! KILLSHOT !
( a nicholas alexander chavez fic )

ABSOLUTE BAGELS
new york, new york
october 13, 2024
monday
11:10am

"you never told me how long you're staying." i said to nicholas who sat across from me at the table of the bagel shop.

nick took a bite of his bagel, chewed and swallowed before responding. "you have me until wednesday," he said, a small smile playing on the corner of his lips.

i felt a pang in my chest, the realization hitting that our time together was limited. only two more days with him. but i tried to school my features and maintain a nonchalant front.

"that's it?" i said, forcing a small pout.

nick chuckled, clearly enjoying my reaction. "unfortunately," he said, "duty calls." he reached across the table and took my hand. "and you'll be busy with photo shoots and meetings, right?"

i shrugged. "who knows? reagan never tells me about any work until the day of." i complained.

nick's brows furrowed slightly in irritation at the mention of reagan. his dislike for her was no secret. "she really does a poor job of keeping you in the loop, huh?" he said with frustration evident in his voice.

"no kidding." i said whilst rolling my eyes.

he looked down at her hands before back at me, "why don't you just fire her?" he suggested.

i let out a sardonic laugh, "you think i haven't thought about it?" i leaned back in my chair, still holding onto his hand. "but my mom hired her...i don't have any power to fire her."

nick's expression didn't soften at that, but he let the topic drop.

"enough about reagan though," i said, changing the subject. "i want to know more about taylor hutt."

nick raised an eyebrow at the sudden shift in conversation. "taylor?" he said, sounding slightly taken aback. "why do you want to know about her?"

i leaned forward, resting my chin on my free hand. "because you and her have a history, and you haven't exactly been forthcoming about what that is." i admitted. my curiosity about him and his past with taylor was eating away at me.

i could see the slight trepidation in his eyes but he still held onto my hand tightly. "taylor and i have known each other for a long time," he finally answered. "since we were kids to be exact. our parents were friends so we sort of just...grew up together."

"and?" i pressed gently.

nick paused for a moment, as if considering how to phrase his response. "we've always been just friends," he said, his expression soft as he looked at me. "we went to the same schools, hung out with the same people, but it was never anything more than a close friendship." he then chuckled, a fond look appearing in his eyes. "i mean, we even dated other people during that time."

i nodded, feeling relieved to hear that there was nothing more between them. but i couldn't help but tease him a bit. "oh sure," i said with a small grin, "and you guys never once thought about crossing the friendship line?"

nick chuckled at my question, his grip on my hand tightening playfully. "nope. sure, we were close, but that was never something that crossed either of our minds." he then looked at me with a mock-serious expression. "trust me, our relationship is purely platonic."

"hmm...i'm not sure i believe you." i teased, a wicked gleam in my eye.

he raised an eyebrow at my comment, clearly amused. "oh yeah?" he said, "and why is that?"

i shrugged nonchalantly. "i mean, come on," i said, "you and taylor are both objectively attractive people. it's hard to believe that there was never a moment where you guys didn't consider it more. you really expect me to believe that?"

nick smiled and shook his head, clearly not taking my accusations seriously. "it really wasn't like that," he said emphatically. "we knew too much about each other, for one. it would've felt like dating a sibling or something. it was just never a possibility."

i looked at him intently, searching his eyes for any sign of dishonesty. he looked right back at me, his expression steady. i mean, he had grown up with this woman and i had only just met her for the first time. "alright," i said, "i believe you."

nick couldn't help but smirk at my reluctant acceptance. "finally," he said with a hint of sarcasm. "i was starting to think i wasn't worthy of your trust."

i rolled my eyes at his response but couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips. "shut up," i said, "i'm entitled to some doubt after seeing the way taylor was clinging to you last night."

nick chuckled, "oh please, she was just being friendly."

i gave him a skeptical look. "oh, and that back hug was totally friendly behavior, right?"

his grin widened at my comment. "jealous, are we?" he teased, gently squeezing my hand.

