What We Search For (5 page)

“They must be
hot.” Brad added, as if I had said nothing, “Hot girls only hang out with hot
girls. You said Amanda is hot. Right?” Brad asked, looking at me with his
widened expectant eyes.

“He really is
a dog. You can see his tail wagging in excitement!” Chris said, laughing
softly.

“Guess we’ll
have to wait and see.” I said to Brad, eyes full of laughter, “Before any of
that, let’s finish off the day. I’d like to be able to not fall over by the
end!” I added with a grin.

“Sounds good.”
Chris replied. Picking up our boards, we made our way back up the ‘bunny’ hill
leaving Brad to trail behind us.

Upon our return to town we
split up to shower and change and agreed to catch up for a beer in an hour.
Whistling to myself after I had freshened up at home, I walked towards the
agreed upon pub. Once I arrived I saw Chris sitting at the bar but Brad was yet
to be seen. “Hey man.” I said, approaching his chair.

“Oh hey buddy! I just
ordered a beer.” Chris said, turning around to the bar tender. “Sorry could you
make that two?” He asked and returned his attention to me, “Brad should be
pretty close. I spoke to him before leaving home. He’s just finishing up his
hair I’d imagine. He spends too much time and way too much wax on that, I’m
surprised it even washes out.” He said laughing.

“You’re not wrong there
mate, but he assures me the ladies love it. I find just nodding and smiling
seems to keep him happy.” I replied. Chuckling together we looked up to see the
man in question ambling through the door. Our beers arrived just as he came in,
and Chris ordered a third for Brad.

Once we were all settled
in drinking Brad leaned over saying, “So mate! Tell us more about this girl you
seem to be in love with. Amanda wasn’t it?” Laughing with Chris he continued,
“When is the wedding bud? We could see you smiling and staring off in space the
whole afternoon after you met her. We could hardly get a word in without having
to poke you to get your attention.” He added.

“Our boy is growing up,
and he used to be so cute and innocent too.” Chris said, smacking me on the
back as they continued to laugh. I ended up joining them.

“My friends! Do not fear!
You will all be invited to the wedding. Kids table obviously.” I said
seriously, “You laugh at me now but you’ll understand once you meet her.
There’s something about her.” I added, which was only greeted with even more
laughter.

“Something about her? You
really are smitten. Could it be love at first sight? You hardly know the girl.”
Chris said, as he elbowed Brad in the ribs.

“That’s it! It’s
definitely love at first sight. I bet she’s smoking hot or something. Shame on
you James. It’s not all about looks you know.” Brad said, chiding me with a
grin and knowing eyes, “Well I can’t blame you to be honest. It’s difficult to
not fall for some deep blue eyes and some long flowing blond hair, or red, or
brown, or green, or pink.” He started, “Actually I really just like women.
Women are great!” Brad finished with a grin. He was talking loud enough for the
whole bar to hear as more than a few people were looking in our direction, “If
you find one you like you may as well keep looking for another one you like!
That’s how I see it, anyway.” He pronounced. I could only shake my head in
wonder.

“I don’t know. There’s this
feeling I get with her. Just being near her makes me happy.” I said.

“It’s called a boner,
James, and I get that with hot women too and it sure as shit makes me happy.”
Brad joked. Laughing together, we polished our first beers and got onto the
next, and then the next.

“Why don’t you call the
girls?” Chris suggested, “Have a few drinks with them and maybe go out for a
dance.” He finished, taking a sip of his beer and eying me over his glass.

“I’ve got to do everything
for you boys. Don’t I?” I asked, in mock frustration.

“Well. Not everything.”
Chris started, “Just most.” He laughed.

“Speak for yourself.” Brad
said, striking a pose. It was comical at best. Laughing at the display I shook
my head slowly.

“Alright. I’ll see if they
are up for it.” I said, reaching into my pocket for my phone.

Taking a long drink I
plucked up my courage and dialed.  My heart started to beat faster as the phone
started to ring, clearing my throat I waited. I was surprised to find I was
getting so nervous over such a small thing.

