Notice Me

Chapter 34

Harry-

Aria's eyes are wide as I make my way back to the private booth, the air is different though. Her brother is next to her and there is a tenseness coming from him.

Well, guess it's time to meet the brother.

"Hey Shawn, nice to finally meet you." I smile and hold my hand out towards him, he stares at it for a few minutes before shaking it. I side glance at Aria who looks away and chews her lip, "everything alright?"

"It is now," Shawn quips before shooting Aria an annoyed glance and brushing past me causing me to furrow my brows.

"What did I do wrong?" I ask, Niall said that Shawn was really cool but right now he's the exact opposite.

"It's not you Harry," Aria mumbles. She looks up at me but once her eyes meet mine they dart away quickly.

"What is it Ari? Are you alright?" I ask as I take her wrist, she winces at my gentle touch causing my heart to drop. "What happened?"

"Levi was here," she whispers and my blood runs cold.

"What did he do to you?" I ask, my grip tightens on her wrist causing her to whimper. I quickly pull her into my chest and wrap my arms tightly around her. "I'm so sorry Ari, I shouldn't have left."

"If he wants to get to me he will Harry, you won't always be around." She says reminding me that in two days I leave to LA before finishing my North American tour and heading out to Europe.

I can cancel the tour, right?

"I'm alright Harry," her heavenly voice cuts into my thoughts and I instantly relax. "Shawn got to me before he could do anything."

Yea but those bruises on your wrist shouldn't be there my love.

"Really Harry, I'm fine." My girl assures me and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I had been holding.

"The shows over sir, we should get you guys backstage." My security guard Tom suggests, I nod and he grabs Layla before leading us backstage where Niall and Shawn are in a tense conversation.

They don't notice us at first, Shawn's body language is rigid and Niall is frowning as he crosses his arms. "Hey Ari!" He chirps once he sees my girl, a pang of jealousy hits and I clench my jaw as I fight off the urge to be possessive of Aria. May not bode well to attack her with my mouth in front of her brother who stands a good two inches taller than me.

Aria gives Niall a hug as Layla stands there dumbfounded, I nudge her towards him as he smiles brightly. "You must be Layla, I've heard wonderful things about you." He says causing her to blush profusely.

Like a smooth Irish ale Nialler.

"Why didn't you tell me you would be here Shawn?" Aria scolds her little brother who rolls his eyes.

"Do I really need to?"

"Well I hope you'll find the couch comfortable tonight, Naill's already claimed the guest room." She retorts as he chuckles.

"That couch is way too short for me, you crazy Ari?" He quips.

"Why don't you just stay with me tonight Aria?" I suggest, Shawn glares at me and I look down at my girl. "Shawn can stay in your room-"

"And you can stay in his guest room," he interrupts me and Aria shoves him.

"I'm a grown ass woman Shawn, let me be!"

That ass is grown, let me tell you.... Down boy! Not in front of her brother who looks like he's about rip your junk off.

"I guess if it will keep me off the couch," Shawn says teasingly. "But first we go out to dinner, I need to get to know your beau a bit more."

**

Dinner was full of questions and unsaid threats but at the end of it Shawn knew that I was genuinely interested in his sister. There was some casual flirting between Layla and Niall but I could tell that Niall's mind was elsewhere especially with his fall tour kicking off. Shawn and I had a bit of a pissing match when it came to the bill but I ended up winning in the end.

He pulled Aria aside for a few before we parted ways, she seemed tense for some reason. She was quiet during the ride home but I knew once in the comfort of my home I'd get her talking.

Aria chews her lip as we make our way to my place, her golden brown eyes reflect the city lights leaving me almost breathless.

Oh Aria, you don't know what you do to me.

"I think I should leave one of my security behind when I leave for L.A. tomorrow, just in case." I suggest and Aria shakes her head.

"The press already knows about me because of Shawn, I'm not going to hide Harry." She replies sternly causing me to sigh, I bring her hand up to my lips and she glances at me.

"If something happened to you because of me Ari, I don't know if I could take that. I know it's so quick but I-"

"We're here sir," my driver interrupts keeping me from pouring my heart out. I nod curtly behind leading Aria out of the car and into the elevator, as the box climbs up the confidence I had in telling her how I really feel falls away. I'm just so afraid to be hurt again and I know what I feel for Aria is twice what I felt for Georgia, I'm not ready to give her that power...

Not yet at least.

I'M BACK BITCHES