"Aye, man! You gotta keep up! You slow as hell! I guess that's what happens when you get-"

"Shut that shit up and serve the ball, Big Mouth!"

Ryker and I are playing a game of volleyball while our wives chill under the canopy. We finally got some time to hit the beach and play our favorite sport but Ryker's being a sore loser with every point I'm stacking up.

He just a big ass hater.

"Watch ya mouth, Tripp!" Darian calls me out before she goes back to her conversation with Kyra. I catch a glance of Kyra giggling at me and I bite my bottom lip in lust. She's such a sexy woman.

Speaking of Kyra, she's been shaken up today. When she came back to the suite this morning, she barely said a word to me. It's as if she saw a ghost. We all walked down the ramp together and all she did was talk to Darian the entire time. This is the first time she's even shared a smile with me since this morning.

We're supposed to be getting a little sun before she has to leave. She's playing that one role again and most of the movie is supposed to be shot here so she has to go soon.

I really hope she's alright because all she does is talk, especially to me.

"WATCH YA HEAD, LOVER BOY!"

Before I could even turn to see what Ryker's talking about, the ball hits me in the damn face and I fall backwards. Once again, I get knocked out by a damn volleyball because of my, now, wife.

Can't see a thing but I hear everybody. I'm too busy trying to get over all the pain but they make it no better.

"What the hell did you do to my man, Ryker?! Oh my gosh!"

"What you think I did? I hit him with the volleyball on accident. That's what he get for talking 'bout my marriage. Speaking of marriage, you should ask yourself that same question you just asked me."

"Ugh! You get on my fucking nerves sometimes! What are we going to do, Darian? We're not back home!"

"And you think I got any nerves left because of your ass?"

"Can y'all stop bickering for like two seconds? Kyra, it's best if you sit down for just a second. You know how dramatic you can be. Ryker and I will figure this one out."

"You know that's not an option, Darian. That's my husband and I have to help him. I'm calling the ambulance. That's the only option we have."

"Kyra, there's no need. He's ain't all the way knocked out. He's still breathing. See what I'm talking about? Damn..."

"Now, you see what I'm talking about, babe."

"Says the one who knocked him out! Fuck you, Ryker! If only I had some tape to shut that fucking trap of yours shut!"

"Could you reach it though? That's the question."

"Ooh, I can't stand you! Never could!"

"Then sit the fuck down like my baby told ya dramatic ass to do!"

"Ryker, you and Kyra at it again? Damn, Tripp got hit again? I guess volleyball is out of the question for Tripp now, huh?"

I know that voice all too well. My head is able to move after those few minutes of Kyra and Ryker arguing and my eyes slowly open up to Kyra, Ryke, Darian, Cam, and his girl, Cassidy, standing over me.

First of all, I don't stop playing volleyball. I'll be on my death bed still hitting a volleyball on the beach.

Second, what the hell they doing here? Did they know we were gonna be here?

"Aye, there he is! What up, Tripp? You still getting hit in the head with volleyballs?" Cam says with a welcoming smile on his face.

He helps me sit up by lending me his hand and we all laugh this off. There's a big ass knot on my forehead but it's not bothering me right now.

I'm too thrilled to see all the boys back together. Though we ain't got Isaiah, we still all together in Hawaii. It's about to be one crazy trip now!

"Well when you got a good-looking wife, you can't help but be distracted," I say with a smile on my face.

Speaking of my wife, she rushes over with a handmade ice pack and holds it to my knot tightly before announcing her leave.

"Or be scared but I guess it's just me," Ryker mentions before he and Cam start laughing together.

"Babe, I'll see you back at the suite later. No interruptions this time. I love you," Kyra says before giving me a deep kiss and leaving with her bodyguard.

I hate to see her go but I love to watch her leave.

"Tripp all in love again. Ain't that cute? I'm glad you two are back together and you're happy," Cam says as he sits with Ryker and me.

"Bro, you gotta be kidding. He's with Kyra, the same creature that made a play on the whole football team and got mad when Tripp was dating other women. Matter of fact, she chased off every girl he was with. Are you sure you glad about that shit?"

Here we go again. Ryker's never liked Kyra and I don't think he ever will.

"Ryker, people can change-"

"Hell naw! If you thought Kyra has changed, you've lied to yourself. She's still the same loud-mouthed, cynical, self-absorbed, glamour princess that she's always been. She was Tripp's rebound after Journee, bro. She was his only option at the time. You and I both know that."

"Aye, can we chill on all that? Let's talk about something else." I try to change the subject but it just gets quiet for a second.

"I'm just saying. You can leave at any time. If she tries to come back, we'll have her locked up. You know, that's how I got rid of Mallory. Let her fuck up one time and off she goes to the big house. We not playing with these-"

"Ryker! Chill out before I bust up the scene," Darian says looking up from her book. She don't play with her husband.

Cam and I laugh at the way Ryker's face changed when he heard Darian call him. He was shook as hell. It's good that he has a girl to keep him in check.

"Well, I know we ain't got Isaiah no more but I got a friend that could possibly join our circle. What y'all think?" Cam insists.

"You really tryna replace Isaiah, bro? You been up there with them proper folk for way too long, man. It's just the three of us now. Ain't nobody else coming in our brotherhood, man," Ryker demanded.

I couldn't help but agree with him. Though Isaiah wasn't the greatest person to be around, he was still our friend and nobody can replace him. We don't need anybody else in our circle.

Thinking about Isaiah, I pour a sip of water out just for him. He would've loved being in Hawaii. Still single, of course, he would've had a suite all to himself with a woman in his bed every evening. He had bodies on top of bodies.

