A blaring sound wakes me up. Fatigue has washed over me, and he groans, turning to stop the noise. He curses, letting me go.

I sit up a little, noticing that the alarm clock shows that it is 8 in the morning, almost. Louis curses under his breath, and I can see Mark's name on the screen of his phone. He mutters he has to take it and gets out of the sheets. He answers it in a miserable tone, putting the phone to his ear as he walks out of the room and shuts the door. For a moment, I catch a whiff of coffee, and I wake up even more.

I move out of bed and go to grab my phone. Of course, Josh has texted me already. He's still in his hometown, and I have time to kill. Excitement flourishes through me, and I stand. I go to grab my own pants, but I find Louis' grey sweatpants by his bed instead. After changing into his comfy sweats, I make my way out of the room. The way the sun shines and glistens in this flat, especially with the marble flooring, only makes me love it more. This place is far too beautiful, proving his father's wealth. I'd love to wake up here more often.

The delicious scent of coffee floats through the flat. My eyes fall on Louis, his back to me and his voice low and filled with aggravation. There's a pot of coffee on the island and two mugs, half filled and used. Instantly, I assume Mia must be here, and I quickly roam my fingers through my messy waves. I haven't properly met her yet, despite her knowing far too much about me. I don't want to greet her, looking like a tired mess.

"Whatever," Louis grumbles. He ends the call and turns, eyes falling on me instantly. I smile sheepishly.

"I'm sorry. I heard nothing if you're concerned about that. I came out because I smelled coffee," I note. He lets out a hint of a laugh. "Can I?"

"Mugs are in the top left cabinet," he nods, his whole physique more relaxed than when he was on his phone. Happily, I turn and grab myself a white mug. "I love seeing you in my clothes," he whispers, now closer. My cheeks are warm, and I don't look at him. I pour myself a cup, and he wraps around the island to my side. I help myself to the cream on the counter, turning the coffee light brown. His hand is on my hip, so comforting.

I turn to face him, leaving the coffee behind. His hand is now on my other hip, and my back is to the island with him trapping me. He's so close that my heart rate quickens. His blue eyes are on mine, glimmering from the light shining into the flat. "I could wake up to you here more often," he whispers. I let out a small giggle, flustered by his words. My hand falls on his bare chest, his skin so smooth beneath my touch. Just feeling him, his warm skin, and breathing in that subtle hint of cologne left over from yesterday is a treat. His lips are on mine, moulding mine with his perfectly. I can't help but melt into him, relaxing into his kiss. It's as if each kiss brings me closer to him. More layers of walls are coming down with every kiss. I'd rather have him than Josh or anyone else at all.

The front door opens, and that puts an end to our kiss. My body heats up, and he slips away. I spin quickly, finding Jace walking in with Finn on the leash and Mia behind, confirming my suspicions. Jace has a hint of amusement, and Mia's eyes are slightly wide when they both see us. Louis clears his throat and mumbles, "I'm going to put on a shirt." I fight back a tiny laugh as he parts ways.

"I had no idea you stayed. Thought you slipped out last night or early in the morning as you tried to the other morning," Jace calls me out comically. I let out a nervous laugh as he takes Finn off the leash. Both of them look comfortable in hoodies and sweats, Mia's hair being up in a messy bun that looks stunning on her. With her cheekbones high and her natural lashes long, she looks like she could look beautiful in anything, whereas I'd probably look like a man in a bun. "Oh, uh, Megan, this is Mia. Mia, Megan."

"Hi," she smiles. A genuine smile meets her blue eyes, as opposed to a fake, wary smile that I half expected. The number of girls I am used to faking smiles at the uni didn't prepare me for this warm one.

"It's nice to meet you. Jace said great things about you," I greet her, trying to start some sort of conversation. Her cheeks become pink, and she giggles, tapping at his arm like he's the one that embarrassed her. Finn comes right for me, wagging his tail, and I bend a little to give him attention.

"I'll be right back," Jace notes. He makes his way towards the rooms, leaving us alone.

"I am so sorry that he snapped at you. I've never seen him get like that with anyone and was about to stop him before Louis did," Mia quickly whispers, coming closer.

"He was just trying to protect his friend," I shake my head, my voice soft and quiet. She gives a tight smile, and her eyes skim over me, probably with pity that she can mask easier than Jace.

"You know, it's been a long time since he's been with anyone. This is kind of surreal, seeing you here," she admits. I look away, nerves beginning to eat me alive. "I'm happy for him. Really. Despite the circumstances," her voice kind of thins out at the end. Despite me being with Josh.

"I do like him a lot," I admit. It feels good to get it off my chest because I can't just reveal that to my friends. Her grin widens, and I grab my coffee to take a small sip. She's still looking at me like she can't believe I'm here, but I'm confident that he has at least slept around and brought more girls than she and Jace are letting on. As much as the idea makes my stomach curl, it just feels like a simple fact after witnessing different girls throw themselves at him.

"You better not be telling her anything embarrassing about me," Louis interrupts in a mutter directed towards her. She snorts in a laugh and shakes her head.

