Paradigm (Travelers Series Book 3) (12 page)

I round the corner that leads to my small apartment, and that’s when I see him. Cooper sitting on the curb, waiting for me to come home. After what happened last night, I’m not sure I want to see him.

“What is it now?” I ask as I approach him on the curb.

“I want to apologize for last night. I shouldn’t have ambushed you at the restaurant and I certainly shouldn’t have kissed you.”

I’m grateful he doesn’t mention the fact that the second kiss was all me and that I ran out of the restaurant like a coward. “Yeah, about that.”

“I should have been a little more honest about our relationship, darlin’, but I didn’t want you to get confused.”

Confused? Kind of late for that now. I’m plenty confused. As if anything he’s mentioned so far makes any sense. “So tell me. What about us?”

This time, he doesn’t smile, which worries me. Not that I’d tell him or anything, but his smile always make me feel like whatever happens, everything is going to be okay. He looks defeated, maybe a little hurt.

“I love you, Etta. And last night, I guess I went a little overboard trying to convince you that we have those feelings for each other.”

I don’t need convincing that there’s more between us than he was letting on. “It’s that spark.” That damned electric chemistry that not only heats up at the sight of him, but magnetizes me to him. There’s probably some scientific principle that states you can’t be electric and magnetic, but in our case we defy logic.

“Well, it’s a little more than that, but yeah. We’re connected, darlin’.”

That may be true, but is it really me he’s connected to? When you think about it, we don’t even know each other, really. But I can’t ignore the dreams I’ve had about him, nor the fact that my body heats up when I’m near him. A thought occurs to me—does this mean he cheated on the future me with present me last night?

“I know it seems sudden to you, but in future time, we’re together.”

Once again, it’s like he can read my mind. “Then what does that mean for me? Here in this time, in this reality?”

He looks up at me from where he’s still sitting and I can see the pain in his eyes. “I don’t know. The Etta I love is you, only we haven’t gotten to that point in time. Every time there’s a rift in the timeline, I’m in danger of losing you forever.”

“So all this, you coming here, is more than just me going to protect the future?”

He nods as he rises to meet me. “Yes.”

I don’t say anything for a moment and realize that he’s going through a whole lot of trouble just to make sure we stay together in the future. “Where does that leave us now?”

“That’s for you to figure out. Just know that there is no future us without you,” he says. “I’ll leave you alone now to think about it.”

I’m still standing in front of my apartment thinking about what he just said. Once again, I’m saddled with questions. What about Alex? Does being with him change the way I feel about Cooper in the future?

No. I don’t think it does.

•  •  •

Did I mention I was the worst girlfriend in the world? Well, I still feel that way as I turn down Alex’s offer to go out tonight. He seems a little disappointed, but I’m not in the mood to put on a happy face and pretend like nothing’s going on. It’s better this way. At least for now. Once all this blows over, I’ll have plenty of time to make it up to him.

But do I want to make things right with Alex? That’s the million dollar question.

So instead of going out, I drown my sorrows in a tub of Ben & Jerry’s—Chocolate Therapy, to be exact. As much as I dreamed about having a different life growing up, I don’t know that I’m prepared for a new one now that it’s staring me right in the face. And Cooper’s revelation earlier this evening doesn’t help matters. All I have to do is accept everything and bam! I have a whole new life.

My mind is being pulled in so many directions, I feel like a politician that flip-flops on the issues. Do I ignore what my heart tells me to do, or do I stick with the status quo? Every day my mind seems to change and I can’t make heads or tails out of any of it.

But here’s what I know: I am from a different reality, I have an aunt named Maggie, and somehow, I was supposed to return to my real world four years ago. And here are my questions: Does Cooper ultimately end up being something more to me in the future? Why is it so important for me to go back? What does this mean for me and Alex? But the burning question is how much does Jaime know that she’s not telling me?

I take another bite of my ice cream. Whoever said chocolate is the best therapy is right. How did everything get so screwed up? I spent years struggling with a system that couldn’t control me, and I’ve spent the last couple years finally achieving some stability in my life. I have a decent job, a great boyfriend, and a best friend I can turn to for anything—at least I used to think I could turn to Jaime. Now? I’m not so sure I have any of those things, except maybe my job.

