I stared at Harry, unable to believe my eyes. He didn't venture into the room, but hovered in the doorway with a serious expression.

"What are you doing here?!" I spluttered.

"I think we need to talk," he said. His face wasn't giving anything away.

"Okayyy," I said uncertainly, my heart pounding. "What about?"

"The economic crisis in Greece," he said, rolling his eyes. "What do you think?"

He took a couple of steps into the room towards me, and I slid off the bed and stood up.

"Why were you at the Big Weekend?" I asked.

Harry didn't answer.

"I thought you were staying in LA," I persisted.

He looked down at his nails. "I was. I changed my mind. I came back... for you."

My whole body flushed and my stomach lurched. "Oh my God, Harry," I breathed, lifting my head and staring up at the ceiling as the magnitude of his words flooded through me. Harry said nothing but I felt his eyes on me and I dropped my gaze to meet his.

"How did you get past Calvin?" I managed to say.

Harry stared into my eyes for a moment and I detected the beginnings of a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

"You make it sound like this is the final level of Super Mario or something, and he's the boss you have to defeat at the end before you run up the stairs and rescue the princess," he said.

I smirked back at him in spite of myself. "Well your face is still in tact so he either doesn't know you're here or you talked him round."

"Actually, it's sort of down to him I'm even here at all," Harry said.

"What?"

"I didn't know where you'd gone. Your friend Callie said you'd left but hadn't gone home, but she wouldn't go into details. I pressed her on it but she wouldn't give anything away. I looked on Twitter and there was nothing, so I tried Facebook and saw your brother had tagged you here, with a reference to Where Do Broken Hearts Go. I could see it on the map so I started driving here and on the way I called the driver who took you home from the airport and got him to tell me the postcode and house number."

"Why?" I whispered, trying to process all of this.

"I told you. We need to talk."

"It's a lot of hassle to go to just to talk to me," I said. "We can talk on the phone."

"You wouldn't answer," he said, simply.

"I couldn't face another row," I sighed.

"And you wouldn't even look at my texts."

"I thought you'd be shouting at me again, like you did on the phone," I confessed. "I couldn't take any more. I may have deserved it but it still hurts." I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples.

"Are you going out with Gary?" he asked.

"No," I said softly.

"Why did you kiss him?"

I opened my eyes and looked at him. "Because I saw you standing with your arm around a girl and I just assumed it was your girlfriend. I was gutted, and I kissed Gary to make you think I was fine with it."

"You were the one who ended it," he pointed out.

"Yes, and I told you the reasons why," I said. "It had nothing to do with you, it was because of me."

"Do you regret it?"

"Regret what?"

"Ending it."

I looked up into Harry's eyes, my heart pounding. "Yes," I said.

"Do you still want to be with me?"

I nervously tugged at the sleeves of Harry's hoodie, pulling them down over my hands. "Yes," I said.

Harry let out a large breath and shoved his hands deeper in his pockets.

"I know I don't deserve you," I said quickly. "I'm sorry for everything I put you through. I didn't mean to mess you about, I swear. There's so much I need to explain..." I trailed off. I didn't have a clue where to begin.

"I'm sorry I hurt you," he said after a pause. "I never meant to do that. I've only lied to you once, and it was for the best intentions. I promise."

"I believe you," I said. And I did.

I mean, the guy was standing in front me, having flown all the way back from LA for me. He'd worked out where I was and driven all the way here knowing Calvin was here too, and could be waiting to punch his lights out. Yet he'd still come. He wouldn't have bothered to do all that just to lie to me. I understood that now.

"I've missed you so much," he said, taking another step towards me. My heart pounded harder.

"I've missed you too," I said. "I've been a mess."

"Me too," he said, closing the gap between us so he was standing right in front of me. I reached out and touched the hem of his shirt with my fingertips. "Jess - do you think... maybe once we've talked stuff through... sorted everything out... maybe - maybe we can we start again?"

"I'd really like that," I whispered. I looked up at him and a smile crept slowly across his face.

"So I've never been any good at reading road signs," he smirked.

I felt a grin spreading across my face too. "Just follow your instincts and you'll be fine," I said as he lowered his face to mine.

