Chapter 16 A Party on a Bus

We exited the theater and there parked in the fire lane was a massive two story party bus. I got on the bus and the first floor was empty. It had a striper pole and three couches in a u. There was a bar on the passenger side of the bus. I had a feeling when she said drinks after dinner that was what she meant. I followed Gisele up the small set of stairs tucked behind the driver's seat and as we entered the second floor I saw her group of friends clearly for the first time. There were four men and nine women plus the petite little package who was trailing behind. They were all beautiful and they all looked at Gisele with longing. I didn't know if they were exes or not, but I was quite sure there was no one on this bus who wouldn't go home with her if they were invited. I couldn't help but have a momentary doubt. Could she really schedule spending the whole night with this many people who want to have sex with her and still plan on being faithful. I dismissed it almost as quickly as it occurred to me. She had given me no reason to doubt her. She didn't even need to invite me, I would've never known. While they all had lust in their eyes I never once saw her return a gaze. Everyone quieted down as me and Gisele walked toward them. They were seated at three small round high top tables munching on bowls of snacks, even with the unease in the air I had to take a moment and appreciate the style of the bus.

"This is Julia, my girlfriend. She has agreed to grace you bums with her presence this evening. She will not be answering any questions so don't pester her. I know some of you still think you have a shot, but anyone who tries to sabotage us will be dropped off wherever we are and we'll be done for good. I love you all so please don't make a scene."

With that the bus started to move and three servers came up off the stairs followed by Harper, "Hey boss I told them to ask you when you were serving, but I thought in the desert. We can open the roof, it should be a gorgeous night."

From the time we got there all the way through dinner I sat secluded at a table with Gisele and Harper. Everyone else looked at me like they wanted to throw me from the bus. The dinner was delicious some herb in crusted chicken and small whole roasted potatoes. Felt somehow homy and upscale at the same time. I mostly listened to Harper and Gisele talk. Stories about the bar apparently, thou it seemed more complicated than some dive bar and she definitely sounded more important then a simple bartender, but again I promised not to ask so I simply listen to what others had to say. As the food was finished and the plates cleared people started to move closer. Some making introductions, a couple passing compliments, and one arrogant man ignored my presence and rubbed my girlfriends arm right in front of me and whispered in her ear, "So how long before you get tired of this one and we can play again?" I was balling my hands into a fist and about to say something when the bus screeched to a stop and my breath caught in my throat and I had to release my first to catch myself. Everyone wobbled and as I regained my focus I saw Harper at the top of the stairs. I hadn't even seen her get up from her seat. That girl was fast.

"Lucas, you were warned. This is your stop. It was good knowing you."

Harper cleared her throat, "I'll have your final check drafted in the morning you can pick it up before opening. Your ban from all locations I assume you no what I'm implying don't make a scene or we'll seek legal action for the sexual harassment and assault of our dear Gisele."

"So you all are just going to play by her rules and wait for whatever scraps she tosses you how pathetic. I'm out."

With that the rude man was gone and the bus was moving again. Everybody started apologizing for Lucas and swearing he was a good guy. I think they thought I could overturn Gisele's decision on this issue and honestly maybe I could have, but they were her friends and why would I encourage her to keep someone around that was rooting for us to break up.

"Bars open down stairs. Please remember this is a party to celebrate a new monogamous relationship. So no hitting on either members of the happy couple and keep it pg. Other than that have fun. O and remember if you're on the schedule tomorrow call offs will get you fired," Harper announced from the top of the stairs 

Interesting I thought to myself at least a lot of them work together and Harper seems to be their boss, but she calls Gisele boss. So what does Gisele actually do at this bar? I went down stairs with everyone else and got a bottle of some exotic imported beer sat on one of the couches and nursed it. I watched people dancing two guys sat on one of the other couches slamming beer after beer. Gisele laid on her third couch her eyes closed rubbing her temples. I watched her for a little while as I nursed me beer and then I called a server over to take my drink away and I went over and lifted my girlfriends head up and slid underneath it putting it back down in my lap. 

"I'm here for you babe," I told her stroking her hair. I could feel the social pressure exuded by her gathered friends and I could sense how much it weighed on her. I sat there stroking her hair and eventually she fell asleep. Still I simply soothed her and watched her friends indulge in a life of excess they all seemed way too comfortable with.

"Hey Gi Gi..." Harper began before she trailed off, "Um, Julia, I'm going to have the driver start heading towards peoples houses. Is that ok? If so do you have a set order you prefer or you want me to take care of it?"

"That's fine and whatever you think is best. I can help Gisele inside if you drop her before me though." 

"That's a no can do. You can't see Gi Gi's house until the boss lady takes you there herself. However she did tell me if she fell asleep I could tell you one secret about her. She also said you could collect the rest at tomorrow's date. So on that note I'm the only one on this bus who has never been on a date with Gi Gi, but I can't tell you how many of them managed to sleep with her. I have, but never just the two of us. I don't know if that was only one secret, but ha ha. K, I'll let you know when we're at your house."

WIth that Harper went to go talk to the other people and I sat there trying to process everything she just said. I don't even remember how or when I got to my bed, but I know morning came far to soon and for the first time in my adult life I played hooky and went back to bed.