Secrets / Black & White / Playing for Keeps

It took a couple of days for Harry to call her again and when he did his tone was light.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything’s fine.” Lara responded.

She had been feeling a little strange lately, like a puzzle with a missing piece. Her relationship with Tony seemed to be back on track, although now she was noticing little things. The phone calls he kept receiving, for instance and the late nights when he had to pick up his son from Susan’s house. But each night he would return to snake his arms around her waist and hold her close as she slept.

“You sure?” Harry’s concerned voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

“Yes.” She said. “Look, I’m about to walk into work, so I can’t talk for long.”

“Okay, okay… I was just wondering why you didn’t turn up the other night.”

“To the party?” Lara said, waving to her manager James as she walked into the café.

“Yeah.”

“I’m sorry…” Lara said, realising she had not given him a proper excuse when she sent that text message. “It’s just that… I had a few things going on and… how was the party anyway?”

“There was no party.” Harry mumbled.

“Sorry?”

“I mean, I had to cancel it.”

“Oh.”

“And now I’m having another one and you have to come. No excuses.”

“Harry.” Lara said, trying not to sound exasperated. “Tony’s back in town-"

“So what?”

“So that makes it hard.”

“Bring him along then.” Harry said tonelessly and she could instantly tell her didn’t mean it.

“I can’t do that.”

“Well then come alone. For fuck’s sake Lara, are you telling me you can’t go out without him?”

“Noo.”

“Well then, I’ll see you at my house. Tonight at 8.”

That night Lara waited for Tony to return home. She had expected him home by 6.00pm, but it was 7.00pm and still no sign of his return. She glanced at the calendar on the fridge and saw the following note scrawled under that particular date.

Picking up Jake from Susan’s work

There were no prizes for guessing where he was now, leading Lara to write her own note.

I’m out with friends tonight… will be home late.

She placed her note on the counter and then headed to her bedroom to get ready.

X

It felt strange turning up to a party on her own; she was so used to hanging off someone’s arm. But she bravely knocked on Harry’s door and allowed herself to be led into his apartment. For a last minute party, Harry had managed to organise quite a gathering. People spilled out onto the balcony and several people milled in the living room.

“Hey there.”

She heard his voice before she saw him and when she couldn’t help but feel surprised when her eyes met with none other than Zayn. She had never been close to any of the guys from One Direction. Well, nobody other than Louis. Niall had always been nice, Liam had kept his distance and Zayn was too wrapped up in his own world to notice her. But here he was, wearing ripped blue jeans and a V-necked black top which revealed his numerous tattoos.
Lara waited for the rush of nervousness that she usually felt whenever faced with the guys, but found herself feeling strangely calm.

“Hi Zayn.”

“You alright?” He said, leaning in for a hug.

“Yeah, I’m doing good.” Lara replied. “How about you?”

“Good.” He said, fumbling with a cigarette. “What have you been up to?”

“Not much… just work. How about you?”

“We’re on a break at the moment which works for me.” He said with a dry laugh. It was no secret that he was tired of the grind of being in One Direction. She noticed him avert his eyes to openly check out an attractive blonde who stood a few feet away and when he looked back at an expectant Lara he smiled sheepishly.

“Sorry.” He apologised.

“It’s okay.” She smiled. She knew he was no longer with Perrie, thanks to the way the news of their breakup had been splashed across the tabloids.

“If you’re looking for Harry…” He trailed off once he spotted Harry enter the room.

Lara followed his gaze and could not help but smile. Harry seemed happy to see her, but a quick glance over his shoulder revealed a person who was not as enthused. Skye tailed him as he walked towards her.

“Thanks for coming.” Harry smiled warmly before hugging her close.

“That’s okay.” Lara said, awkwardly pulling away to face Skye. “Hi Skye.”

Skye peered back at her and returned the greeting with a listless smile. She downed the rest of her drink before resting her hand on Harry’s arm and whispering in his ear.

“Nah, I think I’ll stick around here for a while.” Harry said.

Skye rolled her eyes before stumbling away. Lara watched as she headed toward the bar area and poured herself another drink. She returned her gaze to Harry, only to realise they were now alone. A quick glance to the left and she could see Zayn approaching the blonde he had been eyeing earlier in the evening.

“Soo… are you alone?” Harry asked and smiled when he saw her nervousness. “You know you’re cute when you get nervous?”

“I’m not nervous.” Lara muttered, hating herself for the way Harry could manage to make her feel that they were the only two people in the room.

“Well come with me then.” He said, taking her by the hand and leading her to the door. He wordlessly led her to the stairs that led to the rooftop and she followed, a small knot forming at the pit of her stomach. They emerged at the top, moments later and as Harry scrambled to find a couple of seats, Lara could not help but take in the sprawling view of London.

