Free Ride

(short story)

There’s no such thing as a free ride. Aidan may be only twenty, but he’s already learned that the hard way. Hitch-hiking up from London to Glasgow to keep a promise, Aidan’s fully prepared to offer payment in kind for his lifts. He’s not expecting a good-looking older bloke to pick him up in a Mercedes—nor that he’ll find John such good company. After a few short hours together Aidan’s already starting to care what John thinks of him.

When slow traffic forces them to get a room for the night, Aidan’s not sure what to do. Putting out as a thank you to a stranger is one thing, but can he really go through with it with the first person he’s come to care for since he made that promise?

And what’s going to happen when they reach their destination?

(Approx. 5,000 words)

Available in ebook: JMS Books | Amazon 

Author’s Note: it’s been revised and re-edited, but Free Ride is substantially the same story as that previously sold under the title Good Company.

Reviews for Free Ride:

I want to highly recommend Free Ride. If you already have read something by JL Merrow you know how good she is so it’s a guarantee. If you’re looking for a quick story, full of hope in the future, with an emotional undertone,  this one will be perfect for you – Stella, Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.

Reviews for Good Company:

It was a marvellous study in how to make a story interesting through character interaction…This story gets a rating of ‘Excellent’ – Jenre.

Aidan and John are delightful. The comedy, and camaraderie, flow effortlessly…I absolutely adored this story, and it spoke to me on so many different levels.  5 stars from Rainbow Reviews

Free micro-sequel On the Beach can be read here.