The Wrong Woman

Saturday rolled around and I found myself back at Maddie’s house. Only this time she was having a party and it was in full swing as I walked through the door. I headed straight to the bar and grabbed a drink before I cast my eyes around the crowd. I felt someone touch my arm and turned to see Jessica, one of Maddie’s school friends, smile at me.

“Maddie’s inside.” She said.

“Thanks.” I replied and walked in the opposite direction. I hadn’t spoken to her since the day I had stayed over. I hadn’t turned up to work yesterday either, so I never made the delivery for Campbell. A part of me was thinking maybe I should skip the party altogether, but another part of me thought it was better to face the music. Maybe Campbell had fortified himself with enough alcohol to put him in a good mood. Just as I spotted Felicity and was making a beeline for her, I felt a hand grab my arm.

“Not so fast.”

I turned and came face to face with Campbell.

“Hi.” I said. “Have you seen Maddie?”

“Forget about Maddie… I want to know where you were yesterday.”

“I was sick.” I said swiftly.

“You had a delivery to do.”

“Yeah, well I was sick.” I lied. “Didn’t Felicity tell you? I called her in the morning to tell her.”
“Hmm.” Campbell said eyeing me closely. “Next time you decide to not turn up, make sure you call me, not Felicity. I was relying on you Harry.”

“Sorry.” I said. “It’s just… I don’t know if I can make those deliveries anymore… I-"

“We’ve already had this conversation before.” Campbell interjected before sighing impatiently.

“I trust you Harry. I trust you with business matters and I trust you with Maddie. Do you think I’d let just anyone date my daughter? She’s only sixteen… and I know you’re older… I can tell you have a bit of experience.”

He gave me a pointed look as I nervously bit my lip.

“You wouldn’t do anything to hurt her, would you?” He asked. “Or anything that would upset me?”

“No sir.” I said.

“Good. That would be stupid, wouldn’t it?” He added. “And you wouldn’t want to do anything stupid. I have many people on my side...don’t let me down Harry.”

I mutely nodded and Campbell smiled.

“Maddie’s inside the house.”

I quickly walked away, but not before catching Felicity’s curious stare. I made my way through the back sliding door, only to bump into Maddie.

“Hi.” She said hesitantly, as though she hadn’t expected to see me.

“Hi.” I said.

“Have you been here for long?” She asked.

“I just got here.” I said not willing to tell her about the little exchange I had with her Father.

She gave a small smile and stepped forward to hug me. I returned the embrace thinking I really needed another drink. I spotted the indoor bar area over her shoulder and took her by the hand and led her toward it.

“I need a drink.” I said.

“You already have a drink.” Maddie pointed out. I paused and smiled before downing the drink in one go.

“I need a drink.” I repeated and Maddie laughed. I poured myself a scotch and had just raised the glass to my lips when my eyes met with Office Callum. He sat on the couch with a group of people, but his attention was clearly on me. His eyes narrowed suspiciously and his disapproval was clear. I was a tattooed twenty year old throwing back drink after drink while my sixteen year old underage girlfriend clung to my arm.

“Let’s go outside.” I said.

A cool breeze hit me as soon as I stepped outside and I noticed for the first time how nice the back patio looked, all lit up with a string of lights. Groups of people mingled and a few danced on a makeshift dancefloor by the pool. I noticed Felicity on the edge of that floor, swaying slightly as she chatted to her friend Jenna. I looked over to the side where a DJ was playing music, when someone stepped forward to block my view. I frowned and then focussed, only to see Louis walk by with his girlfriend by his side. He glanced at me briefly before settling his gaze on Maddie. I half expected him to approach us, but he walked on.

“Fuck me.” I muttered.

“Sorry?” Maddie asked.

“Never mind.” I replied. First I had to deal with Campbell and his veiled threats, then Officer Callum nosiness and now Louis was here. I wasn’t going to let this asshole ruin my night. Maddie found a couple of her friends and she began to chat with them. I half listened as I kept drinking.

It was not long before I was dying for another drink, so I excused myself and made my way to the bar. It was loaded with every bottle of alcohol imaginable and I was in the middle of looking at a bottle when I heard a voice say,

“I recognise you from the bar.” Louis’ girlfriend Eleanor regarded me with a smile. “I really enjoy your singing. You’re very talented.”

