Chasing Empty Spaces

Chapter 8

Harry looked over Louis' shoulder towards Zayn and nervously shifted his weight.

Apparently following his train of thought, Louis turned towards the other mechanic and gently asked, "Would you mind givin' us a mo'?"

"No worries," Zayn easily said and grabbed a pack of stoked off of a toolbox. He walked towards the mouth of the garage and patted Louis' back, "Take your time."

When Zayn left, Louis moved to reach out for Harry, but stopped because of the grease. He awkwardly lowered his hands and shoved them in his pockets.

"So, what's -"

"My parents want you to come over for dinner," Harry blurted out, his cheeks turning rosy.

Louis' eyebrows shot upwards and his jaw slackened.

"M' sorry," Louis laughed, his brows pinching together, "What?"

Harry groaned scrubbed a hand through his hair, "I asked them about New York and they said I could go if they met you first."

"Okay, well," Louis scratched the back of his neck. He looked up at Harry and shrugged, "I can do that. It's fine."

"No it's not," Harry petulantly grumbled. He embarrassingly crossed his arms, "I'm really sorry."

Louis frowned, "Why would you be sorry?"

"Because it's gonna be horrible," Harry whined.

"I think I can manage acting like a gentleman for a few hours, Stud," Louis bristled with a sour expression.

"No, no, that's not what I meant," Harry quickly reassured. He crossed one foot over the other, "My parents are gonna be horrible, not you." The more he thought about it, the worst he started to feel, "They're gonna be snobs. Probably will say homophobic shit and not know that -"

"Baby, take a breath," Louis softly said. He stepped closer so their shoes brushed, "It's going to okay, yeah?" Louis reassuringly smiled, "I just gotta lie about the whole lumber mill bit, but...It'll be okay. I can handle it."

Harry looked down at his feet and mumbled another, "Sorry."

"Stop apologizing," Louis firmly said, but his tone was still kind. "Besides," He teased, "Now I have an excuse to wear that suit again."

That made Harry groan for a whole different reason.

"What?! I thought you liked the suit!"

"I do," Harry moped, barely resisting the urge to stomp his foot. "You're gonna look gorgeous and I won't be able to do anything about it."

Louis brashly laughed, his head lolling back. He shook his head, "When did you become such a minx, hmm?"

Harry bashfully grinned, "Your fault."

"M' corrupting you," Louis stated as he rested his hands on his hips.

"Definitely," Harry chirped. He waited a moment before carefully asking, "Sure you don't mind?"

Louis shook his head, "If sittin' through one lousy dinner means I get to go to New York with my favorite boy," He tacked on a wink, "I'm up for it."

I love you.

****

The night Louis was due for dinner with the Styles family was the night that Harry thought he was going to have a stroke.

"Harry, are you almost ready?" Anne called from downstairs, heels clattering over the floorboards.

"Yeah, Mama!" Harry shouted back.