Page 74 of Chasing Elliott
"Text me when you land," Kara told me as she brushed some loose strands of hair behind my ear. "If you don't, I'll send the cavalry after you."
Laughing, I shook my head before grabbing my bag off the ground. "Don't worry, I'll text you the second that I can."
Putting my bag in the backseat with Mia, I opened the passenger door and slid in. Nicholas pulled down the driveway and I watched as my Aunt and Uncle waved from the front door and Kara stood leaning against her car.
"You okay, Little Red?" Nicholas asked once the house was out of view. Turning to look at him with a forced smile, I shook my head before turning my attention on the road.
"I don't know," I mumbled quietly as a million thoughts ran through my head. "I can't help but feel like I'm leaving a wound open without trying harder to help it heal."
Nicholas sighed as he reached over and grabbed my hand, squeezing it gently. "Don't worry, Red. Alex and I will do everything we can to help you through this. At least you wereable to patch things up with Kara."
"Yeah, but it wasn't her that I was sad about."
"Thank you for the opportunity," I said as I shook hands with the manager at the fifth store I had been to that day. "If anything else comes up, please don't hesitate to think of me."
"Of course," the manager said blandly as he let go of my hand. "Have a good day."
Walking out of the clothing store, I threw my hair up in a messy ponytail and made my way through the busy Orlando streets. Feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket, I pulled it out and smiled as I saw Kara's picture.
"Hey, babe," Kara greeted enthusiastically when I answered the phone. "How'd it go?"
"Another hit and miss," I told her, disappointed.
Kara sighed and I heard dishes hitting the countertop. "Don't let this deter you, honey. You'll find something soon, I know it. Have you thought of asking Alex if you can model for him?"
"I will not model," I scoffed as I turned down the street towards Alex’s house.
Spotting his car in the driveway, I slowed my pace as I approached the house. Worried about walking in on him with another guy again, I put the phone on speaker and texted him to make sure the coast was clear.
"You're gorgeous, El," Kara emphasized dramatically which caused me to laugh. "It'd be such easy money. Just think about it."
"Fine, I will. Now I have to go. I should really finish unpacking and start looking formore jobs. I'll call you later," I told her as I saw Alex had texted me a thumbs up.
Kara made kissing noises before saying, "You better. Love you."
"Love you, too," I told her before hanging up the phone. Walking up the driveway, Ipulled out my keys and unlocked the door before heading in.
My eyebrows shot up in confusion as I had to climb over the couch that was blocking thehallway. The entire living room had been made into a studio with racks of clothing scattered around the living room and kitchen, camera props littering the area.
"I know you're going to say no but I have to ask," Alex rushed out as he came running over to me and grabbed my hands. "One of my girls is sick and I need someone to fill in for her. Would you do that for me?"
"Lex," I groaned as I tilted my head back to look at the ceiling before looking back at him. "You know I hate being in front of a camera, but I can call Amber. She'd do it in a heartbeat."
Alex kissed both of my cheeks before pulling away and spinning on his heel to walk back over to the clothes. Rolling my eyes as a smile came to my face, I turned and was going to makemy way up the stairs to my room when there was a knock on the door.
“Sorry I’m late,” I heard a male voice say followed by the sound of footsteps hastily making their way down the hallway. “I brought the camera you asked for.”
Smiling, I turned around and walked back towards the living room, wanting to meet theman who Alex allowed to work with him. Walking into the living room, I leaned against the walland watched as they hovered over the tripod with their backs to me.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me?” I teased.
“Right,” Alex said as he turned to look at me before grabbing the man’s arm. “Everett, this is my sister,Elliott.”
The man whipped his head around and my eyes widened slightly as I felt my whole world stop. “Elliott, this is my photographer, Everett.”
“What the hell,” I whispered, my mouth falling open in shock as tears started to unknowingly roll down my cheeks. “I must be dreaming.”
“Elli?” He mumbled, just as surprised as I was.
