After (Larry Version)

~*Chapter 30*~

"Liam's text reads 2875 Cornell Rd, which I copy and paste into my maps program, which says the drive is fifteen minutes. What could be going on there that Liam could possibly need me?
I'm just as confused when I arrive at the address as I was when I left my room. Elijah has called twice, both of which I've ignored, I need the navigation to stay on the screen and, honestly, the confused look on his face when I left him there is haunting me."

"The houses on the street are all large and look like mansions. This house in particular is at least three times larger than my mother's. It's an old-fashioned brick house with a sloped yard that makes it appear to be sitting on a hill. Even under the streetlights, it's beautiful. I'm guessing this must be Harry's father's house, since this doesn't belong to a college kid and it's the only reason why Liam would be here as well. I take a deep breath, get out, and walk up the steps from the sidewalk. I knock hard on the dark mahogany door, and it opens within seconds.
"Louis , thank you for coming. I'm sorry, I know you have company. Is Elijah with you?" Liam asks and looks out to the car while gesturing me inside.
"No, he's back at the dorms. What's going on? Where's Harry ?"
"The backyard. He is out of control." He sighs."

"And I am here because...?" I ask as nicely as I can. What does Harry being out of control have to do with me?
"I don't know, I know you hate him, but you do talk to him. He's really drunk, completely belligerent. He showed up here and opened a bottle of his father's scotch. He drank over half the bottle! And then he started breaking things: all my mother's dishes, a glass cabinet, basically everything he could get his hands on."
"What? Why?" Harry told me he doesn't drink—was that a lie, too?
"His dad just told him that he and my mother are getting married..."

"Okay?" I'm still confused. "So Harry doesn't want them to get married?" I ask as Liam leads me through the large kitchen, where I gasp as I take in the huge mess Hardin has made. Broken dishes are scattered across the floor, and a large wooden cabinet has been knocked over, its glass panels shattered.
"No, but it's a long story. Right after his dad called and told him, they left town for the weekend to celebrate. I think that's why Harry came here, to confront his dad. He never comes here," he explains and opens the back door.
I see a shadow sitting at a small table on the patio. Harry.

"I don't know what you think I can do, but I'll try."
Liam nods. He leans down and puts his hand on my shoulder. "He was calling out for you," he tells me quietly, and my heart stops.
I walk toward Harry and he looks up at me. His eyes are bloodshot, and his hair is hidden under a gray beanie. His eyes go wide, then darken, and I want to step back. He looks almost scary under the dim patio light.

"How did you get here—" Hardin says loudly and stands up.
"Liam ... he..." I answer, then wish I hadn't.
"You fooking called him?" he yells toward Liam , who for his part walks back inside.
"You leave him alone, Harry —he is worried about you," I scold.
He sits back down, gesturing for me to take a seat, too. I sit across from him and watch as he grabs the mostly empty bottle of dark liquor and puts it to his mouth. I watch his Adam's apple move as he gulps it down. When he's finished, he slams the bottle down onto the glass of the patio table and it makes me jump, thinking either the bottle or the table or both might break."

"Aww, aren't you two something. You both are so predictable. Harry is upset, so you gang up on me and try to make me feel bad for breaking some shitty china," he drawls with a sick smirk.
"I thought you don't drink?" I ask him and cross my arms.
"I don't. Until now, I guess. Don't try to patronize me, you're no better than me." He points a finger at me, then grabs the bottle for another swig.
And it's scary, but I can't deny that being near him, even in his drunken state, breathes life into me. I have missed the feeling Harry gives me."

"I never said I was better than you. I just want to know what made you drink now?"
"What does it matter to you? Where's your boyfriend?" His eyes blaze into mine and the emotion behind them is so strong that I am forced to look away. If only I knew what that emotion was,hatred, I suppose.
"He's back in my room. I just want to help you, Harry." I lean a little over the table to reach for his hand, but he recoils from my touch.
"Help me?" he cackles. I want to ask him why he was calling out for me if he is going to continue to be hateful, but I don't want to throw Liam under the bus again. "If you want to help me, then leave."
"Why won't you just tell me what's going on?" I look down at my hands and pick at my fingernails.
He sighs and pulls his beanie off and runs his hand through his hair before pulling it back on. "My father decided to tell me just now that he is marrying Karen—and the wedding's next month. He should have told me long ago, and not over the phone. I'm sure perfect little Liam's known for a while."
Oh. I hadn't actually expected him to tell me, so I am not sure what to say. "I am sure he had his reasons not to tell you."