Chapter 4 #2
“Maybe?” Freddie replied, and then he broke into a smile. “Honestly, these are questions I’ve never had to ask myself until tonight.”
I laughed at that, and we walked in silence for a few moments.
It was really peaceful on the bridge—the neon lights from the rides and the Ferris wheel were reflecting on the water, and there was a faint breeze stirring the leaves of the trees and lifting up my hair.
For the first time, I realized I was getting chilly, and I untied the jean jacket around my waist.
“Cold?” Freddie asked.
“Little bit.”
“Can I—” He didn’t finish the question, just stepped forward and held out my jacket for me.
Freddie helped me put it on, and even though this had never been something I’d needed assistance with before, I couldn’t help notice how nice this was.
Freddie standing close, settling the jacket over my shoulders, letting his hands linger there for just a moment before stepping back.
I was very aware that this was the closest together we’d been, and I could feel my heart start to beat a little harder.
“Thanks,” I said, giving him a smile.
“Yeah, the nights get a bit nippy here,” Freddie said. “I guess I’m not used to it. We have warm nights back home.”
“It’s because of the humidity,” I said, thrilled that I had a fact at the ready. “It’s why the temperature drops in the desert—humidity helps keep the air warm. Since we don’t have much in California, we get these cool nights.”
He shook his head. “Fascinating.”
I shrugged. “I guess I’m just used to it. I’ve lived almost all my life on the West Coast. And that’s not changing next year.”
“Next year?”
“Oh, I’m going to UC Berkeley.”
“Wow,” Freddie said, raising an impressed eyebrow. “That’s fantastic.”
“Have you been to the Bay Area?”
“Never, but I’m dying to go. Bit of a commute, though, when I have to be here performing every night.”
“I’ll say. But maybe if it works out with this…music person? Then you might have more of your own schedule, more downtime?”
“Maybe.” Freddie’s expression was suddenly more serious. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on the railing, then looked over at me. “I’m really glad I ran into you, Cass.”
“You mean—literally?”
“That part of it I could have done without. But it’s been really fun. And a good distraction from the performance tonight. I mean, it’s only all my hopes and dreams on the line—no big deal.” He smiled when he said it, clearly trying for breezy, but I could see the fear peeking through.
“Well, I’ve haven’t seen the performance, but I did hear two people saying it was unforgettable. So it sounds like it goes well, right?”
“Really? They said that?” I nodded, and Freddie let out a long breath, his shoulders dropping.
“That’s brilliant. What a relief.” He gave me a smile, his dimple deepening.
“But if you happen to see someone who looks like a music manager, maybe you could just have a loud conversation near her about how great I am?” Then he paused, his cheeks flushing.
“That is, if you’re going to see the show. No pressure.”
“Of course I’m going to see it,” I said quickly. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
He smiled. “You’re the best.” Freddie looked down at me and held my gaze. I could feel my heart pound, and I was suddenly very aware of the space between us—how I could have taken just one step nearer to him, and we’d be close enough to kiss.
I kept my eyes on him as I searched his face, trying to glean what he was feeling. He had to be thinking along the same lines, right? This couldn’t be wholly one-sided.
As though he’d heard my thoughts, he reached out to me, slowly, like if I wanted to step away, he was giving me time to, and carefully tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. He took a breath, his eyes not leaving mine. “Cass—” he started.
But before he could say more, his phone beeped. He pulled it out and looked down at it. “I have to get going,” he said, real regret in his voice.
“Right.” I gave him a smile, even as I could feel my stomach drop. Of course he had things to do—of course this moment was going to end. But it still hit me harder than I was expecting. “Well, it was so great to meet you and—” I stopped as I suddenly realized what this meant. “Oh my god!”
“Oh my god what?” Freddie asked, looking alarmed.
“If this starts over again, you’re not going to remember me. Or any of this.”
Freddie shook his head. “No. That’s not possible.”
“But it is, though.” I could hear my voice rising in frustration. “That’s the way this works.”
Freddie blinked at me, and it was like I could see this sinking in. That all we’d talked about—our whole night—would be like it had never happened. “Right,” he finally said. “Once you walk through the doors, you’ll remember everything…”
“But you won’t,” I finished. “It’ll be like we never met.”
Freddie put both hands on the railing and leaned forward on it, then pushed himself back, his brow furrowed. “I have an idea,” he finally said. “If the loop starts again, come and find me. And say Excalibur.”
“Excalibur?” I echoed. “What will talking about your video game do?”
“No, it’s like a code.”
“But it has to be a code you would have known about before this conversation.”
“But that’s the thing!” he enthused. “It is. My brother, Jack, and I came up with it yonks ago. When we were kids, we had a pact that if either of us had a magical experience, we would say Excalibur to the other, and they’d know it had happened.
That we’d crossed into a place where magical is real. ”
“And that will be enough?” I asked, feeling relief spread through me. If these loops kept going, I would want to find Freddie again for sure. But the thought of not having to take him through this whole explanation again was also very appealing.
“Absolutely,” he assured me.
I nodded, wishing this didn’t have to end but knowing that we had run out of time. “So…Excalibur.”
He nodded, giving me a smile. “Excalibur,” he agreed.
“Good luck,” I said, nodding toward the stage. I could see now that the countdown clock showed there were only twenty minutes until the performance—and he had to get going.
“Thanks,” Freddie said, giving me a smile. “It was great to meet you, Cass. Maybe I’ll see you after the show?”
I smiled back at him. “I’ll be here.”
He gave me a nod, then turned and started for the stage. He walked along the side of it, then turned and pushed through the door that, I assumed, would lead him backstage. I watched him go, feeling a few giddy butterflies start to take flight in my stomach.
I had met someone I liked. Like, really liked. Was that why these loops had started—so that we could meet? So that this could begin? I felt myself smile as I leaned back against the railing, looking up at the stars and feeling like something was finally on the right track.