Page 50 of Only You

Detroit

Demir felt like he was standing on an edge, seconds from falling, and he loved it.

The adrenaline from his fight still coursing through his veins, he entered Mackie’s club, Jack’s arm around his shoulders and Nora on his arm.

The crowd parted for them, whistling and cheering as the band played an exciting tune cued for their entrance.

Demir didn’t smile, his body was buzzing.

‘Now, that’s what I call a welcome,’ Jack yelled into his ear as a blur of people congratulated him, and he thanked as many as he could as they made their way to a booth.

The trio sat, and, instantly, people crowded around them, a couple of photographers hounding them for pictures. Demir scowled and held his hand out, blocking his face from view. He started to lean forward to grab the camera when Nora pulled his arm down.

‘Let’s just take one,’ she said, her eyes bright from the excitement in the room. ‘It’ll be our first picture together.’

They snapped what felt like a million photos, the lights temporarily blinding him. At some point, Jack put his hand on Demir’s shoulder, smiling; he was the only one who wasn’t.

‘See, that wasn’t so bad,’ Nora said as the photographers stepped away.

Demir shrugged as a server filled everyone’s glass with champagne, placing the chilled bottle in a bucket in the centre of the table. He doubted she would have the same sentiment when she saw the pictures.

‘Hey, Sel!’ Jack hopped out of the booth, meeting Selene on the dance floor. She shone under the club lights, a sparkling silver dress hugging her figure nicely. She kissed Jack’s cheek, embracing him tightly, glowing every step to the table.

‘Evening, everyone,’ she greeted when Jack escorted her to the table.

‘My, my, Selene.’ Nora’s eyes lit up as she looked over Selene’s outfit. ‘That dress is marvellous! Where did you get such a stunning outfit?’

‘My aunt is a seamstress for a boutique downtown. They had some extra fabric and, when I told her I was seeing Charlie Parker tonight, she wanted me to look nice.’

‘Well, you succeeded. If only you were here when the cameras were,’ Nora smirked, but it was more playful than usual. Even Selene cracked a smile, stepping out of Jack’s arms to do a spin. His eyes widened before he headed towards the dance floor, but she caught him before he could step away.

‘Where are you going?’

‘I’m going to get the photographers,’ Jack said, cupping her face. ‘So, people fifty years from now can still be jealous of your beauty.’ He placed a quick peck on her lips, and she laughed as he raced into the crowd.

‘Come sit down.’ Nora reached over Demir’s lap and patted the seat next to him. ‘We missed you at the fight earlier.’

‘I had a test at school,’ Selene said, her eyes focusing on Demir. ‘Congratulations!’

‘We’re going to New York,’ he told her.

‘Once we make it through the tournament, and we still have a few more fights before that,’ she said.

He knew she was trying not to get her hopes up, but she could barely contain her smile as she grabbed his chin gently, turning it side to side.

‘Looks like you didn’t get beat up too bad.

’ She lightly touched the bruise on the side of his face, ghosting over where his lip split, and his skin tingled.

Demir grabbed her hand and, reluctantly, moved it away.

‘Because I’m good,’ he replied. ‘And I didn’t want Jack trying to patch me up and fuck something up.’

Selene laughed and leaned back. ‘I wish I could’ve been there for the knockout.’

‘It was spectacular,’ Nora jumped in. Selene and Demir looked at the dancer. She still wore a smile, but there was an edge to it. ‘One of his best fights yet. Wouldn’t you agree, honey?’

Demir looked at her in confusion. ‘I guess,’ he answered, trying to figure out where the pet name came from.

‘Seems like one of those lucky nights,’ Selene replied coolly.

‘I’ll say.’ Nora snuggled into his side.

He and Selene made eye contact, him puzzled by the sudden affection while she moved a couple inches away.

Their eyes lingered a second too long and she grabbed one of the glasses of champagne, finishing it seconds later.

The trio sat awkwardly until Jack came back with a photographer in tow.

‘Ready,’ he asked the group as he slid into the booth. Nora rested her chin on Demir’s shoulder while Selene adjusted her hair. Jack rested his arm on the back of the booth. Demir made sure to look straight ahead, his face as stoic as usual.

Click. Click.

The night continued in full swing. Demir couldn’t call himself much of a fan of jazz, although he preferred it to the classical music his aunt had seemed obsessed with throughout his childhood – but watching Charlie Parker blew all his preconceived notions of the genre out the water.

He could see why Selene vibrated with excitement as they watched his band; it was thrilling.

‘I can’t believe this,’ Selene kept saying over and over as Charlie’s fingers glided over his saxophone.

