A Free Ride

Jasper's face tells me he knows the exact bar I'm talking about, but it looks like he doesn't care as he agrees to take us to town anyway. He's either very supportive or genuinely doesn't care, either way I'm grateful.

"Thank you for your hospitality." Elise says nervously to Mum as we prepare to leave.

Mum simply waves the complement off. "We'll have none of that, you're welcome here any time." She decrees, giving Elise another big hug. Eventually I get my partner back and we wait outside for Jasper and Minnie to say their goodbyes.

"See, nothing to worry about." I reassure Elise, who gives me a suspicious look.

"Right, like I was the only one freaking out." She smiles. That's not the point. "But I liked the bit where you said I was special..." She adds, rewarding me with a peck on my lips. Maybe Jasper not telling Minnie wasn't such a bad thing.

"Easy now girls, there's kids around!" Jasper's voice mocks as he and Minnie exit the house. We join them in entering the car and soon we're on our way. Minnie picks Elise's brain about France, wine, her clothes, anything and everything. If there's one thing you can say for Minnie, she's a small talk machine. Soon enough we've reached our destination.

"There's a taxi rank round the corner, so it'll be easy enough to get home, you look after each other, alright?" Jasper explains in his best 'father figure' voice.

"That's the plan!" Elise smirks as she leaves. I decide to follow her before either of them get the joke, and wave away the car. I can see the bar from here, it's certainly... Awake. Groups of people are scattered around outside, most smoking, drawn by the blue neon sign above the door "Free Ride."

I feel Elise's hand take mine and we begin walking towards the door, the people around are so distinct, some colourful, some subdued, some men, some women, but no one looks the same. It's... Really cool. Which makes me feel like I don't belong, but Elise's confident gait soon takes us through the front door and inside. It's not overflowing but it's definitely busy, thankfully, I know exactly where to go first. I'm going to need a drink or I'm going to anxiety myself back out the door. Elise seems to have the same idea, and we wait at the bar for one of the staff to be free.

"I recognise that hair." A voice reaches me from behind. I turn to find my accuser, none other than Anya, who joins us at the bar. "I didn't expect to see you here, Jasper's sister, right?" At this point I realise I never gave my name the first time.

"Yeah, Scarlet, sorry, this is kind of a first for us." I explain, realising Elise has no idea who this is. "This is my girlfriend, Elise. Moon, this is one of Jasper's friends, she did my hair."

Elise smiles and reaches out to shake Anya's hand. "I'm a huge fan of your work." Elise chuckles.

"Thank you! You're sweet! But if you two are new to the Ride you're in for a treat, the house band is playing tonight, a little indie trio." Anya explains, gesturing to the people setting up a small stage. I guess that explains all the people, free live music? Even if I weren't gay that'd lure me in. "May I have the honour, of introducing you to one of the cocktails? First round's on me." She continues.

"Well, I could use a drink after Dinner." Elise jokes. "And if they're on you, all the better."

"She means they're on me." A new voice explains. I don't recognise it, a strong accent, Australian? "She knows I'd never make my girl pay for anything." One of the staff approach our area of the bar. She's wearing the same black uniform as the others, but she has a distinctive pink pixie cut and thick black glasses.

"You owe these two as well, Jessie, this is Jasper's sister." Anya grins. Jessie's face changes to a pleasant surprise. "Three Mojitos?"

"Well fuck, didn't expect to hear about that fella again." Jessie laughs as she begins preparing the drinks. "After all the shit went down, I felt bad, but he came in here, said 'you look after that girl,' and shook my hand. Proper good cunt." She explains to me. I can't tell if she likes him or not, but the tone seems friendly. Elise's face seems equally confused, I realise I haven't told her about Anya and Jasper. I explain the story as our drinks are made.

"That's a... Surprisingly accurate version." Anya admits. "I don't come off great, but I suppose I shouldn't. Wasn't my finest hour."

"Oh, don't worry, I told her I was straight and cut contact, no judgement here." Elise smiles. Jessie passes out our glasses and Anya proposes a toast.

"Well, here's to forgetting the embarrassing parts!" She decides, as we clink our glasses together. I'll drink to that. It's very different, it tastes like fresh air, or like Elise's scent. It's at this point the band step up onto the stage, drawing all of our attention. I can't see the drummer in the back very well, but the two in front are very distinctive. One is a man wearing a leather jacket and jeans, with a shiny bald head juxtaposing his grizzled stubble. He'd looks almost intimidating, if he weren't high fiving everyone and hopping around the stage with his guitar like a child, still, can't deny he's got energy.

