Against One's Wishes

Chapter 17

"So, you're saying that Ben knew she was pregnant?" Nick is asking Harry that evening backstage at his theatre. "And he still left?"

Harry drinks some of his scotch and nods a little, "that's what she said. He never even bothered to tell me. He kept that big of a secret from me."

"How far along is she?" Nick asks quietly.

"I'll ask her tomorrow," Harry replies and looks around at the crowd gathered.

"You're going to have to end it," Nick states seriously. "For good this time."

"She's having his baby," Harry starts and shakes his head some, "and she doesn't even realise who he is. She has no fucking clue."

"That isn't your fault..."

"It isn't? Really?" Harry asks, looking at Nick, "he spent more time with me than her... it is my fault. She's... she's so certain that he's cheated on her with someone... but she doesn't realise that it's me. She would probably never believe that."

"You can't tell her either," Nick states, "I mean it, Harry. I get it that you feel guilty, but you cannot tell her."

"I... I wasn't going to," Harry mumbles and sighs, "as much as I'd like to..."

"Bloody hell," Louis is saying as he's walking over to them. "That's a huge crowd out there."

Harry smiles at him, "they put on a brilliant show, I swear."

"They've played here before?" Louis asks.

Nick nods, "yeah, we've been friends with them a while. The lad that writes the plays has always fancied Harry."

"Oh, shut it," Harry rolls his eyes but grins over at Nick. "We should probably go sit down."

"Way to change the subject," Louis teases as he's following behind Nick and Harry to their seats up front.

Harry sits down and adjusts his button up a little, Louis watching him. Harry smirks when he sees him. "What?"

"You love distracting people, don't you?" Louis asks and points to Harry's buttons that are undone. "You always keep your shirts like that if we aren't around people like my dad."

Harry looks down and smiles a little, "oh, well I kinda like it."

"You like showing your chest?" Louis is chuckling quietly.

"Do you find me attractive with my shirt like this?" Harry asks seriously.

"Of course I fucking do," Louis replies flatly. "I'd have to be straight not to."

Harry smirks and squeezes Louis' thigh with his hand before he's glancing around the crowded theatre.

"This atmosphere, it's... it's amazing," Louis sighs with a grin as he's looking around at all the people chatting. "I mean, they're all normal..."

"Yeah," Harry laughs a little, "they are, Lou."

"Well, it's refreshing to me," Louis sighs and leans his head back on the seat. "I'm used to being stuck around people with their noses too far in the air."

"I know," Harry smiles at him, "this part of the city is wonderful. It truly is. It's nice being around people who don't judge as much."

Louis nods some as the lights are going down; Harry smiles at him in excitement before he's glancing back at the stage.

And Louis watches the play, though he can't help but stare at Harry from the corner of his eye.

Harry's dimples are showing while he's watching the characters onstage, and Louis has honestly never seen anyone so beautiful. Harry doesn't even have to try; his smile is captivating enough.