If It's What You Want A Harry Styles Fanfiction || h. s.

Chapter 55

Harry had refused to leave her until the following morning. They had talked little after the crying subsided. She could feel him through the darkness, knew he was in the chair next to the bed, but he might as well have been thousands of miles away.

He'd kissed her on the forehead and the back of the hand before he left. Her heart felt like it had splintered into a million pieces when the door closed behind him. She willed herself not to cry over something that couldn't be helped.

****

Ashley's ringing phone dragged her attention from the droning television program she was watching.

"Hello."

"Hey, can I come up?" asked Steve.

"Of course. Sorry about yesterday. I was so drugged up I really wasn't in shape to see anyone."

"Well, I am downstairs with breakfast tacos."

"Come on up."

Ashley pulled out the drawer on the hospital table sitting across her bed and pulled out her comb and the mirror. Jesus, I look like hell, she thought.

She'd barely finished combing her hair when Steve knocked at the door.

"Come in."

"Oh honey, look at you."

"Look at you!" she said recognizing that aura of excitement. "You've met someone."

"You know me too well. Where's lover boy?"

"Gone."

"What do you mean gone?"

"I . . . things just weren't working out," she lied.

"I don't believe you. Margarite said he wouldn't leave your side."

"Guess she was wrong."

"What did you do!" he said accusatorially.

"I let him go."

"Explain!"

"Why are you yelling at me?"

"Because this is so typically 'Ashley' of you!"

"You don't understand!"

"I understand quite enough. Jesus, Ashley! When are you going to stop punishing yourself and those who care for you?"

"You don't know anything!"

"Honey, I've been friends with you for enough years to know that every time you get scared, you send someone packing. What is it this time?"

"He discovered something, something almost no one knows."

"That Bradley Erickson is your father?"

"How did you know?"

"Your mother was particularly stoned one evening and spilled the whole story. It was after you turned 18, and she'd gotten word that your aunt and uncle were going to adopt you. She was especially pissed as you can imagine since her gravy train had left town."

"You've known all this time? You never said a word, never hinted that you knew anything."

"Honey, I do not think there is another soul who has been so cursed by money, but you can't keep letting it and everything connected to it ruin your life. Harry Styles is a grown man. If he's survived Hollywood, he'll survive whatever you've got to throw his way."

"If he'd felt that way, he wouldn't have so readily left."

"You forget that I've seen you in action. I doubt you gave him much of an option. I know you care for him."

"I care for a lot of people."

"Remember who you're talking to. You can't bullshit me, Ashley. I've seen the underside of the life you've lived. Unlike most, I know exactly what drives you."

"And I know what drives you!" she threw at him.

"Don't say something you'll regret. We have a pact."

He was ready with a tissue when the tears began to fall. "Here, I know you too damn well."

"I'm sorry."

"Honey, you never have to apologize to me. I love you. We are in this life together," said Steve as he kissed her on the cheek.

"Thank you."

"Now clean up your face and let's eat before these tacos get any colder."