The phone rang once,
twice, three times, and just as I was about to give up an answer came. “Hello?”
A female voice answered.

“Hey is this Amanda?” I
asked.

“Yes!” She replied.

“It’s James.” I said,
trying to think of what to say.

“Oh hey James! How are
you?” She asked.

“Great thanks, and you?” I
replied.

“I’m good. Just finished
having dinner with the girls.” She said happily.

“Sounds nice! Hey I was
wondering. Would you and your friends like to come out for a drink with my
friends and me?” I asked, hesitantly at first, “We’re just sitting at the pub
at the moment and we thought it would be more fun if we had more people with
us.” I added.

“That sounds fantastic
I’ll ask the girls if they’d be interested. Give me a second.” She said, the
phone rustled as she removed it from her ear.

Muffled conversation
floated through, but I wasn’t quite able to hear what they were saying. A few
moments passed by and she returned to the phone. “We’d love to come out! We
just need to go and get changed. We’re not really dressed for anything just
yet. Can I send you a text message a bit later to see where you are?” Amanda
asked.

“Absolutely! Take your
time. We’ll be sitting here having a few quiet beers. See you soon!” I said.

“Thanks James. Talk to you
soon!” She replied, and hung up.

Removing the phone from my
ear, I looked over to Chris and Brad to see they were on the edge of their
seats staring directly at me, and waiting for me to say something.

“Well boys. It looks like
we’ll be having some company after all! Just not straight away. The girls need
to go home and get changed.” I said with a smile, “Amanda said they aren’t
dressed for anything, whatever that means!” I added, as we chuckled together.

“Fair enough. Well I guess
these beers won’t drink themselves.” Replied Chris as he raised his glass,
“Cheers lads! To an excellent place, excellent people, and let’s hope an even
better evening!” He said grinning.

“Cheers!” Brad and I
replied, as we each raised our glasses in return.

A few coarse jokes. Plenty
of beer, and sometime later my pocket vibrated. Reaching my hand into my pocket
I removed my phone and looked down to see Amanda had sent me a text. They were
ready and asking where they should meet us. Replying with our location and a
quick ‘See you soon’ I returned my attention to the current conversation.

“So, I’m standing at the
bar waiting for service and this English bloke comes up and stands right next
to me. He reaches over and tugs on the bartenders sleeve and just starts
ordering his drinks.” Brad was saying, leaning forward intently, “Let’s just
say I wasn’t very impressed.” He continued with a wink, “So he gets his drinks
and pays for them. All of a sudden I accidentally fall over and knock his
drinks out of his hands and all over him. Pure accident of course.” Brad said,
in conspiring tones.

“Of course!” Chris and I
replied.

“Now there’s a wet, and
pissed off Englishman staring right at me about to throw down when suddenly a
stunning girl comes out of nowhere, and I’m talking an absolute bombshell.” He
said, with his eyes taking on a distant hungry look, “She trips up too and
pours her drink in this blokes face. Funniest thing I’ve ever seen I almost
lost it right there. Only just managed to hold back.” He said, smiling at the
memory, “So she looks over to me and winks then falls back into the crowd. I
ended up tracking her down and let’s just say I had one of the best nights I’ve
ever had, sensational, phenomenal, and amazing!” He said happily, with a
satisfied smile.

Pausing for a moment
expecting more I looked at Brad quizzically. “So… What about the English
bloke?” I asked, as I looked over at Chris. He looked just as confused.

“Well. He looked about
ready to fight, but I think he just gave up when the girl tipped her drink on
him.” He replied, uninterested.

“Oh! Well shit. That’s
boring.” I said.

“So what you’re saying is
that whole story was about that girl.” Chris said, laughing.

“Yeah I guess it was. But
seriously man she was so hot!” He replied excitedly. We all burst into laughter
at that.

Chris and I just shook our
heads after the laughter subsided.

“You really are an idiot.”
Chris said, resigning himself to a simple insult Brad might understand. I could
only nod my agreement.

