Family time

5

Around 3:00 we got back to the hotel, so I started to get ready for my date with Carson. I was so nervous that I invited Jack to hang out with me while I got ready. Even though I knew it was going to be kinda awkward.

"So are you excited?" Jack asked as I came out of the bathroom from changing.

"Um. Yeah. Kinda really nervous though." I said. He just chuckled quietly.

"Sorry I can't help you get ready or anything. It's just too bad Molly and Laura aren't here." Jack said. I nodded.

"Yeah. I miss them a lot. But I think this is good for me to be here." I explained. Jack smiled.

"Well it's a good thing we're going to Omaha next." he said. My face lit up and I turned towards him with a big smile.

"Seriously?" I asked with a huge smile. He nodded and smiled. I squealed and did a little dance.

I then played some music quietly and touched up my hair and makeup while Jack sat on his phone.

"Hey El. You aren't like mad at me for being like a terrible brother? Or anything right?" Jack asked. 

"What? No. Of course not Jack. Why would I?" I asked him. He just shrugged.

"Well cause Mom always focused on me when I got big. And kinda just left you at home." Jack explained.

"I don't know. It's all kinda just normal for me I guess? Like I mean it would of been nice for Mom to be there for all my stuff you know? Like my golf tournaments and stuff. But she was just busy with you." I explained. 

There was then a knock at the door. It made me jump a little bit. I quickly got up and answered the door, it was Carson.

"Hi Ellie! You ready?" He asked. I smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, let me get my purse quick." I said running back into the room and grabbing my purse and phone. "Bye Jack." I said waving as I left the room.

We went down to the lobby and outside he had an Uber waiting for us. He was a gentleman and opened the door for me.

"So what do you have planned for us Carson?" I asked while buckling my seatbelt. He just smirked.

"It's a surprise." He answered. I watched out the window as we drove around downtown Boston. I was very happily surprised when we pulled up to a sushi restaurant!

"What? How'd you know sushi was my favorite?" I asked as we got out of the car. 

"It's a secret." He said. I giggled as we walked inside the restaurant. We were quickly seated and the waitress took our order and left. "It's so crazy how I didn't know that Jack had a younger sister?" Carson said.

"Yeah. I don't know. I'm not a huge fan of the spotlight I guess. It's Jack's thing." I explained. He nodded along.

"So, I take it you don't have a boyfriend?" He asked. My eyes went wide and my cheeks got red.

"Um yeah." I responded. He smiled back. "And you don't have a girlfriend?" I asked. 

"Sadly no. But if I did have one, I would treat her like a queen." He answered. We then sat there awkwardly in silence for a little bit.

"So do you have any siblings?" I asked.

"Yeah, I have an older sister, her name is Olivia. And then an older brother Jackson." Carson said.

"Nice." I said.

After we finished sushi we went back to the hotel. He was such a gentleman and walked me to my room. When I got into my room I was surprised to find Jack, Johnson, and Taylor.

"Ellie!" They cheered in unison. I chuckled and sat on my bed and took off my shoes.

"What are you guys doing here? How'd you get in?" I asked.

"I stole the extra key earlier. But we wanted to know how your date with Carson went." Jack explained. The other 2 nodded along.

"It went good. Carson is like the nicest guy ever, such a gentleman. And super funny." I said. Jack got a big smile.

"Good because otherwise my fist will meet his face." Johnson said while cracking his knuckles. I just rolled my eyes.

"Oh Jacky. But I'm tired, so I'm going to get ready for bed." I said while grabbing some pajamas and walking towards the bathroom.

"So movie night?" Taylor offered. The other 2 agreed. 

"We could invite the other guys over and it would be fun." Johnson added. I looked to Jack anxiously.

"Actually guys maybe another night. I'm getting kinda tired too." Jack said. I gave him a small smile.

*********

The next day I woke up to the sound of pounding at my door. I rubbed my eyes and slowly made my way to the door. It was Aaliyah.

"Good morning! I got bored, so Shawn told me what room you're in. Also this is for you." She said while handing me an ice coffee from Starbucks.

"Thanks." I said groggily. I then let her in. I started to slowly get ready then.

"So I heard you and Carson went on a date last night." She said. I whipped around and faced her real fast.

"Um. Yeah? How'd you hear?" I asked.

"Dude, they're social media influencers. There were pictures everywhere! They were all like 'who is this mysterious girl with Carson Leuders'. It made me laugh." Aaliyah explained. I just nodded along nervously.

"Oh god. I wonder what my sisters will say? Or my friends? Or my parents?" I asked nervously.

"You'll be fine. I'm still a little confused on how they still don't know you're Jack's sister? Wild." She said. It made me chuckle.

I then finished getting ready. I wore a black denim mini skirt. A millennial pink crop top t-shirt. My black high top converse. A pair of gold hoops. Put on some mascara, and then my glasses. And I had my black cross body purse and I was set.

Once I finished getting ready Aaliyah and I headed down to the lobby with coffee in hand. When we got to the elevator Carson and Johnny were both there waiting.

"Good morning Ellie. Good Morning Aaliyah." Carson greeted us. I felt my cheeks getting really warm.

"Good morning." I responded with a big smile. Aaliyah just chuckled at how awkward I was.