The lead singer is the real draw though, she looks about half the size of the man, but her cotton-pink hair in pigtails, black crop-top, and black leather trousers make her look like a superstar, and not just because her midriff is to die for. The music starts and just seems to flow, a few originals, a few covers, some heavier, some slower, like the people in this place the songs all seem different and yet, unified. Anya leads me and Elise to a booth off to the side of the makeshift stage, giving us a great view.

As soon as it came, the music comes to an end, I feel like it was too short, but I did get through four Mojitos in that time, so maybe it's just perspective.

"Do I need to get a crop-top and leather pants?" Elise asks me jealously. Apparently my staring was noticed.

"I won't say no, but you know I've only got eyes for you, Moon." I grin, pulling her closer to kiss her on the cheek. I'm a little happy she's jealous, makes me feel wanted.

"Okay, you two are adorable, Rob and Skye are gonna love you." Anya states with a laugh. Wait. Wasn't that the-

"We're going to love who?" Comes a low sleek tone. I look to see it belongs to the guitarist from the band. I realise why this booth wasn't taken. It's reserved for the band isn't it? "You making friends, Anya?" Rob asks as she shifts over to let him sit down, as well as Skye, who apparently appeared without me noticing. Maybe I really do have eyes for Elise?

"So, this bombshell here is actually my ex-boyfriend's little sister, Scarlet, and the supermodel on her arm is her girlfriend Elise." Anya introduces us flatteringly. "I'm sure you've figured out which is Rob and which is Skye." She adds with a smirk.

"Hi, I'm Rob." The pink-haired girl jokes. Elise almost chokes on her drink, which is somehow, still cute. They must have done that one before, right?

"My sister's an idiot. I'm Rob, this is Skye." The man corrects her. "What'd you think of the set?"

Elise pipes up immediately. "It was so fun, do you play here often?"

"Every week." Skye confirms, waving over to the bar where Jessie waves back. "I used to come in here anyway, so I got recruited to liven things up. Had to bring cue-ball here with me." For a singer her voice is surprisingly quiet, and despite her look she's well-spoken. Nothing is as it seems in this place.

Jessie brings over two bottles of beer and sets them down in front of the siblings. "Thanks Jess." Rob nods. " I take it you two are new here? Pretty keen eye for faces, do we have some fresh meat?" He asks. His words are suggestive, but his voice is playful, I'm not sure if I should feel threatened or not.

"Be nice." Anya punches him on the arm. "Rob here's sexually frustrated since he's a straight guy that frequents a gay bar. But he's about as threatening as a wet cardboard box, so we let him be." She explains. Huh, I guess there's no rule banning straight people, but some kind of social taboo? Not like I have to worry I suppose.

"It's true, he still cries over his ex, four months later..." Skye interjects, rolling her eyes and sipping her beer. Rob's face is one of betrayal and sadness, he actually kind of looks like he's going to cry now. I haven't said anything and I feel bad.

"Yeah, well, at least I've had sex." He retorts. Wow. Low blow. Skye's face goes almost as pink as her hair, as Anya tries to interrupt.

"Okay, ding ding, bell's rung. I promise they're usually better behaved than this." Anya clarifies with an apologetic tone.

Elise decides not to accept the apology and instead weigh in. "I think it's cool you've waited to find the right person, I did and it's pretty good." She reassures the singer, while cuddling into my arm. Skye considers this and turns to her brother.

"Okay, love her." She decides, before looking to me. "What black magic did you use to summon this creature?" Creature's a bit derogatory, but I'm getting why Skye hasn't been the luckiest with love, despite her looks.

"It's more like she rode in on a white horse and rescued me." I correct her, putting my arm around Elise.

"Well, you're shit outta luck, can't imagine you as a damsel in distress." Rob mocks, taking another drink. "Maybe an evil dragon or something?" He adds with a chortle.

We learn a lot about our new friends as we continue drinking, Rob is 23 and Skye's 21, they've got their own apartment due to some family issue, not hard to guess the issue considering Skye confirms she's gay. They remind me of Rouge and I if life had gone a little differently, which is a little sad, but reassuring in a weird way, like we'd have stuck together no matter what. Drinks continue to flow until Elise whispers to me.

"Lapin, can you do me a favour?" Naturally I'm not agreeing to anything until I hear the proposition. "Take me home." She demands, her hand stroking my thigh under the table. "I need you. Right now." Apparently the nights events have left an impression... Or maybe she's just marking her territory... Not sure if I mind either way.

"We're going to head home" I announce. Fuck, I make it obvious don't I?

"Jealous." Skye groans. Part of me wants to invite her, which is a kink I didn't know I had. Sorry, Elise is all mine tonight.

Anya pulls us each in for a hug. "Well, get home safe, and make sure you come back, okay? It was nice meeting you." She requests as we say our goodbyes. I'm looking forward to coming back here, I know I've got to bring Trish and Rouge, but for now, I'm more excited to get home.