Strawberries n' Cream

“did you guys know black holes don’t actually suck you in? cool facts with elena. they just have a gravitational attraction. so at least you know, black holes will be attracted to you even if no one else will.”

“You’re hurting my brain again, Elena. So black holes don’t suck you in but they make you gravitate towards them? Isn’t that, like, the same thing?”

Audrey had only been in Santa Monica for a few weeks, but ever since she’d arrived, she kept hearing about a bar called Olive Or Twist. Now that she had some free time, she decided to go see what this bar was like. More importantly, what the food was like. Audrey had heard a lot of great things, and she was generally always a fan of bar food. Which was inconvenient for her, since her whole career depended on her being in peak physical shape.

Taking a seat at the bar, she grinned at the bartender when they made their way over to them. “Hi! I really shouldn’t be doing this, but can I get a soft pretzel?” She paused before speaking again. “Please tell me you have beer cheese.”

Hayden was nearly at the end of her shift, the light at the end of the tunnel before she could clock out and actually enjoy the rest of her day. She finally had a night off. The sight of a brunette girl sidling up to the bar gave her a moment of pause, inhaling a calming breath, before she put on her best smile and made her way over. “A soft pretzel?” She asked, not needing to write it down. “And beer cheese.” She quickly added with a nod. “Anything to drink with it?”

Jude shook his head as he bumped her. “Then why’d we stop?” He questioned, before throwing his leg over the bike. “If you’re so inclined to do it again.” A smirk fell on his lips as he kicked the stand back, letting the weight of the bike and them onto his leg. Jude started the ignition, the roaring of the engine filling the air. Once more, he sped off with no care for his safety, though he was aware he had someone on the back. Normally, he would drive as fast as he could, swerving through traffic. However, no one would be able to tell that he drove more carelessly than he was then. “We’re going to take the scenic route.” He shouted over the engine as he hit the pavement of the road. A smirk pulled at the corners of his lips. Jude took a left instead of going straight at an intersection, leading them to a road that traveled along the beach. Jude loved to take roads that followed the beach. Santa Monica was nothing like Detroit. Detroit was sad and reminded him of his past, but being there and with Hayden made him feel alive and reminded him that he had something to live for. 

She didn’t respond, she didn’t have to. There was no reason to tell him that she was too caught up in her head thinking about someone who was long gone from her life. And if her non-answer gave him pause to wonder about her a little more, she didn’t mind that either. Once on the back of the bike, her arms looped around his waist to hold on tighter this time, a little more comfortable than before. She’d always enjoyed being on the back of a motorcycle. His declaration of the scenic route made her laugh, a sound that barely could be heard over the engine but was genuine nonetheless. She didn’t mind a little more borrowed time if she could get it. Her dark eyes blinked as her head turned to the side to rest on the space between his shoulder blades, watching the paved sidewalks turn instead to sandy beach. This route was much better. She had to believe Jude was enjoying himself, even if just this part right now, and she wondered how a boy from Detroit had come to love the beach so much. 

carmen nodded in answer to hayden’s question, mouth occupied by the food hayden had supplied her with. “you know-” she began, placing the remainder back on the plate. “i don’t think i would ever take another last name. i just don’t see the appeal in giving up what’s rightfully mine.” carmen said with a shrug. however, she was never a sap, and that was probably a factor as to why she wouldn’t be a traditional wife - if she were ever to be one.

Hayden took a few steps backwards to lean against the row of cabinets behind her as she continued to look at Carmen, arms folded over her chest. “See,” She snickered, rolling her eyes at herself that she was going to even admit this. “I have thought of taking someone else’s last name once.” Her eyebrows flicked up at the admission but she carried on anyway. “Though, no, I don’t think I would do it now.”

“You heard right, cutie.” She confirmed with a sarcastic smile before laughing at her questions. Maybe her choice of the day was a little dramatic or maybe she knew better than to go with the start of her day sober. Two shots of vodka are the least of her worries right now. “Let’s see how would you feel if you had to talk to perverts or lonely losers all day for ninety-five cents per minute? The word bad is pretty much an understatement.”

Though Hayden could empathize with Oberon, she couldn’t help the shit-eating grin that appeared on her lips as she stepped back from the bar and held her arms out wide. “Baby, look at where I work.” She dropped her arms and exhaled a soft laugh, stepping back to the bar to place her hands on the wood. “Talking to perverts and lonely losers is kinda my job, too.” Her tongue pushed into her cheek, a quiet inhaled through her nose giving her pause for a moment. The difference between her job and Oberon’s was Hayden actually liked being at Olive or Twist. “You don’t have other options?” She asked in a serious tone this time.

When she moved off of him and disappeared, Jude laid with his arms outstretched, speechless. It took him a moment to process what had just happened. It was hardly ever rejected, though when he was it made him want it more. Jude let out a laugh before he stood watching Hayden ascend back up the rocks. The male ran a hand through his hair before treading after her. Jude reached their starting point, grabbing his clothes. He proceeded to shrug his clothes back on, carelessly. All the while, a stupid grin plastered among his lips. Jude looked up at Hayden once his shoes were back on his feet. “Let me drive you home.” It was more of a statement than a question. Though, it seemed all he wanted was a good fuck, he still wanted her to get home safely. He shook his head once more. “We should do this again sometime.” His tone was smug, a chuckle escaping his lips. “Without the kissing, if you desire.” A shrug left his shoulders before he travelled the short distance down the rocks, holding his hand out for her to help. He couldn’t help but wonder if it was Alex that was holding her back. He didn’t mind either way, it was most likely best for the two of them to had not gone any further than what they did. Though, he couldn’t help but ponder on the thought of working with her after the time they shared. 

