Chasing Empty Spaces

Chapter 7

“You sure?” Louis narrowed his eyes. “Looked a bit peaky from back there.”

An odd sense of relief coursed through Harry’s body from knowing that Louis was able to accurately read his emotions. He was obligated to pretend to feel something he didn’t in front of everyone else, but Louis understood him.

Harry grimaced, “I’ll tell you later.”

“Okay,” Louis nodded and offered a reassured smile, “’Til then…Kick some ass, Stud.”

A laugh fell from Harry’s mouth on its own accord and he was pulled back to reality at the sound of Nicholas tapping the pads of his fingers against the mic.

“Welcome, welcome, pals and gals to The Cotton Club!” Nicholas exuberantly greeted with his arms spread wide and Cheshire Cat grin smacked on his face. “Ah, shucks, folks,” He bowed his head at the deafening applause that echoed back and faux-waved them off in humbleness. “We gotta a treat for all the Jims and Peggie Sous out there tonight!”

Harry felt calmness saturate him at Nicholas’ greetings, effortlessly slipping into his element.

“All the fellas up on stage with me are gonna make ya wanna swing and shout and turn all about the floor on this summer evenin’,” Nicholas carried on, raising his hands above his head. He strutted towards the grand piano, resting his hip against the instrument. “On piano we got our very own Harry Styles,” Nicholas winked and gestured towards Harry.

With an easy wave, Harry greeted the room as a whole. He caught sight of Louis in the midst of the crowd, both of his index fingers hooked over his bottom lip to let out a sharp wolf-whistle. Harry breathily laughed and turned away before his affection would be too easily read.

“Ready to take us away, Styles?” Nicholas finger-gunned.

“Ready as I’ll ever be, Nicky,” Harry shouted back,

Squaring his shoulders, he watched Nicholas’ opening eight-count before surging into an upbeat tune. Harry allowed himself to forget about everything other than the music. The sole of his shoe dutifully tapped against the stage in rhythm with the rest of the band. His eyes slipped shut as his hands flew across the piano in an assuredness that came from years of lessons. He was aware of the bodies twirling and twisting across the dancefloor, but didn’t truly pay any mind as the music consumed him.

Once the final forte of the trumpet section shrilled into the evening, Nicholas flicked his baton and brought the set to a close. He gestured for the band to stand and only then did Harry finally look over the crowd. Hundreds of hands smacked together as applause roared. He pushed himself off of the bench and stood upright, hands clasped in a praying position as he bowed. Harry breathlessly giggled and straightened his spine, keeping eye contact with Louis as he blew a kiss to the crowd. Louis beamed back at him and Harry was sure not to miss the way Louis pursed his lips in response.

As the band started to return backstage, Harry was reminded about his conversation with Niall. He hesitated by the lip of the stage before rashly jumping off the landing and onto the dancefloor. Different people clapped him on the back, wildly praising the band as he slithered through. Harry breathily expressed his gratitude, smile widening when he caught Louis’ gaze from twenty feet away. Adrenaline quickening his gait, Harry darted towards the other man.

“You sounded so fuckin’ good!” Louis excitedly shouted.

Louis’ cheeks were flushed and his skin was dewy with sweat. The suit that clung to his frame was rumpled along his joints from dancing. His lips were bitten red and he was frenetically shifting his weight from side to side. All Harry wanted to do was kiss him.