Tearing Me Apart

5

"Hey we're going out again tonight you gonna come?" Richie asks through the phone a few hours after practice.
"No I'm good I gotta be up early for practice"
"Nick you NEVER go out anymore can you come just once? Atleast be my designated driver?"
Richie begs and whines his way into getting me to go of course. I throw on shorts and a nicer button up running a hand through my hair. It's getting a little long I'm gonna have to remember to cut it again. I interupted from my thoughts at Richie's car honking at my driveway. I jog out grabbing my keys and phone and jump in the passenger seat.
"Ready for fun!!" Richie yells trying to get me excited but he only gets a shake of my head.
"Dude you have got to loosen up. Tonight we are going to find you a damn good girl, you're going to lose your damn mind, and have a damn good time got it?"
"Whatever just drive."
Richie guns it down the street speeding into a parkig spot and practically leaping out of the car. "Let's gooo!!"
We walk into the club and two girls are immediately throwing themselves at me shoving drinks in my face. "Sorry I have a girlfriend" I mutter and shove them off me. Nope no girlfriend for me just need to focus.

"Nick what are you doing?" Richie slurs and slumps against my body.
"Having a water and you should too" I slide him my water which he slides back and gives me a look. The look.
"Okay so you're taking a shot and coming out to dance"
"Can't be your driver if I take a shot"
"Then you aren't my driver because you're taking a shot" He snaps his fingers and as if they're his servant some bartenders bring over a tray of shots.
"No fucking way am I doing that" I push the tray farther from me and look up at Richie. Past Richie. A brown head of hair catches my eye. Her perfect body turns around and her blue eyes scan the bar.
"Richie oh my god that's Hailey" He gives me a confused looks probably too drunk to remember a girl he just met. I make my way over in a hurry and watch as she stumbles to the side. Of course she's drunk.

Hailey's POV
I spot Nick coming my way and quickly look away. Why is he here?! I stumble off to the side trying to get away and fall into a pool table. Well, start to fall. A strong pair of arms grab my waist and stop me from drunk embarrassment.
"Nick go away" I mumble once I see the familiar tattoos covering his left arm.
"No Hailey please let me talk to you" He pleads and turns me to face him. His hands hold my arms and are quite frankly the only things holding up my limp body.
"I don't want to talk. I'm not staying with you and that's final"
"Then stay with Richie and his wife. Stay with any of my teammates if you won't stay with me. I can't let you live on the streets it's dangerous" His eyes scan my face for an answer which is only an eyeroll for him.
"Ohhhh Haileyyy" Richie walks up tumbling into Nick's back.
"Yes Hailey. Rich can you help me tell her that it isn't safe to live on the streets?"
"He's right" Richie says with a nod. "A pretty girl like you will only get raped"
Nick closes his eyes and lets out a slight laugh before opening them and looking into mine. "That is so not how I would've said that but he's right. You could get hurt just stay with me."
He seems to actually care and Richie, well Richie is Richie.
"Fine but only until I find a job then I'm out."
"Deal."