Chasing Empty Spaces

Chapter 3

Why do you even care?

Harry shook the internalized question from his conscious as Louis turned to angle his body towards Zayn. Louis’ eyes skirted over Zayn’s shoulder and his step faltered when he made eye contact with Harry. Harry’s jaw tensed and he didn’t know what else he could do other than stare back at the other man. The light in Louis’ eyes dimmed when they skated over Harry’s hand clasped around Faye’s. For a reason that was unfathomable to Harry, the crease in Louis’ forehead was enough for him to jerk his hand out of Faye’s clutch.

Faye made an affronted noise from the back of her throat, but Harry was watching still looking at Louis. Zayn followed Louis’ gaze and when recognition flashed over his expression, he wrapped an arm around Louis’ shoulders to mumble something by his ear. Louis nodded to whatever Zayn said and slowly turned away. Harry’s fingers dug into the table as he watched the two men crossed the street towards the bar’s entrance.

Harry slumped into his seat as something close to helplessness pooled inside his chest. His eyes were locked on their retreating figures and he ignored Faye’s pointed kick into his shin. Just before Louis stepped onto the sidewalk, he shrugged off Zayn’s arm and spun back around. Harry quickly sat upright once more as if he had been electrocuted. Louis meaningfully tilted his head in the direction of Old Dog and crooked a finger towards his chest. Heat crept along Harry’s neck at the implication as Louis disappeared inside the entrance.

“What’re ya lookin’ at?” Faye whined with obscenely needy inflection in her voice.

He slowly dragged his attention away from the window and shook his head, eyes darting from Faye’s entitled expression. He fidgeted a button along his shirt, his shoulders noncommittedly lifting.

“Thought I saw someone I knew from the club,” Harry lied.

“Oh,” Faye drawled out, seemingly pacified that Harry didn’t mention another woman. She toyed with her necklace, “In the mood for some dessert?”

Harry chanced another glimpse across the street before he met Faye’s eyes. “Ya know,” He schooled a slightly pained frown on his face, “M’ not feeling too well, actually.”

“Aw, you poor baby,” Faye immediately cooed and at her word choice, Harry nearly did feel legitimately unwell. She leaned forwards and pressed the back of her hand against his forehead, “You do look a lil’ peaky.”

Forcing a cough out of his chest, Harry pathetically nodded.

“Think we could just get the check?” He hopefully asked, jutting his bottom lip into a pout.

“Course, puddin’,” Faye chirped. She snapped her fingers in the air to get their waiter’s attention, “We can get dessert another time.”

Harry tried not to grimace, “Right.”

After paying without a glance at the price listed on their bill, Harry led them out of the restaurant.

“You’re sleeping at Mary’s, yeah?” Harry checked, praying that he didn’t have to drive her back home.

Faye nodded and stepped closer, her fingers snaking along the lapels of his suit. Harry slightly leaned his head back as she daintily patted his chest.

“Too bad you ain’t feelin’ well,” Faye pouted. Her finger hooked inside his button down and suggestively tacked on, “We could have had some real fun before I went to Mary’s.”

Harry awkwardly patted her shoulder, “Yeah, um,” he cleared his throat, “Dang.”

Faye wolfishly smirked, “Next time for sure.”