I feel like
Alice in Wonderland
. Do I drink the potion or eat the red pill? Or was that the
Matrix
? Now I know I’m confused. I can’t even get my fiction straight anymore.

Present Reality
The Present / Alternate Timeline

W
ork was a total madhouse today, with the phone ringing non-stop and the endless motions that had to be filed in court. Audrey had me running around all day, without a moment to myself. So, tonight, I decide a little happy hour is in order. I’ve earned it.

Only, by the time I get to Cashen’s, I lose my second wind and order my usual Diet Coke. I don’t want to feel like I walked all the way over here from the office for nothing. Still, it’s nice to sit back and enjoy the scene in front of me. The least I can do is order something before I decide to go home.

A voice from the past catches my attention, and I turn towards the sound of the high-pitched shrill. I’d know that voice anywhere.

“You don’t have any Mexia beer, but you serve that skunky tasting beer you call a Mexican import?” Jenny’s voice goes an octave higher as she berates the bartender.

“I’m sorry. It’s the only import we have. What about a Miller Light?”

Jenny grimaces. “Seriously? I ask for a premium Mexican beer and you try to offer me a watered down domestic version? Whatever, I’ll just take a margarita on the rocks, hold the sweet and sour mix. Oh, and the rocks.”

As I overhear the conversation, I try not to giggle. I don’t want to alert Jenny that I’m sitting next to her. From what I remember, the girl strives on attention, and I don’t need to add fuel to the flame. As I watch the bartender make her what is essentially a glass of tequila—neat—I wonder what she’s doing here at Cashen’s, anyway. This doesn't seem like her type of place. Judging by the way she’s dressed, it looks like she’s going to a wedding. Granted, I haven’t seen her since high school, but she strikes me as more the Georgetown type.

“I see you like hanging out here, too.” Jenny catches me staring as her voice travels over towards my vicinity. “What’s your poison?”

Jenny’s not known for noticing others, so I’m a bit shocked she takes the time to notice me at all. “Uh, yeah. Just unwinding after work,” I say, raising my glass. “And it’s a Diet Coke.”

She slides over one bar stool and is now seated next to me. “I don’t blame you. Can you believe they don’t sell Mexia here?” Her head nods over the bartender. “I don’t usually indulge in something so strong,” she said, nodding towards her own drink, “But it’s been years since I’ve had some quality Mexican tequila. What’s a girl to do?”

I don’t really know what to say, so I just nod in agreement. Then it hits me.
That’s right.
I forgot her family owns a major brewing company in Mexico. No wonder she feels a bit slighted about the bar not carrying her family’s brand. “I don’t really drink it that often, but –”

I barely get the words out when she interrupts me. “This place really isn’t my scene. Hey! I have an idea. Do you want to go somewhere else?”

Is she serious? She ignored me all through high school, not to mention when she did manage to focus her attention onto me, it was only to ridicule me. “Gee, I’d love to catch up, but I only stopped by for a drink. I have to wake up early for work tomorrow.”

It’s just like old times. Jenny doesn’t care for opposition in any form. “Hey, bartender! Another round for my friend here!” She turns her attention back over to me as she finishes shouting her drink order. “Oh come
on
, Etta. We never
really
got a chance to get to
know
each other in school.” Jenny manages to stress almost every other word. If I spoke the way she did, people would think something was seriously wrong with me. But on her, it’s no doubt considered cute.

“No, I really shouldn’t,” I insist, all the while thinking something’s not right. Jenny wanting to spend time with me? This is like some weird alternate reality. She looks like the same Jenny I knew all those years ago, she still acts like the spoiled Jenny I knew back then, and she’s never shown any interest in getting to know me. So why now? This is my clue that something’s off.

“Look, I know I haven’t always been the nicest, but we’re adults now, right? I say we let bygones be bygones. Come on. After this drink, I’ll take you somewhere super fun.”

Against my better judgment, I consider it. In a way, it’s kind of refreshing to talk to someone who isn’t here to tell me about my past, future, or present. I can actually have a conversation with someone—albeit a strained one—that isn’t about kissing men from my past or how to keep my current relationship in check. I just have to remember not to bring up Alex. He is her high school sweetheart, after all.

