All Hidden Away 2

LUKE’S POV

As the door closed behind the two fitness bunnies, I look up to where Harry is still sitting. A light conversation fills the room and I see Lou and Harry talking. Cal grabs the seat next to me.
“What you planning?” he says smiling. I smile and shrug.
“Just something to get some stress off of Tasha’s shoulders, is all.” I say looking at Harry who looks up at me before running his hands through his long hair.
“Harry, could I ask you for a favour?” He looks caught off guard pulling, a confused frown.
“Depends, got anything to do with my sister?” Liam and Niall laugh and Lou sits forward also looking at me. I can feel the nerves growing in my gut but push forward.
“Instead of inviting round Ed and Gem, could I take her out tonight?” I ask not breaking eye contact no matter how badly I want to. A huge grin spreads across his face as Niall says something under his breath and Cal hands Mikey what looks like a tenner. “I mean, you know, stop the rumours about us, and uh… yeah…” I say quickly whipping my sweaty hands on my jeans.
Harry looks at me with a knowing look and Lou raises his eyebrows. The other boys sit in silence and anticipation.
“Mate, I’m saying this once. Don’t play with her feelings. Her ex did that enough to last her a life time. If you want to go on a date with her, say so. Don’t use Claire and this job as an excuse to spend time with her, getting her hopes up for something other than what you see as doing your job.” I swallow the lump in my throat as doubt slowly creeps into my head.
“I-… I was-.” I stutter around the words in my brain. Harry leans forward and rests his arms on his knees while talking.
“Don’t.” he puts out his hand stopping my mumbling. “It’s clear it’s not just a job for you. But give her time. She is fucking useless with noticing things like this. And even if she does notice, she will tell herself she is imagining it. Be straight forward with her.” I don’t know what to say to this and everyone is looking at me.
“It’s not just a job… but I-. I don’t think I’m ready for her to know that just yet.” I say stumbling over my words and with a giant frown on my face.
“He’s gotta check with Liz first, is what he means.” Jokes Mike making Niall and Liam laugh. Harry smiles and stands up before looking at me.
“Come on. I want to talk without these idiots around.” He says smiling and nodding outside. He touches Lou’s shoulder and I nervously stand. I am so dead.

Tasha’s POV

Ash and I had kept a nice medium pace till we got to the park where we stretched for a bit before walking for a bit.
“So, are you guys planning a 5SOS education intervention for me soon then?” I say smiling. He laughs and shakes his head.
“Probably.” He says shrugging. “Can’t have our lead singer’s girlfriend not being able to sing along with the songs or not know how amazingly funny we are.” He says smiling slyly. I laugh and shake my head.
“Just cause the world thinks Luke and I are dating doesn’t mean we are.” I say looking down and retying my loose shoe lace. There is a bit of an awkward silence I find the need to fill.
“And you? Do you have a person to sing along and laugh with?” I ask looking up at him. He smiles and shakes his head.
“As Mikey puts it, I’m as single as a Pringle.” I nod in confusion.
“Pringles are permanently spooning each other…” He looks at me like I’ve just spoken Klingon. “Well, because… you know.” I say standing up and making two cups with my hands and showing what I was trying to explain.” He smiles and his eyes crinkle while he starts giggling like a little girl. I blush and bite the inside of my lip.
“That was brilliant!” he says while still giggling. I see some people point to him over his shoulder. I frown and nod in the direction of the forest.
“Come on, people are starting to look at you.” I say starting off in a jog towards the trail. He soon follows and matches my pace as we run off with him still giggling while we go.

Luke’s POV

“Look, all I’m saying is that I don’t want her to grow feelings for you if this is fuelled by the fact that this is now a contract for you and you want to get laid.” Says Harry earnestly while leaning against the patio covering support and crossing his arms across his chest. I nod and look down at my feet.
“I don’t think that –”
“Think. Think isn’t good enough.” He cuts across me. I look up to see his deadpan expression. “You need to know if this is work,” he lets the word linger in the air. “or if it’s something more.” I frown and play with my lip ring. I mean, he is right. It would be really shitty of me to string her along if it’s a convenience thing.
“Okay.”
“Okay?” he sounds annoyed. I take a deep breath, feeling it fill my lungs and expanding my chest.
“Okay, I’ll ask Claire if we can set up a PR date for tonight to hush up some rumours.” I say not believing a word I was saying. Harry frowns at me and shakes his head. Disappointment. My favourite…
“I was hoping for a different answer.” He says honestly while shuffling around and looking at his feet.
“I need to see where I stand before I lead her on.” I say to him, trying to get that look off of his face.
“Of course. Call Claire, I’m sure she will be delighted.” He says sarcastically before nodding to me in acknowledgement before heading inside. He turns around. “Don’t let the paps get to her…” he says before opening the door and walking through. I sigh and shake my head at my own stupidity.
“You are a fucking idiot, Hemmings.” I mumble to myself before I pull out my phone and bring up Claire’s contact. I take a deep breath before hitting call and trying to wipe the shame off of my face and rubbing my tired eyes. It rings four times before she answers.
“Hemmings.” She says matter of factly while I walk around the garden. “What do you need?”
“Hello, uh… I was just thinking that uh. Tasha and I should go to dinner together tonight.” I say closing my eyes and tilting my head to the sky. There is a moment of silence before she continues.
“Good. A reservation will be made for you for seven at La Trompette for you. Dress in a suit. I will send Lou around at five thirty for Tasha. Money will be sent to you to pay. Anything else?” she asks courtly.
“Uh…”
“Good. Thank you, Hemmings.” She says before hanging up on me. I stare at my phone for a couple of seconds before I shake my head, already regretting my deal with the devil. I head inside hoping the boys wont all hate me.

