Damn, why can't a man get to know somebody without it having to be a pass at somebody? That's the first thing it has to be when a man asks to know about a woman. Excuse me for not being like my buddies but I'd like to know more about a woman besides what she looks like, even if the girl is picture perfect.

After we left the beach, the guys and I met up at Cameron's place just to get ready to go out for the night. As soon as I stepped into the living room, all eyes were on me with arms folded across chests. What I do this time?

"So, who's this new chick you're talking to? We saw you over in the sand, talking to some female reading a book. Why do I have to keep telling you this, man? Stop falling for the book trick. You know women do that just to seem smart and you end up falling for it every time," Ryker warned me as he shook me by my shoulders.

Pushing him off me and walking around him, I overheard Isaiah with some other dumb advice. "You do this every time, Tripp. You're such a nerd and you always think that these women want you for your brain. When will you realize that they're just playing the same game?"

Not all guys talk to the same women that they talk to. When will they realize that? Also, when will they realize that my intentions with women are different from theirs? Hence why I have no partner right now.

"Don't listen to them, Tripp. The girl seems like she's got a good head on her shoulders. Not to mention, she's got some pretty decent friends. Started talking to one of her friends not too long ago and she's a flirt but she seems like a good person," Cameron adds as he makes himself comfortable on the floor with a charcuterie board.

"What makes you all think that I'm trying to get with this girl? She's not even wanting me like that-"

"And I know why. Because you nerdy as hell and too polite. These females don't want all of that. You gotta be an asshole to these women. You can't just be nice to them and think you gonna get some," Ryker chuckled as I sat down on the couch and watched his posture change. He went from sitting up straight to sitting back against the couch with his right foot propped up on his left leg.

No, Ryker. As Cameron mentioned before, this woman is smarter than that and has a good head on her shoulders. She ain't playing games when it comes to meeting new people. She's just trying to have a good time, instead of hopping from one bed to the next. Not all women want that from a man when they first meet them.

"Whatever you say, Ryker. It's not all about fucking when you first meet somebody and, with that thought process, you'll be put in the doghouse each and every time. I can't just hang out with a woman? I can't just be her friend?"

"Hell nah, you can't just be friends with a woman! Who the hell told you that, Tripp? Cameron's sprung ass? Look here, we saw how you were looking at her and how she was looking at you. She wants to do you, man. You gotta get that ass before you fuck it up."

I was barely acquainted with Journee and she could have a man for all we know. I have more respect for Journee than that but my friends make it hard to respect that friendship with her. Journee was a gorgeous woman but deserved to be treated with respect. Not to mention, I could get hurt in the process of all of this.

Shaking my head at topic of conversation, I walked back into the small kitchen to grab myself something to drink. My plans weren't to get drunk or anything but I was feeling the backlash of the drinks a little. I'm a lightweight so when the guys go out drinking, I don't drink much just so they don't see my drunk side.

Isaiah drove us to a nearby beach bar while Ryker talked us up before we went inside. "Alright, guys. We'll probably run into some bad bitches but don't fall for their shit. We're here to have a good time and shit. Please don't be embarrassing me in here and don't make me look stupid. Got me?"

We all agreed as we got out of the car and were met with a few large beach rocking chairs. There were a couple of people standing outside of the door and greeting Ryker. That's the thing about being Ryker's friend. Since pretty much everybody knows him, we get in for free at practically everywhere we go.

The bar games were calling my name and so was a good Bud Light. On my way towards the bar, my eyes caught onto a couple of familiar faces. A smile appeared on my face as if by magic when I saw my good friend Journee standing by the bar.

"Oh goodness. Seriously? Y'all really know how to follow us. Why do our whereabouts matter to you guys?" Journee's friend complained as I watched Journee get into her own groove with another one of her friends, having a good time apparently.

"Y'all got that weak shit and that's all you ladies could afford? I'm willing to share what we got over here if you willing to behave. By the way, the owner hooked us up with a little VIP section, Tripp," Ryker came up from behind me and greeting Darian with a smirk.

"Kings of the City, my ass. Ignore them, ladies. We can still have a great time without all of that extra bullshit," Darian tried to push the rest of her friends away from us but one of them wasn't having it.

"Dari, my man is dancing with some other chick. I want to pop bottles and have a good time. You can stay over here and be bored but I want to have fun."

"Plus, they have shellfish over there and you know I can't resist shellfish. Guess you and J will be here by yourselves," the other friend with blonde hair snuck past as she moved around me and went straight to the shrimp.

I was looking to have a good time as well so I moved back towards the pool table and played a game with Isaiah. In the back of my mind, I figured that Journee didn't want to be bothered since we weren't as close of friends.

Here I was just chilling and catching the vibe. The music was bumping and, from time-to-time, my glance went over to a busy Journee as she was caught in conversation with a few other bar hoppers. I knew those brothers she was talking to because we all graduated together. They were cool people and they didn't hesitate to invite the rest of us to a party after the lounge closed later.

"The least y'all could've done was better. You women try too hard. Here I am trying to be nice and you still pushing me away. Stop being so stubborn, woman," Ryker called out while the other guys were getting their mack on with their friends.

"Please tell me why you're so worried about what we're doing. If you weren't so bothered, you'd leave me and my girls alone. You must have nothing else to do," Darian barked as Ryker chuckled with his arms around two women he was flirting with. 

I couldn't help but roll my eyes with a pool cue in my hand. Talk about us making him look bad. He's so embarrassing, like Darian's going to fall for this schtick. He cleared his throat and said "I just came over to tell you that your girls are over there chillin' with some of my guys. Be a good little girl and you can live that life too."

"Oh, it's all cool because they can ride home with y'all. I knew this would happen anyhow. Come on, Journee. We're heading home," Darian rolled her eyes and pulled out her keys from her pocket.

She was leading Journee to the exit and I wasn't sure if I should've stopped her or let her keep going with her. Something told me to catch her and give her my number just in case I don't bump into her again. Although her friend was mad as hell, she wasn't ruining my friendship with Journee.

Before Journee grabbed the door, I caught her by the shoulder and stopped her. She turned around to see it was me and a small smirk appeared on her face. Who knew she had a pretty decent smirk?

"You're pretty fast, sir. What's going on?" she chuckled as she tucked a twist behind her ear.

"Since we're a little more acquainted, I figured that it would be appropriate for you to have my number. Can you at least give me a call some time?"

The way she grinnedat me had my feelings flare up a bit but she cleared her throat and took thepaper that sat out from my palm. "Sure. Why not?"

****

Heeeeeeyyyyyyy!

Hope you all are doing well. Still got some things to work on but it's cool.

So, please tell me what you think about Journee and Tripp's friendship.

Do you think this will last long?

As you know, Tripp's friends are rude as hell but will it work with the ladies? Darian sounds like she's over it.

What do you think will happen at this party later?

Thanks for reading my story! It means a lot to me like always! See ya around the Wattpadisphere!

Love ya!