I closed my eyes and our lips touched, and it was like the first time all over again. My stomach was performing back flips, my heart was pounding and my legs trembled.

He pulled me hard against him and I wound my fingers into his hair. My lips were on fire from where they were pressed against Harry's, and my whole body was covered in goosebumps. His hands pressed against the small of my back before lifting the bottom of my (his) hoodie and running his fingertips across my skin, just above the waistband of my leggings. My fingers found the buttons on his shirt and quickly unfastened them and he slipped it off his shoulders without breaking our kiss.

I ran my hands over the warm skin of his chest and he pulled my hoodie up over my head, removing my tshirt along with it and leaving me in just my bra and leggings. We fell onto the bed, Harry on top of me, kissing urgently and breathing hard.

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?"

Harry catapulted himself off the bed and I scrambled to my knees as Calvin stood in the doorway with a face like thunder. In the heat of the moment I'd forgotten we were at my parents' house and the bedroom door was wide open.

"Sorry mate, sorry mate," Harry muttered hastily, grabbing his shirt off the floor.

"I didn't let you up here to paw my sister!" Calvin hissed, holding his hand out in front of him to block the sight of me in just my bra, and turning his face away. "Christ alive, Jess, put some fucking clothes on!"

I stood up and grabbed the Green Bay Packers hoodie off the floor, and held it in front of my chest. I glared at Calvin, still breathing hard from my kiss with Harry. "Alright, calm down," I muttered.

"Calm down?!" Calvin repeated, and I could see the vein in his temple throbbing dangerously. "You," he pointed at Harry, "you are skating on very thin ice."

"Will you keep your voice down!" I hissed at Calvin.

"I'm sorry mate," Harry said, looking genuinely scared. I didn't blame him - Calvin's 6'4" figure was looming over him looking ready to smash his face in. "Won't happen again."

"Woah, hold on, excuse me," I interrupted. "One - you are not Dad, Calvin. Two - this is not your house so don't come barging in here telling me what I can and can't do. And three - what do you think we did in LA, played fucking Scrabble?!" 

Calvin's eyes widened in fury.

"Jess, I am really trying not to get my head kicked in here," Harry pleaded.

I stepped between the two of them and pushed Calvin back with my hand. "I appreciate the brotherly concern but I am FINE," I told him, sternly.

"I'm on my best behaviour from now on, I promise," Harry said fervently.

"You'd fucking better be," Calvin threatened. "I've been gunning for you for weeks. Don't give me an excuse."

"Calvin!" I scolded. "For fuck's sake, back off! You're being a prick!"

Calvin glared down at me murderously before stepping back through the doorway. "I gave you a free pass, getting you here," he said to Harry. "Don't abuse it."

"I know," Harry said, nodding seriously. "And I really appreciate it. I'd be the same over my sister."

"What are you talking about, a free pass?" I asked, frowning at Calvin. "You didn't get Harry here, he drove."

Calvin rolled his eyes. "How do you think he knew where to come? I couldn't call or text him because I don't have his number. He wouldn't have seen a tweet. The only place I knew I could potentially reach him was Facebook. That's why I tagged you in that post. So if he wanted to come, he could."

I stared at Calvin, open-mouthed. "But... but... you hate Harry!"

"Err, I'm right here," Harry said. We ignored him.

"I hate any guy who comes near my sister. But this poor sod... you've given him some shit, Jess. And for what it's worth I don't think he deserved all of it. Most of it, but not all." Calvin looked directly at Harry. "Fuck this up and I will kill you."

Harry nodded.

"So you wanted him to come here?!" I said trying to get my head around this latest piece of information.

Calvin shrugged. "I wanted him to have the option. And if he did come, he could either burst in like a knight in shining armour and redeem himself and stop you fucking wailing, or I could break his legs. Win win."

Harry's eyes widened slightly. I guessed Calvin hadn't made his motives known to Harry until now.

I stepped forward and put my arms around Calvin's waist and squeezed him. I knew how my brother's mind worked, and I understood it would have taken a lot for him to put my needs before his. Even if he had been hoping for a chance to give Harry a beating. He squeezed me back and then pushed me away.

