Crooked

Surprisingly, Niall wanted to keep our relationship on the down low from the other boys, but the boys had other plans in mind. When Niall and I arrived to the tour bus a couple of hours later, we found Louis, Harry, Liam, Zayn and Angie smirking, as though they had uncovered some big secret we had yet to find out about.

“Hey,” I breezed, taking a seat next to Harry on the couch. “How did your night go?”

“Good,” Harry replied with a grin, “but we want to know about yours.”

Niall and I exchanged a smile as he came down to sit next to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

“Good,” he answered briefly. “Good all ‘round.”

Angie snorted. “You two finally got together and all you can say is good? What type of response is that?”

A silence filled the room before the boys let out loud whoops and congratulated Niall, who grinned bashfully up at them in response. His fingers found my shoulder and squeezed gently. I leaned over to kiss him on the cheek, before pushing the other guys out of the way to kiss him properly on the lips.

Naturally, Harry and Louis catcalled but I ignored them, feeling Niall’s smile against mine as we both pulled away. I couldn’t resist giving them the finger though, as Niall leaned in to kiss me again.

I felt a thump against the back of my head, causing me to bump my lips against Niall.

“Ow,” I complained. “Was that really necessary?”

Harry shrugged, revealing himself to be the culprit of the pillow throwing. “We want details, Cass.”

Niall and I exchanged a glance before Niall spoke again. “Cassidy and I are happy together.”

“Very,” I couldn’t help but add in. “And I don’t know what’s going to happen after this tour finishes, but we’ll work it out.”

“You could always come live with me?” Angie suggested excitedly “This was our original plan, remember? Except you take the money you’ve made while working for the boys and then come live with me instead! We can get a flat and decorate and go out to pubs and it’ll be great.”

I didn’t even have to think about my answer – moving across the world to where my best friend was? “Not even countries can split us apart,” I said with a grin, earning a smile from Angie. “I’ll have to check in with the parentals though. I mean, they won’t be happy with it, but I have to tell Ryan, at least. Ugh, do you think I’ll have to see the devil as well?”

“The devil?” Niall furrowed his eyebrows in thought. “Is this the girl your brother’s dating? The one you said you didn’t like because she reminded you of my teeth? Or something?”

I could tell Niall was a little hurt, so I quickly explained my thought process to him. “I don’t like my brother’s girlfriend because she’s an evil bitch who just so happens to have crooked teeth. And I was annoyed by you initially when we first met because your teeth reminded me of hers. But I don’t think that way about you anymore, I love you, you goof.”

“Awwwww!” Everyone but Niall cooed, and Niall took this time to kiss me.

“I forgive you,” he murmured, burying his head in my shoulder and I couldn’t help but kiss him on the forehead. Niall was so cute and kissable and I just wanted him all the time. “And I love you too. But I don’t think you should move a whole country for me.”

I pulled away from Niall and frowned. “It wouldn’t just be for you, though. Angie lives in London. I know you go away all the time, but it doesn’t matter to me.”

Niall shook his head. “I want to be with you Cassie, but I can’t ask you to move for me.”

“Good thing you didn’t ask, then,” I said decisively. “I’ve already made my decision and you can’t stop me.” I paused. “But my parents might, though.”

“You gonna go home to do it?” Angie interrupted. “I mean, I’m sure you can Skype them but I don’t think your mum will appreciate it.”

I sighed. “Yeah, probs. Plus I have to get all my stuff from home as well. I’m not letting my parents touch my shit.”

“If you move,” Niall added.

I gave him a look. “When I move,” I said stubbornly. “I’ve already decided what I’m doing with my life, Niall. You can’t stop me.”

“Yeah, but your family might stop you,” Angie said worriedly and for a moment, I was scared that what she said was true.

---

I knew the boys had to finish off their London dates and head up to Scotland before they completed the last leg of their England tour, but I wasn’t sure when I’d be back with them. It wasn’t so much that I had to ask my parents to live away from them, but that I had to inform them of my decision. And make sure they didn’t try to sway my decisions in any way. It wasn’t just about Niall, like I had told him. Angie would be here too, and this year so far without her was miserable. She was like my other half, the sister I always wanted.

I had always wanted to pursue my art, and the best thing about it was that I didn’t have to stay in one place to explore my artistic career. The scenery in London was perfect for inspiration, not to mention watching my uber sexy boyfriend doing what he loved every day was enough to inspire me for a lifetime. If I didn’t like London, I could always move back home.

But that wasn’t going to happen.

“Long time no see, sister dearest,” Ryan held his arms out for me and I rushed into him, remembering the last conversation we had before I left. He told me to be careful when I told him I was living my own life. I knew we had to resolve some issues between us – aka the devil – but I wasn’t sure how to approach the subject. “How long are you back for?”

I shrugged. “Long enough to tell mum and dad that I’m going to live in London for a while, maybe for a few months and see how things go.”

“Live in London?” Ryan was shocked. “Cass, that’s on the other side of the world!”

“Excellent observation there,” I noted sarcastically. “It’s not like I left on the best of terms here, Ry. Besides, mum and dad hates me. And so do you.”

“Why would I hate you?”

I raised an eyebrow. “I punched your girlfriend, remember?”

“Ah,” Ryan gave me a sheepish grin. “Ex-girlfriend, actually.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “You broke up with the devil and you didn’t think to tell me?”

Ryan shrugged. “I figured you were having a good time with Angie and the boys and that that you didn’t want me to ruin your fun. Especially with that blonde boy. What’s his name, Neal is it?”

“Niall,” I interrupted. “And don’t go changing the subject here just because there’s a boy involved in my life now. You could have called me, you know that.”

He shook his head, turning away slightly from me. “After I broke up with her, I felt bad for being angry at you and angry at myself for sending you away. That’s why you left, wasn’t it? To get away from me and the devil?”

I loved how Ryan called her the devil too, but I didn’t say anything about that. “Mum, dad, the devil,” I said airily. “It didn’t help that you were disappointed in me either. But it doesn’t matter now, because I’ve made up my mind.”

Ryan was silent for a moment before he spoke. “You should do what makes you happy, and if being with Niall and Angie make you happy, you should do it. I’ll deal with the parentals and help you out with moving. You can tell them you’ve moved when you get to London. They don’t have to know.”

I smiled at my older brother and he returned the gesture. “You don’t think I should tell them?”

Ryan shook his head. “Nah, they’ll kill you if they know their only daughter is moving across the world to be with the boy she loves.”

“How do you know I love him?” I asked, wondering how the hell he could have gotten that when I didn’t even tell him.

“A brother just knows.” Ryan tapped his forehead knowingly, earning a response of me rolling my eyes at him in return. His face quickly grew serious. “But if he breaks your heart, I break his face. Even if he does live on the other side of the world.”

I laughed. “Got it. Thanks, Ry.”

He grinned and opened his arms out for another hug. “What are older brothers for?”