i blushed slightly, the word 'jealous' stung a little bit. "no, i'm not jealous," i said a bit too defensively.

he raised an eyebrow at me, clearly not buying it. "you sure about that?" he teased, his eyes sparkling.

i sighed, knowing i was busted. "okay, fine. maybe a little," i admitted, feeling a bit sheepish.

his grin widened, clearly enjoying my admission. "i knew it," he said, "you don't need to worry about taylor, i promise."

before i could respond, my phone vibrated on the table. i looked down and saw reagan's name flash across the screen. i groaned at the timing of this.

"oh god," i muttered, grabbing my phone.

nick seemed to know exactly what i was thinking. "let me guess," he said, his tone dry, "reagan."

"who else," i grumbled, hitting the accept button and holding the phone up to my ear. "yeah?" i said, my annoyance clear.

reagan's voice came through the phone, sounding slightly impatient, "lucky, i need you to come to my office for a meeting. now."

i fought back a sigh. "now?" i repeated, glancing at the time on my phone. it was barely lunch time.

"yes," reagan confirmed, "now. i have something important to discuss with you."

i could practically hear the urgency in her tone. something was up, and i had a feeling it wasn't good. "alright," i said reluctantly, "i'll be there soon."

i hung up and looked at nick, my expression resigned. "i gotta go," i said apologetically. "reagan needs to see me."

nick nodded understandingly. "figures," he said with a hint of irritation in his voice. "she really doesn't know how to respect your time, does she?"

i couldn't argue with him there. "she'd have me work around the clock if she could," i said, letting out a weary sigh. "i have no idea how long this meeting will last either."

nick reached across the table and took my hand again. "try not to let her get under your skin," he said earnestly. "and call me afterwards, alright?"

i smiled at his concern. "i will," i promised, squeezing his hand before standing up. "i'll see you later." i said before placing a soft kiss on his cheek.

i gave him a quick wave before heading out of the bagel shop, already mentally preparing myself for whatever reagan had in store for me.

REAGAN'S OFFICE
new york, new york
11:30am

i walked into reagan's office, my demeanor a mix of trepidation and annoyance. reagan was sitting behind her desk, already impatiently waiting for me. "finally." she said as i entered the room.

reagan immediately started in on me, as usual. she was nitpicking at every little thing i had done lately. but today, i was not in the mood for her constant criticism.

"you need to be more responsive to fans," she lectured, crossing her arms over her chest.

"i am responsive," i shot back, my irritation rising.

"not enough," she retorted. "your engagements on social media are down."

i nearly rolled my eyes. of course, reagan was focused on my social media engagement. "maybe people aren't as interested," i said, my tone sarcastic.

reagan's eyes narrowed. "don't get snarky with me," she warned. "your popularity is tanking. you need to do more promotional work and attend more events."

i felt a pang of frustration. did reagan think all i had to do was work and party? "i have a life outside of modeling, you know." i said testily.

reagan let out a scoff. "your life is being a model," she shot back. "and lately, it's been a mediocre one at that."

i scoffed, "yet here you are. working for me."

reagan's eyes narrowed further, her expression turning smug. "actually," she said, "working for your mother."

it took every ounce of restraint not to reach across the desk and strangle her. i knew she was egging me on, but i couldn't help but snap. "stop acting like you own me," i said, frustration boiling over.

"i practically do," reagan replied, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "your mother pays me to manage you, remember? you'd be a nobody without me."

those words were the last straw. i couldn't take it anymore. "a nobody?" i repeated, my voice rising. "i was modeling well before you came into the picture. i don't need your management to be successful."

reagan's smirk grew wider. "oh really?" she taunted. "then why are your engagements down? why are you being passed over for modeling gigs? face it, lucky, you can't do this alone." she paused, "if i'm right and nicholas is using you, he'd be stupid. it's not like you're as famous as you used to be."

at the mention of nick, i felt a burst of anger flood through me. "nick isn't using me." i said, my voice firm. "and unlike you, he actually cares about me."

