Nothing Without Love

Louis POV

“Oh look, she's really pretty, she's been eying you all night.” Josie nudges me and nods her attention to the girl who is sitting at the bar, I can't say I haven't noticed her. She's hard to go unnoticed, if you know what I mean. She's hasn't got a hair out of place, she looks like she could be a Kardashian, when they were in their prime, they're all old and full of plastic now.. “You should go to talk to her.” She calmly suggests to me, encouraging me even though I don't really want to. I'd rather just hang out her and I. I know she wanted to go back when Stan and Sam left but I haven't spent any alone time with her.

“Ah, I don't think so.” I study her face quietly as I speak those five words, hoping to change her facial expression to give me any sort of clue but nothing.

“I dare you.” She raises her eyebrows at me and we both look over at this woman, she's trying hard to get my attention, or someone whose right behind me, which isn't possible as the wall is behind me.

“Well, guess I can't back down now.” I wink at her and stand up, I've been drinking so a little liquid courage does a body good but I'm not as drunk as Josie probably thinks I am. This is so stupid, I repeat over an over again in my head. Just tell the dam girl you'd rather forget this whole fake dating twelve year old bullshit and go for her. It's easier than it sounds. I've been burned quite a bit in life as far as relationships are concerned and I'd rather always have the upper hand. The one who controls how everything goes, and if I let her know my feelings, that upper hand is out the window.

I try my best to remain calm but I don't really know anyone who just walks up to someone and tries to hit on them and does it successfully. I'm a complete moron when it comes to this. Smooth is not my vocabulary, I'm sure Niall could do better, and that's saying a lot.

“Hi.” I smile at her. Hi? What the fuck.

“Hello.” She seems like she literally purrs words. Like she's part cat if that works at all. She makes me nervous.

“I'm Louis.” I sit down on the stool after I manage to almost miss my foot and make a bigger dumb ass of myself.

“I know. I'm Reeva.” Reeva, even her name is exotic.

“Where are you from Reeva?” I try to make small talk with her.

“Alaska.” She sips another drink from her pink liquid, no clue what it is. Alaska? That's far from exotic.

I take a deep breath and notice she's trying all the tricks and I just can't seem to do anything about it. This conversation is going to die in a matter of minutes. And I'll be left to turn back around to Josie, I'll look miserable and she'll be all smiles, because that's how Josie is. I roll my eyes. “Your friend back there, you trying to impress her?” Reeva asks and it takes me by surprise.

“Um, yeah. I'm a jack ass and she's too good for me. She doesn't believe me that I might have feelings for her. I have a little bit of a shady past.” I spill it all out like I've been sitting on a psychotherapists couch.

“I see. So what should we do about this? Why did you come over here?” She seems genuine and willing to help at least.

“She dared me. Can you just pretend you like me or something, feign some sort of interest?” I plead.

“Sure.” She smiles big and laughs a little bit, touching my arm. She's good.

“You want to come back with me and see if you can read her?” I ask, this is so stupid. I'm the king of pretending.

“I can do that, I see big things for you two.” She suggests. It takes me a little off guard.

“What do you do for a living?” I ask.

“I'm a psychic, a medium. I can speak to spirits.” My eyes widen, oh god. She's crazy. She's fucking crazy.

“Josie, this is Reeva, Reeva, Josie.” I make the introduction and slide in to our round booth, sandwiched between Josie and Reeva, the most uncomfortable sandwich I've ever been a part of in my life.

I watched stunned as the women exchange pleasantries and I pretend I'm paying attention as I order yet another drink to try and calm my nerves. Get me out of here. Literally, what in the hell am I doing.

“So I'm just going to head out then, I'll catch you later Louis.” Josie starts to scoot out, not how I planned this adventure. I've been so lost in my thoughts this past half an hour I didn't even realize time was going by and that Reeva's hands were all over me. I'm sure that helps.

“Josie, wait!” I start scooting after her, “Sorry Reeva, maybe another time.” I half smile as I walk briskly out of the bar. “Josie!” My voice picks up as she stops on the sidewalk. I try and calm my sharp intake of breath, realizing I'm far from the in shape man I used to be. “Where are you going?” I ask her.

