Bad Habits

Chapter 4

I laughed.

"I abso-fucking-lutely will though," I said, returning my attention to my phone, opening the message.

From niallhoran: Hey

I swear, it doesn't matter how educated, how famous, how well-traveled, how experienced men are, they're all idiots.

To niallhoran: You can do better than that.

As excited as I was, if there wasn't a little more effort, he wasn't getting anything from me.

By the time I got home that night, there was another message waiting.

From niallhoran: Apologies. I'll be in NYC next week for a couple shows and I would love to meet up if your interested.

My 3rd grade English teacher was rolling over in her grave at the "your" but I ignored it.

To niallhoran: Definitely interested. When & where?

From niallhoran: 1st show is next Friday 7pm at MSG. I'll send ya 2 tickets.

Score.

To niallhoran: I'll be there ❤️

—

Much to her chagrin, Gigi wasn't able to make the concert, but she did give me a comforting pep talk before I left saying if I screwed this up she would quit. So there's that.

Rowan had a soccer match so Piper was unavailable as well, which left me with Bennett, who's only prior plans was to go hit on random girls at a bar.

As we approached his building, Paul moved as if to go get him until I stopped him.

"It's ok. I'll go grab him." I said, already out of the SUV and on my way up the steps to ring the buzzer.

Buzz buzz.

"Password?" His voice crackled through the intercom.

"Bennett is the best wingman ever and needs to hurry up so he doesn't make us late?"

There was a moment of silence before he replied.

"I'll accept it this once, but only because I love you. I'm on my way down."

He popped out of the door moments later and immediately wrapped me in a bear hug before pulling back to look me over. Naturally, I started posing.

I had on black thigh-high boots and a red lace minidress.

"Yes, yes. Fierce! That's it." He clapped as I curtsied. "Niall should have that off of you as soon as he's done singing."

He slung an arm around my shoulders and I rolled my eyes as we walked towards the waiting SUV.

"Bennett," I warned.

"Then you'll be the one singin- OW!"

I punched him in the arm before getting in the car.

"Although I do sing beautifully," I said with a wink.

After passing through a few security checks, the driver dropped us off at the loading dock. An assistant was waiting for us just past the metal detectors and quickly led us through the winding maze of MSG's back hallways.

The opening acts were done by the time we slid into our front row seats. Paul joined Niall's security on the aisle, keeping an eye on me. It took all of 2 seconds before I felt a tap on my shoulder.

"Ari! Can I get a picture?"

"Of course." I turned towards the first camera with a soft smile.

"Did Niall invite you?"

"Are you a thing now?"

"Who is this guy with you?"

The questions were endless but I managed to dodge most of them with pictures and autographs until the lights thankfully went down.

Bless.

When Niall actually appeared on stage I thought my eardrums would burst from the high-pitched screams but thankfully they didn't. He put on a truly amazing concert, with a couple sly winks in my direction.

After the encore, we were escorted by the same assistant to the green room backstage. I sat down on the couch to wait patiently, but Bennett was more preoccupied with the snacks.

"Yooo these are my favorite!" A kid in a candy story would be an eerily accurate comparison. I couldn't help but laugh.

Not much later, Niall entered, still slick with sweat from the performance.

Hot.

"Ari! You made it! I would hug ya, but..." he trailed off, motioning at himself before nodding at Bennett. "And who's your friend?"

"Bennett," he offered a handshake, which Niall took, as he introduced himself.

The three of us talked for a while, laughing often, before Niall moved towards the door.

"Well I'm gonna grab a shower real quick and then we can grab some food?"

"Sounds great!" I smiled at him, eying all the food laid out around the room after he left. Bennett stood up.

"Well that's my cue to go," he wrapped me in a hug. "Have fun. Be safe. Make good choices."

I rolled my eyes at him as I pulled away, smiling in spite of myself.

I intended to have fun and I'm always safe.

The quality of the choices could be up for debate.