Complacent [Duplicity Niall]

A/n: please put away the pitch forks you are going to storm my castle with IM SORRY

Niall's POV

I should've stayed in bed.

That was my first thought as I leaned against the bar, letting the bass from the speakers shake through my ribs. The club was still packed, bodies moving under the dim, pulsing lights, the smell of sweat, alcohol, and perfume thick in the air.

This was supposed to be easy. A routine. Get a drink. Find someone. Take her home.

I did it all the fucking time. I slept with a girl from every city. I was basically born hot and bothered.

But my head was still in my damn apartment.

Still in that guest room.

Still on Madi.

I should've left her there and not thought twice about it. Furthermore, should have left her in the bar, get herself back to my place, and left with a girl I was actually gonna sleep with. But instead, I was stuck replaying that look she gave me. The one where she was half-daring me to stay.

Or maybe I was just reading into it. Maybe she was already passed out by now, forgetting I even existed while I was here, standing at a bar like an idiot, pretending like I wasn't scanning the crowd for-

Fuck.

I scrubbed a hand down my face, forcing myself to turn toward the bartender instead of letting my eyes wander again. This wasn't a problem. I just needed to focus.

A drink first. Then I'd find someone.

Someone easy. Someone who didn't make my head a mess. Like Madi did.

I downed the whiskey in front of me, letting the burn chase away whatever was lingering in my chest, then turned, eyes drifting through the sea of faces.

It didn't take long before I spotted her.

Dark hair. Light eyes. Same general stature.

Not Madi, but close enough.

She was leaning against the bar, drink in hand, eyes flicking up to meet mine like she knew exactly why I was looking. A small smirk played at her lips, and I could already see how this would go-she'd tilt her head, I'd move closer, we'd trade a few flirty comments before I offered to take her home.

Easy.

Just like I wanted.

Just like it always was.

So why the fuck did my chest feel tight?

I forced myself to move toward her, slipping into that usual rhythm. "You here alone?"

Her smirk widened. "Not anymore."

I huffed a quiet laugh, eyes flicking over her features. Close. But not quite.

And the second I realized that, I also realized the truth.

I wasn't looking for a hookup.

I was looking for her.

For Madi.

And she wasn't here.

She was back at my apartment, probably already tangled in the sheets, probably already forgetting about whatever the hell had passed between us tonight.

So why couldn't I?

Why the fuck was she still in my head?

I cleared my head, leaning on the bar, flashing a grin at the girl, even if I'm not particularly entranced by her. I can pretend. Im a pretty good actor. "You looking for something, sweetheart."