“Back to the condo. I figured I'd give you and Rebecca some space.” She clicks away on her phone and waits, I'm assuming for a taxi of some sort.

“It's Reeva, actually.” She drops her phone in her lap and glares at me, making me give a face. Whoops. “And I don't think Reeva is a good fit for me.” I tell her honestly.

“And why is that Louis?” She rolls her head towards me, looking for an explanation.

“She's a psychic, she's crazy.” I bit my inner lip, hoping she takes the bait for conversation.

“Oh, that's amazing. You should get with her.” She says sarcastically and returns back to her phone. I'm at a road block. I take a deep breath and sit down next to her.

“Why do you care so much anyway, you're the one who dared me to talk to her.” I point out, good one Louis.

“I don't care Lou, I left to give you two some space, you're the one who came running out here like you were on fire.” She's smug. A yellow cab pulls up and she starts adjusting her things, “This is me, see you later.” She stands and waits for the cab to come to a complete stop.

“I'll come back with you.” I suggest, grabbing the door to open it for her.

“What about your psychic?” She moves around me and slides in.

“She's a psychic, I'm sure she can get my phone number if she wants it.” I laugh at myself, the effects of the alcohol and adrenaline wearing off on my. Josie, however, seems unfazed by my lackluster humor. “What's going on? You're the one who dared me to talk to her, I did it. You can't be upset, unless...” I let my mind taper off as well as my brain. She obvious in love with me.

“Unless what Louis?” She's been super distant the trip home, letting me think whatever I want and only acknowledging me when I spout off random shit.

“Unless you're hopelessly in love with me.” I slightly laugh, makes me look cocky, but in all reality I'm nervous as fuck.

“Get a grip Louis, you're drunk, I'm tired, and I just want to go to sleep.” She shrugs. That shrug. I sit quietly, wondering how to address the current situation I've gotten myself in. She's cold and distant, I'm like a hopeless puppy following her around and hoping she'll give me a treat for good behavior.

No upper hand here. She's got all the cards and she won't even deal me in.

“I'm not drunk.” I tell her honestly, just being in this tense car ride I've sobered up and can feel the tension in this car, so thick I'm surprised the driver hasn't turned around to see what the hell is the matter with us.

“Ok Lou.” She almost mocks me in her words, I kind of deserve that.

“No, I'm not, I swear. Try me, ask me anything and I'll answer, honestly.” Jesus Louis, lets spout off more shit from my mouth. It's just spewing out like vomit.

“Okay, how many people have you slept with?” My eyes go wide, I was hoping she would have asked me something else, almost anything else.

“Um, more than I prefer to admit.” I fake a smile hoping that answer was enough and she shakes her head. Before she asks another question, “But I know about you Josie.” She looks at me through the corner of her eye. “I'm paying attention. I know that your dad has those tremors, which I can only imagine is why you go in on Saturday to help with paperwork, and that you smash all your cereal into your milk before you take one bite, that you look at every baby in a stroller and your eyes melt a little when you see them, that you're mind is constantly running with thoughts, that when you first step outside you close your eyes and take a deep breath, it's quick but I can see it. I know you Josie. I know that you don't like wine but you pretend to because everyone else loves it, I know-”

Before I can finish Josie comes out of nowhere and takes my chin, kissing me. The stale smell of the cab goes away, my hands instinctively goes around her waist as I gently pull her in and her hands relax to my neck.

The cab suddenly stops and we break away to realize we're back. I wipe my hands on my pants wondering what the hell just happened as Josie pays and simply exits the cab on her side, completely ignoring me as I'm left stunned, she simply walks in the house.

Notes

So lots of dialogue in this chapter! I feel like with so much thought in last chapter we needed some more conversation. And I couldn't leave you hanging about what Louis was thinking. Hopefully this update didn't dissapoint!

Thank you all so much for all the comments and votes, love them all, but like to see so many of you just reading my update!

Have a great day!

xoxox