Undeniable
Harry Styles x OC
Chapter 1: "To New Friends"
It was a rainy day in London. The sky was a dreary shade of gray and the clouds were leaking heavily on the city below. The city was buzzing with activity, the people crowding the streets with umbrellas and raincoats. It was the end of the day for most of the city employees, Big Ben smiling down on the Londoners, cueing happy hour for those who had quite enough of their desk jobs and cubicles for the day. Of course it was also the signal for many to get out of bed and onto their evening jobs. In a few hours the streets would be alive with a whole new sort of crowd and the London night life would begin.
Addison Layne Warner had finally settled in after her week long trek through London's streets. She, being an American university student from the west coast of the US, was just now getting accustomed to the time change. Her body no longer fought the urge to sleep during odd hours and insomnia was no longer her enemy at night. It only took seven days of sleep deprivation and lax reflexes on the job, but now that it was Friday, she was feeling more rested than ever.
She blamed a mix up in paperwork that landed her in London the night before her internship at the British Museum. It had been one of the most chaotic days since her back to back finals last month and even then she'd been able to get some rest. But she wasn't about to waste her time snoozing in some nook in the museum when she should be doing research and taking notes. It was easier for the rest of the interns who had been flown in five days earlier to adjust to the city and its time zone. There were fifteen of them total. All of them between the ages of 20 and 23 with a long list of impressive qualifications like her own. Three of them, including herself had come all the way from the U.S., yes three from every country. Whilst the U.S. had a pool of over 5,000 applicants, the pools for the other countries had been significantly larger due. 7,000 had applied from France, 8,000 from Germany, 10,000 from China and a whopping 11,500 from jolly old England herself. The pools were cut down to five countries a year, those five being the ones with the most applicants. The U.S. had only beaten India by about a hundred.
She was one of the lucky ones.
Though, her gran would have told her it had nothing to do with luck. "Fate," she'd say. "It's Fate that brings you where you need to be." To Addie it was more or less her 12-page qualifications packet demonstrating her academic, linguistic, and professional competencies, as well as her five impeccable letters of reference from her department heads and esteemed professors. It had been particularly helpful that she spoke three languages; the minimum qualification was two – including English.
She had been raised well. Being the youngest of five children as well as the only girl was tough at times, especially on their gran who had become their legal guardian when Addie was only seven years old. She didn't like the dark memories of her parents death, the details still jumbled in her mind as she remembered the police coming to the door, the crash footages on the news and then of course the funeral. She had never been too close with her parents, who chose to work more than spend time with their children, but she still found herself missing them from time to time. Especially her mom.
But she would never complain about her upbringing. Her gran had saw to it that they enjoyed their childhoods, but still grew up under a rigorous curriculum, even outside of school. Sports, music, languages, academics, and literature were Addie's friends growing up. It had been her parents' wish to see all of them grow to be well-rounded individuals, especially Peter, her eldest brother who was named after their father and expected to become just the man he had been. Peter didn't mind. He enjoyed law and he enjoyed being successful. He was only 26 and already he was married with a child and running the Warner family law firm. Just because Addie was the youngest of the five, she wasn't spoiled or let off the hook for the fast track to success. In fact, most of the time she felt like she was working harder just to prove herself. Luckily, her gran thought the children needed a little fun in their lives every now and then, otherwise they might all be like the rest of the snobby goody-two-shoes that walked the hallways of their prep schools.
Addie liked her life, loved it even, but there were times when she felt that she had been sheltered. She wanted to have fun and let loose, but she wasn't sure how to do that on her own. She would never tell her family, but that was another reason she'd applied to the internship in London. She wanted to get away from everything. She had a few friends and a rocky relationship with her now ex-boyfriend Wes. He was just another reason to add to her list of things that made her want to leave for the summer. And what a summer it was turning out to be. The week was over and while she was thoroughly enjoying her internship, she ready to thoroughly enjoy her freedom for the weekend.
So now she was making her way down the large steps with her red umbrella in a sea of black ones. She was nearly at the bottom when she heard her name, oddly enough, being shouted behind her. She glanced over her shoulder quickly, recognizing the familiar America accent and saw Kyle Crawford, a fellow intern, making his way to where she had stopped.
"Hey," he said, out of breath. She glanced at him curiously.
"Weren't you in the lab today? I thought those guys didn't let anyone out before 8?" she laughed, referring to the rotation she had taken just the night before. The restoration lab was one of the most interesting places she's been assigned to so far, though the scientists were workaholics who basically had to be forced to leave.
