LOUIS POV

What the fuck is going on? Who the hell came up with a story that I am going to marry Lilly? God, we can’t even be together right now because we have to tip toe around Harry and now this bullshit story comes out.

I walk back into the lounge. All the lads and Drake are sitting. Immediately, I notice that everyone is staring at me except Harry. He has a smirk on his face. Immediately, a thought pops into my mind and I stalk over to his chair and pull him up by his shirt collar.

“Harry! What the fuck have you done?!” I scream in his face.

“Boobear, I’m sure I don’t know what you are talking about,” he replies sarcastically.

“You know damn well what I am talking about! You planted that story, didn’t you?!”

“Me? Why would I do that?” He does a horrible job at feigning innocence.

“To cause trouble for me and Lilly! Guess what? It’s not going to work! But if you have hurt her or caused her embarrassment by this story, I will kick your ass!” The look on Harry’s face changes to one of horror. Good. He should be afraid.

“Lou, you really love her, don’t you?” He asks me with a look of disbelief on his face.

“Of course I am in love with her you asshole! Why would you even question that?!”

“Wow Lou, I owe you both an apology. I thought you just went after Lilly because I liked her.”

“Are you serious Harold?! Do you think that little of me? I pursued Lilly because I knew when I met her she was the right girl for me! How many times do you have to hurt her before you will leave us be in peace?”

“Lou, I’ll make a statement that it was a practical joke I played on you and Lilly.” Drake gets up and storms over to us.

“Harry! You’ve done enough damage! You are to say nothing more! You will just make matters worse. Louis, management will handle this and smooth it over. I think we need to have Lilly come out on tour with you for a while so we can protect both of you from the media.”

As pissed off as I am at Harry, I am so excited that Lilly will be with me.

“I am happy with that plan. Harry, are you going to be civil to my girlfriend or do I have to beat some sense into you?”

“Louis, I swear I will be nice to Lilly. I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I was too busy feeling sorry for myself and being angry.”

“Well, if you apologize to Lilly we can put this past us. But you are going to have to help me explain this mess to her. What if she is expecting me to propose? She’s going to be hurt Harry!”

“I promise Louis I will straighten it all out. I owe it to both of you. Hug it out mate?”

It’s hard to stay mad at Harry so, of course, I give him a hug.

“Okay, if you two are done with your love fest, we need to come up with a distraction to kill this story,” Drake barks at us.

“Drake, most managers would be happy that there was no controversy in a group,” Liam chimes into the conversation.

“Yes Liam, but right now I could use something to take away from this little nightmare Harry created,” he says as he glares at Harry.

I know there is a story among our group that would blow things wide open, but I am not going to throw Zayn and Niall under the bus like that. I look at Zayn and Niall, who are appropriately sitting on the love seat together, and I give them a smile. Hopefully, they realize I know what’s going on and I’m supportive of them.

Zayn and Niall look at each other, look back at back, and then to each other again and nod and stand. Oh no, are they really going to do this now? Zayn clears his throat to speak and I hold my breath.

“Uh Drake, Niall and I have something to tell you and the lads that might be the ‘distraction’ you are looking for,” Zayn says nervously.

“Oh hell! What have you two done now? Please tell me you haven’t been out raping and pillaging!” Drake mocks them because, let’s face it, you’d never expect Zayn or Niall to do anything scandalous.

“Um, no. We are both in love,” Zayn says calmly and quietly. Niall puts his arm around him. I look around the room and see Liam, Harry, and Drake are not getting what they are saying.

“Oh great! More love in the air!” Drake shouts again his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Who are the lucky ladies? Any starlets or pop stars we can spin into some free PR?” It makes me sick to hear the way management wants to use our personal lives to make money.

“When have you two even had time to date anyone? I don’t remember you two going out on dates?” Liam asks clearly confused. I look at Harry and I can see realization crossing his face. I nod at him and pop my eyes putting him on notice to say nothing.

“Zayn, Niall – are you guys sure you want to put your personal lives out there like that?” Harry asks them making a face at Zayn and Niall that clearly says I know your secret and we’ll protect it if you want to keep it secret.

“Yes Harry, I am tired of living a lie,” Zayn says and Niall nods in agreement.

“What are you two about?” Drake asks.

Suddenly, Liam gasps and smacks his hand across his mouth. He’s figured it out too.

Niall decides to speak up. I see how nervous he is so I get up and walk over to stand with him and Zayn for support. Harry and Liam mimic my actions. Regardless of any differences we might have at times, the five of us are a family and we stick together.

“Drake, Zayn and I are in a relationship…together. We are in love with each other,” Niall says it so quietly, his voice very shaky. I squeeze his should to support him. It seems like an eternity before Drake speaks. His face turns bright red and you can tell he wants to explode in anger, but instead he bursts into laughter. We all look at him questioningly.

“Oh my God! Zayn, Niall you boys crack me up! Yes, that story would definitely get Louis out of the spotlight, but you don’t have to go to extremes to help your mate.”

“Drake, this isn’t a joke. They really are in a relationship together,” I speak up to defend the guys. Drake goes pale.

“Noooooooo! This cannot get out!! You cannot come out!! This would ruin the band! I forbid you to speak publicly! Whatever shit you want to do to each other behind closed doors, I don’t want to know about, but it better stay there! Louis! You and Lilly’s relationship is back on the front burner because I need to distract the media away from these two love birds! I am out of here to make arrangements to bring Lilly here asap!” He storms out of the house.

