Page 111 of Only You
If he was going to say anything, it would be how running never solved anything, but it was the only thing he knew. How sweet memories were crueller than reality, that hope killed more than men. It tortured and killed dreams, too.
‘He’s not wrong.’
A chill went down Demir’s spine as the sound of heels echoed through the bar. And it was like a trance fell over him as Selene walked over, looking just as sultry and mysterious as she had when they first met. Except this time, he could point out the smallest trace of stiffness in her gait as she approached Haze.
‘Hi, honey,’ she greeted sweetly.
Haze stood and kissed her on the cheek. ‘Looking lovely as ever, Ms Selene,’ he complimented.
She smiled, tossing her hair over her shoulder before giggling. Every movement was scripted, right down to the way she squeezed Haze’s arm. ‘You’re not so bad yourself,’ she winked, glancing at Demir for a moment before turning her gaze back to Haze. ‘Looking for another artist, I see.’
‘What can I say?’ He held his hands up and shrugged before clasping Demir on the shoulder. ‘I’m a patron of the arts. And I’m telling you right now, this one right here is better than any of those washed-up Ivy League brats. Bet he could knock out Shakespeare without using one fist.’
‘I wouldn’t be surprised.’ Her tone was soft, genuine.
Demir ignored it, talking to Haze instead. ‘I’m sure some racist piece of shit is rolling in his grave right now,’ he said dryly, earning a bout of laughter from Haze.
‘Eh, fuck them. They never had taste anyway.’
He snapped the towel at the man. ‘Get outta here, Haze. I’m trying to work.’
He raised his hands in surrender, grinning as he made his way to the door. ‘All I’m saying is it can’t hurt to try.’
Shaking his head, Demir started wiping down the tables again.
‘Well, hello to you, too.’ Selene sat down in Haze’s former seat. ‘I’ve been looking for you.’
‘Can’t say the same.’
‘I’m sure.’ She smiled blandly before looking around. ‘Nice gig you got.’
‘I’m not fighting again.’
‘Because of me?’
‘Because I’m tired of getting knocked out and cleaning up your bullshit after,’ he snapped, staring her down.
She scowled, pushing her hair behind her ears. ‘But you still go to the gym. Late at night. Benny told me he ran into you the other day.’
Demir almost sighed. He should’ve known Benny would tell her that, probably even told her that he had stayed there until dawn. Some days, the only way he could sleep was punching out the hurt. Not that it helped much; five minutes in front of Selene, and he felt just as raw as that day in his apartment. ‘It’s an itch. It’ll go away.’
Selene stared at him for a moment before opening up her purse, and he narrowed his eyes as she pulled out an envelope, placing it on the table.
He picked it up carefully, looking inside. It was a stack of bills. ‘What is this?’
‘The money from the last fight that Jack keeps telling everyone he has for you,’ she said. ‘Figured you didn’t want to talk to him either so I’m getting rid of his excuse.’
‘Won’t he ask about this?’ He lifted up the envelope.
Selene laughed, but it sounded bitter. ‘Don’t worry about that part. I’ll handle it.’
He sighed tiredly. ‘Selene, why are you here? What do you want?’
‘I wanted to make sure we were done.’ She looked up, sadness slipping from beneath her flirtatious façade. ‘And now we are.’ She stood up, her hips swaying invitingly as she walked away, leaving Demir feeling cold.
If this was going to be the last time he talked to her, he refused to talk to the character.
Fists clenched around the money, he got up and caught up to her halfway to the door, stepping in front of her. She stopped short and he grabbed her hand, placing the money into it. She struggled to pull out of his grip, but he held on.
