Offshore

Chapter Five

That Friday, Briana and Lisa spent most of the day planning a night out. In between lessons they swapped ideas on which bars to go to and what to wear. At one point, they had had the conversation in front of a class, and Brian Turner, a particularly knowing 12 year old had heard Briana say 'Margaritas,' and cheekily asked if that was a scientific term.

They had told Grace this in the Teacher's lounge, and she had actually been quite shocked by their cavalier attitude, especially when Lisa loudly declared that if she didn't get laid tonight she would start putting the moves on the Principal.

"Lisa!" she had cried.

But Lisa had just laughed and said, "Well he is a man, and I am desperate."

"You are coming with us, aren't you Grace?" Briana had asked.

Not likely, thought Grace. Look what had happened the last time she had gone out with hard drinking women. But Lisa and Briana could be good company, and could she really stand another Friday night sitting at home ignoring Brandon's calls?

"OK, but I'm not staying out late. I have errands to run tomorrow."

The bar they had arranged to meet turned out to be a laid-back neighborhood place, to Grace's surprise. The music wasn't too loud and people were chatting quietly while a subdued game of pool took place in a corner. Briana and Lisa were sitting at the bar, sharing a pitcher of Long Island Ice Tea, which Grace politely declined and ordered a beer instead.

"You look nice," Lisa said, taking in Grace's low heeled boots, skinny jeans and buttoned up blouse. Lisa was dressed in an extremely low cut top that showed her black lacy bra. It was already gaining the attention of the barman, who barely looked legal.

"You ladies want another pitcher?" he asked hopefully.

"Hold your horses," Lisa grinned at him, "We're only half way down this one! He's cute," she said as she turned back to Briana and Grace.

"If you like teenagers," said Briana, "Which you don't, I hope!"

It wasn't long before they were approached by two of the guys who had been playing pool. Briana knew them. One was an electrical engineer named Dave. He had a slight paunch and a sweaty upper lip, but his friend, Greg, was quite good looking, broad and blonde with a nice smile. He looked nothing like Brandon, who was dark and fine featured, which made her order a second beer. He seemed interested in the fact that she had only just recently moved here. He ran his own construction firm and they got talking about her townhouse, which was badly in need of renovation.

"Hello? Look who just walked in," Lisa whispered to her, interrupting the conversation. Grace glanced over to the door and saw Sam Anderson who was looking straight at her with his dark eyes. He was wearing worn jeans and a tight grey T-shirt and he looked gorgeous, as usual. Great, she thought, just what I need.

"Sam!" Lisa called before Grace could stop her.

"Hey Lisa," he slurred, walking towards them with cat-like ease, hands in his pockets.

"You out for a big night?" she asked, almost purring and wrapping her hair round her finger. God, she was embarrassingly obvious.

"No, just here to meet a friend," he said calmly, clearly used to the kind of attention he was getting.

'Bring him over here!" she said, "More the merrier."

"It's a girl, actually," he said apologetically, glancing towards a skinny blonde sitting in the corner, glaring at them.

Lisa choked slightly, but recovered bravely and said, "OK, have a great night!"

"Shit," she said to Grace, "Win some, lose some."