Peyton’s Plateful of Problems

Despite her poor mood, Peyton returned the two men's smiles as she slid up to the bar. It was the polite thing to do, and she was Peyton. As an attractive young woman, the bartender didn't take long to ask what she needed. Unfortunately, the slim hopes of several men got dashed as they heard the leggy blonde ask for a glass of ice water. Assuming that order showed off her personality, the initial two men left to find another last-ditch hookup partner.

I’ll just give Lan water from one of the tables, but I know she’d claim it was stale from sitting too long. Or some other nonsense. It’s what she does when life doesn’t go her way.

Peyton’s internal grumbling faltered as a young man with blond hair, blue eyes, and a slim figure took the open spot next to her. Checking on the two bartenders, the young man didn’t notice the beautiful blonde at his side for several long seconds.

“Oh! Hey, Peyton. Happy New Year!”

"Happy New Year back," Peyton greeted while hugging Spencer Vine.

It felt like ages since she's seen Sloane's older brother, even if it had been only a couple of days. Of course, it didn't help that Sean had been loopy as hell at the time. Still, Peyton had expected—No, she'd planned—on seeing Spencer quite often tonight. So she inquired as to why he hadn't been around as one of Whitney's chaperones.

“I’d planned to help out, but Mr. Pierce asked me to run an errand. I couldn’t turn it down as it’s such an honor for him to trust me. And I understood that Whitney had several chaperones lined up,” Spencer explained.

“Well, they didn’t turn out to be enough. That damn girl exhausted herself by not taking it easy. Oh, thank you,” Peyton said, pausing her conversation to thank the bartender for the water. She held her pause as Spencer ordered his drinks. Two drinks, she noted with some jealousy. “Her father decided it would be best if she left the hotel entirely. I guess too much temptation.”

“Yeah, I heard that Mr. Diamond left. Sounds like he might have had another reason to leave besides Whitney.” Spencer saw the question coming before Peyton could ask. “I don’t know what happened. When I returned, Mr. Pierce was complaining about always fixing his messes. Hey, how’s your brother?”

“Fortunately, he’s off the painkillers that led to his antics.”

“Aww, I kinda like him like that,” Spencer teased with a chuckle.

“Sean’s on new ones that…work differently,” Peyton relayed, shaking off the images of his large erections. “He also went back to the cabin with the Diamonds. My mother, too.”

"Really? Wow, most guys would be living up their moment as the man of the hour. But that's cool that your brother is taking it in stride. Thanks, keep the change," Spencer said, tipping the bartender for his drinks. He caught Peyton's half-scowl at the two glasses and misinterpreted it. "No, they're not both for me. I'm grabbing Archer a drink. I'm sure you've heard he's back in town."

“Yes, I ran into him at Becky and Brian’s party last week,” Peyton revealed. She also attempted to deny the relief she felt that her old crush wasn’t getting a drink for another woman. “Plus, everyone loves to gossip about thee Archer Bowe. Hmm, I did see him dancing with Beyza earlier. That’s Sean’s ex.”

“Sean’s ex? I’m guessing she’s around his age, huh? Well, Arch has moved on to an older woman now. Uh, I'd better get this back to him before he slips away with her. I want to finalize our plans–well, it doesn’t matter.” Spencer stopped his rambling. “Hey, let’s grab a dance or two later, okay?”

“I’d like that,” Peyton replied. She kept the excitement out of her voice, but it showed from the blush that spread across her face.

The blush remained as the young Diamond Corp worker left to find his old friend. And it remained as a pair of women, almost a decade older than Peyton appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.

“Who is that?” Brandy questioned her niece. “And damn! Did you check out that ass? I knew you had a bit of me in you, Pey!”

“Can’t I get a moment of peace?” Peyton groaned.

“Not when my second-favorite niece needs help ending a dry spell. Now seriously, who was that?”

“That’s Spencer Vince. You know–”

“I’m not on a dry spell!” Peyton reminded her aunt, cutting off Fawn.

