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Renner turned to Freddy with a look of exasperation and said, “This is why I like traveling with you. Use your charm here, please.” He stepped aside and gestured for Freddy to take over the conversation.
“I’m sorry. I’m not sure how you refrained from climbing across this counter and throttling the gentleman who kept insisting the storm is made up, and it’s really sunny in Raleigh, but it was impressive.”
The attendant’s shoulders dropped, and his fake customer service smile slipped. “People amaze me sometimes, but there’s still not much I can do for you.” He grimaced as he said the last part.
Freddy chuckled, “I’m not looking for a weather change, magical flight appearance, or transportation miracle. I would love your professional advice and insight, though. What can we do to give ourselves the best option to get home as soon as possible?”
“Both of you?” he asked, casting a side eye at Renner.
“Unfortunately, it does appear that way.” Freddy wasn’t sure why Renner was sticking so close, but he had been through the entire trip. At first, he’d thought it was professional interest, but the man had almost fucked their entire mission. Maybe it was because of his sister, Veronica. She’d gone on one date with hima long time ago. It didn’t make sense to Freddy, but he was running out of theories for why Renner wasright thereevery time he turned around. Hell, even one of the Naval officers noticed him hovering at one point.
The man pursed his lips and studied Freddy. “That’s tougher. If you’re willing to split up, standby might work. You said Dulles, Reagan, Richmond, and Norfolk were all options, right?”
“Yes, and we might need a deathmatch to decide who gets the first open seat, but there is no reason for us to stick together.”
“You don’t need to share a company car rental or anything like that?”
“We don’t work for the same company.” Freddy was so fucking done with this trip.
Watching the worker’s face burst into genuine laughter didn’t help. “Seriously?” he asked. “He seems pretty attached.”
Freddy shrugged and shook his head to convey both his agreement and confusion over the situation.
The attendant’s face shifted again as he turned serious and asked quietly, “Do you need help going your own way? Had you known him before now?”
Freddy waved off the concern. “Our companies share a government contract, so we do work together. It’s fine, I’m just ready to be home, and yes, any of those destinations would work.”
Nodding, the guy pulled out a slip of paper and scrawled a terminal and gate number on it with a name written below. “We’ve already got you officially listed on every standby there is, but most people hate this flight because it’s a red eye. It’s going to Dulles, so the weather shouldn’t be an issue. Talk to Margie at the gate, and there’s a good chance she can get you a seat.” He held out the paper but wouldn’t let go until Freddy made eye contact with him. “I doubt there will be more than one seat, and even if there is, they won’t be together. Anything available will bea middle seat, and you better be as sweet as watermelon in July to the flight attendants.”
Freddy couldn’t hold back his delight at both the expression and the hope that he might make it home tomorrow morning after all. “Thank you. Seriously.”
“Don’t look too excited or the whole line will get worked up, and I’ll have to call in security for crowd control. And tell your friend over there the part about being nice to the crew.”
“Right. Of course.” Schooling his expression, Freddy stepped away from the counter and headed for the terminal listed on the paper he’d been given.
Renner popped up beside him before he made it more than two steps. “What’d he say? Did you get us a flight?”
“No, but I got us a terminal and gate number for a redeye flight that might have an opening. If it does, I’m taking it.” He didn’t look at the man beside him as he spoke.
“Wait, but what about me?” Renner asked.
Freddy reached into the deepest recesses of his professionalism and pulled out the few crumbs that remained there. “If there’s a second seat, it’s yours, but only if you are very nice to the flight crew.” They walked under a clock that said it was almost five here in Seattle. That meant it was approaching nine back in Virginia. Spotting an empty gate area, Freddy veered over and pulled out his phone. He opened his message thread with Sabrina.
Freddy: flight was canceled cause of storms
Sabrina: that sucks. You get a hotel?
Freddy: not yet.
Sabrina: might want to do that soon
Freddy: you ok w/finishing updates if im not back in time?
Sabrina: theres not much
Freddy: I know but feel bad leaving it to you
Sabrina: dont be dumb
