Free Falling (42 page)

The grassy performance area was huge. It was cordoned off by
a little red ribbon that ran around the whole place so that people could sit
all the way around and still have a clear view. Beth walked us right up to the
front, stepping over people and ignoring them as they complained. She waved her
hand dismissively, telling them that we were friends with the performers, so we
had priority. That hadn’t really gone down too well, but we didn’t stick around
to hear the rest of the complaint as we weaved through the waiting people,
getting closer and closer to the performance zone.

When we got right to the barrier, Beth smiled with
satisfaction and sat down on the grass just behind the ribbon that signalled
the line we weren’t allowed to cross. I sat down next to her, ducking my head
and trying to ignore the people whining behind us that they now couldn’t see
very well and were going to have to move.

I flicked my eyes around, looking for Zach, but there was no
sign of him. Instead though, staff were helping put the finishing touches to
the area by bringing in cars that they parked on the grass, and checking the
bolts on the large pieces of scaffolding that were dotted around. The staging
area looked fantastic already, and I was excited to see what Zach and his boys
would do with the ropes that hung from the trees and the massive trampoline was
off to one side. Just as I expected, there were no safety mats or equipment.

“So what kind of thing do they do then?” Beth asked, looking
around at the crowd that was starting to form around us as people took their
places ready for their performance. Charlotte sat down next to me, frowning
distastefully at having to sit on the grass.

I shrugged in answer to Beth’s question. “I have no idea how
to describe what Zach does. You’ll just have to watch it and see.” Luke and a
couple of his friends sat down behind us. He tapped me on the shoulder, and
when I turned around he held out a bottle of soda. “Thanks,” I smiled
gratefully and got a beautiful, straight teethed smile in return.

We made small talk then; all of us listing the rides that we
wanted to go on. The boys were whining that they were hungry already. After a
few minutes a guy with a microphone walked out into the middle of the arena and
smiled at the crowd.

“Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to be entertained by this
next act. I first saw them perform a year ago, and they blew my mind. I’m so
excited to introduce this team of guys to you today. I know you’re going to
love this and will be talking about this for days. Please put your hands
together for Equilibrium.” He waved his hand to the side, and Zach and his team
emerged from a large green marquee that I hadn’t even noticed.

People clapped, but not very enthusiastically. Most of them,
like Beth, probably didn’t even know what they were going to witness today. I
clapped loudly, putting both my hands above my head, not caring that people
cast weird glances at me. Zach’s gaze roamed in my direction, and he gave me a
slight nod of the head as a little smile pulled the corners of his mouth. I
hadn’t seen him all morning, but I had sent him a quick message this morning
wishing him good luck and telling him that I’d meet up with him after.

I grinned, dropping my hands down as they all stood in a
semicircle in the middle of the arena. They were all dressed the same today and
actually looked quite smart. They donned black sweatpants and a black vest that
bore the name Equilibrium across the chest.

Reggie took the microphone from the announcer guy and smiled
out over the crowd. “Okay guys. I hope you enjoy the show that we’re about to
put on for you. As you can see, we perform without safety mats. Some of the
stunts are very dangerous, so please ensure that you stay behind the ribbon at
all times, that’s for your safety mostly, as well as ours. I just wanted to
say, please don’t try any of these stunts at home. We train for hours every
week, and still some of these stunts are dangerous even for us,” he stated
confidently, as if he’d given this speech a lot of times and knew it word for
word. “Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.” He handed the microphone back to the
announcer guy who slapped him on the shoulder and ran out of the arena with an
excited smile on his face.

Zach smiled at me one last time before walking over to the
edge of the arena, the other boys doing the same to different, obviously
predetermined spaces. One by one they all seemed to crouch down onto one knee
and give a thumbs up signal to show they were ready. When the last guy had
given his signal, the music started and then it began.

Just like the last time I saw it, the freerunning was
mesmerising. I sat there, transfixed, as did everyone else. The routine was
polished, daring, inventive, exhilarating and frightening all rolled into one.
People around me gasped, clapped, held their breath and, on more than on
occasion, shrieked. The pride that swelled inside me was enough to make me feel
like I would explode with it.