Demir was inclined to agree as he could barely keep his eyes off the musicians as the sound of horns blared.

Suddenly, the song slowed. There was a quiet, almost romantic tone that calmed the crowd before the horns screeched and took off lightning quick.

The transition caused Selene to jump in her seat and grab his hand. Demir glanced down at their hands and then back at her, but she seemed mesmerised by the band, head moving with the music, her lips stretched into a wide smile. She had never looked happier.

He squeezed her hand lightly.

Selene seemed to snap out of her reverie, but she didn’t look at him. She also didn’t pull her hand away until the song ended. Only then did the pair separate to clap, Selene standing as much as she could in the booth.

Charlie stood up and made his way to the microphone. ‘Thank you, thank you. Now, according to my friend, Mackie, tonight is a special night, and I know only one way to celebrate. So, grab a partner and come along.’ He turned to his band. ‘Are we ready?’

The band agreed as the crowd started to clap. Charlie lifted his saxophone to his lips and the song jumped straight into a high-speed melody.

‘We have to dance.’ Selene urged Jack out of the booth and pulled him quickly to the dance floor.

Nora laughed at the couple before standing as well. ‘Now, don’t you leave me on this dance floor by myself.’ She placed her hand on her hip and looked at him expectantly.

Smirking, he followed, taking Nora into his arms when they reached the dance floor. He made sure to stay near the edge, so they didn’t get in the way of the real dancers. While he didn’t consider himself the best, he could keep up with the rhythm, which was good enough for him.

They danced, occasionally stopping when someone brought him a shot for winning the fight or when one of Nora’s friends would come to say hi.

Eventually, the songs became slower, and he could just sway for a little while Nora stared into his eyes, and he felt a certain fondness for the girl in his arms. Nora was beautiful, smarter than she let on, and unflinchingly honest. Everything about her was desirable.

It would be easy to make a life with her.

And maybe, just maybe, he could want it…

A glimpse of silver caught his eye, and he turned his head. Jack was spinning Selene in circles, her dress catching the light before she was pulled into Jack’s chest, beaming. Demir’s heart skipped a beat at her smile.

He didn’t even realise he was slowing down to watch her until he heard Nora say, ‘How many times are you gonna do that?’

Demir tore his eyes from Selene to look down at Nora. ‘Do what?’

Her hands slid from his shoulder to his chest, palms resting over his rapidly beating heart.

‘Look over my shoulder to watch her… look at her the way I want you to look at me.’ Nora swallowed, her eyes shiny. ‘If I didn’t know better, I would say she’s the reason you dance with me. Why you’re with me at all.’

They stopped, and the crowd moved around them without care. Demir felt a wave of guilt as he peered into her glazed eyes. ‘What’s the other reason then?’

She looked down at their feet before resting her head on his chest. ‘You’re almost a good guy. Too nice to break my heart but too cruel to let me go.’ She stepped away from him, her expression sombre. ‘Thanks for the dance. I won’t be needing another.’

‘Wait…’ He reached out to her, but she avoided his touch, weaving between the dancers until he lost sight of her.

‘D!’ He felt someone’s hand on his shoulder and looked to see Jack grinning.

‘Mackie’s about to introduce us to Charlie! You gotta—’ His grin fell. ‘What happened?’

She saw how I feel about your girl.

Demir clenched his fist as the thought swiftly came across his mind. Before he could make up a lie, Selene waved at them excitedly, beckoning them over as she stood beside Charlie Parker with a wide grin. Ignoring Jack’s questioning look, Demir went to her side.

‘There you guys are!’ She hugged Demir and then Jack. ‘Just in time.’

‘I’ll say,’ Jack told her as he took the spot on the other side of the jazz musician. ‘Nice to meet you, Mr Parker.’

‘Same to you.’ Charlie nodded his head towards Demir. ‘Nice fight tonight, champ.’

He nodded but stayed silent as the group posed for the picture.

Suddenly, Selene gasped. ‘Wait, we forgot Nora,’ she said. ‘Let me find her real quick.’ Demir grabbed her by the waist, stopping her.

‘Don’t worry about it,’ he said quickly, urging her back to her spot.

She looked at him baffled as the first flash went off. The photographer yelled for her to look forward and she did with an easy smile, though a small pinch of concern furrowed her brow.

Hopefully, the camera wouldn’t pick it up.

It took three more pictures before he remembered to move his hand from her waist.

‘It’s just perfect.’ Selene stared at the newspaper before hugging it close to her chest. ‘Aren’t you afraid of ruining it?’ Demir teased from Jack’s couch.