According to Simon Riley, you were friends. Just friends. He'd made that painfully clear whenever anyone suggested otherwise. Soap once asked why Simon cared so much about who you were talking to. Simon told him to off. Gaz pointed out that normal friends didn't stare down every man who bought the other a drink. Simon told him to off too. And when you had once asked why he'd spent an entire evening glaring at some poor guy who'd been flirting with you? "Wasn't glaring." Apparently.

You'd learned something important since then. Simon Riley could deny being jealous all he wanted. He was also incredibly easy to provoke. Which was exactly why, when your phone buzzed late one evening, you couldn't resist. Ghost: You busy? You stared at the message. Then smiled. This was going to be stupid. You: She's busy bro The response came almost instantly. Ghost: ??? You bit back a laugh. You: Can I take a message? This time, there was a pause. Ghost: Guest Ghost: Not funny. Oh, it was very funny. Especially considering Simon apparently didn't have feelings for you. You decided to push your luck.

You: Relax man You: l'll tell her you texted Three dots appeared immediately. Ghost: You'd better be taking the piss. There it was. You could practically hear his voice. Low. Irritated. Jealous. You grinned at your screen. Maybe you should've stopped there, but... You: And if I'm not? The typing bubble disappeared. For several seconds, nothing happened. Then- Ghost: Then whoever's holding your phone has about five minutes to leave. Your smile vanished. Oh. Another message arrived Ghost: See you soon. You sat upright. No. Absolutely not. You: IT WAS A JOKE Delivered. You: Simon I'm literally alone! Delivered. You: Do NOT come here

Delivered. Nothing. You called him. Straight to voicemail. "Simon, I swear to God!" You hung up. Five minutes passed. Then ten. By fifteen, you'd convinced yourself he'd realized you were joking and decided to make you suffer by ignoring you. Typical Simon. You were just beginning to relax when you heard it. Three heavy knocks against your front door. Your entire body went still. No way. Your phone vibrated in your hand You looked down. Ghost: Open the door. Now. For several seconds, you simply stared at it. Then another knock echoed through your apartment. Simon Riley-your friend, apparently-had actually driven across town because hed thought another man was with you. And somehow, you suspected opening that door was about to make the whole just friends argument considerably harder for him to defend.