Glasgow Subway

Chloe

I'm starting to suspect that I might fancy Liam.

It's not the most welcome of thoughts but ever since that kiss I'm struggling not to think back over our previous encounters. And wondering if my hackles have partly always been up around him because I've been attracted to him all along and just didn't want to admit it because 1) he's not my type and 2) I'd been in a relationship.

In amongst the thoughts muddling my brain I had barely realised I was staring at him until we ended up in a massive staring contest. And it . . . It was hot.

I've never felt that way from just eye contact before. It definitely feels like there's a bit of sexual tension between us now, different from the tenseness that has normally enveloped our encounters for years.

I wonder if I gave any hint of interest, would he make a move? (The kiss doesn't count because it was a dare, obviously.) But I also know it would be a silly thing to do with my ex en route at any moment. Plus, just because there's attraction there doesn't mean we need to act on it. Like I've already said, Liam is not my type. I can't even imagine what we would have in common - well, apart from the fact we both don't like subcrawls or dares.

Probably no point in even considering it.

Right?

I'm still deep in thought when we head back towards the subway to get to our next stop. We're skipping the next station as we're not sure if the nearest pub is open, so headed straight to Govan.

Skipping all these stops is certainly making the day go faster that's for sure.

I groan as we enter the station and I see a sign stating the inner circle is currently out of service. This means our train will likely be busier as people will be jumping on the outer circle instead for a slightly longer journey to their destination. Sure enough, as it pulls up the train is already pretty packed. 

I'm trying to stay calm but but my heart is already starting to beat faster. Crowded public transport is one of the many things that set me into a panic spiral, and I was really hoping to be able to avoid it. Apparently I'm being flung straight into the fire though.

"Come on guys, shove your way on!" Lola is already elbowing folk out of her way and she grabs my arm and drags me along. Somehow I end up trapped inside the doorway opposite, grabbing the pole next to me with a death grip. I feel completely trapped into the corner, and my breath catches and then quickens as the train pulls out of the station.

"Focus, Chloe," I tell myself. I close my eyes and try to calm myself down. The train is so noisy though and there are just too many bodies. I'm being jostled about both by train and by other people and my senses just can't take it.

I breathe a sigh of relief as we pull into the next station but it seems like no-one has got off the train and more people have got on, including another noisy subcrawl group. I wince, telling myself I only need to put up with another minute or two of this before we get to Govan Station and I close my eyes again.

Suddenly I feel the crowd push towards me again and then part and I jump as someone touches my shoulder. It's Liam, his face concerned. He's somehow managed to push through to reach me.  "Are you okay?" He asks. He has to lean into my ear to whisper and it sends a shiver through me.

"I'm not good with . . . Uh, this!" I use my free hand to gesture around the enclosed space. "I feel like I can't breathe." I know I'm blushing. "Sorry, I'm just being stupid."

"You're not." And suddenly his warm hand closes over my hand clutching the pole. His dark eyed gaze moves over me, settling on my face. "Just try and take deep breaths," he says, still close to my ear, his voice soft and calm. "I've got you."

Somehow it is working. I'm calming down. My breathing is returning to normal, my heart slowing.

But then everything starts to ramp up again, for entirely different reasons.

Turns out Liam's touch, combined with his undeniably handsome face being mere inches from mine, is causing an entirely new reaction in my body.

Remember when I said earlier I was glad there hadn't been a spark between us when we shook hands? Well, it must have just been on a temporary loo break or something because energy is now throbbing in the small space between us. Once again, I can't look away from him. Heat pulses through the hand he's holding. There's a look in his eyes too that I've never noticed before.

And his pupils are rapidly dilating.

All the background noise has receded. I've practically forgotten where I am. All I want is for him to kiss me again . . . And mean it this time.

Surely everyone around us must be aware of the sexual tension here? It seems too vast for the train carriage to contain it.

Suddenly the place that was hell on earth to me two minutes ago is a place I never want to leave.

What the fuck?

But the train is now screeching to a halt in Govan and the door beside me has slid open. Whatever this was is now over.

Liam gently pushes me into the platform and out of the way of the crowd waiting to get on before he releases my hand. "You good?" he asks briskly. He waits for me to nod, my brain on slow-mo mode, before he turns around to speak to Luke about something and walks away.

The train pulls out and, on the other track, I can see the inner circle train pulling in. Apparently the track is up and running again already.

As if nothing ever happened.

The sexual tension is definitely ramping up now!

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