'He's not interested in me Frankie, I don't know what he is but it's not that. I'm not getting hurt because I'd have to have feelings for him to do that and we both know that's not something I can do any more - this isn't going to go anywhere, I'm sure he'll find someone that grabs his attention by tonight at the latest, and he will barely even give me a second thought' Frankie didn't look like he bought a single word of it and like he wanted to say something but stopped himself, instead he just slung his arm around my shoulder, walking me back towards the kitchen. 'Well, I trust you, it's just him I don't trust with you and honestly if things were different I wouldn't give a shit what you two do with each other, but I worry about you - I know you hate it, but I can't help it. I know you can take care of yourself Drew, but that's also why I said what I did to him, sometimes you've gotta let other people that care about you help take care of you too' I have to disagree with Frankie there, I think the safest thing to do is only rely on myself. You just can't depend on people, you're setting yourself up to be let down, betrayed or if you let them help you, they'll only hold it over your head later on - it'll make you indebted to them. Relying on someone else or asking for help, means I have to be vulnerable and trust them, and my brain just registers that as unsafe, so I'm just not capable of it - I don't think I ever will be. Even though I do love Frankie, and I have a level of trust with him, I still keep him at arm's length, at a safe distance. The only person I don't really do that with, is Gizmo; and he's a dog. Dogs seem to be the only things you can trust, they aren't cruel the way people are. Speaking of dogs, my fat little Judas is staring at me expectantly while I make the bed in the sun room, I'm sure he's ready to get home. I'd said goodbye to Frankie, Alex was still in bed, he finishes work late so he's usually not up until well after lunch. I've managed to avoid one smirky poodle haired dickhead though, which I'm glad about. Once I'm content with the fact I've left the room the way I found it, well, how it would have looked before I found it last night, I look at Gizmo; patting my hip and urging him to come along with me while I walk to the door towards the deck. I pull the door open, stepping out and pull the door shut behind me, the sun warming my skin as it shines through sheer material draped over the wooden beams above the deck. I'm not really an outdoors person, I do genuinely have allergies, but the sun feels nice today. "Leaving without saying goodbye? Now you're just trying to hurt my feelings on purpose" Harrys voice tutts from the patio doors, with a mocking pout but his unexpected appearance startles the shit out of me, and I jump on the spot - screaming way too loudly, it was a high pitched squeal that sounded like someone kicked a pig. I blow out a heavy breath, bending over to rest my hands against my thighs while I try and compose myself "Didn't anyone ever tell you not to sneak up on people? That's how you give people heart attacks you know - or get punched in the face" Harry steps out of the patio doors; now dressed in his usual painted on jeans and wearing a white singlet, walking towards me with a shit eating grin; trying to keep his urge to cackle at my distressed state down to a low chuckle in his chest. "Didn't anyone ever tell you it's rude to sneak off without saying anything?" he counters, raising a brow when I straighten to look at him. "Couldn't find you, I needed to get going - but here you are, so - bye" I say trying to cover my ass, waving awkwardly with a tight smile while taking a step back as he takes another step towards me. Harry clicks his tongue, tutting me as he prowls forward until one of the deck chairs hits my back forcing me to stop and he stands in front of me. I hear Gizmos wheezing, and glance down to see him sitting next to Harry, staring up at him adoringly and I frown. He gave you bacon once you traitorous log with legs, stop looking at him like he offered you his kidney. "That's a lie, you've been avoiding me since this morning - It's not very polite to lie you know love" he tutts, scowling playfully but then raises his brows like he just had a thought "Speaking of polite, you didn't even thank me for letting you borrow my shirt" Are you fucking serious right now? I huff in frustration while he looks at me expectantly, tilting his head like a coy puppy. "If I say thank you, will you just let me leave?" I question, hoping this will satisfy what ever ploy he's got going on in is head and I can just get out of here. "Of course" he agrees simply, without hesitation. I exhale heavily through my nose, gritting my teeth as I mutter through them begrudgingly "Thank you, for lending me your shirt - after you threw fucking water all over me" "You're welcome" he smiles, then purses his lips and closes the gap between our bodies; looking down at me while our hips nearly touch. "You can make it up to me by coming out with me tonight, I'll pick you up at 7" My mouth drops as I stare at him like he's got four eyes and antennas sticking out of his head. You see what I mean about people though? Nobody does something without an agenda, they always want something - this is why I don't accept help from people, they always expect something in return. Even if that help was forced on me against my will. "Abso-fucking-lutely not. There's no chance in hell that's happening smirky" I tell him firmly, shaking my head and screwing my nose up. "You got your thank you and I said bye, now do what you said you would and let me go home, move" I demand, shooing him away with my hands. Harry raises his brows, wetting his lips "So you're saying you're not coming out with me tonight?" "Unless you see a pig with wings, then sure - but until then, I'm not going any where with you, tonight or any night after that" I answer bluntly, trying to side step around him but he blocks me; bending at the knees to lean down to my eye level with that same look he had on his face last night. His dimple anchors in his cheek while one corner of his mouth pulls to accentuate it; flicking his eyes between mine and his low drawl comes out taunting and ambiguous. "We'll just see about that"