Chapter 52: Scott Brownstone

Monday, January 2nd, Morning

The alarm on her smartphone went off. Reaching out from under the covers she reached over and shut it off. At the same time, she could hear the furnace kicked on, which meant the house was cold downstairs.

There was a hesitation in the bare arm, but finally, it retreated under the covers. A moment later the covers were thrown off and Elizabeth "Ellie" Scott rolled into a sitting position. The chill that was in the air nipped at her naked flesh. Ellie stood up and pick up her short fleece Victoria's Secret robe and slipped it on.

As she tied the robe, she slipped her feet into a nice pair of fleece-lined slippers. Slowly Ellie crossed the room and pushed a pair of slats apart on the blinds. She could see The Hell's Kitchen street below her from her second-floor (fourth floor) perch, was coming alive with people. The temperature was somewhere around freezing, as the windows of the cars and the brownstone's window had frost on it.

Ellie looked at her watch and nodded. Ellie would sometimes wear a watch, for whatever reason. Eventually, she was going to have to call the editor and set up an appointment to drop off her stories. Ellie made a farting sound with her mouth, it also meant she had to call her agent and find out about the treatment for her novel. Her dad made it look easy, he could fart on a page and someone would print it.

Shaking her head, she went to the ensuite and started up the shower. Yellowstone temperature sounded good this morning; her body needed it. Also, she was cursing Ainsley for being such a block last night. Ellie knew she could have closed the deal with Dawson last night.

The water felt good and Ellie started to lather up. She looked down at her nails, they were short because she typed a lot, and her nails were starting to looking like they needed a salon visit. Ellie reflected, she liked to dress Boho Chic but didn't want to live the poor part of the Bohemian Life Style. Yes, she freelanced her writing, but she worked hard, and took assignments she didn't want, just to make money.

Ellie knew with her degree and a phone call she could be back home working in the marketing department of Red Bedroom Records. Her degree was an English degree with a focus on marketing. If the second novel didn't get bought in another year, she'd do just that. Aunt Haley and her Mom wanted her to work for them when she graduated from UNC. Ellie was going to do that, but things changed. Initially, she came up here for the summer and to visit Trin, Fallon, and Wyatt. She would work freelance writing to support herself. As said before things change. She had to be Anna Becca and tour with her first novel. Hard to believe people actually liked The Girl Who Always Worn Purple.

Washing, Ellie looked down and saw the script of Dylan Thomas' tercet from Do not go gentle into that good night that she had tattooed on her left ribs. That was her third tattoo, with her first being on her shoulder blade and said, Survivor. The second one was on her right hip, she got it right out of college, it was the symbol of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, her Tarheel. Ellie smiled at the scripted words, done in her Mom's hand, and finished washing.

Getting out of the shower, she started to dry herself. Once her skin was dry, she wrapped her hair in a towel and slipped her robe back on. Ellie for some reason wanted to wear her Doc Martens today. Maybe go a little retro, was her thoughts. But she also knew she would have to dress warmly today.

Entering the bedroom Ellie noticed there was still a person-sized lump in the bed. What the fuck, Ellie thought, she didn't bring anyone home last night, that she could remember. So, that meant it was only just one person.

Ellie walked over to the bed and ripped the covers off the bed. Her friend Ainsley Wilcox was lying there in some state.

"Libby, why did you go and do that? I'm trying to sleep here," Ainsley said.

"What are you doing in my bed, Ains?" Ellie asked.

Ainsley made a sound, "Can't you hear, Libby, I said I'm trying to sleep," she said.

"I can see that, but there are three other bedrooms and four other soft beds," Ellie said.

"None of them are as warm and comfortable as this bed," Ainsley said.

"God! Ains, I don't have time for this shit," Ellie said.

"Libby calm down, where are you going anyways?" Ainsley said.

"I do have work to do," Ellie said, "And you can't keep crashing here like this."

"Libby, you're a freelancer, you make your own schedule," Ainsley said, "So, either come back to bed or let me sleep."

Ellie shook her head, "The third option, get your ass out of bed and in the shower," she said and pulled Ainsley out of the bed. Ainsley landed on the floor with a thump.

Ainsley rolled over and looked up at Ellie, "No, fair, Libby," she said.

"I'm serious, and I'll get some coffee going after I get dressed," Ellie said.

