The familiar scent of sweat, sex, marijuana, and tobacco enveloped me.
“I can’t say I missed this smell,” I remarked with a frown, but Niall only rolled his eyes.
“Quit acting like a child,” he chuckled, striding toward the VIP section-our section.
Niall and I had made it a ritual to visit this bar every Saturday since we turned 21. We’d order premium bottles of tequila, vodka, and champagne to attract the most appealing women.
To our surprise, we’d always end up choosing two ‘winners’ to take back to our place, drink as much as we could, and have a wild night until dawn, only to wake up the next day for pancakes and orange juice with those very girls.
Nostalgic memories!
“Bring me the finest tequila, vodka, and champagne!” Niall ordered from the approaching waiter, who nodded and departed.
I settled into my usual spot and surveyed the area.
The women were already scattered about, flaunting their bodies while men threw money at them. I laughed quietly; most of them were between my age and fifty.
Before long, the waiter returned with the bottles, and I poured myself a glass of tequila mixed with sparkling water, sipping it contentedly as I leaned back.
“Look at those girls,” Niall pointed, checking out some curvy brunettes. I shook my head, scanning the room. “What about those? They look younger,” he added, nodding toward a redhead, a blonde, and another brunette.
“That’s not what I’m looking for,” I muttered, continuing my search. “And frankly, what I want isn’t here.” Shrugging, I focused on finishing my drink while Niall rolled his eyes again.
“I swear, if you don’t stop daydreaming about her, I’ll smash a whole bottle over your head,” he joked, prompting a laugh from me.
I caught sight of a green-eyed blonde heading our way, and I smirked at Niall. “That one’s for you,” I murmured, his frown deepening.
“Who?” he asked, and I couldn’t contain my amusement. As soon as he turned to look, his expression fell, and he slumped into the couch. “Shit.”
Clarissa, Niall’s former girlfriend, strolled toward us, clearly unsure.
“Mr. Horan,” the security guard addressed as he approached.
“Let her through,” I directed, and Niall scowled.
The guard complied, allowing Clarissa entry, and she appeared shy as she reached us.
“Hi, Clarissa,” Niall greeted, albeit coolly.
“I need to talk to you alone,” she insisted, and Niall frowned skeptically.
“Whatever you want to say can be said here,” he replied curtly.
“I’d rather not in front of him,” she stated, gesturing vaguely at me. Niall shot her an unimpressed look.
“If I wanted to keep it private, I wouldn’t have asked you to talk, Clarissa,” he replied, sending tension permeating the air.
I poured myself another drink, feeling the atmosphere grow thick. Niall sighed, squeezing his eyes shut. I had no choice but to continue sipping mine.
“Come on, tell me what you need to say and then leave,” he insisted, and she flinched.
“I have a son,” she declared, leaving Niall confused.
“So?” he replied dismissively.
“It’s yours,” she added, and I nearly choked on my drink.
Setting my glass back down, I watched in disbelief as Niall’s anger surfaced.
“Of course not!” he laughed, the bitterness evident.
“You’re the last guy I slept with, Niall. That kid is yours,” she asserted, trying to calm him, but Niall stood, gripping her arm tightly before leading her away to a private room.
“Great day,” I muttered quietly.
Just then, I felt my phone vibrate, and glancing at it, I noticed messages from both James and Nina. I opened Nina’s first, revealing a voice message.
“Alex!” she exclaimed. “I hope you’re feeling the pain of your choices as much as I am, so it’s worthwhile,” she slurred, punctuated by a hiccup.
It was obvious she was completely wasted. Checking the time, I noted it was 11:40 PM, rubbing my forehead in frustration. Minutes later, another voice message came through.
“And by the way, Gray, we agreed on no surveillance, yet you had James tagging along!” she complained, frustrated.
Next, I opened James’s message: “Alex, your girl is downright plastered. I’m not her babysitter, but you should find a way to keep her safe-there are lots of guys trying to hit on her.”
As I read, my anger surged. My restlessness made it hard to stay seated, especially with Niall gone.
Moments later, the door swung open, and I noticed Niall storming out, Clarissa following him, tears streaming down her face.
“What happened?” I inquired, but she just shook her head, and I trailed behind Niall.
“Niall!” I called, desperate to catch his attention. He was too focused, heading for the exit, and I struggled to keep up amidst the loud music.
“Niall!” I yelled again, managing to grab his arm, but he shoved me away. Annoyed, I frowned. “What’s wrong with you? Talk to me, man!”
Niall abruptly turned to face me, his eyes glistening with tears and his face crimson from anger.
“I’m a father, Alex!” he declared briskly, sending chills coursing through my body. “I have a 2-month-old baby!” he shouted furiously. “I’m not ready for responsibility,” he groaned, tugging at his hair.
Sighing, I looked skyward, hoping for clarity.
“You’re in trouble,” I told him, his disbelief palpable.
“Thanks!” he retorted, but I shook my head.