“A mysterious, random hookup at the cabin doesn’t count. The public still believes it didn’t happen,” Brandy replied.

“The public?” Peyton repeated, blinking in confusion.

“She means herself…mostly,” Fawn clarified.

“Yeah, I don’t buy your possible lie to shut us up. That’s unless you banged Harvey. That would be partly legendary and a bit ick. He is like an older brother to me, which makes him kinda your uncle.” Brandy hesitated as she wrinkled her nose in uncertainty. “Whatever! So who is this Spencer what’s-his-name? How do you know him? What’s his job? Does he live around here? Why haven’t you screwed him before? And most importantly, does he like slightly older women?”

“Slightly older?” Fawn queried, raising an eyebrow.

“Ah, shut it, Fawnie! I’m still mad at you for lying about Ian Thirlby.”

“I told you! Nothing is going on! And that guy is Spencer Vince. Don’t you remember Peyton’s friend Sloane?” Fawn asked.

While the ice slowly melted in the glass, Peyton listened as Fawn answered all of Brandy’s questions. True to the teasing over the years, the school librarian had an encyclopedic knowledge. She even hit pretty close to the reason why Peyton had never made a move on her friend’s older brother.

“Well, look at me. All worried about my favorite niece not–”

“Second favorite,” Fawn reminded, winking at Peyton.

"Right. Look at me for not thinking she had options. You've already got Eoin and Nate circling you. Add in this Spencer, and now I see the issue. You can't close the deal. But don't worry, Pey, Auntie Brandy is here to teach you."

“Please, no,” Peyton moaned.

“Now, I do like this new option. However, I’m saying you select Eoin for tonight’s fireworks.”

“Eoin? Nate’s the better choice,” Fawn pointed out, questioning Brandy’s pick. “It’s also far more romantic with the whole next-door neighbors' angle.”

“Next-door–-Are you drunk, Fawnie? It’s way too early if you are. That’s for lightweights like Wrenn,” Brandy declared, peering at the librarian’s face. “How can they be neighbors? Nate’s family lives in Hawaii!”

“I’m aware of that. I meant their mothers grew up next door to each other. Or did you forget where you grew up?” Fawn sassed back. “Nate and Peyton are the better story.”

"Eoin's the better fuck based on gossip. Besides, Eoin's been around Pey way more on a daily basis. He knows her needs!"

“Always a pair of loud bitches.”

The comment had been faint as it came from around the corner of the bar. And it had been intended for several others waiting in line for drinks. However, Brandy and Fawn both heard it over their bickering and turned to find the person who spoke.

“Ah, hell, no!” Brandy exclaimed. “Run your mouth and see what happens.”

“I think she did see earlier in the night,” Fawn reminded.

“Yeah, you want a second spilled drink over your second dress, slut?” Brandy inquired.

Suddenly finding herself the center of attention, Kimberly understood the need to stand firm and save face. With that in mind, she marched over to the two younger women.

“Don’t try me. Big sister isn’t around to defend you now.”

“As if I need Bee to protect me,” Brandy scoffed.

“I’m sure she’s already making up for lost time and becoming Bedsheets Bridget again,” Kimberly cracked.

"Don't you talk about my mom!" Peyton shrieked, lunging forward.

Arriving at that precise moment, Merritt found herself wrapping her arms around Peyton's waist to hold her back. Still, the blonde's arm flailed wildly as the coed attempted to slap her mom's old cheermate.

"I warned you this morning. Get that finger out of my face, or you're losing it," Kimberly threatened, referring to the showdown between herself and Sean's three protectors.

SLAP

“Damn, Fawnie!” Brandy yelled in shock before howling in laughter.

Kimberly reacted as if she’d been scalded with hot water. The stunned woman reached up to touch her cheek. Then, realizing that she’d been upstaged once again in nearly the exact location by the same two women, she stormed off.

“She was about to bite Peyton’s finger,” Fawn defended her slap.

“See, Pey, it just takes time to corrupt your lifelong friends,” Brandy said, dropping her wisdom as she side-hugged Fawn. “Keep that in mind with Lana.”