"I'm rather convincing, and it's Friday so they were pretty understanding by my need to get the hell out of there," Kyle replied causing Addie to laugh.
"Yeah it's been one of those weeks hasn't it?" she asked. "Want to catch a cab with me back to the flats?"
"Thanks," he responded and stood next to her as she awaited her turn to catch the attention of a passing taxi driver. "So I'm sure you're exhausted, what with you coming in Sunday night and all."
"Actually I'm feeling much better. I've finally caught up with the rest of the group so don't write me off just yet. I'll be on top of my game next week," she joked. He laughed and nodded. Addie got the impression that she had just interrupted him so she refrained from continuing her joke any further and just waited for him to speak.
"I'm sure you'll be great," he said awkwardly and she raised an eyebrow. "So, since you're well rested, how do you feel about getting something to eat later? My treat?" Addie froze momentarily, the rain pouring all around her and she wondered if the sound had caused her to mistake Kyle's words for a date proposition. She had been sure he was interested in Melanie, the French intern from Paris. But he'd said food and he'd offered to pay, that definitely sounded similar to a date. Then again, there weren't many people they knew in this city, perhaps it was just a friendly dinner offer, or so she hoped.
"Uh yeah Kyle, that'd be nice," she finally said as the taxi approached. Kyle smiled, charmingly as he opened the door and let her hop in first.
It was a short 10 minute drive on a normal day and at a normal time, but rush hour traffic was horrific. It was a good half hour of Addie sitting there, damp from the storm as she listen to Kyle talk about his family of doctors in Connecticut. Yes, Kyle was one of those guys, complete with a complicated dysfunctional family and a trust fund that he couldn't touch for another four years. He was an Ivy League guy, Yale to be specific and liked to flaunt that, or so she'd noticed. He was spoiled, she'd gotten that after talking to him for five minutes on orientation day. She'd been somewhat intrigued by his handsome looks. His hair was a light sandy-blond color completely contrasting her own dark locks. Though they shared similar eyes, light blue and piercing. That was his best feature which had been immediately written off once he opened his mouth. Arrogance. It was something she couldn't stand in a man. There was a difference between confidence and arrogance, and when she was presented with the latter, it was an immediate turn off.
Which is why she desperately hoped tonight wasn't in fact a date and that he had in fact just asked her out because they temporarily lived in the same building. She wasn't a prude, not really, and she was definitely not opposed to some ridiculously romanticized fling that would end in false promises to keep in touch. But she wasn't looking for love and she certainly wasn't looking to get involved with a douche like Kyle. Addie didn't believe in love, not like the storybooks anyways. She knew one day she'd settle down and get married. She enjoyed the sensation of a sweet kiss and the touch of man's hand on her thigh. But she wasn't sure if she'd ever find that thing that so many of her friends from the past had described as the greatest feeling on earth…love. Addie was perfectly content with a guy who was good in the sack and who could respect her enough to give her space when she needed it. Said ex-boyfriend wasn't exactly fond of her lack of enthusiasm when it came to most things.
Hence the EX part.
She had been relieved when she'd closed her apartment door behind her, leaving her in the rather roomy, yet empty dimness that was her private flat. She loved the space and loved that she didn't have to share it with a roommate. She preferred living alone just as she did in California.
Kyle told her he'd pick her up at 8 o'clock, leaving her plenty of time to lollygag around before she started getting ready. After she was satisfied that she didn't look frumpy yet not desperate either, she sat on the covered balcony and read a few chapters in her book before she heard her cell 'ding.' She pulled the iPhone over to her, a phone she was still unfamiliar with since her brother Jake and gifted it to her just before she'd shipped out for London. He'd be very specific about how to use in whilst over here and though she was sort of getting the hang of it, she was really missing her blackberry about now.
She slid the 'unlock' bar open, only to find a text from Kyle who said he was on his way up to get her. She sighed and placed a post-it in her book to mark her place and grabbed her purse. She looked up at the clock as she sat silently at the table near the door; he was going to be right on time, she thought, 'how charming.' She rolled her eyes at the punctuality, not sure why the admirable trait was irritating but she couldn't help but feel annoyed with ever slow tick of the second hand. The light rapping against her door signaled his arrival, right on cue, and she opened the door with a forced smile.