"I'll let you two be. I need to freshen up," her nose crinkles. She flashes me another smile and heads off in the direction Jace had gone. Louis puts my phone on the island, and confusion masks over me.

"Someone called you twice while I was in there. I didn't look," he murmurs. I grab it and frown when I notice Hannah and Ali had both attempted to call after I had already checked my phone for messages. I tap on Hannah's name first, my stomach dropping slightly with anxiety. Please don't question my whereabouts.

"Hey," she greets me over the line. I go to respond, but she is quick to continue. "I'm sorry, I'm going to be a little late. I just woke up at Ben's, and I didn't mean to stay at all."

"Late?" I ask before pulling the phone back to check the date. I have no idea what this Sunday is supposed to be.

"For dress shopping. You two wanted to wake up early since it's quite a commute," she starts.

"What?" I laugh, not understanding still.

"For the charity gala," her voice drops in pitch as if not impressed. A frown creeps onto my lips as I double-check the date. "That we have gone to the last three years for the guys' team," she reminds me. "We literally talked about this the other day. You flat-out agreed to go. You better not have forgotten, and you better not cancel again. All you ever do anymore is cancel on us."

"No, no. I didn't forget. I'm just tired," I clear my throat, despite clearly having forgotten it. Truthfully, I don't remember talking about it at all. My mind must have been so far gone, off elsewhere, and I might have just nodded along unknowingly. "I'll see you soon," I state in disappointment before ending the call.

There goes any chance of staying longer.

"Dress shopping?" Louis questions, clearly having overheard. I look at him, his blue eyes masked with confusion. My lips form into a slight scowl. Why can't I admit to them that I'm with him and would want to be here a little longer?

"The gala. Ball. The charity function that your team does every year," I mumble, my tone off before I take a sip of my coffee.

"You guys actually go to that? I didn't plan on going at all," he murmurs.

"It's mandatory," I can't help but laugh. He shrugs without care. "Oh, come on, you can't not attend. I'm usually Josh's date, even before we had gotten together, and Hannah is usually with Derek, and Ali is usually with Shane. There's enough room at the table for one more couple, which has been the one guy named Dan and some random girl for the past two years. It is kind of fun, and the money goes to a good cause. You have to go and take Dan's seat."

"No."

"Louis," I pout, hunching a little onto the counter.

"You want me to go to some ball that I'm not interested in, with some random girl as a date," he deadpans, eyes locked on mine. My heart falters a little with the thought of him being there with another girl.

"Well, you guys do have to go, or you get benched from the next game," I mumble, slightly reluctant.

"Coach can't possibly follow through with those threats," he tries to challenge back.

"He benched Tom, an attacking midfielder, and he was replaced by an idiot that kept going in the defensive position before realising that he was meant to be offence. He kept forgetting to attack. They lost terribly."

"You said you don't know a thing about football," his eyebrows raise instantly, switching the conversation. I roll my eyes and look away.

"Well, it's mandatory, and your coach does follow through on mandating attendance unless you have a valid excuse," I mumble quietly.

"The date isn't mandatory," he tries to start.

"You'll just look off, not having one. It doesn't even have to be a girl. It could be Jace if you wanted to bring him or any other friend you might have," I announce softly, slightly hopeful that he would pick Jace to go.

"He won't even be around that weekend," he mumbles.

"Just bring a random girl," I forfeit, despite not wanting to. A tinge of jealousy begins to creep through my veins, but I try not to show it on my face. He looks at me like I have two heads. "I mean, it's not like the two of us are actually...together. I'll be with Josh," I whisper, disappointed in my own words. I gaze into those blue eyes, a tightness taking over my chest. He isn't mine, and I don't want to see him there with another girl. "Don't let me stop you. I'm sure Shane could find someone for you at the last minute."

"Megan, I'm not taking some other girl right in front of you," he refuses.

"I don't care. Honestly," I lie, trying to keep together. His eyes study me, and I go to take another sip of my coffee to keep my face slightly hidden. "I mean, it doesn't mean you have to do anything with her. You'll just sit, eat and dance," I add, although the idea of another girl in his arms kills me a little inside. I just need to remind myself that he isn't mine, and I'll be fine. I hope.

"Alright," he mutters, miserably low. I let out a long sigh and turn away, wanting to save face. My heart is heavy with the idea of him being there with someone else, but I don't want to see him being benched from a game and ruining a chance at offers to the big leagues.

"I need to get ready to go before they hammer me with questions as to why I'm late."

I set down the mug and face him once more. Those eyes are on me, my skin turning scorching hot with ease. I give him a weak smile before moving up on my toes to leave a quick kiss on his lips. He lets out a heavy sigh, those eyes not leaving me. "I need to get you out of that damn relationship so I can have you for myself," he mumbles lowly.

Butterflies run rampant through me, and I let out a giddy laugh. I slip away from him to head back to the room to change. Truly, I wish for the same thing, but I'm stuck with him, and I don't see myself getting out.