Tasha’s POV

Ash and I were breathless by the time we walked through the front doors. Nothing hits you like a running and laughing work out.
“No, but then as he sat down-”
“Tash? That you?” I hear Harry shout from the kitchen. I look at Ash and smile.
“No, sorry. Just an axe murderer. Come to kill useless celebs.” I say walking towards the kitchen.
“Well, what a pity. I came specially to see the little brat.” I stop when I hear that voice and smile like crazy as I walk through the door.
“Axe murderers prefer killing gingers with singing careers, you know.” I say leaning against the door seeing Ed sitting on the counter smiling at me.
“Well then, it’s a good thing I’m not a success, init?” he says mischievously before hopping off the counter and walking towards me and engulfing me in a hug. I smile as I wrap my arms around his familiar frame. Well, sort of familiar.
“Jesus, Ed. What have you been doing? Body building?” I say pulling away and smiling at my friend.
“Eh, something like that.” He shrugs before moving back to the counter. “But you’re one to talk. You grew, what? A good few centimetres since I last saw you?” I smile and shrug as I walk over to Lou and grab his cup of tea.
“What can I say? I’m a Styles.” I say before taking a sip and grimacing at how bad it tastes. “What did you do, piss in it?” I say pulling a face.
“Nah, the milk must have curdled when it smelt you.” He says nonchalantly staring at his cup. I pull a finger at him and walk to the fridge to grab some water.
“You’re in a better mood than earlier.” Notices Harry looking at me in acquisition.
“Yeah, going for a run after discussing the fact I could have died at five does tend to do that to me.” I say grabbing a water bottle and drinking heavily. “Speaking of, where are the other shits?” I say looking up as Ash walks into the kitchen.
“Where my loser band mates?” he asks looking confused. “Oh shit. Hey, mate.” He says walking up to Ed. They hug each other before Harry answers.
“They went to knock some sense into the blonde one.” My ears pick up and I turn to him eyes his tone of voice.
“The blonde one?” I say raising my eyebrows.
“Yes. The same one who organised a PR date through Claire for you too tonight.” Says Louis rudely. I scoff.
“No, he didn’t. He didn’t ask me.” I say crossing my arms over my chest. Harry shrugs and shoots a glance at me. “No… he didn’t. Right?” I turn to Ash with my mouth slightly open. “We wouldn’t, right?” Ash looks back at me with big eyes.
“It doesn’t sound like a Hemmo thing to do, no.” I look at Harry and Louis.
“Go check your phone then. Lou said she was coming over at five thirty.” I frown and storm off upstairs to my room. I open my door and walk over to my phone to see messages from Luke, Stu and Jared… and a message from Claire.

“Dinner reservation at La Trompette for seven. Lou will be over at five thirty to get you ready.”

“You mother fu-” I say choking on the emotions collecting in my throat.
“So, dating some rock star so you can go on tour, hey?” I hear Ed say behind me. I turn to see him leaning against my door frame. “If someone other than Harry told me, I would of told them to sod off cause they were wrong.” I look back down at my phone.
“Better than dating my best friend to spend some time with my brother.” I say shrugging. “It’s fine. It’s not like we are really dating or even like each other.” I say trying to process the words. If he liked me, he would have taken me on a proper date and not organised one with Claire…
“Yeah, of course. Which is why you are not freaked out or hurt that he has done this.” He says raising his eyebrows at me. There is a moment of silence.
“You got more tattoos.” I say pointing to his arm. He stares at me a few seconds before looking to my bathroom indicating for me to go shower. He turns away to walk back downstairs.
“And you haven’t improved how bad you are at lying.”

Notes