Love Sick

Chapter 6

He said it. He said he loved me. Without hesitation I jumped and wrapped my legs around him. My lips connected with his neck. "I love you." He kept whispering. The elevator door dinged and opened and Matt carried me to our room. He dropped me on our bed. The fierceness that usually consumed him before sex wasn't there, just lust and love.

***

"I just want to stay wrapped up with you." I mumbled as Matt stood in the doorway.

"We're already in trouble, we've been gone too long baby." Matt said, crossing his arms. "Come on before they all form a search party." I groaned and climbed from the bed. So I wasn't supposed to tell Matt I loved him under those circumstances but I was so grateful I did. I made a pact to myself, I wouldn't say it again until the time was right.

Nash melted away. Nothing could compare to the feeling Matt gave me when he said he loved me. To have someone so pure and perfect care that deeply was life changing. I slipped my hand into his and we headed back downstairs. We reentered easily, right before the days activities began. First up, promo shoots. Matt was whisked away by stylists and I found myself alone, shuffling to stay out of everyone's way. I watched from afar, leaning against a wall as Matt's outfit was changed, and he was prepped for photos. "Crazy, isn't it." A voice said from behind me. I turned to be met with emerald eyes.

"Very." I replied, studying a beautiful blonde girl, tall and slim. Her nails were perfectly manicured and her hair fell in flawless waves.

"I'm Emmy." She said, extending her hand to me.

"Hanna." I responded. Something was off, my gut knew it. I was suspicious.

"Of course, you're Matty's new boo." Matty? Flashing warning signs were going off in my head.

"Yeah, Matty's new... boo..." I trailed off "although I'm not too new. Just new to the spotlight." I tried my hardest not to sound hostile but I wasn't sure if I was succeeding.

"Yeah, I mean I don't know much about you but that he is head over heels." Her voice was sickeningly sweet. Like her mouth was full of sugar.

"I don't mean to sound rude, but how do you know Matt?"

"Oh honey, not rude at all, it's a funny story actually! I was the original groupie, O.G. If you will," she laughed and I cringed, "I began following the boys around on tours until I finally landed a job! I do PR and promotions for Jack and Jack."

"Oh that sounds interesting!" I faked enthusiasm.

"It's a means to an end at the moment, but I'm looking for employment elsewhere." Her eyes flashed over to Matt quickly. "You are so lucky, bagging such a great guy. Don't slip up, someone might try to take your place!" She chuckled, placed a manicured hand on my shoulder as if sympathetic, and before I could respond she had glided away. I stood, mouth slightly agape,

"Wow." Nash said as he approached me. "I see you met Emmy."

"The O.G." I mocked. I pressed my back against the wall and studied Nash's face. "She's pretty." Nash nodded, without taking his eyes off mine.

"She's someone's type." He smirked. "Did you meet up with Mathis about wardrobe yet?" His nonchalant change of conversation was nice.

"No." Talking to him was uncomfortable, but it was apparent that we weren't going to discuss our spat the night before. "I figured I'd let you guys go through first."

"What do you mean?" Nash's face was puzzled.

"Just, shouldn't the talent get styled first?" I replied.

"Mathis is one of like fifteen stylists, he only works on me, Cam, Matt, and now you." Nash explained. "Come on, I'll introduce you." I followed Nash to a wall lined with vanities. A tall man stood next to the only empty one.

"Hanna, mon cheri!" Mathis' strong French accent rang out. "I was unsure if you were ignoring me!" He rushed to touch my face. "Ah, I am so excited to work on a female again, these boys don't appreciate my artistic abilities." I was dragged into a chair in front of the mirror and Mathis removed my ponytail so fast it almost ripped. Nash smiled as his eyes met the reflection of my panicked ones. He stood behind me as Mathis began to work. After an hour of styling, my hair was perfectly curled and my eyeliner was unbelievably symmetric. "Now let's get you an outfit!" I followed Mathis to a rack of clothing. "Are we feeling dresses or jeans?" He asked, yanking clothes from hangers.

"Jeans." I replied, he tossed me a pair of distressed ripped jeans and a loose white tank top with MAGCON in a red bar. It looked like a "supreme" brand knock off. I moved behind the changing wall and stripped quickly, replacing my clothes with the new ones. When I stepped back out Mathis had a pair of black suede knee-high boots that he handed to me.

"Here we go! Finishing touches!" I slipped into the boots.

"You look hot." Nash said bluntly. I blushed.

"Thanks." I tried to reply flatly.

"Come on, let's go get mic'd and get ready to go." He said, once again brushing off the tension.

"Mic'd?" I asked.

"You didn't think you'd really get away with hiding in the shadows all tour when you and Matt just came out to the world, did you?" Nash smirked and my heart fluttered. "Half these girls will be here to see the girl who stole MAGCON's most eligible bachelor."

"I thought that was you or Cam." I said with an eye roll. Fear was creeping in. People here to see me? Judge me? All for my taste in men.

"Matt has always had a hold on the fans. He's like our Niall, so sweet and pure." I snickered when Nash called him pure. If only he knew. Nash raised a questioning eyebrow but didn't push.

"Let's go get mic'd." I said, following him.