“Still like the view, huh?” Harry spoke up and Lara turned to face him with a small smile.

“It’s beautiful.” She replied. He patted the seat beside him and she paused before sitting down.

“I like it up here too.” Harry said.

Lara nodded politely, though his words sparked a sudden memory of their past encounter on that very rooftop. She had been admiring the view when she had felt Harry’s arms snake around her waist.

They both took in the city before them in silence, until she felt Harry’s warm lips press down on the side of her neck. She couldn’t help but arch her back slightly, her ass rubbing onto his crotch.

“What are you doing?” He murmured.

“Nothing.”

“Keep doing it.” He mumbled his face now buried in her hair. She could feel his hot breath on the back of her neck as he pulled her ponytail harder.

“More.”

She moved her hips slightly from side to side before pushing back gently his arousal fast becoming evident.

“Move.” His deep voice urged as he tapped her on the hips with his fingers.

She let her head fall back on his chest as she began to sway, and then grind against him.

Lara’s eyes glazed over at the memory, Harry’s words echoing in her mind.

“I’m going to take you right now.” He had said. “If anyone’s watching… I hope they enjoy the show.”

“Lara?”

She jumped slightly at the sound of Harry’s voice, looking up to see him frown at her.

“Are you okay?”

“Sorry…”

“You were a million miles away.”

And in a way, it felt like she was a million miles away. But despite that memory feeling like it was a long time ago, she could still feel her skin tingle at the thought of Harry thrusting into her as she held on tight to the edge of the balcony.

They fell into an easy conversation and she soon found herself laughing. They giggled as they watched Zayn chat up the blonde who seemed more interested in taking selfies. They watched as people came and go and Lara found herself relaxing back with nothing stronger than a bottle of water and Harry’s company. It felt nice and familiar and she could not help but hold his gaze for a moment longer than necessary.

“What?” Harry asked, his lips curling up into a smile. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Lara smiled back and shrugged in response.

“What were you thinking about?” Harry persisted.

“Just… just about how long your hair has grown.” She said, reaching out to touch his curly hair that now reached his shoulders.

“Do you like it?” He asked.

“I don’t know.” She said, “I guess I’m used to it being a bit shorter… but maybe now I can get back at you for always pulling my hair.”

She promptly did just that, causing him to laugh and take her by the hand.

“You used to like me pulling your hair.” He said with a glint in his eye and Lara felt like kicking herself for letting her innocent remark take a life of its own.

“Harry-” She said, not even knowing what to say.

“What?” He asked, still holding onto her. He somehow had shifted closer to her and his green eyes were now boring into hers. She watched as he licked his pink lips and regard her for a moment.

“It would be so easy to kiss you right now.” He said in a low voice.

She shook her head and did not miss the look of hurt that flitted across his face.

“Harry, I can’t.”

He opened his mouth to respond, when they were suddenly interrupted by a group of people who had just arrived. They greeted her politely but turned their attention to a now slightly flustered Harry.

Lara was in the middle of trying to figure out how to discreetly leave, when Skye suddenly appeared in front of her. The usually meek and polite Skye glowered down on her and there was no missing her glassy eyes and the unmistakable smell of alcohol on her breath.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Skye seethed.

“Sorry?” Lara said, glancing toward Harry, who was too busy talking to notice their exchange.
“Don’t you have a boyfriend?”

“Yes.”

“Then what are you doing with Harry? He’s taken.”

“Sorry-"

“Are you going to always be a homewrecker?”

Lara abruptly stood up and began to walk away, only for Skye to follow her.

“You’re the one who broke up with Harry, remember? Well now he’s with me.”

“Okay, fine, I’m leaving.” Lara murmured, tears springing to her eyes. She was poised to open the door leading down to the stairs when Harry suddenly appeared, a frown on his face.

“Where are you going?”

A look of realisation came over his face when he saw Skye’s angry face.

“What have you been saying to her?” He asked.

“I’m sick of being your doormat!” Skye cried. “I can’t do it anymore!”

“What the fuck are you on about?” Harry spat out.

“Harry, it’s okay.” Lara said softly, just wanting to escape.

“No. And don’t fucking leave either.” Harry snapped, turning his attention to Skye. “When are you going to realise that there’s nothing between us. I don’t want to be with you. I never have.”

“That’s not how I feel!” Skye cried, her mascara now trickling down her face.

As the two faced off, Lara grabbed the opportunity to shake free from Harry.

“I have to go.” Lara said.

“Homewrecking slut.” She heard Skye call out as she hurried down the stairs and out of Harry’s apartment.

Notes

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