Chasing Empty Spaces

Chapter 7

“I know I’m s’posed to take stuff slowly,” Harry mumbled, a playful timbre to his voice, “But…Um. I missed you. A lot.”

He looked up from the gravel to see Louis watching him with a sheer amount of warmth that couldn’t be rivaled by a thousand burning suns. Louis cupped Harry’s jaw and raised himself to the balls of his feet, mouth hovering aside Harry’s ear, “Missed you, baby.”

Harry exhaled, his shoulders sagging and he turned his cheek to gently knock their heads together. Louis slowly lowered himself and thumbed over his shoulder, “Ready?”

Once the three of them were piled inside the truck, Harry pulled out of the parking lot. Streetlamps hazily illuminated the main road and raucous laughter filtered from local bars. Zayn was perched in middle of the backseat, leaning forward so he was practically upfront with Harry and Louis. He was restlessly fidgeting with the radio, static uselessly pouring from the speakers.

“Buddy,” Louis groaned after a moment, smacking Zayn’s hand away, “Give it a rest.”

Zayn let out a disgruntled huff and flicked it off. He slumped back into the seat, “What’s the point of havin’ a radio when there’s no reception out here anyhow?”

Harry shrugged, “S’ not bad up by the plantation.”

“But you’re not listenin’ to your car radio when you’re home,” Zayn pointedly said.

Louis swiftly reached back and thwacked Zayn in the arm, “Don’t go insultin’ the driver’s car, dickhead.”

Zayn flicked Louis in the forehead, making Harry snicker and Louis let out an offended yelp.

“S’okay,” Harry looked over the center counsel towards Louis, “He’s not wrong.”

“Thank you, Harry,” Zayn snuffed, smacking the back of Louis’ head.

Louis batted Zayn’s hands away and then promptly folded his arms. Harry didn’t have to look over to know Louis was glaring at him.

“Last time I try to defend you, Stud.”

Harry laughed and shook his head, “We both know that’s not true.”

“Is too,” Louis childishly snipped.

“Is not,” Both Harry and Zayn chimed in unison.

Louis was muttering something about betrayal as Harry parked the truck in the filling lot. The luxury cars that surrounded them were already spilling out with lushly dressed patrons. Gaudy jewels cocooned women’s fingers and ropes of pearls circled their dainty throats. The men were uniformed with puffing cigars and tailored suits, impressive mustaches curling over lips. Harry tightly grinned at one of the regulars before turning to look at Louis and Zayn.

“I gotta go backstage when we get in, but I’ll find y’all after, yeah?”

Zayn nodded and Louis subtly pursed his lips. Harry blew a kiss back, fondness swarming inside his chest. Climbing out of the truck, they walked towards the club’s entrance and waited in the small queue. The itch to touch Louis was clawing Harry’s bloodstream, but he knew that he had to be careful. A few hidden grazes inside the dimmed sections of the club would go unrecognized however, anything more could be detrimental. Resisting temptation, Harry shoved his hands into the satin lining of his pockets and kept his eyes set forward.

Louis nudged his side as they stepped forwards, “Is she gonna be here tonight?”

Harry didn’t have to ask who Louis meant.

“I really fuckin’ hope not.”

“If she is and comes up to ya,” Louis lowered his voice and waited for Harry to look at him, “M’ not gonna hang around.”