"I thought I told you to put some clothes on."

"Alright, alright," I sighed pulling the tshirt and hoodie back on again.

"Jess?" my mum called up the stairs. "Is Harry staying for tea?"

Oh God. This was about to turn into my worst nightmare.

"We don't have to stay here for dinner," I said quickly. "We can go out somewhere if you want."

"Don't be silly," Harry frowned. "Are you ashamed of me or something?"

"Ashamed of you?" I repeated. "I'm ashamed of them!"

"Jessica?" my mum called again.

"Don't be so rude," Harry scolded and he walked out onto the landing, quickly fastening his shirt. "That would be lovely, Mrs Bradshaw. Thank you."

From the lounge I heard squeals, and remembered Maddie had friends here.

"Good. It'll be ready in five minutes," my mum said, warmly.

"We'll be down in a sec," I called as Calvin walked down the stairs ahead of us. I stopped on the landing and turned to Harry. "Are you sure you're ready for this? My mum and dad... they're kind of embarrassing."

Harry laughed. "Aren't all parents embarrassing?"

"Well yeah but honestly, mine are worse than most. My dad thinks you're in a band called Wrong Direction, and he was a little wary about me coming to LA to stay with 'a boy'."

Harry smiled at me affectionately. "Stop stressing. It'll be fine. Maybe we could go out somewhere after dinner and talk? Sort things out?"

I smiled back at him. "I'd really like that."

He bent forward and kissed me softly on the lips and I let myself lean back against the wall, pulling him with me. He put his hands on the wall either side of my head and I pulled his hips against mine. "Damn it, Harry," I breathed, feeling desire shoot through my body.

He quickly stood up straight and pulled away from me. "Don't start this," he whispered. "I promised your brother I'd be on best behaviour."

"Ugh," I muttered. "He's a bloody hypocrite, the way he treats women."

"I wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for him," Harry reminded me.

"I still can't believe he did that," I said thoughtfully, playing with the string of my hoodie.

"Well, I owe him, so I don't want to do anything that might piss him off," Harry declared.

"Yeah, yeah," I said. "We'd better go downstairs. Oh God. Are you ready for this? Have you prepared yourself? It's going to be horrendous."

Harry grinned as he followed me down the stairs. "I'm looking forward to it."

We walked along the hall and into the kitchen where my mum was spooning Cottage Pie onto several plates. "Hello love," she greeted me. "We'll eat in the dining room tonight."

My dread deepened. The dining room was only used for special occasions like Christmas, family get-togethers and boyfriend interrogation. I ushered Harry through the door towards the dining table where Calvin, my dad, Maddie and her friend Phoebe were already sitting.

"Harry!" Calvin greeted him in a pretend posh voice, with a huge smile on his face. "Do have a seat!" He indicated to the chair opposite him and Harry smiled back nervously and sat down. I quickly sat down next to him, and Maddie and Phoebe exchanged thinly-veiled hysterical looks and smirked down at their placemats.

My mum brought the plates through while my dad poured drinks for everyone. I stuck with water, to keep a clear head, and everyone began to eat.

"So, what exactly is it you do, Harry?" my dad asked.

I closed my eyes. And so it begins.

"Um, I'm a singer," Harry said. "I'm in a band."

"Ah yes, One Direction," my dad said, giving me a knowing smile. "So you're quite famous eh?"

"Daaad," Maddie groaned, and I shot her a grateful smile.

"Yes, I suppose so." Harry smiled at Maddie, who blushed and dropped her fork.

"So are you on a tour or something at the moment?" my dad asked.

"Um, we're currently on a two month break," Harry said. "We've done Australia, Japan, South Africa, the Philippines and Dubai. We start the European leg in Cardiff in June, then we go over to the States for the summer."

My heart sank as he mentioned the US leg of the tour. I probably wouldn't see him for weeks at a time.

Get a grip, you weren't even speaking to him half an hour ago, my subconscious scoffed.

"So where do you live in between all this jet-setting?" my dad asked.

"Well, sort of between Los Angeles and London. And I spend as much time as I can with my family in Cheshire," Harry explained.

"So where does Jess fit into all this?" Calvin asked sweetly.

