Nothing Without Love

Louis' POV

“What the the hell happened to your face?” Niall asks, slapping me on the back as he welcomes me into their place.

“Josie didn't tell you?” I'm surprised. “She punched me in the face. I went to her dads gym and we were sparring. I wasn't paying attention and she popped me in the nose.” I explain as if it's a normal every day thing.

“Dang. I didn't know you and Josie hung out outside of our house.” He takes a seat on the couch with a plop.

“It's a new thing,nothing to be worried about. Is Erica here? I need to tell you two something.” I'm a little sheepish about telling them of our plans but they'll understand.

“You didn't knock her up did you? We told you, you can't sleep with her.” Niall warns again, giving me an all knowing evil look.

“No, she's not pregnant, Jesus, have some faith every once in a while.” I drop to the couch next to him as he tries to get in contact with Erica. She's just up the steps but it's a big house so I'm sure he's sending her a text.

“She's coming.” He tells me, tapping his feet, I think we all have that nervous habit. I told Josie I would tell them of my evil plot and I'm making due on my promise, I won't let it fall by the wayside. “Louis.” His tone of voice makes me freeze for a minute. “Would you relax? You're making me nervous. You're not moving back to London are you? We haven't even gotten to write together yet.” Niall seems super nervous, his legs are starting to jump now.

“No, nothing like that, I'm staying here.” I assure him.

“You don't have cancer do you? Or some terminal disease do you?” He crosses his hands and puts them over his mouth, even more anxious waiting for him to response.

“No Niall. Just relax, isn't nothing terrible, I just need to talk to you and Erica.” I try to keep things light. His response is making me chuckle a little bit, he's always been the one that worries the most. He might not act like that on the outside but his mind is always running on the inside.

“Hey Louis. Sorry I didn't come down sooner. Ryan just fell asleep.” She explains as she sits next to Niall, he instantly puts his arm around her shoulders and pulls her closer. Almost every time I see them I want to puke, they say that when you truly love someone your love just grows and grows. It's for sure the case with Erica and Niall.

“It's all right.” I smile. Their own little family, I think I'll always be jealous of them.

“So what's up, Niall tells me this is urgent.” She puts her phone down and grabs the blanket that Josie and I shared just a week ago.

“Well, it's nothing crazy but I told Josie I would tell you guys.” I start.

“You two are together now?” Erica gets excited quickly and interrupts me. “Sorry.” She makes a tight face as if in accident.

“Not together. But I have to explain something first. Stan is coming to town in like a week and I told him on accident that I had a girlfriend. I asked Josie if she could pretend to be my girlfriend for just the time that Stan is here.” The more I speak it out loud the dumber it truly sounds.

“Wait, so you and Josie will be pretend girlfriend and boyfriend for like a week and a half?” Niall asks for clarification.

“Just for Stan. Then we'll break it off for pretend. I'll just tell Stan we broke it off and we'll be friends again.” I shrug.

“So why are you telling us?” He asks, sipping on his water bottle. Erica is just silent, waiting for us to finish our chat.

“You like her.” She speaks up but she's still in her little Erica zone.

“No I don't. I mean, she's a good person, she's pretty friendly. I don't know, she's fun.” I tighten my lips and my feet start bouncing once again.

“You like her Louis. I've seen it.” She cracks a smile and I know she won't let this go until I agree. “I think she likes you too.”

“She does?” I respond too quickly and I know I've been found out. I close my eyes and drop my shoulders, upset with my response.

“I knew it! I was right Niall!” She turns to face him and smiles at him, I know now it's something they've talked about probably many of times. I'm not even embarrassed because it seems like we have no secrets between us since day one of the band.

“You two talk about Josie and I?” I pretend like I'm shocked.

“You know we do.” Niall laughs like it's no big deal. “You know that I've been on your ass about her since day one. You two are like perfect for each other.” His hands are sprayed out everywhere, he's always talking with his hands. I'm surprised half the time that he doesn't knock Erica out with his violent hand movements.

“Whatever. I just wanted to tell you all that we might just be spending more time together then usual in the next two weeks, going to San Diego next weekend when your mum is here.” I point to them. “But nothing else is going on. Josie wants you both to know that she's going to be professional beyond all measures and she doesn't want to screw things up between you all.” I take a hint from Niall and use my hands to explain everything.

“We got it, I'll mark it on the calender as when you and Josie started dating.” Erica giggles, holding the blanket up to her mouth quickly.

“We're not dating!” I shout a little, not angry but this is why I didn't want to say anything, I knew they would tease the shit out of me.

“Oh come on Louis. You're not dating right now but I know that you probably will be soon enough.” She has a sly smile, like she has something else on her mind and I don't even want to know what she's thinking. “I think I'm going to go lay down Ni.” She turns to Niall and speaks in a low voice. He nods, pulling her in for a tight hug and a kiss on her temple as she hands him the baby monitor and excuses herself to head upstairs.

We sit in silence together for a while, some people are just so uncomfortable with the silence but with the guys and I it has never been an issue. We sat in the quiet for hours sometimes on the bus.

“So you do like her though, right?” Niall has taken the blanket that Erica was using and wraps it around himself.

“I can't lie. You know I do.” I shrug. “Things are just easy with her. I don't know I like being around her.” I think I'm picking up on Josie's constant shrugging, a difficult habit to break once you pick it up.

“So how are you going to tread lightly about this? I mean, you'll be around Stan, he knows everything about you. You have to play it off major. Holding hands, kissing, cuddling, sleeping in the same bed. You know if you don't Stan will know something is up.” He tells me, I've thought of this many times because I know that I'll have to do all of that. If it was anyone else I wouldn't have to worry as much but Stan has been my best mate since we were school boys.

“I'll just do the best I can. Push the feelings away and move on.” My mind is running again. I remember what she felt like, how it felt to kiss her, I think of her laugh and even how she knocked me out. It's not something you would think would happen, or what you think I would remember of her, but it all just makes sense to me.

“Don't do that man. I know it's been a long time since you've really felt something for someone. Don't worry about Erica and I. We like you obviously, we like her, just don't break her heart Louis. She's a nice girl that deserves the best and you just can't throw that away.” He knows I haven't really had anyone since Eleanor and that break up did a number on me.

“What if she breaks mine?” I suggest. I don't really even know if she likes me but Erica said she thinks she does so maybe she does?

“Come on Louis. If she breaks you're heart, I know you're in too deep.” He kicks his feet out and rests them on the table.

Maybe I already am.

Notes

We've been missing a bit of Niall and Erica! Well, I have at least! Louis kept up with his promise and told them, what do you think about his revelations? His feelings for Josie? :)

And, problem is fixed with the person that stole my stories and posted them on Wattpad! I reported the problem and they were taken down within hours so thank goodness someone found them, they were in the process of copying My Light, they hadn't finished it yet so now they just cant. :)

Thanks for being amazing readers and supporting me in everything I write, it means so much!

Have a great day!! xoxoxox