Page 114 of Only You
‘Hey.’ He opened his mouth to say more, but he couldn’t formulate a sentence, still caught up in the surprise of seeing her.
She rubbed her arms before crossing them with an expectant arch of her brow. ‘I’m still waiting, you know.’
‘Oh.’ He quickly searched his pockets for his cigarettes before holding the box out to her. She gingerly took one, reaching into her own pocket for matches. He watched as she lit the end, taking a couple of drags. If someone walked by, they would think they were strangers – and perhaps, they were again. It was an odd realisation. One day, she would be someone he no longer knew.
She might already be, since he had no clue why she was currently mere feet from him instead of in bed with Jack.
‘What are you doing here?’ he asked.
‘I ran into Haze a few days ago,’ she said, talking through the smoke that drifted out of her mouth. ‘He told me about your show and said to invite Jack along.’
‘He didn’t want to come?’
‘I didn’t tell him,’ she confessed. ‘He’s not ready to talk to you like an actual adult. I figured tonight wouldn’t be the best time to try.’ Demir hummed in appreciation, glad that Selene always had better judgement out of the two.
‘You did great,’ she added.
‘Oh,’ he said, his nerves returning, feeling too exposed under her eyes. He fought the urge to look away, instead doubling down as he asked, ‘You heard the whole thing?’
‘I think I missed the first couple of lines, but it doesn’t matter.’ She stepped carefully towards him, stuffing her hands in her pockets. ‘I think the last part would’ve been my favourite either way. It was quite insightful.’
Demir swallowed nervously as he recalled the last few lines of his poem.
My throat is still dry with the words I’m hiding
Waiting for when you’ll touch the edge of my lip
And say, ‘Your tongue is bleeding.’
‘The hardest part to write,’ he told her.
She looked at the wall as she asked, ‘Hard time finding the words?’
He shook his head at her guess, her sombre eyes making him brave enough to be honest. ‘I had a hard time being honest with myself. And you, metaphorically.’
She bit her lip and bowed her head, her hair almost brushing his chest. ‘I’m sorry.’ ‘You said that last time,’ he reminded her.
She sighed, the puff of air rising to caress his cheeks, her words almost disappearing into the night. ‘I have so much to apologise for.’
He knew it was a bad idea, but he still lifted her chin, urging her to return her gaze to him. She did and he was immediately brought back to all their stolen moments, all the things they should have never said to each other but did, stroking her cheek with his thumb, savouring the way her eyes threatened to close.
‘Only if you have nothing else to say,’ he said. ‘What are you doing here?’
She sighed, leaning into his touch, her eyes softening. ‘Being fickle and dramatic and probably stupid.’ She took his hand and took a deep breath. ‘Demir, I think I made a mistake.’
Before he could ask her what she meant, hope budding at the slightest chance that maybe she had changed her mind, a whistle cut through the alleyway. The pair looked towards the trio of drunken men at the end of it heading their way.
‘Hey, miss, lady,’ one of the men shouted. ‘It’s chilly out. Mind warming me up?’ Selene sneered at them before stepping towards them.
‘Look—’
‘Forget them.’ Demir grabbed her arm, shielding her from their eyes. ‘Let’s just go back inside. They’re drunk out of their minds.’
Selene was still glaring but nodded, heading towards the dance hall. Demir was right behind her when one of the men said, ‘Wait, is that Doomsday?’
Demir ignored them, but the loud one stepped in his way right between him and Selene. ‘Itisthe champ,’ he greeted, eyes blown. ‘We’ve missed you in the ring. Where you been?’
‘Retired,’ Demir answered, stepping around him.
