Chapter 48: Brooklyn Loft Party
Whoever said the youth was wasted on the young, was a damn fool, Ellie Scott reflected. The night started with an UBER ride to a coffee shop, where else? There Ellie and Ainsley met up with their click of friends, the brother and sister team of Jared and Jade Ambrose, their friend Finley Graham, Finley's boyfriend Justin Philips, and their "gay" friend, as Ainsley pointed out seems every group needs one, Hardy Groen. After a round of coffee, they went to a local Trendy Bar and pre-gamed a bit. Ellie reflected that's what they called it back home. There is nothing wrong with social lubrication, Ellie noted with a smile as she finished her third shot. After that they finally arrived at the destination, a party some trust fund babies were putting on in a loft, in some hip part of Brooklyn.
Ellie slipped off her jacket as she walked through the door of the loft. She looked around and saw the people all standing around. It reminded her of high school, and college the pretty and popular, she smiled and got herself a drink. They collected in the corner and looked around.
Jade walked over to Ellie. Ellie smiled at the dark-haired, dark-eyed woman, still tanned after all these months, and was fit and trim. Ellie sighed; some people have all the time in the world.
"Libby, look at this place," Jade said.
Ellie nodded, "It's a nice loft," she said.
"Oh yeah, the place is nice," Jade said.
"I see, what were you getting at, Jade?" Ellie asked.
"All the guys, I'm like wow, almost like shooting fish in the barrel," Jade said.
Ellie smiled, "Well pace yourself," she said.
"Really Libby, pace myself?" Jade asked.
Ellie shook her head, "Ever hear about the two bulls?" she asked.
"Two bulls?" Jade asked.
"Yeah, an Old Bull and a Young Bull were looking over a herd of cows. The Young Bull turned to the Old Bull and said, 'Let's run over there and fuck some of those cows.' The Old Bull replied, 'No, let's walk over there and fuck them all,'" Ellie said.
Jade laughed, "There's Libby and her country witticisms," she said.
"Don't mess with the old wisdom," Ellie said.
Jade laughed again, "Is that your secret, Libby?" she asked.
"Yeah, sure, that's my secret," Ellie said and hid an eye roll.
"You rock," Jade said.
Ellie didn't even hide her eye roll this time.
"Never mind my sister, she's got cock on the brain," Jared said as he came over, and slipped an arm around Ellie's waist, "Not that this isn't a target-rich environment."
"Jared, please," Ellie said and pushed Jared's arm off her body, "Not tonight."
"Is Jared being a bit creepy?" Finley asked., coming over with her drink and with Justin by her side.
"Creepy? How do you scale creepy?" Jared asked.
"Libby, what do you think?" Finley asked.
"No, it's a light switch," Ellie said.
"Fin, don't start trouble," Justin said.
Finley looked at her boyfriend and put her hand on her chest in mock jest, "What? I cause trouble?" she asked.
"Yeah, you were always a troublemaker," Jade said.
"Was not, Jade," Finley said.
"In high school, they called you Trouble," Jade said.
"Where's Ains?" Jared asked.
"I think she's in the closet, it looked like a closet, with some guy," Justin said.
"Already?" Jade asked.
"Seems that way," Justin said.
"Why are you watching Ains?" Finley asked.
Justin swallowed hard, "I didn't want anyone of us to get lost," he said.
"Good answer," Finley said and then turned to Ellie, "Libby, you're letting Ains get ahead of you."
"Libby's just pacing herself," Jade said.
"Really, Libby, you're pacing yourself?" Jared asked.
Ellie shrugged, "Need to find the big game to hunt," she said.
Finley snapped her fingers, "That's what's off Libby, where's your purple?" she asked.
"I'm wearing purple," Ellie said.
"Where?" Finley asked.
"Somewhere," Ellie said and sipped her drink, knowing it's in her choker.
"Where? I'd like to know," Jared said.
Ellie laughed and sipped her drink, "Let's say it's my secret," she said, and winked.
"I'd like to decode that secret," Jared said.
"In your dreams, and my nightmare, Jared," Ellie said.
Jade laughed.
Finley nodded her head. "Libby, something had been bothering me about you," Finley said.
Ellie nodded, "Oh yeah? What would that be?" she asked.
"We know about you and college, but nothing about you and high school," Finley said.
Ellie shrugged, "We've known each other for how long? Why is it coming up now?" she asked.
"Gave you time to share," Finley said.
