No Strings Attached

Chapter Five

“You’ve been on my mind ever since I saw you last week and I’d really appreciate it if you would just get out. So let’s just do this and be done with it.”

So that was it. They did it and they were done with it. Why would they need to see each other again? 

Silently making peace with the fact that Harry was finally out of his system, he said, “No. No, probably not.”

Zayn eyed him suspiciously, wordlessly wondering how Louis could be so casual about the entire situation. This was anything but normal. But if he was happy and – more importantly – relieved of his sexual frustration, then he really couldn’t complain, could he?

“Okay,” Zayn conceded. “Then I guess that means we can all move on.”

“Yes, thank you,” Louis sighed, relieved.

“Then maybe you can think about finding someone…normal next time you want a decent screw.” His eyes sparkled, playful once more.

Louis scoffed. He looked over to Rosie, who was sleeping soundly on the couch. In moments like these, he was surprised by how much she looked like Eleanor, even when she wasn’t awake. It wasn’t that he necessarily missed his ex-girlfriend, because who in their right mind would leave behind a family without even having the decency of leaving a long, explanatory letter? No, he found he no longer had room in his heart for the girl that admitted to leaving behind her seven-month-old in a text message. Since then, Louis just didn’t feel ready for another relationship. 

But that didn’t mean he was the casual type either, especially after last night. As unforgettable as his experience with Harry was, it would never amount to anything more than an anecdote or a dirty memory for particularly lonely nights. Louis discovered he wasn’t one for waking up to an empty bed unless he fell asleep that way. He couldn’t explain it; that was just who he was. And he wasn’t sure he had met anyone worth compromising that position any time soon.

“Nah, I probably won’t be doing that again,” Louis muttered, swirling his spoon in his cuppa. “Not really my thing.” 

***

Louis was in bed earlier than usual that night. He couldn’t find a program he enjoyed on the television, and Rosie had fallen asleep midway through their bedtime story. And since Zayn was working tonight, he figured that an early night in wasn’t exactly a bad thing. 

He flipped absentmindedly through a book he borrowed from his mum, one that he promised to return last Christmas. Why did he think tonight was the night he was going to finally finish it? 

He sighed, frustrated that he wasn’t anywhere near tired yet. After last night’s blissful sleep, he was almost reluctant to go to bed, knowing fully well that it wouldn’t be nearly as refreshing as he had built up in his mind. So he sprawled pathetically across his bed, waiting for sleep or some other heavy object to smother him into unconsciousness. 

His attention had been drawn to a paint splotch on the wall when he heard his phone buzz on the nightstand. He scrambled toward it almost too eagerly, excited for whatever human contact this text message afforded. But he suddenly had trouble breathing when he read the message waiting for him. 

stole your number before sneaking out this morning. can i call you?

Louis was sure his heart skipped several beats in the time it took him to read, reread, and reread the text one more time. He glanced around the room foolishly, like he was expecting someone to intimate whatever protocol was applicable to this current predicament. But he looked back at the text message that still required and response, and he stupidly typed what first came to mind.

harry?

Of course it was Harry. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t double check. 

Several agonizing minutes passed before his phone buzzed again, and he nearly smacked himself in the face with excitement. 

you’re cute. can i call?

right now?

i wouldn’t be texting you if i didn’t mean right now

er…sure.

A minute barely passed before his phone burst to life with the same unfamiliar number blinking on the screen. He hesitated, wondering if answering the call would breach some sort of internal agreement he had with himself. But it took just about the same amount of time for Louis to convince himself he was being stupid, and he pressed ‘Answer.’ 

“H – Hello?” His voice was scratchy, and he cleared his throat. 

There was a low chuckle on the other line and then, “Hey, Lou.”

“What’s up? I mean, how are you? I mean – ” He couldn’t help but groan. “Hi.”

“You ever take a phone call before, mate?” Louis could hear Harry’s amused tone.

“Shut up,” Louis responded a little too easily. “Is this something I should be getting used to? Late night texts and phone calls from strange numbers?”

“It’s not strange if you save it to your contacts,” Harry replied simply. “And I don’t know. Should it?”

How the hell did you answer that?

“Erm…” he began, but Harry’s laughter interrupted him.

“Look, I’d like to see you again,” Harry said with no preamble. “Would that – would that be okay?”

Louis’ mind raced with a thousand potential answers, but the one he arrived at was, “You mean like, sleep together again?” He could have killed himself. 

“Ha, not right away,” Harry replied mercifully. Though as an afterthought he added, “Not that I wouldn’t like to do that again. But it’d be nice to see you in the daytime for a change, and not in a grocery store. Don’t worry, this isn’t a date or anything. Just some coffee. I know a place where we won’t be bothered.”

By now, it seemed pointless to argue, so Louis sighed in resignation.

“Sure,” he said, and he thought that maybe he heard Harry make some sort of noise that resembled relief on the other line. “I’m free tomorrow afternoon right after my lunch shift, if that works with you.”

“Perfect,” Harry responded. “I’ll text you directions. Make sure you add this number.”

Louis chuckled. “I’ll do that first thing. I’ll see you tomorrow then, Harry.”

“See you tomorrow, Lou.” And he hung up. 

Almost as if by reflex, Louis instantly threw his phone to the foot of the bed, glaring at it like it betrayed every single promise he made with himself to never see Harry Styles again.