This is a nightmare. I’m sure Lilly is not going to be thrilled with this and Zayn and Niall certainly didn’t want to come out this way. The five of us just look at each other not saying a word. Finally, Zayn speaks up.

“Guys I’m really sorry you found out like this. Do you want to talk about this at all?” He looks so uncomfortable.

“I don’t. I love you guys and I’ll support you,” I say as I give Zayn and Niall each a hug.

“Me either. This is your business and I caused enough trouble for Louis and Lilly. So, I think I’ll just stay out of this. Love you guys and I’ve got your backs,” Harry gives them a hug.

“I’m not going to pretend I’m not shocked, but what you guys do is your business and I love you both,” Liam gives them a hug and then leaves the room.

“Thank you guys for supporting us. I was so afraid you would hate us,” Niall says and the relief is clear on his face.

“Never mate. How could I hate my leprechaun?” I joke with him.

“Come on Niall. Let’s go discuss how to break this news to our families,” Zayn says and drags Niall up the steps. I look at Harry.

“Okay Harry, we have a call to make.”
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LILLY’S POV

I just finished cleaning the house when I hear Louis’ ringtone on my phone.

“Louis! I miss you babe! What are you doing?”

“Well, I needed to talk with you about something.” Oh God. I hope it’s not about the magazine article. This could get awkward.

“Louis, I already saw the magazine article if that’s what you needed to talk with me about.”

“Well, that is one of the things we need to discuss.” I feel my chest tighten. What if he is going to break up with me?

“Okay. Go ahead.” I am terrified.

“Well, I actually need you to speak with Harry about the first situation.”

“No! I don’t want to speak with him!”

“Babe please. For me? He has something to say to you.” I really don’t want to hear anything Harry has to say, but I hate to make the situation more stressful for Louis.

“Okay, for you I will speak with him.”

“I love you Lilly. Okay, here is harry and I promise he’ll behave.” I take a deep breath while I wait for Harry to get on the line.

“Hello Lilly, it’s Harry.” He is such an idiot. Of course I know it’s him. I can’t help but giggle.

“Hello Harold.”

“Oh Harold it is? Louis has taught you well. I don’t blame you for being mad at me.”

“I wish I could dismiss what you’ve said and done, but I can’t,” I say truthfully.

“Well, you probably are going to be more upset with me in a minute.”

“What have you done Harry? Have you hurt Louis? I’ll beat you myself if you have!”

“No, I haven’t harmed a hair on his perfectly coifed head Lilly. Please let me apologize for the horrible things I said to you, called you, and the terrible way I treated you. I was wrong. You and Louis belong together and I was being a jerk.” Wow did he just surprise me!

“Harry, thank you for apologizing. I really appreciate it and I hope we’ll be able to be friends again in time.”

“I’d really like that Lilly and it might be sooner than you think.”

“What?”

“Oh, the other thing I did. There is a magazine article-“

“Yes Harry, I saw it at the store earlier and I was shocked.”

“Well, I am the one who planted the story,”

“WHAT?! Why are you still breathing?! Why hasn’t Louis killed you yet?! Better yet I’ll kill you myself!!! How could you?”

“Lilly please calm down. I am so sorry. I didn’t realize until today how much Louis really loves you. I was jealous and I wanted to get back at you and hurt Louis. It was stupid. I planted the story days ago and then I met someone the other day who I really like. I realized it was wrong to plant that story and I tried to take it back, but the magazine publisher said they were still going to publish it.”

“Put Louis on the phone. Now.”

“Love, are you okay?” Louis’ voice is filled with concern and my anger subsides hearing his angelic voice.

“Better now that I am talking with you again,” I chuckle and he does the same.

“Well, the whole thing isn’t a complete disaster. As we speak, Drake is making arrangements for you to join me right away on tour.”

“What? Why?”

“He wants to protect us from the media and believes it’s best if you are with me. Of course, I completely agree with his thinking. I want you with me always love and Harry is no longer a problem.”

“As mad as I am at Harry, at least I’ll get to be with you sooner instead of waiting almost a month.”

“Yes, at some point tomorrow, I’ll have you in my arms and I’ll be complete again.”

“Oh Louis, I do love you.”

“Love you to babe.”

“So what was the other thing you had to talk to me about?”

“Oh. Um. Hmmm. Don’t know how to tell you this but, remember when I said I thought something was up with Zayn?” Oh, he must know.

“Yes, did Zayn and Niall finally talk with you?”

“What? Did you know?!”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It wasn’t my story to tell and Zayn confided in me as his babysitter. I couldn’t possibly betray his trust.”

“Wow. You are amazing love. I could never keep a secret like that.”

“Well then, don’t lose your day job babe.” We both laugh.

“I’m going to let you go for now. Harry and I need to talk more and Drake is supposed to call me with your travel arrangements. I’ll call you if he sends them to me at a reasonable hour. Otherwise, I’ll text them so you can get some uninterrupted sleep. Love you babe. Nite.”

“Love you Louis. Nite.”

I still want to throttle Harry, but at least I can be with Louis now and I don’t think Harry is going to cause any more trouble for us. Plus, I can be there to support Zayn and Niall. Guess I better to get to packing!

Notes

Sorry it was so long between updates! I was gone on vacation and had to get caught up with everything. So, two stories caught up today and two more to go tomorrow!

Hope you liked the chapter!

What do you all think about Zayn and Niall??? ;)