The rest of the night was well executed on his part. He was well mannered, asked her about her family, laughed at all her ill-timed jokes, and told her how beautiful she looked in her casual attire. He'd taken her to a nice restaurant, but one that was local enough that she didn't feel trapped in a tourist hub. She was polite and not at all rude when he made a few passes at her that she brushed off as simple compliments. Addie was a cynic and was slightly naïve when it came to guys. She'd admit that.
So she was slightly surprised when they walked out and he tried to kiss her.
"Whoa, Kyle…wait," she said pulling away as he grabbed her around her small waist. He didn't let go but he smiled and stopped, looking at her expectantly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm kissing you," he said, amused as he leaned in to kiss her again, but she put her hand between their faces.
"Kyle stop," she said seriously, more force than she had before and he paused with a frown.
"Oh come on, you don't expect me to believe that you aren't interested? You've been flirting with me all night," Kyle complained. He pulled her closer, this time making Addie feel slightly claustrophobic in his grasp. "Come on just relax and stop trying to control everything. Have a little fun." He succeeded in placing his lips against hers with significant force that caused her to feel the need to struggle against his hold. He was bigger than her 5 ft. 3 frame, at least by a foot, but she wasn't giving up just because he was getting what he wanted. So instead of giving in, she shoved him away.
"I said stop!" she warned him, raising her voice and placing her fingers in her handbag, secretly searching for the pepper spray keychain that she was hoping she wouldn't have to use.
"What's your problem?" he asked her, holding his hands out and shrugging. "I take you out for a nice dinner, we talk, you seem completely into me, I don't see the issue."
"Well if you can't see the problem, then you clearly don't understand that I am in fact, not at all interested in making out with you or anything else that you had in mind for tonight." He scoffed at this. "So don't touch me."
"You know, Oliver said you seemed like a prude but I pegged you for something else," he said cryptically and Addie wondered who else had been discussing her personal life behind her back during work hours, besides Oliver, from Germany who had been so nice to her this past week. "Private schools, crazy friends, rich dead parents."
"Excuse me?" she asked, insulted by his words.
"The kind of girl with issues, which you clearly have plenty of. Just not the right ones to let me into your pants obviously," he laughed only to receive a loud smack against his cheek in return with all the anger pulsing through her veins at his comment.
"And to think I thought you were just a prick with a trust fund. Turns out you're one of those date rape frat guys who doesn't like to hear the word 'no' ever." She had plenty more words for him, to describe the personality that she had seen way too much of at Berkeley, but her thoughts were interrupted as he grabbed both of her arms tightly once more and started dragging her across the parking lot. She was ready to scream, certainly someone would hear her plea. But before she got the chance she heard a loud shout from nearby.
"Oi! What the hell you doing man?" the male voice, clearly a Brit, called out. Kyle stopped, looked over her shoulder and frowned.
"Mind your own business dude, this doesn't concern you!" he yelled back steadily. Addie made her best attempted to step away from Kyle, who kept his grasp tightly around her wrist, and she looked in the direction of the two oncoming figures and felt her panic diminish by the second.
"Yeah but the lady doesn't look too keen on you touching her, I think she made that clear yeah?" the other voice, deeper but every bit as British added. Kyle laughed. The night lamps finally shown down on the figures and she saw two fairly tall men dressed in smart button downs and jeans. One was carrying a blazer while the other adjusted a button on his before crossing his arms. It was difficult to make out all of their features in the dim lightly, but she did notice that each seemed to be large enough to get her out of a situation should her next plan backfire.
"No one asked for your commentary man, just back off," Kyle warned, letting her wrist go finally as he approached the others. They were closer now and the taller of the two, with the dark curls glanced of her at her.
"You alright there love?" he asked her and she brushed a dark curl from her face as she nodded. After her confirmation he looked back and Kyle and shook his head in frustration. "If I were you man, I'd piss off and leave 'er alone."
"Well I'm not you bro and she's coming with me," Kyle said and Addie shook her head as he reached for her arm once more. Both the guys stepped towards them but stopped as Addie swung her arm back and gave everything she had into connecting her fist with Kyle's face. It was his nose that she heard crack under the force of her punch and she could tell by the shout of pain that it had the desired effect.
"I told you to leave me the hell alone asshole!" she growled, adjusting her purse as she nursed her fist. It was the first time she'd ever punched anyone out of anger but her brother's had taught her well. Jake would be proud. Though she wasn't planning on telling him the details of the situation, it would only bring out the protective brother speech. He'd have her shipped back to the states before she could figure out how to hang up her stupid iPhone.