"Not much to share, I went to public school, my Dad was a teacher, as was my aunt, and I graduated with my sister and my cousin. My big highlight was I was co-captain of the cheer squad," Ellie said, most the group went to high school together, or grew up together. Ellie wasn't one of them as she moved to New York as an adult. So high school was particularly important to them, but Ellie didn't want to be reminded of her two years of high school where she was treated for cancer.
"I can't see you as a cheerleader," Jade said.
"Me and all my siblings were athletes," Ellie said.
"Libby, have we met your cousin?" Justin asked, looking to cause trouble.
"You might, but it wasn't through me," Ellie said.
"Who's your cousin, Libby?" Jared asked.
"Brian Scott," Ellie said, she didn't bat an eyelash when she said it, but her stomach turned just a little thinking about him. Also, she was wondering why her people were suddenly interested in her past. Again, she never really shared her past.
"Brian Scott?" Finley asked, "The Musician?"
Ellie nodded, "The same," she replied, rolling her eyes. Being tired of people always worshipping her cousin.
"Wow, Libby you never said he was your cousin," Jade said.
"I think I still have a poster from Mental Lapse somewhere," Finley said.
Ellie shook her head, "We don't talk much about him," she said.
"Why don't you, he's a great musician?" Jade asked.
Ellie shrugged, "I've heard better," she said, and looked around the room. All the guys had beards. Ellie made a face, she knew it was the style, but she never liked it. Looking over to Jared, he wore a beard. Ainsley had introduced her to Jade, once they met they became friends, of a sort. At one-point Jade tried hooking her up with Jared, they never connected and became a sort of friends.
Ellie smiled and turned to look at Finley and Justin. Finley Graham was blonde of average height. Jade introduced her to Finley and her boyfriend. Justin also wore a beard, they were interesting people, but Ellie still hated beards.
"Libby, I never asked you this. If you had such an interesting life back home, why you are living here?" Hardy asked.
Ellie noted Hardy, Justin's best friend, didn't wear a beard. Again, he was someone they tried hooking Ellie up with. They didn't work for other reasons. At the time he was still in the closet.
"I moved to New York after college to help out with my godson," Ellie said, most of them had met Trin and Fallon. But Trin and Fallon weren't part of this little group. Fallon probably would have fit in better. Fallon stated once she wasn't a trust fund baby since she was sixteen, she ran a family investment portfolio. Trin didn't fit in because she was a working single mom. The funny thing was the apartment Trin owned was worth more than all their Brooklyn property put together.
"That's Trin's son, Wyatt," Hardy said, he was always the most perceptive of the group.
"Yeah, that's it, he's a great kid," Ellie said and laughed. Not mentioning that she also came up to finish working on some writing and that Wyatt was not just her godson, but also her cousin. Wyatt was Brian's oldest son.
"Seems that way," Hardy said.
Ellie smiled and nodded. Trin did an excellent job of raising Wyatt. Though he could butch up a bit more but can't have everything. Where was Ainsley? Did she hook up already? Looking across the room she thought she saw Fallon walk over to get a drink, so this was the party Fallon was bitching about. Fallon was right this wasn't her scene.
Ellie sighed, and she saw a dark-haired guy that looked familiar. Smiling she looked at her friends, and with her brilliant blue eyes gave them a look that said watch this.
With a quick move, she separated from the group. Then once away her stance and carriage all changed, and she confidently walked across the room. Slowly she added a bit of swish or sway to add to the seductiveness of her slow walk. It reached a peak when she reached the guy she targeted, and he had no beard.
"Dawson, right?" Ellie said.
He looked at her, "Yeah," he said and looked her over. Ellie studied his eyes, they moved about her. He looked at her eyes and she saw his pupils changed. Ellie looked differently tonight then she did earlier this morning at the coffee shop. Her smiled changed slightly as she knew he recognized her.
"Wow, Ellie I didn't expect to see you here," Dawson said.
"I didn't expect to be here," Ellie said, "I don't even know where here is."
Dawson laughed, "You're in Brooklyn," he said.
Ellie laughed and touched Dawson's arm lightly, "I know it's Brooklyn, I just don't know where," she said.
Dawson smiled, "It's some party to celebrate the New Year," he said.
"Wasn't that last night?" Ellie asked.
"I don't think it matters," Dawson said.
"I see that," Ellie said.
"So, how did you end up here?" Dawson asked.
"Some of my friends, brought me along for the ride," Ellie said, that's partially true.
"Don't you just love nights like that?" Dawson asked.
