Complacent [Duplicity Niall]

The bar smells like sweat, cheap whiskey, and desperation-the usual. Scarlett and I are perched on barstools, elbows resting on the sticky countertop as we sip on whatever fruity drinks Dez made us. Mine was a virgin, obviously, Dez is very supportive of my sobriety. Mine tastes like artificial cherries and regret.

It reminds me of Harry.

Across the room, Niall is hustling some poor bastard at pool, all easy smirks and cocky winks. He's got a cigarette hanging from his lips, rolling it between his teeth as he lines up his next shot. The guy he's playing against already looks like he knows he's fucked.

Scarlett taps her nails against her glass. "You ever wonder how much money he's scammed off drunk idiots doing that?"

I swirl the ice in my drink. "Enough to keep us in lighters and gas station snacks for a while."

She hums, then nudges me. "Alright, I'm bored."

I glance at her. "And?"

She grins. "Jealousy test."

I groan. "Scarlett-"

"Shh, it'll be fun." She leans forward, eyes locked on Niall. "Watch this."

I don't have a choice but to watch as she waves over a girl from the other end of the bar-a pretty blonde, tipsy, giggling as Scarlett murmurs something in her ear. The girl nods, grinning, and saunters over to Niall, placing a hand on his arm.

Niall doesn't even look up from his shot, just says something that makes the girl laugh and shake her head.

Scarlett looks at me. "Well?"

I scowl. "Well, what?"

"Are you jealous?"

"No."

She smirks. "You hesitated."

I roll my eyes. "Shut the fuck up."

We both look back at Niall just in time to see him gently pry the girl's hand off his arm and say something that makes her huff and walk away.

Scarlett fake-pouts. "Damn. I was hoping for a show."

I take a sip of my drink. "Sucks to suck."

Before she can say anything else, movement outside the bar catches my eye. A figure standing just beyond the neon glow of the sign.

Zayn.

My stomach twists. He's got a cigarette in one hand, the other shoved in his jacket pocket, watching the entrance like he's waiting. For me.

I set my drink down and slide off the stool. "Be right back."

Scarlett raises an eyebrow. "Where you going?"

I don't answer, just push through the door and step into the night air. The scent of tobacco and cologne hits me first.

Zayn exhales smoke, watching me. "Figured you'd come out."

I cross my arms. "What do you want?"

His gaze flickers over me, unreadable. "You've been ignoring us."

I shrug. "Been busy."

He scoffs. "Right. Busy playing house with Horan."

I don't take the bait. "What's your point, Zayn?"

He steps closer, lowering his voice. "You know Malakai isn't gonna let you be on vacation forever."

Something cold slides down my spine. "I never said I was-"

"You've been pretending like you are," he cuts in. "And that's a problem."

I swallow hard. "I'll handle it."