"Find your own way back to the flats then bitch," he muttered as he held his nose, walking in the opposite direction. Addie just smiled and waved sarcastically. Good riddance, she thought.
"Well done there," she heard from behind her, startling her momentarily before she remembered that there were onlookers. Both started clapping, their expressions congratulating her on her successful defense strategy and she failed in her attempt not to smile.
"Thanks, I know how to take care of myself. But I appreciate the help nonetheless," she said, rubbing her knuckles that were now an angry shade of pink.
"You and your boyfriend have a row?" asked curly and she rolled her eyes.
"He's not my boyfriend, not even a friend actually. He's just a guy I work with," she replied. Curly raised his eyebrow in response and looked at his friend.
"What do you think Jer? Should we get this little minx some ice or just a boxing glove?"
"Don't give her a hard time Harry," the other responded, laughing. "Come on love what's your name?" Addie grinned at their joke before assessing the situation. Two strangers in a city she wasn't overly familiar with, in a dark parking lot, and she was outnumbered. She could probably take them if she needed to, but their eyes seemed genuine in their gaze towards her so she decided to trust them, for now anyways.
"Well I guess that depends," she started, receiving eager expressions in return, waiting for her conditions. "Are you the kind of guys who rescue damsels only to get all handsy after the other guy is out of the way, or are you just normal rapists?"
"Wow, she's got jokes," Harry replied, surprised at her attempt at lightening the situation.
"I'd said we're the kind of guys who have had an impossibly long week and need to unwind and would definitely welcome female company," the other said in response to her question.
"And we prefer our sexual partners to be consenting," Harry added for laughs. "We aren't your run of the mill, date rape frat guys here love."
"Well in that case," she said extending her hand with a smile. "I'm Addison Warner." It was Harry who grabbed her hand first, his firm grip warm on her chilled hands as he examined the pink marks on her knuckles. He looked up at her with a charming smile and for the first time Addie realized that he was more than a little attractive.
"I'm Harry," he said and she could tell that he momentarily considered reaching into kiss her cheek, as she was starting to realize was a common custom around here, but he opted not to and just smiled before placing her hand in that of his friend. "And this is Jeremy."
"Pleased to meet you both," she said kindly as she let Jeremy shake her hand a few times before letting go. "So you mentioned something about your lack of female company?" she reminded them and both grinned.
"Yes! We're headed out to meet some friends at a local pub. Care to join and tell us where you learned to punch like Mohammed Ali?" Jeremy asked.
"Only if the first drink's on you," she joked.
"Sorry love, first drink's on me. Jer will buy you whatever you want after that. Right Jer?" Harry interrupted and Jeremy just nodded, agreeing with his friend before leaning in towards her.
"He'll be too busy buying the rest of the bar drinks after yours so someone's got to keep your glass full," he whispered, loud enough that Harry gasped in mock insult.
"Well take the lead boys," she told them as they both shouted a cheer of success and lead her back out onto the busy street. The sidewalks were full of people, just coming out or just going home. It was relatively early, 9pm since they'd left the parking lot and she wondered if the pub would be anything like the bars in Berkeley. Addie liked going out from time to time. But her friends tended to get out of control. It was a normal occurrence for her to end up alone at the end of the night and finding a cab back to her place while her friends were off hooking up in some stranger's apartment.
Tonight she just wanted to let loose and forget about her encounter with Kyle. She was in no hurry to get back to her flat to find him waiting outside her door. She doubted he'd go that far, especially after she'd shown him that she wasn't afraid to fight back. Maybe Harry or Jeremy would offer to…she paused at the thought as they approached the pub, larger than she had previously expected. A live band was present and the room was pulsing with music and laughter. She wasn't stopped at the door, only given a sly wink from the bouncer who shook hands with both Jeremy and Harry before they walked in, dragging her along with them.
"Welcome to Mel's," Harry said, holding his arms out at the glory that was Mel's pub. "The greatest place you'll ever go to get completely pissed with friends who will only document your most embarrassing moments. Shall we?" he said, inviting her towards the bar where he would, as promised, buy her first drink. "What'll it be Addison Warner of America?" Addie looked into his eyes, not sure if they were blue or green but found them inviting all the same.
"A beer," she tried shouting over the music and he looked slightly surprised.
"We don't have Bud Light over here princess, I hope you'll be okay with something from our small island," he yelled equally as loud and she smirked. Boys, always jumping to conclusions.
