Broken Things

Chapter 19

HPOV:

The sun was just now beginning to set as we walked back to the hotel. I was exhausted and slightly upset. I had missed two calls from Stevie and when I had tried to call her back, she didn't answer.

"Don't worry, Haz.It's nearly 11:30 there. She's probably asleep," Niall reassured. I gave a short nod. We had been going non-stop all day and the only thing I was looking forward to was falling into my bed. The lift took us up to our floor and we parted ways as we went to.our separate rooms.

I locked the door behind me and went straight to the bed, letting out a groan as I fell onto the soft sheets that covered the mattress. Echoes from this week rang through my mind. Interview on top of interview, rehearsals, outings, and I still had things to do. I could feel my body become more fatigued the longer I thought about it.

I had come into every interview knowing the exact question they would ask.

"So, tell us Harry. Everyone is dying to know who the girl was in New York."

Sometimes I would just laugh off the question and change the subject. Other times, the guys would butt in with a sly remark to distract the interviewer. Honestly, it surprised me that the public still didn't know about Stevie. It was shocking what they could do if they wanted information. I was glad that she was still a mystery. Stevie didn't need that kind of attention and neither did I.

Thinking about her made me miss her more. I had tried to keep myself distracted with random things but some how she would always manage to pop up. At night, I found my skin yearning for her touch and I wondered if she was feeling the same thing, too. I hadn't been too overwhelmed since arriving in L.A. but when I did, all I had to do was look at he image that covered the background of my phone. It was a picture of us from the day we spent the afternoon in the city. I had chosen the one where she was laughing while looking up at me. I couldn't help but smile when I looked at it.

I decided to call her one more time, despite what Niall had said but when I unlocked my phone, I had several messages from various people telling me what I needed to do next and where I needed to go. I let out a heavy sigh and dropped my phone to the floor.

A small knock on the door disrupted the silence. I rolled out of my bed and went to the door. I opened it to find Louis, who had changed and looked like he was going out.

"Going somewhere, Lou?"

"Yeah and you're going, too, so get dressed," he said as he walked past me and into the room.

"What?" I closed the door and watched him make his way to one of the couches.

"You're coming out with me," he said, sitting down.

"I don't think so, Tommo. I'm exhausted and-".

"Oh can it, Harry. You've done nothing but mope around and check your damn phone all of the time. It's ridiculous."

"What about the others," I said, ignoring his comment. He rolled his eyes and scrolled through his phone before he answered. I didn't know why he was complaining about my phone. There wasn't a time when I didn't see him without his.

"They agree with me. You need to get out and stop looking so depressing."

There were days when I actually enjoyed Louis' brash honesty. Today was not one of those days.

"I meant are the coming?"

"No. Zayn is doing something with Perrie and Niall would much rather watch football," he said without looking up from his phone.

"And Liam?" He shoved his phone into the pocket of his jeans.

"He's in a mood and won't let anyone in his room," he said, making a face. I had forgotten about that. Liam had been a little distant as well but when we had asked him what was wrong, he shrugged us off.

"Come on, Haz. You haven't been out in a while. I mean, do you have to run it by Stevie first," he said sarcastically.

"Fuck off, Lou," I said harshly. Louis had made it clear that he wasn't a fan of Stevie but I didn't know why. No one else had a problem with her. It was something that I was going to have to talk to him about but not right now. His mind was set on getting me out and if I was going with him, I didn't want there to be any tension. Maybe going out wouldn't be such a bad thing. It could help get my mind off of things.

"Fine but you have to stop being a prick."

He shrugged, "I'm not making any promises."

I shook my head and gave a small smile before I gathered up some clothes and headed to the bathroom.

"So where are we going?" I said to Louis while we road in the backseat of the SUV.

"Just to a club. I need a goddamn drink." I nodded in agreement as I checked my phone until it was snatched out of my hand.

"Oy, I was just checking the time!" I reached for it but he pulled it away.

"You're not going to be on this for the rest of the night," he informed as he slid my phone into the inside pocket of his blazer.

"Lou, give it back. I told you to stop being a bloody prick."

"And I told you that I wouldn't make any promises. Besides, I'll give it back when you look like you're actually having fun."

I let out an audible sigh and leaned back into the seat. After a few more minutes, we arrived at the club. Paparazzi lined the front of the building, their cameras ready. I was already starting to regret my decision but eased a little when Louis smiled before he got out. I slid over and followed his and we ducked through the blinding flashes from the cameras.

The bouncer took one look at us and immediately opened the doors. When we got inside, the club was dark and crowded. I followed Louis closely as we pushed past bodies that were swaying to the music.

We found an empty area off to the side where there was a couple couches and a table that already had a couple of bottles chilling in ice. I sank into a couch as Louis ordered a few rounds. Automatically, I reached for my phone only to remember that Louis had so graciously taken it off my hands.

The waitress had brought a large tray full of various drinks and set it on the table. I took up one and began to throw it back. I had no idea what was in it but it burned the back of my throat as I swallowed. I grimaced but grabbed another and began drinking it as Louis sat down with his own drink. He was laughing with some people that I vaguely remember from a while back. I acknowledged them when they waved from the other couch as I finished my second drink. I was reaching for number three when Louis nudged me with his elbow.

"Whoa, Haz. You going hard tonight?" he said above the music that thumped through the speakers.

I shrugged, "You wanted me to have fun."

"Yeah, I guess so," he laughed. I nodded and continued with my third drink.