You Make It Easy || Nikki Sixx

Chapter 15

Nikki's POV

     "I don't know what got into her, she was all excited, ready for a night out, then bam! She said she's not feeling well."

     "Maybe her lady days hit her" Tommy shrugged.

     "Come on man, you don't gotta talk about her like that." I said reaching for my drink.

     "She was cool when I met her in New York, now she's all shy n shit. I don't know what the fuck you want me to do!" Tommy defended.

     "Hey, skinny ass, I got an idea, how about you get us some more drinks, aye?" Vince said sliding Tommy an empty glass.

     "How old's this chick?" Mick asked.

     "She is a college freshman. She'll be going to UCLA in August." I told him.

     "So you're just bangin' this girl or..." Vince trailed off.

     "No, dipshit- she's my girlfriend." I rolled my eyes.

     "Whoa whoa- when did that happen?" Vince leaned forward.

     "Almost a week ago" I shrug. Vince leaned back in his chair biting the inside of his cheek.

     "Aaaaaaand a Miller Light for you, a Jack and Coke for you, and a double shot of Absolute for youuu." Tommy said sliding everyone a drink.

      "What's up your ass blondie? Didn't think I'd see the day Vince Neil got jealous..." Mick teased.

     "Oooo Vince is jealous? Of what?" Tommy taunted

     "Im not jealous so get your head out of your asses." Vince defended, taking a swing of his beer.

     After a while, when Vince went to the restroom, I leaned in closer to Tommy and Mick, speaking in a hushed voice. "You guys, I think something's actually bothering Ari. This behavior doesn't seem like her at all. She told me that she wanted to 'fucking plastered' tonight. Something feels off."

     Tommy looked concerned. "She could just be stressed with college? Maybe coming to the city is making her realize the change."

     Mick chimed in, "I think the bigger question is, what's up with Vince? Did you see his face when you told him that you were going steady? Maybe he thought he had a chance with her." Mick chuckled.

     Tommy laughed "Now hear me out- maybe he slept with her"

     "What?" I laughed.

     "Come on- Vince has slept with everyone! Maybe that's why he's jealous because he wants her again!" Everyone laughed at the accusation.

     Vince returned to the table, he noticed our laughter. "What's so funny, guys?"

      "Nothing nothing" I stifled a laugh. I glanced at Vince, then Tommy, and broke out in a laugh again leaving Vince confused and quiet.

     We spent the next many hours hopping from strip club to strip club, getting royal treatment from every owner there was.

     As we entered the last strip club of the night, it was lively, music was good, but my mind wasn't fully in it; I couldn't stop thinking. I couldn't stop thinking about her.. And now Tommy has me overthinking. I know it was just the coke that had him saying that but now he's got my mind in a twist.

     "Hey, let's get a private booth" Vince suggested, trying to lift my mood. We all found a secluded spot away from the crowd, and the dancers, covered in glittering costumes, continued their compelling performances around us.

     As the night slowly progressed, I decided to confide in Vince about my concerns. "Hey, Vince, can I talk to you for a moment?" I asked, hoping he would take me seriously.

     He nodded and followed me to a quieter corner of the club. "What's on your mind, man?" he asked, surprisingly attentive.

     "It's about Ari. I think something is going on with her and I was wondering if you would happen to know what it's about..." I said, my voice hinted with accusation.

     Vince's expression softened, and he leaned against the wall. "Look, I may tease and joke around, but I care about you guys. If there's something wrong with Ari, maybe you should talk to her- see if she wants to open up." He walked back to the booth, letting me linger with my thoughts.

     I walked through my front door- actually scratch that, I practically crawled through the front door. I can't remember the last time I was this hammered. To be fair, I can't remember most of the times I've been hammered. The apartment was dark and quiet, except for the faint sound of the TV playing some late-night infomercial. I stumbled towards the kitchen to grab a slice of leftover pizza. I stumbled into the bedroom where Ari's head was barely sticking out from under the covers. I was scared to wake her so I slowly sank into the bed, gently pulling her into my chest. Ari stirred slightly as I wrapped my arms around her, and she nuzzled closer to me. I could feel the warmth of her body against mine. I gently brushed her hair away from her face, trying not to wake her fully. "You okay?" I whispered softly.

     She let out a small sigh before nodding. "Yeah" she mumbled, her voice muffled by the pillow.

     I knew something was bothering her, but I didn't want to push her to talk about it right now. Maybe she just needed some rest, and we could talk about it in the morning. I kissed the top of her head and whispered, "Goodnight, Ari. I love you."

     She mumbled an almost inaudible "I love you too" before drifting back to sleep. I stayed awake for a while longer, my mind still swirling with thoughts.

     The next morning, Aria was already up and making coffee when I stumbled into the kitchen. She looked a little tired, but she managed a small smile when she saw me.

     "Morning," she greeted softly.

     "Morning," I replied, trying to hide my hangover behind a weak grin.

     "Can I get you a cup of coffee or a bloody mary to help with the hangover?" she asked pouring a cup for herself.

     "I think an Irish coffee would suffice" I grinned.

     "And you say you're not an alcoholic" she smiled pushing me a cup of regular coffee.

     "Not yet" I smirked. "Are you feeling better?"

     "Uh yeah, I guess" she mumbled.

     "I know this is a shot in the dark, but you're not pregnant are you?" I grimaced

     "What? No!" she shot back.

     "Just checkin" I defended.

      "I'm fine." she walked away to sit on the couch with a magazine that's been sitting on the table for almost a year.

       "If you wanna talk about something you know you can with me, right." I sit next to her.

      She weakly smiled "I. Am. Fine."

     No. she. is. not.
—————————————————————