"Then I guess I'll have to settle with a Newcastle Brown Ale," she said, stepping closer so she didn't have to shout as loud. He looked pleased by her choice, leaning in to shake hands with the bartender before repeating their order. Addie took the time to look around the room at the crowds of people. Everyone looked happy as they smiled and laughed with their friends, drinks in their hand and a slight haze in their eyes. It was Friday night, why shouldn't they be enjoying it? Girls were wearing their best evening clothes and Addie suddenly felt a bit underdressed in her blouse and skinny jeans. She looked down at her frumpy pair of flats and sighed before opening her large purse to see if she had heels left over from work. She always carried a spare pair, and tonight was no different. Casually she slipped of the flats and pulled on the black pointed heels, raising her a few inches off the ground. She had been confident that no one had spotted her wardrobe adjustment until she turned back to the bar to find Harry smiling at her knowingly.
"That's more like it lovely," he said, passing her the bottle of Newcastle and placing his hand on her back to guide her through the crowd. "You know those shoes don't make you much taller, you're still rather short for a girl."
"I'm not short at all, I'm the average height of a 21 year-old American female of my weight," she said matter-of-factly and he shook his head at the logical answer.
"Well you're still rather short to me," he said. He was right, compared to Harry, Addie was rather on the short side. He must have been about 6, 3 as Kyle was. But Kyle was tall and thin, Harry looked filled out in the button down and blazer. A few apologies for bumping into people later they reached a table where a group of people stood chatting eagerly. Jeremy was standing there with his arm around a blond who had a set of legs that would drive any man or woman to distraction. The others all seemed to notice her, or maybe it was Harry, as they approached the table.
"HAZZA!" she heard the table of male voices shout above the music and Harry took a bow.
"Vas Happenin Mates!" he said as he embraced two males that she didn't recognize, but were clearly good friends of Harry's. "Addie, these are two of my best mates here, Louis and Liam," he told her pointing to Louis, the taller of the two with dark hair and a wide smile and to Liam, whose caramel hair and dark eyes made her wonder if all of Harry's friends were attractive. It was easy to see that she wasn't the only one who thought so because there were several girls gathered around them and eyed her cautiously. "Boys, this is the lovely Addison Warner, from California."
"Uh, Florida actually," she corrected him, pulling out of his grasp and placing her bottle on the table so she could greet everyone properly. "I go to school in California."
"Surely you're not old enough to be carrying around a beer then?" Louis joked with her as he rose his own in the air in her direction. She found his joke amusing; most people thought she was younger than she claimed.
"I'm 21 honey, legal in every country," she said meeting his bottle with her own in a celebratory clinking of the glass.
"Well thank God for that!" Harry said raising his own bottle, cueing everyone to raise his or her beverage of choice. "To new friends of legal age!" he said loudly and everyone, including Addie, repeated the words in laughter as they toasted the night and sipped their drinks happily. Addie felt the liquid go down her throat and realized it was her first alcoholic beverage since she'd been in England, not having time to get drinks during the week because of her jetlag. She couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than in a bar with a bunch of strangers who didn't know her and weren't experts on trying to decipher her life, like her friends back home.
This was nice.
Of course there was the fact that two of the three girls at the table were eyeing her carefully, both glammed and glossed for their night out with this bunch of attractive men, she didn't blame them. Addie was a stranger, encroaching on what she suspected was their territory. But she couldn't help but notice that the blond from moments before was giving her somewhat of an evil eye which was starting to make Addie slightly uncomfortable until she switched her gaze back to the boys she'd just met.
"So Addison, where did you meet these two losers?" Louis asked, referring to Harry and Jeremy who looked amused by the comment. "They must have had to do a lot of convincing to get you here."
"We met about 20 minutes ago actually, in a parking lot ten blocks east…they bribed me with alcohol," she said, holding up the bottle for Louis to see. She saw him raise an eyebrow at her answer as he glanced at Harry curiously.
"She was beating the piss out of some wanker twice her size," Harry filled him in and Addie shook her head when she saw everyone at the table's eyes widen.
"Kyle isn't exactly twice my size, and I only punched him once," she said, adjusting Harry's previous embellishment and he shrugged.
"One time was well enough to break the bloke's nose," Jeremy said in Harry's defense causing both Liam and Louis to nearly spit their drinks out.
"Holy hell woman!" was Liam's response as he wiped the beer that had leaked from his mouth. "I hope the poor bastard deserved it."
"I assure you, he did," was her reply as she winked over at him. Harry, watching the exchange stepped closer towards her, causing her to turn and face him with waiting eyes.