"please," reagan said, rolling her eyes. "he's only with you for your fame. as soon as his image gets a boost he'll drop you like a bad habit."

"he's not like that at all, and you know it," i shot back. "you're just trying to cause problems between us because you don't want to see me happy." i shook my head at her, "i don't have time for this. for your constant manipulation and nagging!" i snapped.

reagan's smirk faded, my words hitting a sore spot. "watch your tone," she warned, her voice turning cold. "you need me. without me, you'd be lost."

reagan's expression shifted from anger to shock. "excuse me?" she said, clearly not expecting that response.

"you heard me just fine." i said.

"you can't fire me," reagan said incredulously as she jumped up from her desk, her own anger flaring up. "your mother will throw a fit!"

"like i care. i'm done with you, reagan!" i said firmly.

reagan looked at me with a mixture of anger and disbelief. "this isn't over, lucky." she said, practically spitting the words out.

i met her glare with a steady one of my own. "oh, i think it is." i said simply before turning on my heel and walking out of her office, leaving her sputtering and furious behind me.

"you'll regret this, lucky! i promise you that." she yelled as i walked out.

UPLAND RESTAURANT
new york, new york
7:30pm

after the day i had, i needed a drink or twelve. i walked into upland, the popular local restaurant with nick. i took a moment to appreciate the dim lighting and intimate atmosphere.

i spotted nick sitting in a booth near the back, already nursing a beer. he looked up as i approached, his face lighting up at the sight of me. "there you are," he said as i slid into the booth next to him.

"hey there..." i said with a small smile.

nick took a sip of his beer before looking at me with a slightly surprised expression. "so...i can't believe you actually fired reagan."

i sighed as i sank into the booth. "i know, it's kind of a big deal," i said, "but i was at my wit's end with her." i reached out and took a sip of nick's beer, needing something strong to ease my stress.

i grimaced at the weak taste of the beer and passed the glass back to him.

"what?" he said with a small laugh.

"this stuff is weak." i said, gesturing to the beer. "i need something stronger."

nick chuckled, shaking his head. "tough day, huh?"

"you have no idea," i said, rubbing my temples.

"reagan really has a talent for pushing your buttons." he said, taking a sip of his beer.

"tell me about it," i said with a heavy sigh. "she really knows how to get under my skin. and she definitely said some not-so-pleasant things about you."

nick's eyebrow raised at that. "why am i not surprised?" he said, his tone a bit guarded.

i nodded, "her main argument was that you were only using me, which is total nonsense."

"and unoriginal, how many times is she gonna use that?" he said.

i couldn't help but laugh. "right? as if you need me for my fame. i was almost tempted to list off your past achievements to shut her up."

"on that note," i said, signaling for a waiter, "i think it's time for a change of pace."

nick watched me with a curious expression as i ordered two glasses of scotch.

"i see that i've transformed you into a scotch enjoyer." he said.

i couldn't help but chuckle at that. "oh, yes, you've corrupted me." i said jokingly. "although to be fair, i've enjoyed a nice glass every now and then."

the waiter placed two glasses of scotch on the table, the amber liquid calling our names.

"so," i said, picking up my glass, "to finally firing reagan."

nick's face split into a grin and he raised his glass. "to finally getting rid of that pain in the ass." he teased.

i met his gaze, my eyes sparkling with mischief. "cheers, baby." i said as we clinked our glasses together.

we both took a long sip of the scotch, the smooth liquid burning in the best way possible.

~~

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user1 i keep forgetting she's with nicholas
⤷ user2 how?? everyone is talking about it

user3 show him the edits

colleenpierce beauty queen

ramonaclarke so pretty.

user4 😍😍

nicholasalexanderchavez ❤️❤️
⤷ luckycheyenne 💋

~~

a/n

okay guys i did what needed to be done.