The Only Exception (H. Styles/ Bwwm)

Chapter Four

I sighed stretching in my chair just wishing this day would be over soon. It was 2:30 pm and I still had a stack of reorders that needed to be put in the system. I did like my job but, the repetitiveness killed me sometimes. At least I had a fifteen-minute break.

I jumped hearing my name behind me. It was no other than Tyler smiling down at me. I faked a smiled knowing exactly how this conversation was going to go as always. My answer wouldn't change though.

Too young, too immature, not my type so... not interested.

I was turning twenty-five soon, what could I do with a twenty-one year old? Our mindsets were completely different. He was looking for something to occupy his time, I wasn't really even looking. My mind was on Gabby.

"So what are we going to see this weekend?" He asked simply making me stare at him in silence. "What?" "What are we seeing at the movies this weekend?" He asked simply and I sighed chuckling at him. How many times must I turn him down before he took it?

"That's you asking me out?" I asked making him laugh waiting for my response. It didn't change. "I can't. I'm sorry, too much going on to even think about going on dates Tyler" I whispered and he sighed in defeat rolling his eyes as he always did. But, he didn't take it.

"Fine, another time beautiful" Why the hell wouldn't he take the hint? I didn't want him or like him that way. It only took one time for me to be hit with rejection and never ever ask again. Somehow, I think he liked it. Weird but, possible.

I turned hearing my phone vibrate against my desk twice and I unlocked it seeing a text from Harry. I instantly opened it.

H: What size is Gabby in clothes and shoes?

M: 4T and 8 in shoes.

H: Okay, Thank you.

M: You don't always have to buy her something, seeing you is enough.

I wasn't sure if it was because he felt guilty for not being there or something but, he always had new stuff for her every time he came to see her. It was nice of course but, she absolutely loved him and he still hasn't even told her he's her father.

H: Just saw some clothes that I liked and I'm making up for the time I missed.

And with that, I exited out of the conversation locking my phone. I should have known the conversation would end like this. No matter how much time passed, the fire was still on me, no slight decrease either. If anything, it was worse. But, I had no choice but to take it.

Didn't mean it didn't hurt...

But, I couldn't really help but wonder why he hasn't told her he's her father. He acted like the best father in the world but, still hasn't told her. Not sure he's told anyone either. Maybe he didn't want to or wasn't ready. I wanted to ask him but, it's not like he would tell me anyway.

******

"Harry" Gabby cheered hopping off the couch and running to him as he came through the door with his hands filled with bags. I couldn't help but laugh seeing the bright smile appear on his face. I could tell just seeing her and how excited she was to see him did something to him. It made him beyond happy.

"Hey Gabby. What's going on?" "I helped mommy clean the living room" she giggled looking at me smiling. I returned it heading to the couch to turn the music down and sit on the couch watching him come to the couch but, keep his distance as he put all the bags on the floor.

"That's good. Guess what?" he asked and she giggled looking at the bags. "What?" "I got you so new clothes and shoes" he said smiling looking down at her as he mouth dropped and then she started jumping and squealing. We both laughed watching her excited to see her new clothes.

"Go try them on" Harry said going through one bag and passing her two dresses. She grabbed them instantly and headed to her room to try them on. She did her own little fashion show even posing in front of us.

Thank Gabby for making this less awkward between us.

I watched them on the other side of the couch seeing the smile on his face every time she came out and once she went back in, it back to silent. I didn't want to make thing anymore weird then they were between us but, I wanted to know why he still hasn't told her. I was okay with it, I actually hoped he told her. She would have the perfect father figure.

I took a deep breath looking over at him not really sure how he would respond. "So... do you want to tell her?" I asked making him finally look over to me but, more confused. "Tell her what?" "That you're her father..." I whispered and he looked away folding the clothes shrugging. He didn't respond for a few seconds but, when he did...

"Thought you would do the honors. Explain to her why you did it, don't want her thinking I just up and left and now wanted to jump back in the picture. Let her know you're the selfish one here" he simply stated and if the other things he said didn't hurt, this did.

To the core.

She came back out the room smiling and I tried my hardest to put a smiling on but, I couldn't even swallow the lump in my throat, I couldn't even try to act like it didn't hurt me anymore. It hurt more than anything else I experienced.

He thought of me as selfish, he didn't see what I tried to do for him. I know I wasn't an angel but, I wasn't even close to Satan. He thought otherwise.

As Gabby went back in to try on her last outfit I wiped the tears trying to form in my eyes quickly. I was fine with him being upset but, I couldn't take this treatment anymore.

"You know... maybe it would be better not to tell her" I whispered looking down at my legs trying to calm myself. "So now you want to cont-" "I'm not dealing with this and you. I'm trying to make this work and all you're doing is taking fucking shots at me" I snapped as low as I could so Gabby wouldn't hear any of this.

This had to be said now.

"It's not about you" "So why can't you let this go?" He stood up instantly looking down at me glaring ready to argue. "When I get those three years back" "You think it was fucking easy? You think I wanted to raise a child on my own?" I snapped out trying not to scream but, I couldn't do it anymore.

"You chose to-" "For You" I screamed out instantly.

"I gave up everything to raise her alone while you traveled the world Harry" I growled out feeling my whole body shake as angry filled my whole body. Never thought I could ever argue with him, yet here we were staring into each other screaming at each other.

"You should have told me" "So you'd hold this grudge over me than you already did? I don't return your love and I mess up your dream and relationship with Amber. It's a lose-lose anyway" I argued back seeing him instantly shut his mouth as the tears started to form again. Deciding not tell him was the hardest decision I ever had to make. At the time I wanted him finally happy and leaving was his happiness.

I did it for him.

"You don't have to agree with my reason but, try to understand it wasn't easy for me either" I whispered looking down wishing it didn't have to be like this. Just as I thought I was getting my best friend back everything went straight to hell.

"I won't say I regret my decision but, I do wish I did tell you sooner and I'm so sorry for that. But, just think of all the things that could have changed if I told you. You would have been stuck here w-" I instantly stopped seeing Gabby come out her room smiling. I smiled seeing her walk over to us posing.

"You look beautiful baby" I whispered before turning around to stop the tears about to fall. I headed to the kitchen instantly grabbing napkins to wipe the tears. I took deep breathes trying to calm down but all I wanted to do was break down right now.

I know I fucked up but, I was trying to do what I thought was best for everyone. I understand his anger but, he wasn't even trying to see it from my point of view. He looked and spoke to me like I destroyed his life other than trying to help.

I just wanted to make it right this time and he wouldn't even let me try. I didn't care for a thank you or for him to be my friend, I just wanted for him to understand or at least try to.

I wanted Gabby to know who her father was now but, would that end up making her turn on me? Would he actually do that? Did he hate me that much?