"So what is a little girl like you doing spending your summer in rainy London , beating up on guys when you should be back in the states at the beach from the looks of you?" Louis asked, breaking her stair from Harry back to the table. She looked down at her exposed arms, noting her tan still clinging to her skin from the past few months of exceedingly perfect beach weather. It was true, she loved having that sun kissed look that hid the dark circles under her eyes that she got from late night studies.
"I'm going to be a senior at Berkeley, double majoring in Anthropology and Museum Studies. I'm part of an internship program with the British Museum for the summer so I'm trading my beach for the opportunity to have bitchin' career after graduation. What about you? I assume by all of your age jokes that you've already graduated?" Everyone looked pretty impressed at her reply, even Louis who nodded his head appreciatively.
"Well I suppose by your question that Harry failed to mention our little secret?" he asked, causing Addie to turn her head sideways slightly as she took the last sip of her beer.
"Ah she doesn't to hear about all that rubbish, I don't want to scare her off already Lou…we just met the poor girl," Harry interrupted with a laugh. Addie waved off his cryptic response and rose her voice against the music.
"Oh no, I want to hear the secret. Wait, let me guess…you guys are all…underwear models?" she asked and the entire table, even two of the girls started laughing.
"Erm, actually that's just Liam here," Harry told her, much to her surprise and she found herself looking at a red-faced Liam with her mouth wide open in amused shock.
"You're joking?" she contradicted but everyone shook their heads.
"In my defense I only do it to pay for law school, not too keen on the idea of student loans and all that," Liam pointed out and Addie couldn't help but nod.
"I understand, believe me, my family owns a law firm, two fourths of my brothers are lawyers, the other is getting ready to graduate law school in a few weeks," she stated. She was surprised at the amount of attention they paid her, not looking away once in boredom or checking their phones for missed texts. They all seemed intrigued by her life story as she answered each of their incoming questions. They'd been particularly interested in her life as the only girl in her family and also her world in California. She told them it was overrated for the most part but there were upsides to knowing her way around, just as it was for them here in London.
When she finally was able to finish her half hour 'all about me' session, she excused herself to the bar to grab another drink after setting down her second beer courtesy of Jeremy. It was easy enough to make her way back to the bar, most of the people were crowding closer to the stage and only a handful of people were being served as they exchanged their cash or plastic cards for liquid fun. Addie stood towards the edge of the bar, the place where she found bartenders tended to look the most and was immediately spotted by a tall guy with dark skin and light eyes.
"Right then love, what can I pleasure you with," he asked smoothly with an adorable smirk. She did her best not to lick her lips as he spoke, his accent thick and perfect. She simply pretended to ponder momentarily before something equally naughty came to mind.
"Well I suppose you can try a Sex on the Beach," she said, returning said smirk with one of her own and he raised an eyebrow. "If you're not familiar with that…" she started but he simply laughed before grabbing a glass and walking towards the liquor to grab the drinks to mix. She waited for him patiently, tapping her heel to the beat of the music as she felt the dull sense of her beer start to seep through her veins. It was light, not even a buzz was clouding her mind, but it was there. Her swaying hips were interrupted by a tall leggy blond she recognized as Jeremy's arm candy and smiled politely.
"Hi," she said, reaching out her hand to the girl only to receive a sour smile in return. Addie was used to these types of reactions. Her sister-in-law in particular was a professional at the pursed lip, raised nose look. In fact, Addie was sure she'd invented it. This girl was not much different. Only taller, and her legs were really really nice. "Listen, I understand that you just met the guys, so it really isn't your fault if you don't know yet. But they like a certain level of privacy, you know what I mean?" she said, her accent thicker than the others at the table and Addie tried to make out the words.
"I'm actually not at all sure what you're talking about," Addie replied honestly.
"Oh come off it, you know who they are. Why else would you be hanging around them?"
"I'm sorry but I'm still lost here," Addie replied as she watched the bartender walk back her way. He handed her the pink concoction, a thin blue straw with a lime stuck around it and she grinned, pleased just as he'd expected. "Guess you weren't lying then," she said, slipping him her cash. He took it, kissing her hand lightly before she pulled it away and took a sip, focusing back on Legs McBitch. "You were saying?"
"A couple years back they were in a boyband. One Direction, you must have heard of them," she said and Addie tried her best not to spit her drink all over Legs' white dress.
"Sorry, did you just say boyband? Like the Backstreet Boys?" Legs rolled her eyes.
