Late Night Talking // Harry Styles

We pull out of the parking garage early the next morning. My clunker of a car is the perfect decoy, spewing exhaust and smoking its way down the street. It's like hiding in plain sight with how obnoxiously heinous the motor sounds. The thing causes jump scares at every streetlight when I accelerate. The motor wheezes and pops as soon as I hit the gas.

"This is the dumbest thing we've ever done," Char says, shaking her head and holding onto the 'oh-shit' handle as I turn.

"So dumb it's smart."

"So dumb it's really dumb. How in the world are we going to slide into your hotel unnoticed?"

"I have my ways, my young paduwan." Fuck. Now I sound like Zack. The guy is rubbing off on me in all the wrong ways.

"Goober." She laughs.

I cover my heart in mock offense. "Shameful. I am not a goober. Chocolate covered raisins are why I have trust issues. I am more 'good n plenty' than 'goober' any day."

"The gross candy-covered black licorice? Ewwww. Just no. Besides, where I come from, goober means loser."

"I am neither goober, nor loser. Nor am I gross."

Char shakes her head, laughing some more. "Where has this guy been?"

"Which guy?" I side-eye her.

"The guy who jokes. You'd gone serious head case for a bit. It's nice to see you relax."

I mull over her words in my head for a while before I address them. She's right, though. Getting rejected from this roll initially threw me into a death spiral of self-doubt. Wooing Char was the only bright spot for a long time. Having Char was even better. Then, when I finally did get the call for this part, the pressure ramped up and I could barely hang on. I've been white knuckling it far too long.

Last night when Char insisted we take some time out of the limelight and just be, just hang out at my cheap Hollywood apartment, I finally felt like myself again. I could take a deep breath. I could revel in the way Char and I connect.

"I could say the same about you," I say. And it's true. Char showed up at my hotel room door looking like the girl I met, not the tight-ass exec. Not that I don't love her tight ass. I fucking do. But I missed the girl who bounced around with a giant smile on her face for absolutely no reason.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Char lean back into her seat. She throws one arm up over her head and sighs.

"Yeah, I missed that girl. Being Brianna's assistant was breezy. I could get away with a sharp tongue and say it like it was. Once I became her manager...I don't know. Things changed. I like the break, though."

"Me, too."

We both fall silent, thinking the words but not saying them out loud. The break is nearly over. Char has to go back to the tour tonight. Late. She'd planned on requesting a car to take her to the airport because I'm supposed to be on set for a night shoot downtown. I'm seriously thinking about playing hooky. I haven't had a good reason to ditch since high school, but this is about the best reason there is. I make a mental note to call my assistant, David, and see if he can work his magic to score me a get-out-of-jail free card.

We drive the long way to the hotel, through the hills near Hollywood, past landmarks that every celebrity haunts, like the Chateau Marmont, the famous hotel in the hills, and Rodeo Drive. We sneak into a coffee place drive through for snacks without being recognized, which I'm guessing will end for me soon enough. Our dailies haven't been leaked, although I'm sure that's down the pike none too soon. I have a theory that execs leak the little sneak peaks of the stuff we shoot each day to build a buzz around a film. And with the money backing this one, there's no doubt in my mind that those leaks are coming.

There's some buzz going on about the film but it's still pretty lowkey considering I'm a nobody. The bigger story is why all the big names other than Emily backed out. The big focus isn't on me, yet. I haven't given them anything juicy enough.

I wind through the L.A. street scene with Char at my side and try to push the stressful thoughts to the back of my mind. But all good things must come to an end. Too soon for my liking, we get to the hotel, using a back-entrance parking garage for employees. Apparently, that's how high-profile guests sneak in and out of five-star establishments: the back door.

So chic.

We're met by a hotel concierge whose entire job is handling us snobby guests. The look on his face when I pull up with my beater is priceless. His jaw drops for a split second before he gets control of his reaction and plasters a bored look on his face.

"Will you be needing your...vehicle again today?" he asks.

I drop the keys into his white gloved hand. "No, thanks. We're in for the night," I say, even though it's still early in the day. I have no desire to leave at all, but I certainly won't be taking this clunker when I do. David has a car coming to pick Char up for the airport. I'm planning to hitch a ride with her before heading to set.

I wait for Jeeves or whatever-his-name-is to round the car and open Char's door. I reach for her hand as soon as she's by my side and shove a twenty in the guy's open palm. I'm sure he's used to more, but that's the only cash I have.

"Park it where the birds won't crap on it. I just got her washed." I wink. Char coughs away her laughter at my ridiculous request. Bird crap is the least of this car's problems, but I couldn't help myself.

