Criminal

Chapter 31

Harry's POV

I was walking back through where I saw Caroline and she wasn't there. That one guy was still sitting there though, and that was my only hope. I took in a deep breath and I walked over to the table and I sat where she was. Oddly enough, I could almost smell her. She always smelled clean even when we went a few hours too many without showering. That life felt like it was forever ago.

"Um," the man said and I scowled and shook out my hand.

"Jim Johnson," I said and he shook it briefly, he looked beyond confused. I had to use a fake name, I didn't know how this would go. I sat up straight and took another deep breath. "Is there someone with you?" I asked and he looked around.

"Yeah? Sorry man but I'm not... Gay."

I let out a laugh. This guy was an idiot. "Neither am I." I try to get comfortable in this seat but I cant stop thinking about her sitting here. I was so damn close to her. "Who are you here with?"

"My girlfriend? Who are you?"

I felt my heart snap but I tapped my foot impatiently. "Is her name by any chance Caroline?"

He was suddenly interested. "Yeah, why?"

"We fucked," I spit out roughly and he looked appalled. I tried to stop my laughter as his face turned to where he looked like he would cry. Truth is, I might just cry at the fact of her being with someone else.

"Get the fuck away from me," he growled and I acted like I was afraid.

"I tell you what buddy, the moment she lays her beautiful eyes on me you will be old news," I said while nodding my head. I knew it was true. I need it to be true. I needed her, I just haven't been the same.

He moved swiftly and slammed his hands down on the table. "Why don't we act like men and fight it out then?" He spits and I forget my common sense.

I stand up and he follows me out to the parking lot. I rolled up the sleeves on my blazer. It was really dark out, but I knew I could take this piece of shit, especially with all of this adrenaline pumping through me right now.

I heard his coat drop to the ground and he sniffled. Gross.

"Okay," he said and I took a deep breath. I felt him punch me in the gut and I crouched for a moment. I didn't even know this guys name. I gave him a hard punch to his jaw and he stumble backwards. There was a motion activated light that came on and now I could see exactly what I was doing.

We went back and forth punching when I had him on the ground. I was beating the complete shit out of him and there was blood all over me when I heard a cry. I turned my head and Caroline was standing there. I stood up faster than I thought was ever possible and I ran over to her.

Apparently she didn't think it was really me because she covered her mouth when she saw me.

"Harry," she started to say and I felt my knees go weak. I dreamt of those words coming from her mouth. I dreamt of her smile, the way her nose crunches up when she smiles. She was my dream. I opened my arms but she bit her lip, shaking her head. "I cant," she said softly and there were tears streaming down her cheeks.

Damn I hate it when she cries. I just want to hold her in my arms and tell her its going to be oaky.

But that doesn't happen. She walks right past me and breaks into a jog. I cant help but scan her body over as she goes to that guy. God she was so perfect though.

He stands up and holds his nose. She grabs his arm and she help him walk over to the BMW parked right next to where I was standing. "Come on Gale," she coos and then she opens the door and leans in, coming back out with a handful of tissues. She cleans his face as I stand there watching her.

She finished up and I watched him kiss her briefly on the lips, and I turned around. My heart stung. It was literally torture. She instructed him to wait for her and after he gave me a stare down, he nodded and closed the door.

Caroline walked towards the dumpster and she threw the bloody tissues away. We weren't in sight of Gale, so I walked over to her. She looked at me hard for a second, and I deserved it. Kind of.

"Why did you do that?" She finally asked and I shook my head.

"It's not like that, he came onto me, he asked me to fight." I tried to keep calm but my mind was all over the place. I couldn't yell at her, I had to chill.

"He's not as strong as you," she said sternly but then she calmed her voice down a bit. "You and I both know what you're capable of."

She was completely right but I ducked my head anyways. I wish she didn't know that side of me. I wouldn't even think about killing anyone ever again, I hope she got that.

"You're bleeding," she said carefully and she reached out and touched my cheek. She pulled back and there was blood all over her hand. I immediately grabbed her hand and stared at it.

"I'll be fine," I said, and I sounded rather angry when it came out. I wasn't angry, I just knew I wasn't going to win. I should just get lost. But I couldn't.

"Harry, I'm really sorry but I have to go."

I looked up and our eyes met. I swear I saw them flicker, but I could have been wrong. She was over me. She was over us.

 "I'm sorry I left you," I said and I turned to start back towards the boys. "I love you though." I felt my throat burning. I've never loved anyone.

Caroline's POV

I started running to him. I've only done this once before, and it was when we were living in Washington for a few weeks. It seems like a lifetime ago. It was after Harry came into my room, and I didn't want to see him go so I ran across the room and leaped into my arms. He caught me. I could always rely on him to catch me.

Harry turned around immediately and when I reached him he lifted me into his arms. I buried my head into his neck. I didn't care about the blood all over his face, or the tears we both had coming down our cheeks, I just wanted to be here. With him.

"Caroline," I heard a voice call and I lifted my head up. Harry set me down carefully and I cringed. My heels were killing my feet. Bad move. I turned and Gale was turning the corner. Harry grabbed my hand but I gave him a stare and I looked at Gale.

"Ready?" He asked. He was always polite to me, but I knew he had a strong hate for Harry.

I shrugged. "Gale, I haven't seen Harry since summer, do you think maybe we could hang out some?" My voice came out shakier than I wanted it too.

"Caroline," he started and gave out a big sigh. "I promised your dad I would have you home," he started and I put up my hand.

"What?"

"Never mind," he said and started walking away. I gave Harry a look and he shook his head as if he had no idea what was going on.

"Gale," I said and I followed him to the car. "Where is my dad?"

"I don't know," he said harshly and I didn't want to take that from him. I was about to say something else when he slammed the car door. I kicked the door out of anger and I turned back towards Harry when Gale opened the car door and I was laying on the floor.

"Harry," I gasped but he wasn't coming. I tried standing up but Gale tugged me up by my hair.

"If I cant have you, no one can," he said and I held up my hand.

"I want you," I choked and he set me down. The fire in his soft eyes faded and he grabbed me by the shoulders.

"I am so sorry I didn't mean to do that," he lied and I acted it all out as if I understood. He hugged me and I kneed his groin, and as he fell I went to where Harry was standing, but Harry wasn't there.

Dammit.