"No you cow, much more fit than those wankers. And anyways, the guys aren't together anymore, went their own ways and all that. So if you're here for the fame, you're too late." It was a challenge. Legs was giving her a challenge right there, thinking that Addie was here to ride some bandwagon or get some publicity. Clearly she was blind if she thought Addie was doing anything besides being friendly to some people she just met. No this wouldn't do. She didn't need this brat breathing down her neck all night, bowing up on her with her perky little chest like an overprotective she-pimp. There was only one thing that would sooth this savage beast and it wasn't the amazing music that was blaring over the speakers. Back home she'd had situations liked these and in most cases…that 'one thing' was on the other side of this bar. She looked back at Mr. Green eyes and she smiled when she saw he was already looking her direction.
"Two tequila shots for me and my friend here please?" she asked and he nodded, grabbing a bottle of Jose Cuervo and pouring it into two shot glasses. He brought over two limes and a salt shaker before winking to both of them.
"On the house ladies," he whispered and she smiled in appreciation. She then slid a single shot glass over to Legs and handed her the shaker. Both of them knew the ritual, lick hand, salt hand, lick hand shot and then lime. But before they drank Addie held her glass up and smiled.
"I don't usually drink with people unless I know their names," she told her and Legs rolled her eyes.
"Riannon," she replied.
"Cheers Riannon, to new friends!" and with that they drank and Addie felt the fire burning down her throat, quickly subsiding as she sucked the lime, careful not to cringe too much as she looked up at a very hilarious face that was Riannon trying to swallow her shot. After a few seconds it finally went down and that was that. Addie left the bar, pink drink in hand as she made her way back through the crowd with a triumphant smirk on her face that didn't leave until she had reached the table and she had the arm of one of the other girls around her, beaming with drunkenness.
"Hello there!" she shouted over band.
"Hi," Addie replied.
"My name's Daisey, I'm Louis' girlfriend!" she continued, kissing Addie's cheek in her own private greeting which simply made Addie giggle. "You're really pretty. Probably one of the prettiest girls in the pub. That's the only reason Ree is so hostile."
"Right, you could tell that from all the way over here," she said, watching as Riannon started making her way back over as well. Daisey nodded.
"She thought you were hitting on Jeremy, he's her boyfriend and she can be a bit…"
"Territorial?" Addie suggested, receiving a fit of giggles and nods from Daisey who, upon seeing Riannon walking over, gave Addie several 'shushes' in between laughs as she attempted to keep their conversation from being overheard.
"Anyways, I just want you to know you are welcome here. The rest of us think you're sweet. And, we want to take you dancing. Will you come?" Daisey asked and Addie smiled and shook her head.
"I don't know, I've been told I'm a horrible dancer," she told the brunette who was now hanging onto Addie's waist. She noticed stares from the boys around the table off to the side and a particularly tickled Louis who was whispering in Harry's ear.
"Come on! Live a little. And besides. Any one of these boys will be glad to give you a few pointers…as long as you don't give any 'pointers' to them," she joked causing Addie to blush slightly at the sexual reference. She wasn't sure why she had been so taken aback by it, seeing as she made a similar joke to the bartender only moments before. Before Addie could say she was going to pass tonight, Daisey leaned in towards her ear. "Please come, something tells me Harry is going to convince you if I can't. He's quite the persuasionist…" Persuasionist? Really? Addie wasn't sure she could argue with a girl who was already past tipsy and flying quickly into the wasted zone. Addie's judgment was sound, though after several minutes she could feel the tequila coursing through her and she looked down at her pink concoction.
"If Harry asks me to come before I finish this drink, then I'll say yes. But don't you dare say a word to him. I'm watching," Addie agreed, watching Daisey squeal with excitement as she nodded excitedly.
"You should have bet on Liam, if I hadn't come over here it was only a matter of minutes before Harry came to ask you instead. Drink up!" she said winking and walking back to Louis, maneuvering herself in front of him. Addie watched Louis place his arms around Daisey's thin waste and travel over her small hips. One hand went down a little further, over the seam of her blouse and down over the back pocket of her tattered shorts before he gripped her backside tightly. Well they certainly weren't shy.
Addie was sipping her pink drink, enjoying the taste of the tropical fruit mixed with the potent liquor and she silently cursed the bartender for making it so heavy. It was only moments later that she felt a warm breath on the back of her neck and a deep voice in her ear.
"Jealous?" he asked, startling her somewhat as her eyes moved from Louis and Dasiey to the face that was just over her shoulder. Harry.
