Catching Red Eyes

I woke up to find myself tangled in Harry’s arms and legs and the sun coming in through the windows. I only moved my eyes up to see Harry’s face so not to disturb him. His face was peaceful and serene. I moved my hand to move a piece of his hair away from his face. His eyes squeezed together before opening. He looked down at me and smiled.

“Good morning, love.”

“Morning.”

Before we could indulge in our moment, there was a loud banging coming from downstairs. We both sat up and looked at each other. The banging continued. Harry scrambled from where we were and I heard him run down the steps and open the door. Even in the midst of all this, I couldn’t help but notice his beauty this early in the morning. His bright eyes were still a little sleepy but he looked perfect nonetheless.

“Harry, why haven’t you answered your phone? Your manager called and said you missed the conference this morning, I should have guessed you were here. Is she with you? You know, I told you to follow your heart but they have already told you not to see her again and now you’ve missed the final details for the upcoming tour.”

The voice belonged to a woman. A very angry woman. I felt like I was little again and I was being reprimanded and I wasn’t even in the same room as her.

“Mum, the conference was for the stage manager and chorographer, not us. They sent the email last night and yes she is here and I would like you to meet her.”

What.

Not only was this his mother downstairs but now I had to meet her, in her son’s clothes and my hair probably looked like something you would see in one of the levels of hell. I jumped out of bed and tried to find something to tie my hair up but found nothing. I usually had one on my wrist but it must have slipped off in the midst of…well, Harry. Oh God, the island counter. In the middle of remembering if we had cleaned it off, Harry appeared in the doorway.

“Come meet my mother.”

“Harry, please. I look a mess and I haven’t even brushed my teeth or anything.”

“You look beautiful. Come,” he said as he kissed my palm and practically dragged me down the stairs.

His mother was dressed impeccably but comfortable. She was gorgeous for being the mother of a 21 year old.

“H-hi, I’m Rowan.” I wasn’t sure if I should say Harry’s friend or girlfriend or something else entirely. I held out my hand and she took it and kissed my cheek.

“I know, dear, I’ve heard all about you,” she said with a smile. “Now, how about some breakfast? Rowan, you can help. The interior designers did a lovely job redecorating. We have to update those photos on the fridge. Harry, why don’t you go fetch a shower while Rowan and I cook breakfast?”

Harry nodded to his mother and gave me a smile as my eyes went wide. I was left alone with this woman that gave me the best sex I have ever had. Oh God, stop brain. Focus.

“So, you two have gotten into a bit of a mess, haven’t you?” she asked me, while smiling.

“Well, I suppose, yes.” I wish I could have said that I tried to tell Harry to stay away but that would be a lie. I wish I could say that I told him no and how I knew it was best for him to leave me alone but I couldn’t say that either.

“Listen, Harry has been in the press about the girls he fancies and frankly I am not a fan of theirs. I think Harry could do much better than them but I cannot judge him because he is my son and I love him.”

I waited for her to continue with baited breathe.

“But you, Rowan, you are different from the girls he is usually with…you don’t know of this celebrity, glamorized life.”

I wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing from her tone as I continued to listen to her talk.

“I think you are good for my son but you aren’t what they want…they want models and musicians dressing his arm. They want someone who already knows the spotlight. You, love, do not fit their criteria. I, however, disagree with their criteria and want Harry to be with you but he is in contract. But I am sure he has already told you this.”

I felt like I got punched in the gut. I wasn’t what Harry was supposed to date? They, whoever they are, wanted Harry to be with a model…not plain old me. I never thought myself drop dead beautiful but not ugly either and right in this moment, I felt completely out of place in this mini mansion tucked in the New York hills. I felt not worthy of any of this. I needed to get out of here. I excused myself and went into the bathroom. I found my clothes and changed quickly while calling Laurie. She finally picked up on the third ring and I gave her my GPS location.

I looked at myself in the mirror and didn’t realize I was crying. I needed a way out. I had no idea where I was but knew any place was better than here. Harry lied to me. He said he was in contract to be single and that he wasn’t allowed to date. Now I find out from his own mother that he is allowed to date, they just need to be supermodels or celebrities who wake up with a glam squad. I felt sick to my stomach.

I quietly opened the bathroom door and slipped out the front door before anyone in the house knew I was missing.

Notes