Boxer (Larry)

41

Harry needs to know. I understand that. But I can't tell him right away. I can't bear to hear his voice right now.

He's got a match in a few days. I'll go, text him to meet me outside or something, and then tell him. I won't even stay to watch him fight. I might as well get over it, because we're going to have to raise this baby together. Unless, of course, he wants nothing to do with it. I'm sure that won't be the case, though. He's always wanted kids.

***

The day of his match, I throw on a black sweater and a pink skirt. I'll only be able to wear them for so long, as I'm three months along. I'm not showing yet, thankfully.

When I arrive, I text him asking him to meet me by the entrance, in the big lobby and main area where everyone buys things like drinks and sometimes tickets, if you don't buy them in advance.

He tells me he'll be there soon, and I sigh. Then I feel a tap on my shoulder. Well that was fast.

When I turn around, however, I don't see Harry. I see Niall.

"Oh. Hey." I say. I should say something more, considering he was a rebound for a night. Still, I wish he would leave me alone. I really have no interest in him as anything other than a rebound. And, really, that was just for a night.

"Hey." He says, moving in closer. Ew. "What are you doing here?" He wonders.

"Right now I'm waiting for Harry." I tell him. "We need to talk about something."

"You know he's been fucking people, yeah? I assume you left him because he slept with people your whole relationship, but he has been since you left." He informs me. I feel the tear in my heart pulled on and it feels as if it's fresh. My chest stings and I blink away tears.

"Yeah, thanks, Niall." I say. It's sarcastic, but I can barely manage a sarcastic tone.

He moves in closer.

"I know you don't want to date, but maybe we could meet up later?" He keeps inching closer to me until, suddenly, he's pushed away.

"He's clearly uncomfortable. Leave him alone. We need to talk, anyway." Harry snaps at him. I look down at my combat boots. I can't bring myself to look at Harry. I just can't. Niall leaves and Harry clears his throat.

"What did you need, Louis?" He asks.

I can't say it. My throat is stuck and I can't clear the feeling away. Instead, my eyes water. Damn it.

After a moment, he sighs and lifts my chin so that I'm forced to look at him. He looks like a mess, if I'm honest. He has badly bruised knuckles, deep bags under his eyes, and he looks exhausted and like he's been crying for days. I feel a little guilty, but I know that I look just as bad under a layer of makeup.

"I'm having your baby." I say.