Cessnock

Liam

I didn't intend to put Chloe on the spot like that. I really didn't. I just saw an opportunity to get rid of the dare element from the day and took it.

If I had a choice I wouldn't have wanted our first kiss to be like that. Not that I'd ever imagined we'd even kiss in the first place. But it wouldn't have been forced fun. It would have been because we both wanted it. And probably not in front of all our friends and a bunch of randoms who happened to be in the pub.

But despite all that . . . It was a good kiss. I almost forgot where I was. Let my brain temporarily misplace the fact that we were being timed and observed by a crowd, like some sort of weird science experiment.

And I think - think - that Chloe enjoyed it too.

I put the drink I've purchased for her - a sort of apology/victory tipple - in front of her with a smile and then think it's probably best to give her a bit of space - she must be sick of the sight of me by now. Luke and Colin are standing near the door now so I wander over, my own glass in hand.

"Alright, loverboy?" Luke grins when I pop up beside them. "How was that for you?"

I play dumb. "You know I'm not a fan of dares," I shrug.

"But you're obviously a fan of Chloe," Colin sniggers.

"We were just giving you all what you wanted." It's surprisingly difficult to act like I'm unbothered when I'm still thinking about the kiss, and how much I just want to do it again. Maybe without the audience, and with Chloe more of a willing participant. But I think it's definitely time for a change of subject before I give myself away anymore than I already have. 

"All ready for the wedding?" I ask Luke. His eyes light up. I don't think I've ever known a guy more excited to get married before. I actually think he's looking forward to it even more than Becky is. Must be nice to have someone you care that much about.

He laughs. "Yeah, we're all set. Although to be fair, Becky has pretty much covered it all; I just need to turn up."

I'm not a massive fan of weddings myself but I know this one will be a good one. I'm nearly as close to Becky now as I am to Luke so it really does feel like I'll be watching not one but two of my best friends declaring their everlasting love for each other.

Even if I'm not entirely sure I believe in love myself.

I've not always been a cynic; in fact, once upon a time I was a fully paid-up member of the Hopeless Romantics club. I thought I was madly in love with Tasha, Alex's sister, five years ago.  But it turned out she was fucking me about and had another guy on the side. It took me a long time to get over that, and I'm still a bit scarred emotionally from it. I definitely have trust issues.

It also doesn't help that in the last year or so, she's been reappearing in my life every couple of months, asking if we can try again.  I always say no - I just couldn't go back there, couldn't put myself through it again.

But I think this is one of the reasons why  Alex has such a problem with me -I suspect she's been spinning stories to put herself in a good light in all of this. I definitely don't think he knows about her cheating - although I'm sure he would take her side anyway, blood is thicker than water and all that. But I think if he knew the truth he would take it a bit easier on me.

There's been several times I've nearly blurted it out when he's been particularly annoying me. However, I've always managed to hold my tongue. I don't particularly want him to know I've been cheated on either. I have my pride, after all.

So let him think I'm the bad guy in all of this all he wants. I know the truth and I don't particularly need his friendship anyway. It's not like we've ever been close; our friendship Venn diagram just happens to overlap. Unfortunately.

I glance over at him now. He's not looking very happy; I think when he suggested I be the one to kiss Chloe he believed we would both object and it would cause a massive ruckus. Well, it certainly caused some sort of upheaval, but definitely not in the way he expected. He's probably adding it to the list of offences he clearly has under my name inside his brain.

Looking away before he spots me, I find my eyes drawn to Chloe. Much to my surprise, she's watching me, looking thoughtful. Even more oddly, she doesn't look away when our gazes meet. Her cheeks are tinged with colour; there's a chance she's still embarrassed by the very public kiss. She definitely doesn't seem like the sort of person who enjoys PDAs. Much like myself.

I take a swig of my drink as our eyes continue to lock. It's now getting a bit awkward, like we're engaged in some sort of staring contest and neither of us wants to be the first to look away. The problem is, I really don't want to break the contact. It feels suddenly like there's an invisible thread of electricity humming between us. One that has only made itself known since that kiss.

Then Becky says something to Chloe across the table and she looks away from me, the spell broken.

Feeling a bit disappointed, I try to tune back in to what Luke and Colin are saying, feigning a laugh I don't really mean but seems to be the right move to make based on their own actions. 

I'm definitely not used to this level of attention from Chloe.

And I have to admit it's really throwing me.

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