"Absolutely, some of my favorite nights are like that," Ellie said, "So, how did you end up here?"
Dawson smiled, "I live here," he said.
"Oh wow! Is this your party?" Ellie asked.
Dawson shook his head, "No, it's my roommate," he said, "He sent out invites for some reason. I can't seem to understand him."
Ellie smiled, "It's still cool," she said.
"Do you want to talk out on the balcony?" Dawson asked.
"It's cold outside," Ellie said, coyly.
"But it's private," Dawson said.
Ellie smiled, the game is always fun when both sides know they are playing, and the other side plays along, "Sure, why not?" she asked.
Dawson smiled and offered a hand, "Follow me," he said.
"You lead, I'll follow," Ellie said, and he led her out onto the balcony. As she predicted it was cold outside, but the view was awesome. The City was a thousand points of light, as far and in every direction, the eye could see. The colorful lights of the Empire State Building could be clearly seen. "Wow, you get to see this view every night? I'm jealous," Ellie said.
"It's a nice perk," Dawson said, "You should be here for the Fourth of July."
Ellie smiled, "Are you inviting me?" she asked.
"Maybe, someday," Dawson said.
Ellie leaned on the railing and looked out onto the night. Dawson stood next to her.
"I just noticed your ink," Dawson said.
Ellie moved her left hand and looked at it, "Oh, that, it's nothing, just one of my few tattoos," she said.
"You have more than one?" Dawson asked.
Ellie nodded, "Yeah, but you won't get to see them," she said, "Yet."
"You're confident you'll get to show them to me," Dawson said.
"You're confident you'll get to see them," Ellie replied.
"What's that ink of?" Dawson asked and pointed to her wrist.
"One's my Tarheel," Ellie said, "It's the nickname for my college and for North Carolinian's in general."
"That's unique," Dawson said.
"It's to remind me where I came from," Ellie said, "It's sort of a moral compass."
Dawson nodded, "You miss it?" he asked.
Ellie nodded, "Yes and no. Most of my siblings don't live there anymore, except my brother, but the last few years I've missed it more than in the past," she said.
Dawson looked at her, "You visit often?" he asked.
"As often as I can," Ellie said.
Dawson nodded, "You remind me of Eileen from The Girl that Always wore Purple," he said.
Ellie looked at him, she was trying to do it coolly, "How so?" she asked.
"You just do, there's this innocent quality about you and about Eileen in the book," Dawson said.
"Remember, I read the book. How could Eileen be considered innocent?" Ellie said and laughed, "She had a copy of the Kama Sutra and checked off the positions as she did them, and commented on the difficulty and pleasure."
Dawson shrugged, "That's the impression that I get," he said.
"Never had to knock on wood?" Ellie asked.
"Excuse me?" Dawson asked.
"An old song," Ellie said.
"I see," Dawson said.
There was a pause in the conversation. As the silence fell over them, Ellie looked into Dawson's eyes. The moment was coming, the fish had taken the bait and with a tug, the hook would be set. Almost time to reel him in.
"Libby, there you are," Ainsley said as she walked out onto the balcony. Ellie turned to see her friend was very drunk and looked disheveled. Shaking her head, she knew the moment was gone.
"Yes, Ains," Ellie asked.
"Libby?" Dawson asked.
Ellie turned to Dawson, "She doesn't like calling me Ellie," she said.
"We're looking for you, they want to go, saying I'm too drunk to stay," Ainsley said.
"So, go," Ellie said.
"That's what I said, but Hardy said we come together we leave together," Ainsley said, "But I don't ever think we ever came together, though."
Ellie sighed, "Yeah, I know the agreement," she said.
"Justin said the UBER is on the way," Ainsley said.
Ellie sighed and looked at Dawson.
"Well I guess this is a good night," Dawson said.
Ellie nodded, "Yes, it is," she said, and all she thought was damn it, Ainsley.
Dawson made a face, "How can we keep this going?" he asked.
"Kill Ainsley?" Ellie asked.
"Hey!" Ainsley said.
"Love you Ains," Ellie said.
"I wouldn't want you to go to jail," Dawson said.
"Give me your phone," Ellie said.
Dawson nodded and handed Ellie his phone and she put her number in it. Ellie handed it back. "Text me," Ellie said, winked, and followed a stumbling Ainsley off the balcony.
"Hey, he's cute, Libby," Ainsley said.
"Quiet Ains," Ellie said, unhappy with her friend as they went inside the loft apartment.