"Fine," Ainsley said, and stood up, "I hope you left warm water."

Ellie shook her head and started going about getting dressed. Looking back outside she decided it was a pants day, and she knew what would go with her Doc Martens today.

Ellie dropped her robe and fished in her dresser for underwear. She slipped them on and went into her closet for the pair of jeans she wanted. She came out with the jeans and her boots and slipped into her jeans. Ellie pulled on a tank top and tucked it in before fastening her pants.

She was going to look more basic than anything else today, Ellie decided, but what was important was she would be warm. Pulling on warm socks and her boots she went downstairs.

Ellie stopped on the first floor (third floor) to check that she didn't have any other house guests. There were none, and she kept heading downstairs. Finally, Ellie found herself on the garden floor (first floor) in the kitchen and starting a pot of coffee. She looked around to see what she had to eat for breakfast.

Once that was done Ellie went back upstairs and found Ainsley in her underwear going through Ellie's clothes.

"Can I help you?" Ellie asked.

Ainsley stood up and looked at Ellie, "Libby, do you really want me to do the walk of shame?" she asked, trying to sound innocent.

"Well if you took me up on my offer to let you keep stuff in one of the other bedrooms, this wouldn't happen," Ellie said.

Ainsley shook her head, "No, fun, Libby," she said.

Ellie sighed, "Do you want to borrow some clothes?" Ellie asked.

"Thought you never ask," Ainsley said, "Yes, I would, and I've already picked out what I want."

Ellie shook her head and found her simple woman's UNC hooded long sleeve t-shirt. She pulled it on and went into the bathroom and pulled her hair back and secured it in a ponytail. She made the decision not to wear make-up this morning. It was too much attention to herself.

Looking in the mirror, she looked younger than her twenty-nine years, probably closer to twenty-five. Her fair skin and blonde hair helped, and she still felt she didn't quite fit being either Sawyer's older sister, or even aunt. Often, she would say cousin as it fit better and covered up a bit of twisted family history.

Ellie felt a pair of arms wrapped around her.

"Why are you looking so basic, Libby?" Ainsley asked. Ellie felt Ainsley rested her head against her back.

"I want to fly under the radar today," Ellie said.

"You should spread your wings and shine like the angel you are," Ainsley said.

Ellie laughed, "I'm going to be an undercover angel today," she said.

"You look so young," Ainsley said.

"Thanks," Ellie said, "Coffee should be ready downstairs, and I have muffins too."

"Do you spoil all your overnight guests?" Ainsley asked.

"Even unexpected and uninvited guests such as yourself?" Ellie asked.

"Yeah," Ainsley said.

"We shall see," Ellie said and pushed Ainsley off her. She turned around and looked at Ainsley.

Ellie sighed, "Ains, you know my work is important to me, why do you want me to keep blowing it off?" she asked.

"Libby, isn't it just a hobby?" Ainsley asked.

"No, I have to work, and its expected of me," Ellie said, "No, I need my coffee."

Ellie left the bathroom and headed downstairs to the kitchen. Ainsley waited a few minutes and joined Ellie. If anything, Ellie was at least a kind host and had a cup of coffee poured for her. Ainsley took the cup and looked at Ellie.

"How many brothers and sisters do I have, Ains?" Ellie asked.

"Three sisters and a brother, I believe you said, Libby," Ainsley said.

"Yes, two older sisters, an older brother, and a younger sister," Ellie said, "How many have jobs?"

Ainsley shrugged, "I don't know," she said.

"All of them do," Ellie said, "Candi is a Doctor in LA, Keith works in one of the family businesses, Kay plays basketball professionally, and Sawyer works with Keith. There are no free rides, Ains."

"But you live here and always have money?" Ainsley asked.

"It's my Dad's place, and I have money because I work," Ellie said, "Ains, you're a good friend, and I enjoy our time together, but I do have to work."

"So, where are you off today to work?" Ainsley asked.

Ellie smiled and shrugged, "I don't know, but I'll call you tonight," she said.

Ainsley nodded, "Okay, but I won't be waiting with bated breath," she said.

They laughed and finished their breakfast. Ainsley packed up the last of her stuff and left. Ellie smiled, cleaned up after them. Ellie went to her desk and packed up her things, slipped on her scarf, hat, and coat. As she went out, she threw her backpack over her shoulder and went out the door, locking it behind her.