Kinning Park

Chloe

Just when I'd actually started to warm to Liam, he had to go and ruin it by flirting with the first pretty girl he saw.

I get it, he's a free agent, he can do as he pleases; I have no hold over him. Hell, I don't even like him.

But it didn't stop me from being annoyed.

How can we be "in this together" if he's just going to be chatting up other ladies? How can he watch out for me if he's distracted? Is that selfish of me? Well, maybe! But we did agree to have each other's backs . . . Apparently that just meant he was going to turn his back on me.

Deep down I know I'm being unfair. But I can't help myself. Old habits die hard and Liam McCall has never really given me any reason to believe my trust is safe in his hands.

Still, he did leave the girl and come back to the table, even if he has given her his number. And now I'm really aware of his presence, mere inches away from me, and his scent, so fresh and slightly citrusy. And it's making me feel a bit . . . Giddy. I bite my lip.

At this stage I'm really not sure if I'm more annoyed at Liam . . . Or myself.

This bloody bastardisation of "Truth or Dare" isn't helping with my mood either. Why do we have to even play games? Can't we just drink and chat like normal human beings? Let me rephrase that, why can't everyone else just drink and chat like normal human beings? Meanwhile I can just continue to make things awkward in my very own special way.

"Chloe?" Becky's voice invades my intrusive thoughts and I glance up, realising everyone is staring at me. Oh great. "It's your turn to answer this one."

Oops. "Sorry, I spaced out there," I wince. "What was the question?"

"Have you ever cheated on anyone?" Lola repeats patiently.

"No," I say honestly. Well, unless you count Martin Wilson when I was eight but it wasn't my fault he thought we were in a relationship purely because I'd shared my sandwich with him. I was just being nice but he saw it differently and was very offended when I shared my lunch with another boy the next day. There was a very uncomfortable confrontation that resulted in all three of us in tears and a teacher being told... awkward!

Wow, now I'm thinking about it, it seems i had far more confidence with boys 20 years ago. Maybe I should start leading with food?

All eyes turn to Liam. He shakes his head decisively. "I've never cheated in my life," he states, looking around the table as if defying anyone to state differently.

"It's a lot easier not to cheat when you don't go out with anyone for more than a few weeks," one of the other guys points out with a snort.

Liam glares at him. "At least I can get them to go out with me in the first place, Alex," he bites out through gritted teeth.

There's definitely a bit of tension between the two men. I've never noticed this before. Probably cos I'm always too busy worrying about my own reactions. I've got a nice little buzz now emanating because of the alcohol though and because the pub isn't too busy yet, and because I have a seat, I'm actually feeling rather relaxed about my own situation. It does mean my other senses are seemingly heightened though, and I feel myself tense as they continue to gripe at each other.

"Is it time for another round of drinks?" I ask brightly, forcing myself to raise my voice as I realise this might be something I should be attempting to help Liam with. I pick up the kitty money from the middle of the table. "Liam, can you come and help me?" He hesitates a moment as he continues to glare at Alex, so I grab his elbow and yank hard on it. "Please?" I snap. He lets me pull him to his feet. Becky mouths a grateful thanks at me as I lead him away.

"What the hell was that all about?" I ask him as we stand at the bar. Everyone's drink order has been scrawled on a list so I push that over to the barman rather than read it all out. Far better that way for everyone, trust me!

"Long story," Liam sighs. He pulls himself up onto a bar stool while we wait and, after a brief pause, I do the same.

"We have time." I nod towards the barman, who is clearly in no hurry to fulfill our drinks order. He's chatting to another member of staff, my list dangling limply from his fingers. I'm not bothered by his sloth-like motivation - it delays going back to the table and having to, ugh, group participate again. I'd rather avoid that, even if it means one on one with Liam instead.

Also, being a confidant makes me feel a bit more useful. Like there's actually a purpose to my presence here.

He runs a hand through his hair distractedly, leaving it even messier than it previously was. Has he even heard of styling products? Yet, strangely, the lack of obvious grooming works for him in a way that it doesn't for a lot of other guys. I blink away that traitorous thought as soon as it pops into my head.

"Alex has always had a problem with me," he mutters eventually, draining the dreggs of his previous drink and putting it down on the bar with slightly more force than needed. "More recently it's been because he liked a girl who preferred me."

"Of course," I say dryly. Liam has never seemed short of self-confidence.

"Hey, I've not overstepped any lines here, I'm not interested in the girl. I can't exactly help if she finds me irresistible and thinks Alex is a selfish prick." I snort but he's suddenly grinning. "Sorry, the whole fucking situation is just ridiculous," he adds. "He's acting like I've broken some sort of 'bro code' but I did absolutely nothing to make her think I was interested." He looks down into his empty glass and tuts.

"Why weren't you interested?" I ask curiously.

His head shoots back up at this, his eyes laser-sharp as they bore into mine. "Do you fancy every single guy you meet?" He asks pointedly. "Or can you accept the fact we all have different tastes?"

I nod, suitably chastised. I really do need to stop thinking he's some sort of manwhore. "Fair enough. But there's more to it than just this, right? You said he's always had a problem with you."

Another sigh. "I used to go out with his sister."

And there it is.

"Ah. So you broke her heart? I see."

The barman has finally taken action and glasses of liquid are starting to appear on the bar in front of us.

"Actually," Liam says, staring straight ahead and swallowing hard. "She broke mine."

Oh.

None of this really makes any sense but he's already sliding off the barstool and picking up drinks. "I'll take these ones to the table and be back in a sec for the others," he says, the subject clearly over.

I'm handing over the money for the round when I'm struck by a thought. I dig around in my pocket for some of my own money. "Can I grab two shots of tequila as well?" I ask. "I'll pay separately for those."

When Liam returns a minute later he leans against the bar and smiles tentatively at me. "Listen, I do appreciate you getting me out of that situation with Alex there," he says quietly. "It probably would have turned nastier if you hadn't."

"No worries," I reply. I pass him over one of the shots the barman just handed me. "Here."

"What's this for?" he asks, confused.

"Figured we should seal our little deal with a shot." I raise my shot glass in his direction. "To having each other's backs!"

There. It's official. Me and Liam are partners in crime now.

How very terrifying.

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