Gotta Be You [Complete]

Chapter 51

“Oh. No, not at all. Please, continue,” he said, waving his hand between us. He continued to give us a goofy smile and I just shook my head while smiling up at him.

“Where’s Liam?” I heard Harry say from outside.

“Shh!” Liam said to me. He suddenly tried to look nonchalant as he looked around the room, pretending to be interested in it.

“Do we need to give you leash?” We saw Louis coming through the door before walking over to Liam. “Let them have some peace and quiet.”

Louis pulled on Liam’s arm and started hauling him out towards the door. Liam started laughing, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he smiled.

“They didn’t mind!” he said.

“Uh-huh. Sure,” Louis said, rolling his eyes. “Sorry about that.” He gave a small wave before closing the door quietly behind him. 

Slowly, I brought my eyes towards Niall again. He was still looking at me and even though he could only open one eye, I couldn’t help but feel nervous under his gaze. 

I stood there awkwardly, my arms still crossed across my chest. 

Suddenly, Niall held out his hand towards me. “Come here.” 

I slowly uncrossed my arms before walking over to him. I placed my hand in his and he pulled me closer to him. I sat down on the side of the bed as Niall brought his other hand up and lightly grazed it over my neck. 

He looked at it intently, his eyebrows furrowing.

“Does it hurt?”

I realized that he noticed the bruises on my neck as he continued to look at it, his fingertips brushing over them. I couldn’t help the goosebumps that appeared under his light touch.

I just shook my head. Surely, my injuries were nothing compared to his.

I brought my hand up slowly to his face. I could see his face soften as I brushed some of his hair to the side. And then I mimicked his actions and traced my fingers over his bruises and cuts. I could feel his gaze burning into my skin but I kept my eyes focused on the bruises. 

I ran my fingers over the cut on his lip and he hissed and winced in pain. I snatched hand away before I placed it on his abdomen.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

He shook his head. “It’s okay. It didn’t hurt that much.”

I looked at him for a moment and soon tears formed in my eyes.

“Not for that.” I paused as he looked at me confusedly. “I’m sorry for everything. It was my fault.” I looked down causing tears to fall on the blanket.

A second later, I felt him place his finger under my chin before pushing it up, forcing me to look at him.

“It’s not your fault, Isla. If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s mine. I should’ve listened to what you had to say. If I did, none of this would’ve happened. You would think that I would’ve learned from last time.” He grinned at me. “But I’m an idiot.”

I couldn’t help but smile back at him.

“Let’s just not worry about that. I’m just glad you’re okay,” he said.

“I’m perfectly fine,” I said, shaking my head. “But you…”

“Don’t worry about me. I can handle it,” he said. He flexed his arms and I burst out in laughter, feeling the air around us get lighter.