Against The Odds: Guarded

40

MAYA POV

Smackle walked to the table cautiously, eyeing Peyton and I both as she reached us. She smiled at me and then glaring over at Peyton as Niall pulled out a chair for her to sit down. Niall looked less than enthused to be here right now and his facial expression could have been the mirror to how I felt at the moment. I moved my chair further away from the table and it almost looked as if I didn’t belong there. I don’t want Niall to put more into the scenario than I’m sure he already is. He spoke before he glared at Peyton and then back to me. He then allowed his eyes to roam around the small bar. A scowl was etched into his features and my palms immediately began to sweat when I realized who it was he was searching for but wouldn’t find.

“Hi guys,” Smackle finally spoke breaking the awkward glances between her and Peyton before she sat down, “I didn’t know you would be here Maya. How are you?” My face contorted in confusion briefly before I shook my head and smiled replying back to Smackle

“I’m good, I tried to call you to see if you were coming earlier but the call went straight to your voicemail...Did Peyton not tell you I was coming?” I glared over at him, but he simply shrugged and mouthed the words ‘surprise’ before he smiled small and looked over at Niall.

When Niall walked in behind Smackle I’m sure I saw Peyton’s eyebrows furrow but they smoothed themselves as Niall took his seat at the table. I was just about as shocked as Peyton was at the sight of Niall however. Our gaze met briefly again and in that millimeter of a second, my eyes begged him not to tell Lucas where I was.

“No, Peyton didn’t say anything. In fact he told me that it would be just the two of us.” Niall’s presents became clearer as Smackle glared over at Peyton again. He returned her stare as he drank his beer and then set the bottle down on the table looking back at Niall as the waitress from earlier handed me my water.

“Would you like a drink Niall? On me of course. I wasn’t expecting you to come.” Peyton gestured for the waitress to stand by for Niall's drink order, but Niall scoffed.

“When Smackle told me where she was goin and who was goin t’ be here I wouldn’t let her come alone. I can pay for a drink for me self, thanks.” Niall ordered a beer and as soon as the waitress left the tension at the table rose beyond an uncomfortable level. Smackle still wouldn’t make full eye contact with me and Niall’s glance met mine again. I’m not sure if he picked up my brain signals, but I was going to fix the problem I caused for myself. Just as I was going to open my mouth to say that I was leaving, Peyton cut me off.

“I’m no threat mate, I just wanted to get something clear with Smackle and Maya, that’s all.”

“I don’t think you’re a threat mate and I’m not worried about that. Do I think you’re a sneak? Maybe. But a threat? Far from it.” There was a cock fight going on and the use of the word ‘mate’ became more sarcastic every time that it was mentioned. None of Lucas friends liked Peyton after what they found out what happened between he and I over the summer and when he came into the bar where Lucas works, I’m sure it only made matters worse. Peyton dropped his head and laughed before finishing the contents of his beer bottle. An arrogant air surrounded him before he spoke again. The waitress reappeared with Niall's drink and another beer for Peyton. She popped the caps for them quickly before she left the table.

“Is it me who’s the sneak or is it your girlfriend?” Smackle's face went pale and I saw her shake her head 'no' slightly before Peyton continued.

“Come on Smackle's, tell Maya the truth about Maudsley and what you said.”

“Peyton stop.” Smackle said with her eyes widening in what I thought to be panic.