The Only Exception (H. Styles/ Bwwm)

Chapter Eleven

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I guess this would be the first and last time I ever go to the gym with Harry again. I didn't even question if he would take it easy on me since this is my first time going but, Harry being Harry....

He tried to kill me.

It started with a nice warm up and once he thought that I was good to go, he tried to kill me. I didn't complain though, it's been a while since I've been in the gym. I was fine with the squats, crunches and lifting weights but, the treadmill was hell.

I wasn't sure I was going to make it through the sprints, not the intense workout he had in mind. So I had to remind him I gave birth to his child, she almost killed me then and my body wasn't the way it was in high school so... he needed to calm the fuck down.

He just laughed brushing it off as he always did and still tried to get me to go back on the treadmill for another thirty minutes. we argued back-and-forth for five of those and then it's in once he realized I wasn't giving in, he just gave up. We were here for almost two hours I think that's all I needed for today.

"You did better than I thought" he said passing me a water bottle as I chuckled wiping my face. I grabbed the water bottle " Thank you. that wasn't bad for the first workout. I definitely need to go more though" " That's up to you. Yoga seems to be doing good for you, you look good" "Yoga keeps me toned but I could barely make it on that treadmill, I need to work on that" I laughed shaking my head as he joined nodding.

"You can build your endurance for that. I can help you if you want" he offered smiling and I nodded knowing I needed it. " You want to deal with me even more now? You're not getting tired of me yet" I joked and he left shaking his head picking up his in my bag.

"I think I can manage..." he smiled hitting my arm as we headed towards the front of the gym. "Once a week wouldn't cut it so let me know when you're free after work and we'll see what we can do, three times a week should be good. They have a daycare here too so Gabby won't be an excuse on why you can't come" he simply stated eyeing me suspiciously.

I laughed and nervously "Don't try to kill me though, I just started Harry" "Well y-" he froze up instantly making me stop then look in the direction he was looking. I followed his eyes and it landed on

"Amber?" He whispered out still looking at her as if he was in disbelief. She was mimicking his facial expression. Shock, disbelief then happiness. I smiled watching him hurry over to her as I stayed back giving them some time to talk and even catch up. I don't know exactly what happened between them but I know that they had something good after we had our fall out.

Instead of just standing there I headed out of the gym and towards the car happy it was a nice day so I didn't have to just look like a creep or anything watching them talk.

I wasn't sure exactly why they broke up either, the way they were right now seemed like the feelings are still there. We never spoke, never had a reason to but she seems like a nice girl from what I've seen and heard about her. She was the girl I would expect him to be with, the girl he deserved. She made him happy even after us. After I broke his heart.

-Four Years Ago-

I stood there frozen in shock as I look into his eyes, his pleading eyes waiting for me to give him a response he hoped for. He knew I couldn't give him that but, he still hoped for it. It was my worst fear happening, the one I knew could potentially mess us up and hurt the friendship we had and desperately needed.

Those three words changed everything for us and I wasn't sure if we could go back to us.

"I love you" The words repeated in my mind overwhelming me as I thought of what to say to him. What could I say to make this go back to how it was? What could I say to make sure he didn't leave with his heart broken and feeling embarrassed?

Nothing.

This was never hard for me, I never cared about anyone else. I didn't care about anyone else leaving me either but, I didn't want to let him go. I knew I have to but, it was breaking me watching him and feeling time go past. With every second I let go pass with me staring at him, I knew I was pretty much confirming my feelings. They weren't mutual.

Of course, I loved him, I loved him with all my heart but I wasn't in love with him. I couldn't give him what he wanted.

He looked down defeated nodding and understanding it already. "Look I'm sorry for just springing that forward on you, I didn't mean to put you on the spot. It did slip out but, it's not a lie Ren. I know it's not your type of thing and I promised we wouldn't get to that point but, I can't help it. You're hard not to love" he whispered out.

I close my eyes and able to respond. Why couldn't this have been easier? Why did I have to be the bad guy? Could we possibly recover from this?

"Harry... you're my best friend but..." I couldn't finish the sentence feeling my heart crush in my chest. We both didn't want me to finish the sentence but, we both understood where I was going with it.

He bit his lip holding his hand up instantly shutting me up and he nodded."Don't worry about it-" "I'm sorry, just believe me when I say it's not you, it's-" he shook his head giving me a small a smile as he picks his clothes up putting them on and silence.

"It's okay. You don't believe in love. That was my fault for pushing it... I'm going to head out, got to be up early. Talk to you later" he whispered kissing me head gently before heading out of my house never to return again.

-Present Day-

That was the last time we actually would be considered best friends. There were no more phone calls texting or popping up, that really ended everything for us sadly. After that time, months later I ran into him at the store. He was leaving in a few days and I had a little stomach.

Life gave me a second chance and I blew it by lying to him but, life wasn't going to give up on it that easy. He was brought here again and maybe it wasn't to make an impact on my life but someone else's. Gabby's or maybe even... Amber's.

Whoever it was or however it was supposed to be, I was going to let it. I wasn't going to try to fight anything that was happening.

I looked over to them hugging with the biggest smiles on their face. Maybe everyone was supposed to get what they wanted. He would get his happiness, Gabby would get her father in her life and I would get my best friend back.

Only time will tell.