“Guys, it’s…” Morgan Jay points at me, the cameraman following his gesture and flashing my face up on the giant screen. “What the hell?!” I laugh, shaking my head at his mock surprise.

I tried, I really did. We almost made it out unnoticed. But then again, I’m here because of you.

It’s been fifteen years since we first met, back on the X-Factor. I was just starting out and you were already well on your way as a solo artist. We clicked instantly, and since then, it’s been the two of us, side by side. I made my way into One Direction, you carved your path solo, but we’ve always been together.

We’re both 31 now, we got engaged eight years ago, married a year later, and our twin girls—Autumn and Noelle—are six and staying with my mom for tonight. I decided to take a break from touring two years ago. After almost two years on the road, I wanted to just relax, focus on you and our girls and enjoy the moments we don’t get to have when I’m away.

Morgan’s voice cuts through my thoughts again. “So, who are you with?” he asks, raising an eyebrow, clearly amused by my reluctance to answer.

I look over at you, feigning embarrassment, though I can’t help but smile, “My wife,” I murmur, and Morgan shoves his autotune mic in front of my face.

He loves this part—making everything sound ridiculous.

“Are you two gonna make love tonight?” he asks, his autotuned voice stretching the words in the most ridiculous way.

I glance at you and can’t hold back a laugh, and you, of course, laugh too. It’s one of those moments that’s so absurd it’s almost perfect.

Morgan turns to you, playful as ever. “Yeah? And are you going raw?” he asks, giving me an exaggerated wink.

I laugh out loud, shaking my head.