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

Chapter 74

"Guess you'd better be on your best behavior," said Wil playfully punching Harry in the arm.

"At least now we know who's in charge," laughed Colin.

"Very funny. Let me know when you're finished."

"Not ever. I've really missed you," said Wil.

"Likewise. Listen, could you do me a favor?" he asked Wil.

"Of course."

****

"Here," said Kristen pulling a compact from her purse. "Are you going to be okay?"

"I think so. I don't remember the last time I was that scared," said Ashley.

"Let's forget about it right now and have a little fun before we leave. Okay?"

"Sounds good."

****

"Hi Harry. Wil said you were looking for me," said Nadia running her hand down the length of Harry's arm.

"As a matter of fact, I am," he smiled.

"Great," she said smiling back at him.

"I know what you did. Stay away from me, stay away from Ashley. I don't want to see you; I don't want to talk to you. Understand?"

"But Harry," she pouted.

"Goodbye," he said turning and walking away.

Nadia stood with her mouth hanging open for a moment before she recovered enough to walk out into the crowd.

"Hey, did you take care of the other thing?" Harry asked Wil.

"Just waiting on you," said Wil.

****

Harry walked toward Ashley and Kristen when he saw them coming his way.

"Better?" he asked them both.

"I think so," said Kristen.

"Ready to dance?" he asked looking at Ashley.

"Yes," she said handing Kristen her small purse, the towel, and the ice bag.

As the fast-paced dance song finished up, Harry led Ashley onto the crowded floor. There was a brief pause before the first soft notes of another song began as the DJ made an announcement. "I have a note for someone very special. It says Happy Anniversary, A. J. This is for you." he said.

"No. No tears," he said softly into her ear.

"I was ready to kill Steve the night we met. When he cued up this song, when I heard "Falling for You," and you put your arms around me, I would never have believed we'd be together." She kissed him as they swayed together.

"I love you, Ashley."

"I love you too."

When the last note died out, Harry kissed Ashley before releasing her. Their small party applauded when they returned from the dance floor.

"How's the hand?" asked Harry.

"Not great. Without the ice, it's beginning to throb."

"Let's tell everyone good night."

****

"Do you have any other injuries?" asked the Emergency Room tech.

"No, just the hand."

"I have to ask and document how this happened," he said.

"How much do you need to know?"

"What caused the injury?" he asked attempting to hide the hint of a smile.

"Look, some guy got handsy on the dance floor, wouldn't take no for an answer, and she punched him," said Harry. "Is that everything you need?"

"Harry, he's just doing his job."

The tech cleared his throat. "It's been rather quiet tonight, so the doctor will be right in."

"Thank you," said Ashley pointedly.

"Am I supposed to be sorry for being upset?" asked Harry.

"You need to stay calm."

"Look at your hand. It's ridiculous that he wants to stand here and have a conversation."

"I will be fine. Just let these people do their job."

The door opened putting an end to their discussion.

"I'm Dr. Keydon. Let me take a look here." He gently lifted her wrist and examined the knuckles and fingers on her injured hand. He picked up her other hand and looked at the two comparatively. "In the future, you might want to go for the gut and not the nose," he said with a smile. "I'm going to order an x-ray and we'll go from there. Keep the ice pack on it while you're waiting."

****

Harry gently held Ashley's outermost fingers while he removed the sticky surgical tape after she finished showering. Using alcohol wipes, he cleaned off most of the stickiness before sliding the two fingers into the adjoining splint prescribed by the doctor. He then repeated the process for the middle and index fingers.

"How's that?"

"Fine. Thank you."

"Sounds as if you were very lucky not to have broken them."

"If fractures hurt this much, I cannot imagine the pain of a break," she said pulling her hand close to her.

"Let's get you settled in bed and we can talk."

He went ahead of her to straighten the sheets and plump the pillows.

"Here you are. Is there something I can get for you?"

"I don't think so. I am really sorry about this."

"No worries. Who knew you were so feisty?"

"Harry, he was so disgusting."

"I think I've taken care of the source of the problem."

"What do you mean?"

"I wasn't going to tell you until tomorrow, but since there aren't many hours left before my parents get here, we should talk about it."

"Okay."

"Seems Nadia told him you were interested in him or that you had the hots for him or some such."

"Why can she not leave me alone?"

"I can tell you, sweetheart. It is pure jealousy that drives her."

"What has she got to be jealous about where I am concerned?"

"I will say as I have said before, you underestimate yourself. Let's not waste any more time on her. We both need to get a little sleep. I'll be back with the ice pack."

"Thank you for everything, Harry. I am sorry to have taken up your . . ."

"Do not say it. I'm glad that you are alright. The guy got what he deserved. I just hate you were injured in the process."

After wrapping the ice pack around her hand, Harry undressed and got into bed making sure to keep his distance so that he didn't bump or roll over onto her hand during the night.