“Well, I guess. But only for a little while. I can’t stay up too late or I’ll never make it to work on time.” Not that Audrey would ever notice what time I showed up for work—she’s always in court well before I even clock in—but at least this gives me an out if Jenny’s idea falls a little short of being fun.

“That’s my girl,” she says and clinks my glass with hers.

•  •  •

The next thing I know, I’m being roused by the sound of a car honking. It takes a moment for me to figure out where I am.
Oh, crap
. I passed out in a cab. There’s no mistaking that stale cabbie stench from the backseat of the car. What in the world did Jenny get me into? Better yet, what the hell did she give me to drink? Well, at least I’m in a cab on my way home.

I lay back in the seat and try to keep my eyes open. The last thing I need is to fall back asleep. The driver is liable to take the long way home in order to drive the fare up. And that’s when I notice the lights along the side of the road. Something about this route is familiar.
Holy crap!
I’m in Las Vegas! I press my hands against the window, praying that what I’m seeing isn’t real. I’ve never actually been to Sin City, but I’ve seen a lot of movies with Vegas as the secondary character.

“What the hell… ” I start to say.

“Oh good! I was beginning to wonder when you’d finally wake up.” I hear Jenny’s voice from the front of the cab. In my brief disorientation, I didn’t bother to notice who else was in the car besides me and the cabbie.

“Jenny? What the hell are we doing in Vegas?” I demand. “More importantly, why does my head feel like it’s been whacked by a jack hammer? What did you do to me?”

She turns around towards the back seat and faces me. “You know, if you weren’t, like, my best friend, I’d take offense to what I think you’re implying.”

“Your best… what? I’m your what?” In what world are we ever best friends?

Jenny sighs and ignores my sputtering. “Look, just calm down and I’ll explain everything once we get to the hotel. We’re almost there.”

“Where?”

“Oh, please let me make it a surprise. I just love surprises,” Jenny says, jumping up and down from her seat.

I know better than to argue with Jenny, especially in her hyped up condition, so I don’t bother demanding answers. At least for the time being. On the bright side, if she did drug and kidnap me, at least I know who to identify when I talk to the police.

As we continue to go down the Vegas Strip, Jenny doesn’t say another word as she turns back around to face the road ahead. Too bad I’m here under these circumstances. I’ve always wanted to visit and see what all the hype is about. Somehow, I don’t think I’ll be catching any of the shows tonight.

It doesn’t take long for the cabbie to pull into a massive driveway. I guess we’re at our final destination. I immediately recognize the building; there’s only one fountain that is more impressive in person than it is on film and that’s the Bellagio fountains. Well, if I am being held against my will, I could think of worst places to be held captive. Perhaps I’ll be given free reign on room service and pay-per-view.

My internal growing list of demands continue to grow as the cab driver stops right in front of the hotel. Jenny steps out of the cab and opens the back passenger door to let me out herself. I half expect her to have one of the door men to escort me to my prison cell in the guise of a posh suite.

“Come on,” Jenny says, leading me towards the lobby. “You don’t want to be late for your own wedding do you?”

Did she just say wedding? Is that why she’s all dressed up? “My what? How did we even get here?”

“I wasn’t going to get into that, but if you must know, we got here through your power of astral projection. You are capable of not only transcending space, but time. I simply tapped into your ability and poof! Here we are. We could have used the portal, but keeping you unconscious long enough to transport into this reality, plus taking a flight to Vegas would have been nearly impossible.”

“My what?” I back away from Jenny. I hate repeating myself, but it’s the only appropriate response in this kind of situation. I didn’t catch all that she was saying, as I’m fixated on the astral projection part. Cooper mentioned it when he showed up at Maggie’s house, but I dismissed it as misinformation.

“Ugh! Cooper was supposed to break it all down for you before I met up with you. See, you have the ability of psychokinesis, or telekinesis if you prefer to use that term, which enables you to manipulate matter through movement.” She pauses and looks at me. “Didn’t you know this already?”