She was a pretty girl. Kind doe like brown eyes with long eyelashes and long brown hair that was pulled back into a loose braid over her shoulder.

“Thanks.” I grinned before furtively glancing around. As expected, I could see Louis lurking around nearby. He sombrely watched our exchange, a hint of worry on his face. I could have fun with this, I thought to myself. I wonder what he would do if I flirted with his girlfriend and gave him a taste of his own medicine. I gave her the once over, taking in her little pink dress and her shiny pink lips.

“You should swing by next week.” I told her. She smiled and I smiled back and then we fell into an easy conversation. I turned on the charm but she was so sweet, she just giggled in response. I quickly glanced at Louis to see his reaction and he seemed almost bored, not even giving us a second look. From a distance I was positive it looked like we were flirting, but he seemed to give zero fucks about it. I placed my hand on her arm to punctuate a point and still nothing. And then he disappeared. Weird. Unless… the asshole didn’t care… because it wasn’t Eleanor he wanted.

It was Maddie.

I excused myself and went hunting for Maddie. Instead, I ran into Felicity who was struggling to empty a bag of ice into a drinks tub.

“What are you doing?” I asked as I took the bag from her. “Give that to me.”

“Thanks.” She said brushing an errant piece of hair from her eyes.

“You okay?” I asked. “Didn’t your boyfriend hire one of his minions to do this kind of shit?”

“Harry.” She said, her eyes glancing around fearfully as though someone would overhear.
I grabbed two bottles from the tub and handed one to her.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” She asked.

“Campbell had a go at me and Louis Tomlinson is watching every move I make.” I said. “I’m having a blast.”

“Where’s Maddie?”

“Dunno.” I shrugged. “Wanna dance?”

Felicity’s smile disappeared when I took her by the arm.

“Harry no-“

I could tell she was buzzed, but she wasn’t that buzzed.

“Come on, who’s even going to notice?” I asked.

“They both will.” She said. “Don’t look now but Louis and Campbell are watching us likes hawks.”

Was there any escape from anyone from this party? I dropped my hand and tried not look over my shoulder.

“Fine.” I mumbled. I tried to walk a straight line back into the house in search of Maddie. If Louis and Campbell wanted to watch, I was gonna make it good. I spotted Maddie laughing with a group of friends and I couldn’t help but pause for a moment. Her long hair was flowing and her electric blue dress fell short just above her knees, showing off her long legs. Her eyes met with mine and she gestured for me to join her group. My arm snaked around her waist and it wasn’t long before I led her away.

“What are you doing?” She asked.

“I wanna spend some time with you.” I said. A small smile played on her lips as he made our way outside. This time around I didn’t care who was watching. I made out with her by the pool. I wrapped my arms around her as we danced. I allowed my hands to roam over her, settling onto her thigh as we sat together.

And every single time I did this, I would look up to see Louis Tomlinson and the look of thunder on his face. The sight of me chatting up his girlfriend did not elicit this type of reaction; he had been completely unaffected. But the sight of Maddie with me was a completely different story.

“Your teacher looks a little pissed off.” I said lowly. Maddie frowned and looked in his direction.

“What are you talking about?” She asked.

“Can’t you see him? He looks like he wants to punch me out.”

“No he doesn’t.” Maddie said lightly but I saw her share a look with him. I didn’t understand what that look meant but it was enough for me to stand to my feet.

“Harry, where are you going?” Maddie asked worriedly.

I ignored her as I made my way toward Louis. He stood on the edge of the crowd, his girlfriend nowhere in sight.

“What the fuck are you looking at?” I asked him.

“What’s got you all riled up?” Louis smiled.

“You’ve been staring at my girlfriend all night.”

“Your girlfriend?” He asked in mock surprise. “You’ve spent half the night chasing Felicity around this party and you’re worried about your girlfriend?”

“Shut the fuck up.” I seethed. I could feel my hands curling into fists and God knows what I would have done if Felicity did not intervene at that moment.

“Harry.” She said calmly. “Just leave it.”

She placed gripped my arm tight enough for me to snap out of it.

“Just remember.” Louis said as she led me away. “Maddie isn’t as stupid as you think she is. The truth will come out sooner or later.”

Notes