“What caused that?” Merritt asked with a shocked expression.

Brandy and Fawn shrugged. Incidents like that were fairly typical for Brandy.

“Th-That cheating slut…she molested Sean!” Peyton stammered, still shaking with fury.

After the shocked gasps, Peyton filled in the other three, all about what she'd learned concerning Sean and Ms. Goose. Although her story had holes, they knew enough to add to her fury.

“What a horrible woman! And she works at OUR school!” Merritt gasped, recalling the times she’d seen Kimberly around campus.

"Wow! Sean and Whitney BEFORE he saved her life? And this Skye was involved? Damn, I think we found which kid is taking after the Fallon side of the family," Brandy commented. Her brain had yet to move past the part about the hot springs photoshoot.

“That diseased whore! No one touches little Sean like that!” Fawn proclaimed.

He’s not so little any longer. No! Stop thinking about that! Peyton admonished herself.

“One simple slap will not suffice,” Fawn continued.

“Fuck no! I never liked that bitch. Remember how she talked down to us? I don’t care if we were a decade younger. I knew more about life at eight than she’d ever learn,” Brandy stated. “Oh, she’s going down!”

“We should bring Wrenn into this,” Fawn suggested.

“Yes! She has a kid now, so we play up the child molester angle to get her pissed.”

“I meant for old time’s sake,” Fawn said, shaking her head. “Sometimes…I just don’t know about you.”

“Somebody’s got to keep you on your toes,” Brandy replied brightly.

Peyton watched as her aunt and former babysitter left to find that remaining member of their trio. Then, glancing down at the glass still in her hand, she swore softly at leaving Lana alone for so long.

“Anything happen while I was gone?” Peyton asked.

“Kiki and Zaylie escaped while Lana bitched about life,” Merritt recounted as they started back toward their friends.

“And left who in charge of Lan?” Peyton questioned, a sinking feeling forming in her stomach.

Of the people remaining, only Jamie-Lynn and Priscilla could be considered responsible adults. However, Prissy had a way of caving into her cheer mentor. And a combination of Lana, Poppy, and Steph would swiftly steamroll any of Jamie-Lynn's objections.

Her worry proved on target as she spotted the redhead in question briskly walking away from where she’d been left. Peyton heard Merry’s uh-oh and agreed. Immediately switching course, Peyton intercepted her BFF.

“What happened?”

“Teresa! That stupid bitch turned Finn down, so Farah swooped in and got her claws on him!”

“Wait; what?” Peyton questioned, turning to glance at Merritt in bewilderment. The brunette merely shrugged before pulling out her phone.

“Farah, Finn, and Teresa! Open your ears!” Lana yelled, stomping her foot like a child throwing a tantrum. “Not my problem!”

“Wait, where are you going?” Peyton asked as Lana started to walk away.

“I want a dick. No! I NEED a cock! And a top-notch cock will only do,” Lana stated. Then, she mumbled things about hating her life and fuck her life.

“Wait, what about Finn?” Peyton called after, giving up on keeping pace with her best friend.

“Teresa’s handling it.”

“Teresa? I don’t…Do we know another person named Teresa?” Peyton asked Merritt.

"Um, Prissy said…." Merritt trailed off, handing Peyton her phone and its message.

Reading the very brief explanation of what they missed, Peyton didn’t know whether to feel furious or depressed. That’s what went through her mind as she sensed a presence or several presences behind her.

“Now what?”

“Uh, Miss Tarver, there is an issue–”

“You'd better come with us,” YoYo finished, cutting off Kizzy.

Before anything else could be said, Zoey rushed over. Then, out of breath, she attempted to speak.

“Pey…trouble…your aunt…about to kill…people.”

“Just flipping great,” Peyton uttered in exasperation.

Following the Babybees with Merritt, the blonde muttered to herself.

"I could've gone back to the cabin. I might be in a nice comfy bed with a cozy fire going. Yeah, that could be me right now. I mean, what craziness could happen there that's worse than this crap?"