In Front Of A Camera

• chapter twenty nine •

"I am, really I am." Louis replied, slowly sitting up, but Harry gently pushed him back down.

"No babe, you need to stay home and rest today." Harry told him, his voice was gentle but firm.

"Harry I've already called in sick once before and I started not too long ago. What if they fire me? This probably doesn't look very professional." Louis said, worry etched across his soft features.

"They're not gonna fire you Lou," Harry reassured. "They loved your work, and I guarantee they wouldn't want you working in the state you're in right now."

Louis just sighed. Harry was right, and he knew it. He just hated the guilt that came with this. "I guess you're right." He mumbled, closing his eyes and rubbing at his temples. "I'm sorry Haz."

"Hey, don't be sorry okay?" Harry responded. "Your health comes before work."

Louis nodded a little, still feeling a little guilty but Harry was being so sweet and loving that it eased some of his stress.

"Sarah is coming to watch Everleigh, so I'll just let her know that you're gonna be here too." Harry said, grabbing his phone to text Mitch and Sarah about the situation. "And I'll just ride with Mitch to work."

Louis just nodded again, already starting to drift back to sleep, and Harry just let him, knowing he had to sleep this off.

•

It was about 2 pm, and Harry and the team were finally getting their lunch break. The morning had been pretty crazy, and Harry was ready for some downtime.

Of course the second he sat down though, those familiar angry footsteps came into earshot. With a groan, he stood up, hurrying over to Liam who was stumbling through the door.

"Nope. No way. You need to go." Harry snapped, approaching him with his hands on his hips. "You're not allowed here anymore after last time, remember?"

"I'm not leaving! I've been looking for you all damn day. You can't just take my access to your schedule away." Liam snapped, "Just because you're not staying at the house doesn't mean you get to cut me off."

"And since when did you become in charge of me?" Harry hissed, glancing back at everyone who was staring and grabbing Liam's arm. He could smell the alcohol on him, and sighed. "We're taking this outside."

Guiding Liam out the door and into the parking lot, Harry felt beyond angry. Liam couldn't keep doing this to him. "What the actual fuck are you doing here Liam? You know they could call the cops on you. You're not allowed here."

"Well I didn't know how else to find you." Liam responded, his eyes bloodshot and his face red.

"But you didn't need to find me. You're getting sober and I'm keeping my distance remember?" Harry asked, his arms folded across his chest. He was glad there weren't others in the parking lot at the moment because he did not want people to see him in a parking lot, wearing a white robe and fighting with his drunk boyfriend.

"Well, I lost my fucking job!" Liam exclaimed, spit flying from his mouth as he spoke angrily. "And I need you home."

Harry tilted his head back to the sky, and huffed. "What happened?" He asked, annoyed.

"I missed a shift. I didn't mean to, I just had a couple drinks and overslept." Liam replied, "So I need you back home and contributing."

"Liam you know I can't bring your daughter back into that environment." Harry replied, trying to keep his cool.

"You're not in charge of my fucking daughter Harry!" Liam shouted back, "I want you and her home. Today."

"Liam, I can't have this conversation right now. I have work to do." Harry replied, trying to push the subject away for now, because he really didn't have time to discuss this.

"I'll let you be if you promise to come home tonight." Liam said, his eyes cold.

Harry stared right back at him, his heart full of emotions he didn't even know how to begin processing. "Fine. I'll be there at 7. Now get yourself an Uber and go the fuck home."

Hey guys! I hope you're enjoying the book:) please share any feedback you have it means the world. Thanks so much for reading!!
-💛stella