Govan

Liam

So Chloe actually does like me back, it seems. I've finally redeemed myself. Maybe she'll even forgive me for Ferris Bueller at some point. Or maybe it's something we'll just laugh about one day somewhere down the line in our relationship.

Whoa... relationship? I catch myself in shock at that thought. Am I actually considering Chloe West as a potential girlfriend?

It seems I actually am.

But then her ex walks in and everything is complicated again.

Chloe walks over to him and they hug briefly before they come to the table. The ex greets everyone happily. "Where's Lola and Colin?" He asks almost immediately, looking around.

"They partied too hard too fast," Claire says dryly. Michael looks confused. "You don't wanna know," she adds. "Be grateful you missed the drama."

"Let's just say Lola was . . . Inspired by Chloe and Liam." That's from Alex, of course. He's smirking. Michael's confusion grows. Chloe's face reddens.

"Um, you'd better grab a drink, Michael," she says hurriedly. "We probably need to be moving pubs again soon."

"So can we all tear up our dare sheets now Lola has gone?" Claire asks as Michael wanders up to the bar.

"I dunno, I still quite fancy kissing a stranger myself," Alex muses quietly. I have a feeling he's going to make sure Michael knows about the kiss one way or another. Although it shouldn't really matter, given Chloe and Michael are no more. Yet, it still makes me anxious. It's not like Michael and I are exactly friends, but it still somehow feels I've gone behind his back.

Probably because of the fact I've obviously fancied Chloe for a good while, so now it feels like I'm just swooping in as soon as they broke up, even though that wasn't the case at all.

Or was it?

Michael pulls up a chair and joins us, pint in hand. "I hope you don't mind but I said to Nat she could come along for a bit," he addresses Becky and Luke.

I'm assuming Nat is the new girlfriend. Judging by Chloe's slightly awkward expression, that appears to be the case.

I see Becky look at Chloe once more and Chloe's almost imperceptible nod before Becky smiles. "Of course," she replies. "When do you think she'll be joining us?"

"She's still at work right now so possibly Kelvinhall," he replies. "I'll let her know where we're likely to be at once she lets me know she's finished."

"Are things going well?" Chloe asks. It must be difficult for her to be normal about this, even if she's okay with the break-up. But she's doing a good job of acting like she cares.

He nods, smiles. "Yeah, really good, thanks! She's uh, looking forward to meeting you."

"Likewise." Chloe's smile is definitely forced. She had been starting to loosen up, seem more relaxed, before Michael appeared but now she's tense and stiff again. I catch her eye, send her a reassuring wink. Her tight grin loosens a bit, which makes me feel better.

I'm desperate to get her alone so I can talk to her properly. I could kill Sandy for ruining the moment but in truth she's probably done me a favour... if I had ended up kissing Chloe there it would have been the first thing Michael saw when he walked into the pub.

As if on cue, my phone beeps with a message. From a number I don't recognise.

I can't believe you didn't kiss her.

Followed by another.

Remember, if you decide not to go for her after all, I'm available. Ready and willing. X

I really should have given Sandy a fake number.

After another five minutes or so, we decide to make a move, back north of the river to the next stop, Partick. I'm relieved to get out of there. Sandy's group are still there- they've either given up on the subcrawl entirely or that was their last stop. I suspect the former - and she's making "call me" gestures as we leave.

"You've really made an impression on that one, haven't you?" Alex says nastily, trying his best to let the door hit me in the face as he exits in front of me. I easily stop it with my hand. Good thing I was paying attention.

He's such a prick.

As we head into the subway station though, he hangs back. I wish we could lose him but even if the train turns up before he catches up there'll be another one along in five minutes and he knows what pub we're going to. He'd just appear a bit later, like the proverbial bad penny.

Sure enough he materialises just in time to hop on the train. And he's looking very smug. Something is definitely afoot.

It becomes clear as we speed towards Partick when he makes a little announcement to those near enough to hear.

"I took the liberty of filming a few of the dares, thought they would be fun to look back on." He's smiling but it's pure evil. "Just sent them all to the group chat so we can all enjoy them."

I see Chloe freeze, knowing exactly what she's thinking. Everyone on the subcrawl is in that group chat...

We've no signal right now, being somewhere under the river, but in just a minute or two, everyone is going to see the footage of me and Chloe kissing.

Including her ex.

Shit.

Alex really is a little shit-stirrer, isn't he?

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