Ordering another round of
drinks we waited for the ladies to show up. Taking a sip of my beer, I turned
to see the girls walk through the door with Amanda in the lead. If anyone was
watching me at that exact moment they would have seen my mouth agape, eyes
bulging, and eyebrows touching the roof with fireworks shooting from my ears.

She was beautiful. That
word didn’t even begin to describe what was running through my mind. She stood
tall in her heels, wearing tight dark blue jeans a white top showing through
her gray jacket. Brown almost chestnut hair was flowing down to her shoulders
with the perfect amount of makeup accentuating her features, and a
characteristic glimmer in her eyes, making it seem like she was always laughing
on the inside. Walking through the door she spotted me and waved. Returning her
wave I beckoned her to join us.

Making her way over with
her friends I got a chance to look at them out of their snow outfits for the
first time, and both were beautiful in their own ways. Amanda introduced Jane
first. She was shorter than Amanda with long blond hair and blue eyes. She was
exactly what you would picture of a woman on a magazine cover. In my eyes maybe
a bit too much makeup made her have that fake look about her, but still a very
attractive woman.

Sally was closer to
Amanda’s height which was surprising as you don't often see very many tall
women. Her hair was a much darker brown and she had big brown eyes. Each of the
ladies had their own attractive qualities, which I thought my friends would be
sure to appreciate.

“Nice to meet you, Sally,
Jane. This is Chris.” I said, pointing over to the noticeably flexing
Englishman. “And this here is Brad.” I added, gesturing to my fellow
Australian. He seemed to be doing his best of sitting up straight and fixing
his most winning smile.

“Ladies.” Chris said.
“Please join us! Let’s have a drink and get this night started!” He added. We
all agreed as we stood and allowed the girls to find their seats. Amanda came
over and joined me, while I let the others sort themselves out.

“You look fantastic.” I
mentioned to her, as she took her seat. “Thank you! You don't look so bad
yourself.” She smiled.

“Well thanks! It took me a
few hours to do my hair. No doubt you can tell.” I said playfully, running my
hand through my hair.

“Oh definitely! It really
shows.” She said, smiling at me as she flashed her near perfect teeth. This
girl was ridiculously good looking. Which made me start to wonder what she had
wrong with her. Surely nobody could be this perfect!

Shaking my head I smiled
to myself and asked, “So you’re staying in town for seven days was it?” Looking
her in the eyes.

“Yes, that’s right. We’ll
be going snowboarding a few more times and maybe looking at doing some
sightseeing.” She replied.

“That sounds great, you’re
going to love it!” I said happily.

“I already am!” She
replied.

“It’s a special place.” I
said slowly.

“Are you girls up for a
big night tonight? We can show you around the place if you’re interested.” Brad
said to the group.

“Maybe.” Jane replied.

“We’ll have to see how the
night goes.” Added Sally, with a smile looking to each of her girlfriends.

“No need to worry about
that right now. Let’s just enjoy ourselves and take it as it comes.” Chris
said, thrusting his drink into the air. “Where are my manners?” He said.
“Ladies. What are you drinking this fine evening?” He added. In short order the
drinks arrived. “Let’s try that again!” Chris said loudly this time. He stood
up and holding his drink in the middle of the group. “Cheers!” He shouted.

“Cheers!” We all replied.
Laughing together, we all took a drink and our night was underway.

Laughter filled the room
as drinks were refilled, as the gentlemen of the group were starting to get
towards the tipsy side of things. Thankfully we weren’t making fools of
ourselves just yet as the girls seemed to be catching up, and whether they had
any drinks of their own prior to coming out it didn’t matter at all.

Our table was the loudest
in the pub as people came and went. After a while it seemed about time for us
to move on especially if we were going to make a night of it. “My friends!” I
said, loudly enough to cut off any other conversation. “How would we all feel
about heading somewhere else and getting our dance on?” I continued as I stood
up. I emphasized my point by shaking my booty in what was clearly a super cool
dance move.