Govan

Liam

I have to walk away from Chloe as soon as we get off that train and I know she's okay.

For one thing my brain is wrecked thinking about how much I just wanted to bend my head and kiss her again. It's been a long time since I've felt like that about anyone.

On another - very related - note, I have a fucking erection.

So safer to get as far away from her as possible before she potentially notices. Because it feels like she's all-seeing and all-knowing now when it comes to me.

When I spotted her face briefly on the subway and saw how panicked she looked I had to go to her, had to try and help. It was instinct. But it's now made me feel even more exposed and vulnerable in a way I really don't like.

I don't like dropping my guard like this.

So I chat to Luke and hold my subcrawl goody bag in front of my crotch until the tension moves to another part of my body. Only then can I partially relax.

It's mid-afternoon now and, as it's a Saturday, the pubs are naturally getting busier. I can spot at least three other subcrawl groups in this pub. Sometimes I wonder if the locals hate us. We must drive them crazy, surely?

"Liam!" A very drunk girl bounces up to me and flings her arms around me as we enter the next pub. I'm momentarily flummoxed until I remember it's the girl who asked for my phone number earlier.

"Sandy, right? How are you?" I extract myself from her grasp and move a couple of inches back.

"I'm very very pissed," she reveals, unsurprisingly. "How's it going with that girl? You managed to pull her yet?"

Jesus, I wish she'd lower her voice.

I also don't particularly want to talk to a relative stranger about this. Particularly an inebriated one. But then who else am I meant to talk to about my rapidly developing feelings for Chloe?

So I end up spilling my guts.

At some point Becky, looking a bit puzzled, places a drink in my hand. I nod thanks at her and continue telling Sandy what happened with the dare and then the moment on the subway. I leave out the part about my hard-on; it seems unnecessary to share that.

Sandy nods, drunken wisdom lighting up her face. "I'd say she definitely likes you," she announces eventually. She shoves my shoulder. "You should go for it. Make a move."

Not sure I'm going to take my moroculous new pal's advice but it was good to voice it out loud. To actually admit it to someone other than myself.

"If she doesn't want you," Sandy continues into the silence I'm leaving, suddenly placing a hand on my leg. "I'll have you. You're just my type. Tall, dark, tattoos . . ." She looks me up and down, her blue eyes slightly crossing as she does so. "God, the things I would do to you." She reaches around to presumably try and pinch my arse, but nearly topples over in the process.

Apparently very drunk Sandy doesn't take the hint as well as slightly less drunk Sandy did. I find her group of friends and deposit her back with them, suggesting to them they might want to maybe get her a glass of water or five.

I go to find my own group and find they've managed to secure a big table in the corner. I can't see Chloe there. Before I can even take a seat, Alex opens his mouth. "On the pull again?" He asks sarcastically.

I'm really starting to get sick of his attitude. I've never actually hit anyone in my life but the urge to slug him right in the nose is strong in me right now. I've never been so relieved to feel my phone vibrating in my pocket as it gives me an excuse to go outside and take the call.

"Liam, is she okay?" My sister asks without any preamble, sounding more than a little panicked. She lives in the south of England so I know she feels a bit powerless.

"They're doing tests to try and work out what's wrong but she's comfortable for now. They do think it's probably just an infection though so I don't think we need to be too worried," I report. I tell her what I know from my visit to the hospital earlier.

When we end the call, I close my eyes and take a deep breath. When I open them, I'm surprised to see Chloe standing there, several bars of chocolate in her hands.

She holds out a Galaxy bar. "I felt the need to go on a chocolate run. You want this?"

I take it gratefully. I actually don't think I've eaten today. "Thanks." I unwrap the bar.

She leans against the wall. "You okay? I wasn't trying to eavesdrop but sounds like you've got a lot on your plate."

I sigh. "My gran got taken to hospital last night," I reply.

Chloe bites her lip. "Sorry to hear that," she says hesitantly. "I'm assuming you're very close?"

"You could say that." I don't actually know how much Chloe actually knows about my life so I just decide to throw my family history at her briefly in a nutshell. "My mum died when I was 12; we moved over here to stay with my gran as my dad couldn't cope with me and my sisters alone. So she's essentially been my substitute mum for 16 years."

"Shit," she says quietly.

"Yep." I stare down at my trainers. "I went to the hospital to check in on her before I came here and she's in good spirits."

"And that's why you were late and didn't follow the theme," she remarks, almost to herself. I look up at her sharply but she just shrugs.

"You want another chocolate bar?" She asks. I hadn't even been aware of the fact I'd practically inhaled that one but the sugar seems to be immediately taking effect. I shake my head.

"I'm alright. Thanks."

What she says next surprises me. "Can I give you a hug then? I kinda feel like you need one."

How can I say no to that? Chloe encircles me with her arms, her sweet smelling silky hair pressing against the side of my face. Yep, I take a massive inhale of her hair and I don't even care if she notices.

A hug from Chloe was exactly what I needed. She was absolutely right.

Fuck, I like her so much.

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