CHAPTER 10
ELLEN
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
"Alright, what about 'Speak as you want, dumbass?'" asked Taylor, who progressively lost her cool about finding for like an hour the right title for a potential new SNARL's song.
Jess, live from LA via Teams, tried hard not to let out a laugh. She knew the twins inside and out, and it was obvious now that Taylor was about to lose it. The situation called for great diplomacy.
"Look, it's not bad," she started, "but—"
"—But you think it's pure shit," Taylor cut in, annoyed.
"Don't assume things I didn't say, Tay. My only comment was that you are capable of more. Way more."
"And you, Twinie, what do you think?"
Ellen was physically present with Taylor at the Sydney studios of Indeed! Music, but her mind was far away. Her computer was open, preparing for her new job in the coming days, and there was nothing better than spending time with her sisters to take her mind off things.
"Not cool, Tay. Don't put Ellen in that position to choose," said Blake, Jess's girlfriend. But Ellen still didn't react.
"Twinie, where are you?" Taylor waved her hand in front of Ellen's face, startling her.
"Oh, sorry, what were we talking about?"
"Are you still thinking about that hot girl from the other day?" Jess asked with a devilish smile.
"TAYLOR CALDWELL! What the fuck?!" Ellen glared at Taylor angrily. "When did the twin privilege become meaningless?"
"Twinie, I swear on my own life that I didn't talk about Roxy to Jessie," replied Taylor, who was freaking out and confused. "Our twin privilege is sacred to me. Tell her, Jessie!"
"She's right. Tay didn't tell me anything. You just validated my existing suspicion that a girl was involved in your behaviour of the last few days." Jess was pleased, but Blake acted as if she lost a bet between them. "Thanks, El. Blake owes me 20 bucks now. So, who's Roxy?"
The beauty of twins was that they were much more alike than the sum of their differences. The two stood speechless, mouths agape, in front of the screen, baffled by their sister's genius. Jess burst out laughing. "I should have studied law. I would have been a talented lawyer."
Ellen finally came to her senses. "I hate you so much sometimes, Jessie. You have no idea how I hate you right now."
"Nope, you hate yourself right now. Not the same shit."
Even though Ellen was the older sister, she always got tricked by her sisters, but never maliciously. Always out of love.
"You didn't answer," said Blake. "Who's Roxy?"
"It's a girl—" Ellen started.
"Obviously." Jess grinned, proud.
"—I met the night after I landed in Sydney," she finished, raising her voice slightly to drown out Jess's voice. "We connected, but it can't go anywhere because she's straight and in a long-term relationship with a man."
"But you went running with her the other morning," Taylor added. She wanted to be involved in the conversation, but Ellen gave her a deadly look. "What? You started explaining yourself, and you know how I love precision."
Taylor put on her most adorable little sister’s look and smile. Ellen couldn't help but let out a laugh even if she felt mad about it.
"So? What happened?" asked Jess.
"We connected. Again. Deeper." Ellen's emotions bubbled to the surface; the thought of letting someone new into her life felt like a monumental task. Taylor approached her sister and put her arms around her. She had this power to calm Ellen just by touching her.
"And now, you want to see her again," Jess wasn't asking a question—she was simply stating a fact.
"As I told you. Whatever's happening between us can't go anywhere, Jessie. She's with a man. That's the only thing that counts."
At that same moment, Kyle, Taylor's audio engineer, came into the room dramatically, and of course, he overheard everything. "Are we sure it's serious?"
Jess arched an eyebrow. "Do you say these things in public, or just to us?"
"Depends on how bored I am."
Kyle'd been with Taylor since almost the beginning of 'Indeed!
Music.' Kyle was from Melbourne, sharp as a scalpel and twice as sarcastic, queer, chronically unimpressed, and universally respected in the industry.
He followed Taylor from project to project like a grumpy older brother who just made everything sound better.
Taylor, still holding her twin, slightly retreated to look at Ellen. "Don't be afraid of loving again, Twinie."
"I don't want to make something out of nothing," Ellen murmured. "But she's been on my mind constantly. She's sharp, calm, and beautiful. Oh God, she's beautiful. And there's this… something between us. I feel it."
"Maybe she does too," Taylor said.
"Why haven't you texted her?" Blake yelled.
"I don't want to look desperate, Blake," Ellen said. Then, softer, "And I don't want to get close to someone who's already in a relationship. Not again. Not after Caroline."
Taylor now stood in front of Ellen, both hands on her thighs, eyebrows raised. "You aren't Caroline, Ellen," she said without pity, as a sister would.
Ellen gave a single nod to acknowledge what was said, though she was still skeptical. Smirking, Kyle came closer. "Come on, sweetheart. Just text her." She picked up her phone, steeling herself to reach out for the first time in days.
"What do you think of 'Hi Roxy. I really enjoyed the other day... Would you be up for doing it again sometime'?'" Ellen asked Taylor, ignoring the others.
Taylor peeked. "Come on, Twinie. Based on what Leah said about your history, you're better than this with flirty words. That's how you sound when you're setting up a meeting."
"She did what? Is it too much to ask for a little bit of privacy in this family?" Ellen complained.
"Yes," Jess and Taylor answered in perfect harmony.
Ellen laughed under her breath and started over, pressing send without thinking twice.
Ellen Caldwell - 10:07 AM Hey, I've been thinking about the other day. You made my legs hurt, but it was worth it. Wanna do it again? Or maybe our after-run new ritual?
She looked up and showed it to Taylor, who slowly nodded at her. "That's so you. A little awkward, but also kind of charming."
The typing bubble popped up almost immediately.
Roxanne Powell - 10:08 AM Hey Ellen. Glad you said that. I was about to message you. Want to grab brekkie tomorrow?
Ellen smiled, and the corners of her mouth curled upwards, crinkling the skin around her eyes. Her cheeks lifted, and a sense of lightness spread through her chest.
Ellen Caldwell - 10:09 AM I'd love that I'll send you a spot. 6:30 AM?
Roxanne Powell - 10:11 AM Perfect. I'll wait for the details :)-xx-
Ellen had to read it over again to make sure she wasn't dreaming. "Did she really add the 'xx?'"
Taylor leaned in with a grin. "So… are we picking a breakfast spot or naming your first child? Alice would be great for my future goddaughter."
"Shut up, Tay!" Ellen shouted at her with a shy smile.
Kyle cackled, and Jess declared, "I'm calling it now. Shotgun for the second child."
Everyone was laughing, and as the teasing faded and Taylor resumed scribbling lyrics, Ellen stepped out of the studio and dialled Jamie. She answered instantly. "Ellen?"
"Hey Jamie, I need a breakfast spot for tomorrow morning. Something with a friendly vibe, but not too friendly. You know what I mean?"
She paused only a beat before responding. "I've got the perfect place for you. It's in Darlinghurst. Cozy, good food, very you. Want me to book a table? I can even schedule a car for you."
"Yes, please. That'd be perfect."
"Got it. I'll take care of everything. Anything else you need?"
"No," Ellen answered, "that's all. Jamie, I think we will work well together."
Her smile was audible to Ellen through the phone. "I feel the same way."
After Jamie hung up, Ellen took a breath and returned to the room's commotion.
Roxy and Ellen were going to see each other again, even if Ellen didn't know where all this would lead her. But she was about to find out.