Change My Mind (Liam Payne Fiction)

Chapter 10

Chapter 10:

“Suuuur-priiiise!” a voice thundered practically in his ear. 

Aria and Liam jumped at the sound.  Niall was standing in the barn’s doorway, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. 

For a moment, Liam was dazed at the abrupt change from magical romance to painful reality.  What the hell was Niall doing here on a late Sunday afternoon? He turned around to look back at Aria and saw that she’d started gathering up the horses’ saddles and bridles.  Liam groaned inwardly.  He knew their moment was over and he was a bit angry. 

But after he regrouped, he was just happy to see his friend. 

“Hey!”  Liam called to his friend.  He introduced Niall to Aria and asked what he was doing at the ranch. 

“Remember the day we all went to that farm and there were only 4 horses so Harry had to ride a cow?”

Liam nodded, smiling fondly at the memory of Harry getting the short end of the stick. 

“Well, we knew that there are enough horses here for everybody so Harry dragged and flew us here!”

As if on cue, the rest of us appeared and another round of introductions was made.  After quick hugs, knuckles on the heads, and slaps on the back, Aria and Liam started getting the other horses geared up for Louis, Niall, Harry, and Zayn. 

While readying for their impromptu ride, Aria observed the band from a distance and couldn’t believe how down to earth they were.  She thought about her friends Betty Lou and Hailey; they would die if they knew how she was spending her day.  The boys’ friendly banter and brotherly exchange of insults, although really sweet and amusing to Aria, was also a little bit sad.  She would never have that kind of relationship with Max. 

Watching the boys, she also noticed how Liam was different when he’s with them.  She couldn’t detect the air of arrogance that she was sure he carried with him at all times; he seemed to be paternal towards the guys, especially to Niall; and he was more relaxed, acting like a normal guy rather than People’s Sexiest whatever. 

“Stop trying to see your reflection in the bucket, Zayn,” Liam said which made Aria laugh because she caught him doing the exact same thing yesterday.

“Hypocrite!” She pretended to cough, and the boys laughed. 

“I think you have met your match, Leeyum,” Harry teased, exchanging looks with Louis. 

AFTER AN HOUR of riding, Niall, who seemed to be always hungry, announced that he was craving for some good old Irish cooking.  But Aria’s grandparents and brother weren’t home yet by the time dinnertime rolled by, so the group decided to just go to Vaughan’s Public Place.  Liam assured them that it was private enough because the last time he and Zayn were there, they weren’t greeted by camera flashes on the way out, nor were their dinner and pool match interrupted by someone asking for an autograph. 

“Miss Byrne,” Louis said as soon as they were seated at the empty restaurant’s bar.  “At last we can grill you about what Liam has been up to.” 

She smiled and said, “Call me Aria.”

Liam rolled his eyes.  Oh, sure.  They got to call her Aria, while he was stuck with Miss Byrne up until today. 

“Isn’t it such a pleasure to work with the Liam Payne?” Harry asked sarcastically, shaking his head to remove the curls that fell over his eyes.  “How’s our boy doing on the horse now?”

“Don’t lie, Miss Byrne,” Liam butted in.

Aria looked him up and down.  Twice.  “I guess it’s that one area where I can’t fault you,” she replied.  “With your dedication and hard work, you might actually make a name for yourself in the acting business.”