chapter twenty-eight

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(this chapter is waayyyy short, but I kind of just wanted a Harry/friend bonding chapter, I guess? don't worry--I plan on updating tomorrow too so y'all aren't left hanging! thanks to ashtxning for the new cover! I like it a lot, what do y'all think? enjoy this pathetic excuse of a chapter ^-^) 

chapter twenty-eight

-HARRY STYLES-

"A SECOND JOB? Why on earth do you need another job? It's nearly Christmas."

Delilah was a bit muffled over the phone as she shuffled around. "Don't worry. It's more like a temporary second job. I'll work at the daycare in the morning, then in the afternoon I'll do my shift at the grocery store."

I frowned, picking my bottom lip. "Yeah, but... why?"

She laughed. "I can't live with my parents forever, Harry, now can I?"

"I don't think they'd mind."

Her parents genuinely seemed like the type who wanted to keep their children close. I couldn't imagine them kicking her out, or even making her pay rent. They were so kind, but I also understood Delilah's point of view.

Another thought crossed my mind, and it would've been so easy to offer out loud. However, it was too soon, wasn't it? Delilah surely would think I was trying to move too fast if I said she could live with me. She could, though. It would be nice to go to sleep with her every night and wake up with her every morning... But it's too soon. We'd only been dating a few months, after all.

"Won't you tire yourself out?" I asked her. "Working literally all day..."

"Maybe, but I need money. Besides, this way I'll have something to do in the mornings instead of being lazy at home since you've gotten busier, too. And I still need to pay you for our last few sessions--"

I cut her off by laughing. "Delilah, you pay the gym, not me. I wouldn't take your money."

"Same difference," she said. "What are you doing right now, anyways? It sounds like wind going through the speaker."

"Because I'm outside, and there is wind outside."

"You're so clever."

I smiled. "I'm waiting for my friend. He's supposed to be fixing my car windows since a very rude person severely damaged them."

"'Rude' is quite a polite way of describing said person."

"I'm a polite person."

"Can't argue with that."

"What are you doing?"

Delilah grumbled something before replying. "Trying to get ready for my first day at the daycare."

"You start today?"

"Yeah. Apparently nobody likes taking care of infants so they were pretty desperate," she said. "It's Monday, so why not start off the week with a new job?"

I chewed the inside of my cheek, then saw Jaylon pull in. "Well, good luck, babe. My mate just got here, so I guess I'll talk to you after work?"

"Yeah, that's fine. I'm about to fall trying to hold the phone and pull on my shoes at the same time, so your mate has great timing."

I rolled my eyes at her mocking me, but chuckled nonetheless. "Don't hurt yourself."

"No promises."

After hanging up, I tucked my phone in my back pocket and walked down the steps to greet Jaylon, who was just climbing out of his company truck. He worked for an auto repair shop where they dealt with all things machinery, from window cracks to malfunctioning brakes to the engine itself. I got lucky not having to file an insurance claim. That was a large mess I was thankful not having to deal with.

"She fixed you up, didn't she?" He laughed, examining the jagged shards barely hanging on around the rim of the window.

I ran a hand through my hair, heaving a sigh. "Yeah, well, I fixed her up with a restraining order."

Jaylon looked at me, shocked, then busted into hysterics. "About time! She had crazy-ex written all over her, bud. You're too nice sometimes."

"That's what everyone seems to say."

"Don't worry. I got you, brother." He went back to his truck to pull out his tools, then peeked at the window again. He set his tool bag down and put his hands on his hips, his brown eyes meeting mine. "Here's the deal. I'll clean your car up real nice for free, but you've gotta make me lunch and provide drinks."

"I don't need it for free, Jaylon," I told him, a bit surprised.

"Remember when you gave me that free gym membership for six months? Consider this making us even," he said. "You got bologna?"

I gave him a look. "Still like cheddar cheese on your sandwich?"

He grinned. "I knew you were a great friend the moment I met you."

***

"Harry Styles, you are a horrible friend."

I raised my eyebrows at Jaylon, who was taking a large bite of his sandwich. "We haven't hung out in a while."

"That's no excuse for not filling me in on your love life," he said. "I told you all about Married Michelle a few weeks ago. Yet you can't tell me 'bout this new girl?"

"How'd all that end, by the way?"

He waved one hand dismissively while holding his food in the other. "She's crazy, man. Maybe crazier than Nicole but she ain't beat up my vehicle yet so maybe not. I tell you she got her husband to come to my house? Tried to tell me I knew she was married and I needed to stay away from her. I told him when I met her, she ain't even have her ring on so how's a man s'pose to know?"

Jaylon was a big dark skinned guy a good foot or two taller than me. It was always weird to listen to him talk about relationships with his deep voice, and naturally stern-looking face. He was a total softy, though, no matter how much he tried to deny it. Once I was over at his house and there was a stray cat wandering in his yard. He made me go buy cat food while he kept an eye on it to make sure it stayed.

Mr. McFluffer (yes, he's creative with names, isn't he?) became Jaylon's spirit animal--both seemed menacing or cruel yet both purred when you scratched their head.

"But don't be changing the subject on me, Harry. She ain't gonna be another Nicole, is she?"

I let out a breath. "God, no. Delilah isn't like that."

"So Delilah, is it?"

"That's what I said."

"Thanks for the clarification, smartass."

I laughed.

"But really. She's cool?" he asked, giving me a suspicious look as if I may lie to him. I hadn't lied to him about Nicole when I met her--she just changed when we started dating.

"Yeah," I said and smiled. "I really like her, Jay."

"Judging by that tomato face you're in deeper than 'liking' her."

As if on cue, my face heated even more yet I rolled my eyes at him to play it off. "I've known her four months, mate."

"You didn't deny it," he remarked. "And the Lord above knows you're the first to fall."

With that point, I couldn't argue. In all my serious relationships, which was maybe four or five, I was always the first to confess my love. Once I'd been flat out rejected after being told that five months was not long enough to fall in love, and she broke up with me on the spot. The rest had gone smoothly, and even Nicole had said it back. I think that was our sixth or seventh month together.

But I couldn't help how quickly I caved, could I? There's a moment when you see that person and you just know. You feel it in every nerve just by merely glancing at them. I didn't say it if I wasn't sure.

Did I love Delilah yet? Maybe next time I see her I'd know.

"Least she's not married," I finally replied, pulling myself from my thoughts.

"Don't make me go smash the windows I just fixed."

"Don't smash the windows you just fixed."

He chuckled, leaning back on the couch in the main room where we were sitting. "Well, if she's got you all flushy, she must be a pretty good woman. Don't screw it up, Styles."

I grinned. "I don't plan on it." 


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