The Love Contract | Alex Turner

Sheffield City Centre

Alex takes me to Sheffield City Centre. The place is buzzing with people. Alex sighs and takes in the landscape. "This is where I grew up. Born and raised in Sheffield. Feels good to be back home." Alex reminisces. 

I look around, enjoying the architecture and lively crowd. "It seems lovely so far, let's go have a look around."

Alex looks over at me with a small smile, he gestures me to follow him. We begin by simply looking in windows of different shops, taking in the sun despite the day being quite brisk, and Alex telling me stories of his youth. 

"You know, I had a dream the other night where I was right here, in Sheffield City Centre." Alex randomly says. 

"Oh? And what was it about? I question. 

"It was so strange, it was you, me,  my mate Miles Kane, and some kid I went to school with." He says looking at me. "And, and there was a- Roman Colosseum?" He continues. 

"That is really strange Alex." I say with a laugh, I loved when people talk about their dreams. It's like seeing into their brain.

In the early afternoon, we end up at a theater. Alex explains this is where he played his first gig many years ago. 

"...Yeah this is where the lads and I had our very first gig, back when we weren't even signed to any record label. We were just kids who didn't know what the hell we were doing." Alex says while looking up at the building. 

"Now look at ya, on a world tour." I smile and poke him with my elbow. Even though I put up a semi-cold exterior around Alex sometimes, I really am proud of him. 

Alex chuckles, "yeah, look at us know, huh. Who would've thought?" "Not me." I agree with a laugh. We stand there silent for a moment, not in awkward silence like before, it was pleasant. 

"Y'know, doll...it's kinda funny to think about how I used to perform right in this building, and now here I am right next to you." He says with a hint of nostalgia. 

"Let's go inside." I propose. 

Alex raises an eyebrow in surprise at my sudden proposition. "Are you sure? I don't think there'll be anyone inside, place is probably closed anyway. 

"I wanna see where it all started, plus it's part of the tour." I say with a smile. 

"Alright, love, let's go inside then." Alex says as he opens the door to a dimly lit theater for me to enter. There is only a custodian inside, and when he instantly recognizes Alex, he allows us the space to ourselves. 

Alex whistles as he looks around. "Well, this sure brings back a lot of memories." He mutters to himself. 

I take a seat on one of the cushioned theater chairs. Alex walks over and stands in front of me. "This is such a weird feeling, coming back here after all these years." He says as he looks down at me. 

"You know what would wrap up this trip perfectly? A personal performance." I say ushering to Alex. 

He scoffs and raises an eyebrow at my suggestion. "You want me to perform for you, doll?"

"well I haven't had the privilege of attending a concert." I say smugly. "I need to see if you're worth the hype."

"Alright, alright, only because you asked so nicely." Alex looks around for anything resembling a guitar. He finds one, slightly dusty, and becomes strumming and tuning. I take in his movements as he begins to play a tune. "This is a little something from the newest album, we call it Piledriver Waltz." I watch and listen intently, the song quickly becoming my new favorite. 

"You look like you've been for breakfast at the heartbreak hotel. And sat in the back booth by the pamphlets and the literature on how to lose..." Alex sings. 

The song really touches me, because I really do feel like i've been to breakfast at the heartbreak hotel recently. I feel a tear fall down my cheek, I quickly try to wipe it away before Alex notices, but I'm too slow. 

"Wait, are you crying?" Alex abruptly stops. 

"Shit. Sorry." I say flustered. Alex places the guitar down and comes to sit beside me. 

"Why are you apologizing, doll? Nothing wrong with crying sometimes." He assures me. 

"It's just, that kinda brought out a lot of emotions apparently." I admit, I never really reveal any of my personal life with anyone, so I feel vulnerable in this moment. 

"Hey. It's nothing to apologize for, you're okay love." He tells me and places a hand on my knee. 

"Yeah..." I say trailing off, looking in the distance to compose myself. "Y'know, it's really okay. I'm not gonna judge you or anything." He says slowly. 

"I know. It's just-- we're not like friends or anything. I work for you. I shouldn't;t put all my personal shit on you." I try to laugh. Alex immediately scoffs at my comment and gives my knee a playful tap. "Doll, just because you 'work for me' doesn't mean you can't be vulnerable around me. I'm not going to fire you or anything. Shit, I don't think I even have the authority to do that." He says with a grin. 

"Noted. Let's get out of here before I cry again, and you have a show to get ready for." I say as I stand up to leave. 

"Damn, we're really keeping on with this strict work talk, can't have a single second of being 'non-professional' can we?" He teases. "I'm glad you're finally getting it." I say with a laugh, leading him back outside and on the journey back to the hotel. "Yeah, don't push your luck, doll." I mutters jokingly, following me back to our destination. 

We make it back the hotel building and board the elevator. We remain silent for a moment, Alex hesitates before asking me, "You...uh, you think you might wanna come to the show tonight?"

His question came out of no where, I have never been to one of their shows and have never been invited to one. "Um." I take in a deep breath before answering, one show couldn't hurt, right? "Sure." I say hesitantly. 

His eyes widen at my answer. "...wait, really?"

"Did you only ask because you thought I would say no?" I say with a laugh as the elevator door open and we exit. 

"I didn't ask cause I thought you'd say no, more like I wasn't expecting you to be alright with breaking the 'professional' boundary. Seeing as you're so stubborn."

I fake surprised at his accusation. "It's just a concert, I should probably know some of the songs of the band I represent."

"Yeah, alright love, whatever you say. You're only coming for 'professional reasons' and nothing else." He says jokingly as we reach my door.

"exactly." I say as I pull my hotel card out of my purse, he laughs at my bluntness. "Alright, we'll see you tonight." I say as I open my door and enter my room and flopping on my bed in hopes of a quick nap before the show.