"Jealous of what exactly?" she said, taking a long sip of her drink this time to quicken her way to the bottom of the seemingly endless class.
"Jealous that Daisey's not snogging you instead," he said slyly and Addie gasped at the reference to the earlier predicament. So Daisey's wandering drunk hands hadn't escaped Harry's eyes just as they hadn't escaped Addie's own ass.
"Sorry Harry, no girl on girl tonight, at least not from me," she whispered back. Another sip. "And anyways, I don't bat for that team, if you know what I mean." Underwater, it was the feeling she was experiencing at the moment in regards to the cloudy feeling that was creeping up into her brain as she smiled unintentionally at his playful pout. She found herself staring much too long at his lips, noticing that they looked particularly soft from this distance.
"My eyes are up here love," he said, lifting her chin so her icy eyes were locked with his. Another sip sent her into a haze as she noticed just how interesting his eyes were; the perfect mixture of blue and green, like the warm summer ocean.
"So nice," she whispered involuntarily, quickly placing her hand over her mouth.
"What's that?"
"Nothing," she said, shaking her head and looking down into her glass. Five more sips and she'd be nearly done. She could make it. She didn't feel in any danger of losing this bet any time soon. But for good measure she turned to face him and took one long sip from the straw.
"I thought I told Jer was taking care of your drinks tonight," he reminded her, grabbing hold of the chilled glass and swirling the contents around, watching the straw spin as well. "Quite a girly drink isn't it? What do you call it?" Addie could tell by his knowing look that he knew very well what it was called. He was teasing her.
"Mmm, you know I can't remember," she said, playing along as she grabbed the drink from him and brought the straw back to her lips. "I think it was something like….Salt on the Beach? Maybe that was it?" she said and he shook his head slowly as he watched her lick the taste from her lips. "No…that's not right. Maybe it was…Sssand on the Beach?" she offered and watched as he now licked his bottom lip ever so slightly causing her to miss her straw as she attempted another long sip. He moved closer to her so his body was up against hers. He looked down at her, moving her hair from her face, grazing his fingers against her neck and he brushed it past her hear and he leaned in. His breath was hot on her earlobe, his lips nearly touching them as he stood there over him.
"Sex Addie. The word is sex," was all he whispered and she felt chills fly over her body, goosebumps covering her skin and she wasn't sure if it was her name or the way he said 'sex' that caused an small knot in her stomach. A familiar ache grew inside of her and she found herself looking away, her face hot with what she assumed was another blush. "You're almost done with your drink," he said, motioning to the glass that had one good long gulp in the bottom. She smirked as she looked over at Daisey who was eyeing them eagerly.
Addie remembered every bit of what happened next as she brought the glass to her lips. She smiled as she thought of her gloating speech that she'd give to her drunk little friend on the other side of table. She was about to down what was left when Harry's hands closed around hers and pulled the glass down from her lips and smiled.
"Fancy comin' out for a dance with us?" he asked causing everything in Addie to freeze as the corners of his lips widened. "I think it'd do you some good." She forced herself to look back over at Daisey who was jumping up and down in sort of victory dance and Addie assumed she'd known all along about his little plan. She frowned.
"You cheated," she said, quietly at first as she eyed the glass in her hand. When it was clear that he hadn't heard her she spoke up. "You jerk, you completely had this planned out didn't you?" She said, louder this time so the whole table was able to hear her and nearly everyone broke out into a fit of snickering that they had been attempting to withhold the entire time.
"It was Daisey's idea, she wants you to come out with us. I may have suggested that you needed a little convincing, thas all," he said letting go of her hand that was around her glass. "You can finish that now if you'd like." She shook her head in disbelief. Everyone waited for her reaction. The band was playing on and on and the room was still in one place, not spinning yet. She could make a sound decision. She trusted herself at this point. In ten minutes, maybe not. She thought back to why she came here in the first place, with two guys she barely knew. She wanted to let loose, to experience life. She looked at the glass, at the table and up at Harry who was leaning against the table as he unbuttoned his sleeves to roll up. Daisey was right. The jerk was gifted in the art of persuasion. She sighed heavily, taking one last look at her glass before holding it up to the group.
"To new friends Yeah?" she said in a mock British accent that caused the table to come alive in a fit of cheers as they raise their own. "Cheers!" she said as Harry clanked his bottle against her glass and they both drank, not taking their eyes off each other once.
Addie had a funny feeling that this was the start of one wild night and a Summer she'd never forget.