"Calvin," I warned.

"Well, actually I was wondering if maybe you wanted to come and meet my family tomorrow?" Harry asked, turning to me, his face looking a bit pink. "It's fine if you've got plans or something. I appreciate it's sort of short notice, and it's a bank holiday weekend."

"Ooohh, meeting the parents hey?" Calvin winked. "Must be serious."

I kicked Calvin hard under the table and he winced. "That would be great," I said shyly to Harry while my heart pounded wildly and my stomach churned.

My mind was already racing with all the potential questions that had just sprung to mind. What should I wear? Do they know about me? Will Gemma be there? Does she hate me after my stupid stunt at the Big Weekend?

"Great," Harry said, sounding relieved. "I can pick you up in the morning and we'll drive up there."

"Wait, where are you staying tonight?" I asked.

"I'll get my assistant to sort out a hotel or something," he said.

"No way - Mum, Harry can stay here can't he?"

"What?!" Calvin barked.

"Of course he can," my mum replied.

"That's really kind of you, Mrs Bradshaw, but I don't want to put you to any trouble," Harry said, smiling at my mum.

"He's not staying here," Calvin snapped.

"Oh my God, would you stop?!" I said to Calvin, letting my fork fall on my plate with a clatter. "Don't be so damn rude."

"Stop it you two," my mum scolded. "Calvin, don't be so rude. Harry is more than welcome here."

"He's not sleeping in her room!" Calvin practically shouted.

"Errr, why not?" I shot back.

"I really don't want to cause any bother," Harry said, clearly embarrassed.

"You're not getting up to any funny business," Calvin hissed at me, leaning forward across the table.

"What funny business?" my dad asked.

"Calvin!" I wailed. I turned to my dad. "There is no funny business."

"Then it won't bother you to sleep in separate rooms will it?" Calvin said, smiling sweetly again.

"I'm sure Harry won't mind staying in the spare room," my dad agreed and I pouted.

"Of course, that's really very kind of you," Harry said politely and my mum beamed at him. She was clearly impressed by his charm.

"I'm sorry for Calvin's disgusting behaviour," I muttered to Harry as Calvin and my dad started discussing Formula One.

"It's fine," he smiled, and gently nudged my leg with his under the table, making my heart skip a beat.

The doorbell rang as my mum was clearing the plates and Calvin sprang up. "That'll be Tom," he said. "Don't wait up."

"Ahh, enjoy your date with your boyfriend," I sang. "They make such a cute couple," I said to Harry.

"I'll be checking on you when I get in later," Calvin warned. "You'd better be in your bed. ALONE."

"Alright!" I snapped, furious again, and Calvin sailed out the front door.

We stood up and helped clear the dishes away and then stood awkwardly in the hall. "So, d'you wanna go out somewhere and talk?" I suggested. "Or we could talk here...?"

"I don't mind," Harry said, shoving his hands in his pockets and looking at me. "I guess we'd get more privacy if we stay here? I don't fancy getting hassled while we're trying to sort stuff out."

I nodded, and I led Harry into the conservatory and shut the door behind us.

Harry sat down on the wicker sofa and I perched on the squishy footstool opposite him. "I'm sorry," I said, and he looked at me.

"What for?"

"For everything," I sighed. I stared up at the ceiling, hoping for some divine guidance from above. "I don't even know where to begin." He said nothing, but I could feel his eyes on me. "I feel I need to explain all of it; the way I've acted... I've been a pain," I began, lowering my gaze to meet his.

He smiled at me. "Yes, I suppose you have. But I forget sometimes that this world is completely new to you and I just expected you to deal with it all like I do."

"It is kind of terrifying," I admitted. "But I don't owe you excuses. I owe you an explanation." I took a deep breath. "OK, here goes...." 

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Wow - 12.5k reads!!! I can't believe it! Thank you to everyone reading and voting! Please please vote if you like this book, I get spurred on to update so much quicker when I get votes!! And I love reading what you all think about it, so thank you for the comments!! 

OK so I know it's been like a week since I last updated but I have been writing stuff on my sun lounger while I was on holiday, so if you all vote and comment like crazy I might just do a double update on Friday :)