Oberon never thought she’d be one of those people who’d occupying a bar in the early morning, but she needed all the liquid courage she could get going into the headquarters of her job. Being a phone sex operator had its pros and cons, sometimes she got the weirdos who didn’t believe in the calls having to end, then she got the sweethearts that she wish she didn’t have to leave hanging. But today, she knew that this day would be one of those long drawn out days. “You’re fine, babe.” She shrugged before ordering. “I need something hard hitting, gimme two shots of vodka. Today is gonna be shitty, I can feel it.”

“Vodka?” Hayden asked, checking the time on her iPhone stashed beneath the bar before she was grabbing the house vodka and two shots glasses, for efficiency. Pouring two healthy shots, she placed them in front of Oberan, tucking the bottle away once again. “Care to tell your friendly neighbourhood bartended what’s making you drink lighter fluid? Could the day ahead by that bad?”

“alright, don’t get your panties in a twist. it’s called self-defense preparation, but since your safety is so important-”

“ Ya know– as much as that would warm my non existent heart– I feel like Sarah would sue me for discrimination next.” a laugh breaking the air between the two. A joke laced with a semi truth.” I gotta meet with some people Craig is sending down, but you send the crazy my way when she shows up tonight.”

Hayden couldn’t help but laugh at the very idea of Sarah suing Nate for anything let along discrimination. Her eyes pinched shut, nose crinkling as she let out a loud cackle. “Sorry- that’s just too good.” She confessed, clearing her throat to rid herself of the lingering chuckles. “But who is Craig sending to meet you? New hires?” She asked curiously. “I didn’t think we needed more staff.”

Dante had just got into another argument with the owner of the tattoo shop he was working for. Something about showing up late. Why did it matter if he was a little-or a lot-late sometimes? Technically they were his clients anyways. He was good, beyond good at his job, and he knew he was. After telling him to fuck off foe what seemed like the millionth time Dante headed to the bar. It was how it always was at this time and him being a regular made him very used to it. He sat with a long sigh and ran a had through his hair as he waited to be served.

Olive or Twist was just opening up and Hayden was grabbing a new case of beer from a local brewing company to bring to the front. They were always pushing local product- a suggestion of hers. Patrons were beginning to trickle in, starting with the regulars. “Hey, billy.” She called out to the man she recognized as she kicked the door to the backroom shut behind her and set the case of beer on the floor. “Okay, sorry about that.” She said to the nearest body on the other side of the long wooden bar, hands and eyes still busy with organizing the array of alcohol in front of her. “What can I do for you?” 

His grip on the back of her neck wasn’t tight enough to hurt, but it was secure. His fingertips lightly pressed into the bare skin on her waist, as he moved closer to her, if it was even possible. Through the kiss, a smirk pulled at his lips causing him to pull away fro a brief moment. When his lips reached her once more, the kiss wasn’t as soft as before. This time, he made sure she knew what he wanted so she could decide if she wanted the same. It was a bad idea, they worked together and he was good friends with her ex. However, it was easy for him to push that thought to the back of his mind. Jude leaned back so he was now lying down, his back against the rock. The heat from the rock radiated against his cool back from the water. Both of his hands were now positioned at her waist, one slowly moving to the middle of her back. “You’re going to regret this.” He spoke against her lips. Jude was sure he wasn’t going to be the one to regret it, but there was a part of him that figured Hayden would. 

carmen shot hayden a wink as a thank you when the wrap was set down in front of her, and she automatically went in for a bite. she really didn’t mind helping hayden when it came to her projects. carmen was the kind of woman to enjoy watching others succeed, especially if it was a good friend of hers. “”no, i get it. you can use whatever of me you find fitting, hayden. really.” carmen shrugged, licking her lips clean before speaking again. “do you still have that wedding to shoot? the one you wanted me to tag along on?”

Carmen’s satisfaction with the wrap was enough for Hayden. Considering she didn’t usually deal with food, she was please to see she didn’t royally screw it up. Not that she couldn’t cook but, hummus wraps weren’t usually on her menu. “You’re really too kind- when you want to be.” Her eyebrows rose playfully before her head was nodding. “I do, this Saturday. Olivia Newton-John and all. Are you still up for tagging along?”

He knew what she wanted to do and it wasn’t bartending. She wanted to do something with her photography and she wasn’t. He wasn’t going to mention that. He should have done what he did, he should have just left it, maybe it would be easier for them if they hated each other, but he couldn’t hate her. The second his lips hit hers, he felt everything in his body light up, electricity shooting down his body. He hadn’t felt her lips in years and it felt overwhelming. She pulled away and he was letting out a small breath as she turned her head and he kept his eyes shut as he let out a small laugh as he didn’t say a single word, just breathed softly.

There was a long pause of silence. Hayden kept her temple against her forehead and her eyes closed as she tried not to think about had just happened. That fight and now- this. Part of her wanted to kiss him again just because she could and because he was actually there after so long. But it wasn’t a good idea and she needed to exercise the self control she’d spent so long practicing. “Maybe you should go.” She finally whispered, turning her head and accidentally brushing her nose against his with the close proximity. Hayden leaned back enough to look at him, creating inches of space between them allowed her to breathe. 

“ Sophia should take a trip.” The alternative name for the blonde they knew all to well was amusing, sending that charming smile once more over his lips.” Aye– we don’t know nothing– haven’t seen anything capeesh?.” He teased back, leaning into the bar once again to match her stance.” I have talked to her– a hundred times i’ve talked to her.”

“I’ll be sure to make that suggestion next time I encounter Stacey.” Hayden quipped, enjoying the little game they always played when Sarah Jameson had bothered them. “Mm, capeesh.” She nodded in agreement with a quiet laugh. Her thumb stuck over her shoulder towards the wall behind the bar. “Well, if you’re not going to talk to her can we post her photo up here with the word banned beneath it?”