love your fiery side." Louis endearingly touches my flushed cheek, and tucks my hair behind my ear. "There is one more thing I have to tell you, Evynn."

I groan out loud. I then mime getting ready to take on something big by pumping my arms, and cracking my neck. "Hit me!"

"Barmy after all!" Louis respond, while laughing again.

Well, at least I intended that reaction. I pause and wait for him to tell me his news. Fake it 'till you make it is a lovely motto. My miming is mean to cover up my inner turmoil. I feel a little off this morning after discussing Wes last night, but I want to be open to hear what he wants to tell me. I can't been an ass. Relationships go both ways. Louis was there for me, and I want to be there for him.

"I have to go away for a couple of days," Louis says, finally.

"Oh." My heart sinks. I wasn't prepared for that. I don't want to be apart from him. Even in this short time, I feel a need to have him around.

"Yeah," Louis continues. "It's for work. It was all sorted ages ago. I can't skive off now. I made a commitment and I intend to follow through."

I swallow slowly. Welcome back, numbness. "Where are you headed?"

"L.A."

"Oh."

"Cheer up, luv. Just think, it's give you some time to give Aunt Flo the boot!"

"Ha! You're right." I smile, slightly mollified. And to do some bush whacking and other such ladyscaping, I think to myself. "And it's only a couple of days, right?"

"Yes. Baby steps, indeed."

~~~~~~~~~~~

Little bit of a shorter update, but I love the flow  is happening here. I can't wait to see what happens as they let things unfold.

Would you be ok with Louis leaving for L.A.?

Xo,
Jane.