My heart was in my throat the whole time, my eyes glued to
one person. Zach. He looked so happy, so free. I loved the passionate look on
his face and his smile of enjoyment. I watched the way he moved, so fluid and
easy. I found myself noticing the rise and fall of his chest and the flex of
muscles in his tanned forearms. I gulped as a wave of something seriously
inappropriate washed over me. I had never been attracted to any guy other than
Luke, so the feeling was incredibly alien to me. I didn’t quite know how to deal
with it.

For the big finale they all did something different. Zach
and Jase did some huge synchronised gymnastics style floor routine that
involved so many somersaults, backflips and spins that I could barely keep up.
By the time they were done I was breathless with excitement and on my feet
whooping and shouting excitedly.

When they all joined hands and did a bow at the end, Zach
looked out over the crowd, catching my eye and sending me one of his cocky
little smiles. I chewed on my lip, watching him in awe, before he gave me a
little wave and disappeared off with his group through to the performers’ tent
at the back.

Once he was out of sight again I swallowed loudly, trying to
get a grip of myself. When I watched him perform he kind of put me in a trance,
making me feel and want things from him that I shouldn’t even think about. But
I couldn’t help it. There was some kind of attraction there for Zach, I
couldn’t deny it – but I couldn’t quite understand it either because I knew I
was still in love with Luke.

A hand closed over my arm. “That was seriously hot!”
Charlotte hissed in my ear. “Who knew that guys jumping off of stuff and doing
stunts could be such a turn on! Seriously, that was incredible, and it’s made
me look at Zach in a new light.”

Me too.
I didn’t say those words though, just nodded
because, for some reason that I couldn’t understand, I didn’t like the fact
that Charlotte was attracted to Zach. I also didn’t really like the fact that
lots of young girls were now hanging around the entrance to the performers’
tent, giggling and obviously waiting for them to come out.

I shook my head, trying to clear it.
Seriously, what’s
wrong with me?

Luke stepped to my side then, smiling his dazzling smile
down at me, and I felt my face flood with heat because my insides were still
quivering, and for once it wasn’t him that had caused it. “Hey, we’re gonna go
hit the refreshment stand and get a burger or something. Coming?” he asked,
nodding over his shoulder at his friends who were already making their way to
the line for the burger van. Charlotte nodded eagerly and trotted off after
them.

I was conflicted. Part of me wanted to go with Luke, but
part of me wanted to go and congratulate Zach on his performance. I didn’t know
what to do. “Um…” I chewed on my lip, looking back at the tent, seeing that the
crowd of teenage girls was growing larger by the second. I knew I should
probably stay away from Zach for a while so that I could let this feeling
disperse, but I longed to run there and see him right this very second.

My mouth made the decision that my brain and heart were
struggling with. “I’m not that hungry. I’m gonna go tell Zach well done.”

Luke frowned, but nodded. “Alright. Don’t go anywhere on
your own though,” he instructed.

I nodded, waving a dismissive hand. “I’m only going into the
tent and then Zach will be there.”

He squared his shoulders, taking a step back. “Go on then.
I’ll watch and make sure you get in there okay before I go get my food,” he
replied.

I sighed, loving how sweet that was. “See you in a bit.”

I turned and made my way over to the tent, hobbling a little
on my ankle because I’d been standing too long on it today and it was now
starting to ache again. When I got to the mouth of the tent I had to squeeze
past the excited gaggle of fangirls that were standing around. I pulled back
the rough material and went to step inside, but a guy with a black security
T-shirt put his arm out to block my way.

“I’m sorry. Performers only. Wait outside with the others,”
he grunted, nodding back at the other girls.

I smiled and shook my head. “I’m friends with them. I just
want to talk to Zach,” I replied, peeking in to the tent and seeing them all
standing around, chatting and grinning as they drank from bottles of water.

The security guy turned to look in too, waving me forward a
step. “Guys, this one with you?” he called.

Newt and Zach looked up. A smile crossed Zach’s face as he
nodded. “Yep. That’s mine,” he chirped. I couldn’t help the scoffing noise that
escaped my throat at his words.

