Rebound // Alfie Solomons

28. Stunning

''Hi.''

''Wow.'' Alfie remarked as Cora opened the door

'That is always the expression I love to recieve.'' Cora remarked doing a little turn in her red dress Alfie had given her.

''Stunning. I already knew you were trust me but cora,' he whistled and she blushed. ''Fuck girl. ''

''Shall we? ''

''Yes.'' Alfie agreed immediately ''yes. Right this way.'' Her hand trailed up his thigh as his driver took them to the club.

The music was blasting the bass beating through the room as people drank and danced the room.

This club may be far more glitz and glamor than the Garrison but inside, it has the same energy. Connection. The heave and throb of dozens of strangers is linked by a pulsing, frantic beat. Alcohol flows from a bar off to the side, but alfie takes her hand leading her to a back booth sliding in next to her his hand sliding under her dress ever so slowly as they order drinks.

''Bourbon''. Cora said and alfie stared back at her. ''What? Its a special occasion,'' cora offered.

''Didn't peg you as a bourbon gal.'' alfie remarked.

''No?''

''Vodka and whiskey''

''Together? That doesnt sound too good.'' Cora teased. ''I also love rum.'' Cora added. ''I'm not picky.''

''You grew up drinking didnt you?''

''Yeah had a bottle in my hand at 6 so it takes a lot to get me tipsy.''

''Six?''

'My dad runs a gym in Birmingham, I grew up in the officer and in the ring. Didn't have a mum to tell me dont fight with the boys dont drink with the boys you will never find a suitable husband if you know every man on their ass.'' Cora mused.

''You certainly found mr wrong in shelby.'' Alfie agreed.

'It... lets not ruin tonight by talking of him.'' Cora suggested

'Fine by me. ''

The music blares around her, the darkness interspersed with flashes of neon lights that cut a rainbow of colors through the fog.

'Come on,' Cora said grabbing Alfies hand

'I'm not too good a dancer gorgeous.'' alfie reminded her tapping his leg.

''Come on. I will make it worth your while.'' Cora told him and he nodded letting her pull him in and getting lost among the people, their glasses abandoned at the bar. Bodies pressed together among the crowd. Alfie ran his hands along her tight red dress, it rose on her thighs as she lifted her arms around his neck pulling his lips to hers. Kisses trailed down her neck nipping at her skin.

They found the very center of the floor and she closed her eyes, letting her head tip back as the music builds. The song breaks, and she snapped back up looking to Alfie.

The song bleeds into the next one and the crowd lets up a cheer, recognizing it, but she just moves into it without breaking stride. Sweat starts to bead down their skin already, her heart throbbing in time to the music. As Alfies hand snakes around her waist. Heart racing already, the music was excellent here, really, all tight, fast beats and throbbing bases. Cora leaned closer to Alfie brushing her lips over the shell of his ear.

'I think we need somewhere more private.' She whispered and Alfie nodded eagerly his lips meeting hers as they heard Ollie call out.

''Fuck,'' he grumbled.

'It's alright Alfie.'' she purred her hand trailing down his neck.

''Sorry gorgeous just give me a moment.'' Alfie he whispered in her ear as they made their way out of the vortex of dancers.

''Sabini wants to meet.'' Ollie told him

''Now?'' Alfie hissed

''Shelbys stirred up some trouble'. Ollie remarked.

'Now!'

'He said-'

'I dont give a fuck what he said. He's not the boss.' Alfie hissed forcing a smile as he looked to cora leaning on the bar ordering another drink. 'Is this because im on a date with cora? You never got that did you?' Alfie mused. 'Dont fucking interrupt me with cora again.'' Alfie hissed.

''Telephone for you miss cora.' The bartender brought the landline up on the bar and cora moved around bringing it to her ear.

'Hello?'' Cora pressed a hand to her opposite ear.

'Cora we got a problem –'

'Fuck you.' Cora spat

'Cora dont hang up!'' Tommy begged

'Fuck you.'' cora muttered.

''Finn is sick. Hes been vomiting since we got back.'' tommy told her

'Wheres polly?"

''She made him tea-''

''Take him to a doctor dont give him gypsy tea-'' cora countered

''He wants you cora.' Tommys voice a plea through the phone and cora sighed. ''He's been asking for you. Says you make it better.''

''I'll take the next train out.' Cora confirmed in defeat. She loved Finn, he didn't deserve her anger at Tommy. ''But i swear if finn isnt sick and this is some fucked up ploy-''

''You want to hear him puking?'' Tommy countered holding the phone out.

''I want cora.' finns voice traveled to her ear.

'Tell him I'm coming. I'll be there soon.'' Cora confirmed.

''Thank you I owe you-'' tommy began

''Make sure he is drinking water and staying warm water no ale and get art and johns drugs out of the house now!'' Cora demanded.

'Cor-'

'Check his temp and try and to keep him hydrated.' Cora repeated 'tell him im on my way.'

''Cora's on her way.'' tommy said holding the phone to his chest

'Okay,' finns weak voice could be heard and cora let out a deep breath as she hung up.

'Alfie I gotta go.'' Cora spoke in his ear as the room got louder

'What no! I just handled –''

'It's not you.' cora assured. ''I had a lot of fun with you.''

'Who was on the phone?'

'The devil.'

'Don't listen to the devil gorgeous stay with me.'' Alfie begged.

'Lets do this again.'' Cora told him. ''I have to go.''

'No come on-'

'Finn is sick really sick he needs me.'' Cora told him

''Cant they take him to a doctor?'' Alfie questioned

'He wants me.' Cora told him again.

'He's not your responsibility anymore.'' alfie reminded her gently

'My life is always going to be tied to them. To the shelbys. I adore Finn. Hes sweet and kind and if he calls I go. I'm sorry alfie it's an unfortunate package deal.' Alfie nodded thinking it through. 'I gotta go though.'

'Let me drive you home.' Alfie offered.

''Train station.'' cora corrected

''You're going in that?'' She looked down to her dress.

''It's a long enough drive without stopping to change.'' Cora remarked as alfie tugged out his jacket wrapping it around her.

'I like that jacket you make sure you bring it back to me personally. Don't get stuck in birmingham,'' alfie told her as she pressed her lips to his.

''I had fun. I want to do this again.'' Cora assured.