Once we're securely in the celebrivator—the celebrity elevator at the back of the hotel—Char and I burst into laughter.

"That was fun," she says when she gathers her wits and wipes her eyes.

I squeeze her hand as the doors open to our floor. "We needed that laugh." I lead her down the hallway, the pit of my stomach starting to protest. Every fiber of my being is protesting her impending departure. "What do you say we lay in bed, watch the Three Stooges in our underwear and veg the heck out."

Char wraps her arms around mine, resting her head on my shoulder. "Sounds perfect."

We do just that, holding each other close the entire time. Periodically I kiss her temple or run my fingers through her hair. A couple of times we make out with the Stooges in the background. One time something that Curly says busts us up with the kind of silent laughter that steels your breath away. It wasn't even that funny, but it served to leave us in hysterics.

"Why, I oughtta..." I say into her neck after Larry says the same thing to Moe. The difference is, I say it with sexy intentions.

"I oughtta let you," Char says, equally smutty undertones in her voice.

She doesn't have to tell me twice. I turn down the volume and pull her under me. Our kiss is slow, tender. None of the inuendo from a minute ago lingering. I could fuck her right now, take her hard and fast. Do the dirtiest things on my mind. But that's not where this leads. We take our time. We savor each other's touch. We whisper our words instead of shouting them.

And when Char does cry out, it's that she loves me. I do the same, knowing it might be a while before I can hold her in my arms again. This has been a precious bubble of time together but we both have obligations that are pulling us apart.

"Baby, I don't want you to go." I shouldn't say it, not now. She'd stay with me if she could. But I can't hold it back.

"I don't want to leave you."

I pull back and look into her eyes, our breathing still shallow from the workout we just had. "I'm still going to look at my schedule, find a time when I can fly to you even for a day."

Char nods, closing her eyes as she runs her fingers through my hair. The scent of her citrus and rosemary perfumed oils surrounds us, and I secretly hope it's permeated my sheets so I can wrap myself up in it when she's gone.

We order in a quiet dinner, eating it by the windows overlooking the city. Since there's no way for me to slow down time, Char's car shows up not long after we're finished.

"This sucks," she says at the door. "I hate goodbyes like this."

"It's not goodbye, yet." I snuggle into her. "David got me a late pass to class so I'm riding with you to the airport."

"A late pass?"

I nod. "He messaged a few of the tech crew to pull some shady shit and force the director to delay our call time. Basically, they're making up technical difficulties with the equipment, so I have more time to take you to the airport."

"I hope that doesn't bite you in the ass." She laughs.

"You can bite me in the ass any time." I nibble on her neck, causing her to squeal.

"No more hickeys! I already look like a high school girl who got caught making out with her boyfriend in the basement."

"Yeah, ya do." I smirk, happy with my handywork. I run a finger over the mark I gave her last night. "I've branded you. You're mine now, baby."

Char throws her arms around me. "I already was, you bonehead."

"That's boner head. Because of you, I walk around with a semi pretty much constantly."

"You've used your resources well these last few days, then." Char pumps her brows at me.

"Okay, horny. We need to get you downstairs and into that car before I throw you over my shoulder and ravage you a little longer. Wouldn't want you to miss your flight."

She sighs. "And I wouldn't want you to miss your call time. Can't have the rookie choke on his first at bat."

"Oh man, the metaphors are strong tonight." I grab her bag with my free hand and pull her into the hallway. "Let's get you going." We ride the celebrevator for the second time today down to the awaiting car at the back of the hotel. Our ride to the airport is thick with unspoken goodbyes. I kiss her when we get there but refrain from saying anything else. The words have already been said, no need to crush our souls any further than they've already been crushed.

I watch as she enters the airport, happy that we've been so open and honest with each other. It's a peaceful moment, knowing that no matter the distance, I have her. She's mine.

If only I'd known we'd have twelve hours of peace and then...headlines.

Headlines?!? Whatever could they be?? It's all about to hit the fan in a big way (*crosses fingers in author*) I hope. LOL Sometimes my plans go sideways so it's anyone's guess.

But, I'm really ready to get this story back on track for the Friday Feels, and with the holiday tomorrow (Labor Day in the US) I might be able to get a big chunk of the writing done. That's if my family lets me, haha!

Anyone remember the 3 Stooges? Very old, but I remember watching reruns as a kid. Lots of bonking on the head and fall-down type humor. But I could see Jacob loving it. Also, Harry seemed like the best fit for this chapter, with Char and Jacob's late night adventures ;-) See you next weekend!!

https://youtu.be/F2asWuyW3aE

Thanks for reading!!