“Niall, you’re not unprepared; you’re just scared,” I reminded him.
“You’re crazy,” he replied with a bitter laugh and I continued.
“Actually, you’re the most responsible guy I know!” I asserted, before softening my tone. “Maybe this is what you need. Your dad always said we wouldn’t understand our purpose until we became parents… perhaps that time is now.”
He bit his lip, looking thoughtful but clearly distressed.
“You’re at ease because you’re not in my situation,” he countered, laughter carrying a hint of irony.
“No, I’m calm because I believe in you,” I replied sincerely. “Go home; relax. Get to know your baby and take care of him. I’m here for you-always,” I added with a smile.
Seeing Niall tear up made my chest tighten-the first time I had witnessed him cry, a promise made long ago echoing in my mind: we wouldn’t cry over trivial matters.
This meant more to Niall than I anticipated. I sighed, preparing to support him.
“If you want, I can join you to meet him,” I offered. He wiped his tears, taking a deep breath.
“I have to go,” he replied ultimately, heading to his car. I stuffed my hands into my pockets as I watched him leave, shaking my head in disbelief.
Moments later, my phone vibrated again.
The message read: “Dude, your girlfriend is lying on three guys right now, just a heads up. I hope for my promotion!”
“Tell me where that party is now!” I demanded, urgency overtaking me as adrenaline kicked in.
My blood boiled with rage; I couldn’t stand by. When James sent the location, I started my car, cranking the speed up to 120 kilometers per hour without a care for the consequences.
Fortunately, it wasn’t too far. I arrived at the house at 1:35 AM, noticing it was empty outside. Stepping out, I entered to find countless drunken teenagers dancing and sprawled on the floors.
I shook my head, searching for Nina until I caught sight of her atop a table, dancing carefree.
Her skirt was inching higher with each movement, and the inebriated boys cheered her on. I made my way through the crowd, fuming as I hoisted her onto my shoulders.
The boys protested, “Hey! She’s our friend!” One exclaimed, but she playfully slapped my rear.
“Put me down, gorilla! I want to stay with my friends!” she laughed, slapping my backside again.
“We’re going home,” I insisted, my anger bubbling.
“If Alex sees you carrying me, he’ll kill you!” she teased, pinching my butt in jest.
“Let’s get out of here,” I said sharply, ignoring the drunken crowd’s protests.
As I strode outside, I could hear her singing a song from my childhood.
“Nina, do you think Dora treats Boots like a dog or a friend?” she suddenly mused, causing another sigh from me.
“Let’s get you in the car,” I replied, opening the passenger door and buckling her in. As I walked to the driver’s seat, she looked over at me.
“It was a serious question, silly,” she continued, her frown deepening.
Gazing at her, I felt a surge of desire, wrestling with the temptation to kiss her.
“They say you have a very attractive face,” she remarked, both hands playfully rolling over my features. I couldn’t help but smile.
“Nina, how much did you drink?” I asked, but she disregarded my concern, continuing to toy with my face.
“Love-that’s what Alex says!” she giggled, squeezing my cheeks and lifting my nose.
“He’s probably out with other women already-and who knows? Maybe he’s got STDs!” she exclaimed dramatically after moaning. “I don’t intend to sleep with him again!”
Her comments left me stunned; she didn’t want to be with Alex.
“Maybe once more, and then that’s it,” she finally admitted with a slight grin.
“You don’t say?” I responded, shocked yet amused by her candor. “So, do you love Alex?” I inquired, watching her fingers stroke my ear while she shrugged.
“I don’t know,” she confessed, closing her eyes as if drifting off.
“I’ve only been with one guy,” she whispered, placing her hand on her thigh, which sent jolts of unease through me.
“Man! I mean man,” she added, and I chuckled softly.
“I’m unsure what it is to love someone,” she finished, yawning as she snuggled deeper into her seat.
“What about you?” she asked, her eyes momentarily brightening.
I hesitated, gazing ahead, beginning to drive home.
I wanted to tell her how I felt, but I was too afraid of looking vulnerable. I could feel her gaze upon me, tilting her head in confusion.
Holy cow, she was stunning! We arrived home, and I noticed her peering out the window.
I got out of the car, making my way to her door, removing her seatbelt, lifting her gently into my arms as she wrapped her arms around my neck during the ascent up the stairs to my room.
“If Alex sees this, you’re dead,” she whispered as I laid her down on my bed.
I started removing her clothes, kissing her neck as I revealed, “Babe, it’s me, Alex,” but she merely closed her eyes.
“I’m really tired. Can you call Alex to come pick me up?” she asked, settling into sleep.
Sighing, I watched her momentarily before shedding my clothing down to my boxers, fetching a shirt from my closet and putting it on her.
Laying her on her preferred side of the bed, I turned off the lights and slipped under the covers beside her. With my arms around her and our legs intertwined, I wrapped the quilt over us.
“Alex is going to be furious with you,” she teased, caressing my back and hair.
I murmured, “It’ll be worth it.”