"Can y'all at least give him a chance? He ain't a bad guy. Damn," Cam begs as he stands up.

I look at Ryker and he shrugs his shoulders. Guess we're meeting Cam's new friend. I wonder who it could be, what he looks like, and how he acts. Hopefully, he's married too because we can all relate.

My smile fades as soon as Cam walks off. I know that ain't who I think it is...

"Aye, man! Glad you were able to get out of the suite. Come meet the guys!" Cam welcomes him in like we never met this fool before. He's all happy but he knows what he's doing.

I'm shaking my head in disgust because I never thought he'd do this, especially not to me.

Ryker's jaw drops as he looks at me and back at Cam and his...'friend'.

"Y'all remember Davin, right?" Cam says like we don't know what he's up to.

"What up, guys? I bought a case of beers if y'all down for a drink. I'm glad I was able to get out of the suite too. The wifey's still in a bad mood," he spits, making himself comfortable under the canopy.

I didn't mind Cassidy and Cam being here but I never thought I'd be meeting my match on this trip. How the hell did they get down here? And by the way he said 'wifey', she must be here too.

Fuck...

Ryker's still sitting there in shock and I got my hands on my hips with my eyebrows scrunched together. I'm a little pissed off. Cam's bold for this one.

"You want a drink, man?" he asks me so casually. The closer he gets to me, the more I get frustrated. As I look at the can of beer in his hands, I see red. I couldn't say anything or I'd end up fighting this guy.

"I think he's good on the beers but you ever play volleyball?" Ryker asks before I turn to him so abruptly.

I thought he didn't want to replace Isaiah with my baby mama's husband. Do they not realize that's what they're about to do? Inviting him to our spot was already ballsy. Now, you want him to play the fucking game?

Since he's down to play, Cam and Ryker get up to go play but I stop Ryker on the way out. He already knows what I'm about to say.

"Look, man. If you got a problem with dude, solve it on the court. That's all I'mma say."

As Ryker walks off, I think about what he just said. 'Solve it on the court'? Sounds like a plan to me. Let's see if he got game. He better hope he doesn't blackout like I did.

We all get to the net and figure out who's serving first. Ryker and Cam play rock, paper, scissors and Ryker wins so we have to serve first.

The ball's going back and forth but Cam's doing most of the work on their side. Soon, it's a toss up between Ryke and Cam. I go for a play but Ryke strikes it and we get the point.

"Come on, Davin. You just get a manicure or something, bro? Because you just standing there," Ryker teases and I crack up.

It's all petty; I know but I don't care. This guy just doesn't belong in our circle and I could give two shits about this guy. Never thought I'd have to see him again but here he go.

"Nah, just don't want y'all to get hurt when that ball hit y'all side of the court."

That creepy ass prepubescent smile he got is weird as fuck.

Cam goes to dab him and they chuckle to each other. Hell nah. Cam been up in Kentucky for way too long.

"Well, come on then, nigga! Bring ya A game!"

And his A game is brought.

The ball goes up and we're all passing it on either side for a minute. After a while, he's able to strike it down on our side.

I bite my bottom lip in frustration because I should've seen that coming. I could've hit that shit.

"Y'all good over there? Y'all need ya wives to come save you?" Cam jokes before that bitch nigga chimes in.

That's when the fire erupts in my mind.

"Nah, because it wouldn't make a difference, right, Tripp? He'd still be crying."

Ryker turns to me after that and it's like steam is coming from my nerves. I'm ready to charge after this muthafucker.

Instead, I just shake that shit off and nod to keep my cool. I still could have struck that serve!

"Aye, that's what happens when you just accept leftovers," Cam jokes with Davin.

"Nah, that's what happens when you let your girl get away. It's too bad that I'm tappin' that ass now but it feels good as shit."

Now, he doing that shit on purpose.

"The fuck you say-"

"Yo, yo, yo, Tripp! Chill, man!" Ryker holds me back and pushes me away from the net. I want to punch him so bad. All I need is the green light.

"Nigga, what I fucking tell you? Solve this shit on the court. Don't be acting pussy and arguing with this guy, bro. Smash that ball and beat his ass that way." Ryker reminds me.

Oh, I got that covered. I got that down.

I get the ball and serve it, letting it go back and forth between each side of the court again. It takes the longest time ever to touch down on somebody's side.

As the ball is being passed around, this chicken head's words wrap themselves around my brain and squeeze it. It pisses me off because this situation ain't nothing to play with. Nobody told him to bring her up. Hell, nobody told him to show up.

And Cam gave him the stamp of approval on this too? That's supposed to be our best friend and he wanna play the other side? I'll show his friend better than I can tell him. Let's see if they think this is funny.

Once the ball comes towards me, I spike that shit right in that scary nigga's face.

Now who about to cry to their wife, bitch?

"Oh, shit! Damn, nigga! You got knocked the fuck out! I guess that's what happens when you do all that shit talking. Take that face to the manicure shop. They'll shape you up and get you right again," Ryker says before we walk off laughing.

****

If you've ever seen the movie Friday, you can see Ryker acting a fool just like Smokey! Lol

Happy Saturday! I'm sorry y'all! I've been trying to get this chapter out but....work!

Anyway, please tell me what you think of the chapter.

Just so you know, much pettiness and drama is coming ahead.

Do you think Ryker and Tripp were acting immature or was Tripp right in the way he thought?

Y'all think Tripp is still in love with Journee?

What do y'all want to see happen next?

Thanks for reading! See you in a few hours!