The security guy nodded, stepping to the side and pulling
the cloth doorway back further and waving me in. I ignored the grumbling and
whining from the girls behind me as I walked in.

“That’s mine?” I repeated distastefully as I made my way
over to where Zach was standing. He grinned, shrugging nonchalantly as he
chugged some more water. “You’re a pig,” I scolded, but I couldn’t help but
smile at the same time.

“So, what’d you think? Like the routine? I saw you screaming
like a fangirl out there. I’m surprised you didn’t throw me your panties with
your number written on the back,” he joked.

I chuckled, feeling a blush creep up my neck. I had been
shouting, so that was true. “If you didn’t already have my number then I might
have done,” I joked.
Wait, am I flirting right now? Stop it, Maisie!
I
decided to change the subject and hopefully that would stop my insides from
squirming. “You did great. I loved it. It scared me a little in places, but it
was awesome,” I gushed, looking at him in awe. “You were incredible.”

A huge proud smile stretched across his face as he dropped
his eyes to the floor, almost seeming embarrassed by my praise. “Thanks,” he
muttered. He turned and took hold of the back of the white plastic chair that
was beside him, pulling it out. “Here, sit down. You’re limping again.” He took
my hand, giving me a gentle little tug in the direction of the chair, so I sat
obediently, smiling gratefully. He definitely did treat me like a princess,
even if he didn’t want to admit it. He would make someone a fantastic boyfriend
- if only he’d let go of his fear about his condition. “I’m just gonna change
then we’re out of here. I’ll buy you a cotton candy, how about that?” he
offered, already yanking his vest over his head.

I averted my eyes, looking at the side of the tent, but I
hadn’t done it quickly enough so that I didn’t catch a glimpse of his tight,
sculpted abs. Another wave of that unfamiliar attraction washed over me again,
and I shifted in my seat, swallowing and fighting the urge to just turn and
watch him dress.

“Sure,” I agreed, my voice barely above a whisper. At my
side I could hear him fumbling around, the sounds of clothes rustling and a
zipper being fastened, but I didn’t allow myself to turn around.

After a minute a hand was placed on my shoulder. “I’m done.
You ready?” Zach asked. He tossed a carrier bag across the tent towards where
their other gear was stacked. “Guys, I’ll see you in the week. Someone collect
the money from the organiser guy before you leave. I’m now off,” he informed
his teammates as he held down a hand to help me up from the chair.

As I put my hand into his, the other boys all bid their
goodbyes, congratulating each other on a job well done and agreed who was going
to go and collect the fee from the person that booked them. “I’m not an invalid
you know,” I muttered, allowing Zach to pull me to my feet.

He smiled sweetly, dropping my hand. “I know. Just being my
usual helpful self,” he replied. “So, how are you with fairground rides?
Scaredy-cat I bet,” he mused, taking a couple of backwards steps towards the
entrance to the tent while he smirked at me cockily.

I raised one eyebrow at the challenge in his voice.
“Actually, I like them. Bet you scream like a little girl though,” I joked.

He grinned. “Let’s go see. You up for it?” I nodded in
agreement, following him out of the tent. “Okay to walk? I could give you a
piggyback if you want,” he offered, looking down at my ankle worriedly.

“I’m fine. I might take you up on it later though,” I
agreed, knowing that it would only feel worse and not better the longer I
walked on it. He smiled, and we slowly wove through the crowd, heading towards
where they had a waltzer ride set up at the end. There was a small line waiting
for the ride so we joined the end and I perched precariously on the metal fence
that cordoned the ride off at a safe distance, lifting my foot off the floor
for a while. We would be waiting for a few minutes anyway.

“I bet you’re tired after all that running around, huh?” I
asked, looking up at Zach’s happy, smiling face.

He shook his head in response. “Takes a lot more than that
to wear me out.”

A group of pretty, giggling girls walked past, accidentally
bumping him as they did, smiling flirtatious smiles. “Oh I’m so sorry,” the one
at the front gushed, chewing on her bottom lip and looking at him through her
long fake eyelashes.