"J, what's up with your friend? Why isn't he speaking?" Cassidy tapped me on the shoulder as she stared in confusion. If only I knew the answer to that. I'm too busy figuring out how to help this man out somehow.

"Somebody's happy to see you here, girl," Angela smiled and teased as we all began looking at him, losing his audience.

Wasn't that funny coming from her? That wasn't the issue. He's just stuck in his own damn mind and needs to get out of it.

I stood up from my seat and walked around all the regulars that hung out at this place. You could hear it, in their voices, how frustrated they were about Tripp not saying a word. They wanted to leave so bad but not on my watch. We came here to see a show, not watch him be ashamed.

Once I got closer to him, his head eventually moved and he was overwhelmed. Eyelids blinking, chest bouncing in panic, heavy breathing, but his eyes were all on me after a minute there.

"Boy, if you don't get to reading your work and show out in here, I'll shake you. You have some work to do. Show and prove, sir." I encouraged before walking back to our booth and smiled to myself. We weren't here just to hang out. We were here for Tripp and he needed to put his money where his mouth was.

Ultimately, he cleared his throat before reading his poem. Okay, the stunned look was pretty cute on him. We don't bump into guys who show their emotions the way he did. Generally, there's those guys that show off their huge egos.

Then, there's guys like Tripp. Good-looking men that still freeze up in, what I'm assuming, embarrassment like a second-grader in a spelling bee. It was really funny and cute. There was nothing to be ashamed of with that. It was sweet.

"Damn, somebody's love struck. I feel bad for him a little. He'll have to live with that for a long while, Journee. All because of you," Angie mentioned as she slurped on a random basket of oysters. I won't even ask how she got those because my attention was on a very poetic Tripp.

Free verse poetry? Not complaining at all because it was actually really good. The band began playing a little mood music for his speech and his eyes landed on mine with a clear smile falling across his lips.

There went that attractive white beam that exposed his gorgeous white teeth. He was in his element and looked so comfortable with every word he was giving us. So many people applaud him as he exited the stage. I couldn't help but feed into the energy and cheer loudly for him too. His poetry impressed me with the passion he gave in his words. It caught my attention.

"Now that we're done watching Poetry Nerd here, I found a spot we can party and, if we flirt well, we can get it in! Let's head out!" Darian spoke excitingly and jumped up from her seat.

Angela followed behind with her basket of oysters before Cassidy noted something. "I'm sure you're staying around for your little 'friend' so I'll be hanging out at the bar close by. Have your fun but remember that I'm still here to bust up a groove. Got it?"

She's one to talk. Nobody said anything when she busted her groove with Cameron but okay. We'll consider that support and just part of the friendship.

As she strutted away from and I let out an unexpected chuckle, my mind thought of how much time we had left here. A weeek of all this? And we haven't even been many places yet? Technically, five days but who's counting with friends like mine, right?

"You seriously saved my ass up there. I just wanted to come over and thank you personally before you ran off with your 'little' friends."

I turned to find a relieved Tripp standing with a slick smile and his hands behind his back. As if he were hiding something back there.

"You caught me just in time. They ran away from me and went somewhere in the pub for party time. I have to know though. Where are your 'little' friends?" I teased while questioning him. They usually follow us everywhere. He's with them and Darian's screaming at Ryker. Now they aren't here? They should be here to support their friend.

"They aren't exactly into these types of things," he sighed in defeat before we both caught onto who began playing through the speakers.

"Tiana Major9..." we noted at the same time and I giggled at the thought. What did he know about Think About You by her? This was my jam and she's my favorite singer. Now I was the flabbergasted one.

"This exact song played at a close friend of mine's wedding and she introduced me to it. It's what I listen to a lot. Perfect song to play at weddings," he leered and nodded along to the beat of the song.

As I got into the groove of the song, my eyes caught Tripp just standing there as if to keep his cool...or wanted something. "Let it out, Tripp, and be honest. What's going through your mind?"

I danced by myself for a while and whined my hips as he asked quickly "Would you want to dance with me?"

Much better.

Agreeing to his offer, I held my hand out and let him take it with my body rolling to the tone of the song. The way that the song had me in my dancing mood was amazing. At that point, I wasn't worried about what anyone thought because this singer is amazing. I listen to her all the time. She keeps me going.

The song changed and it was slower but I still knew this song too. It was the perfect song for the bedroom. That's how I knew that Cassidy would be outlandish and start dancing randomly, as if she was drunk as hell. Talking about me.

My arms wrapped around his neck as his arms went around my backside and made himself comfortable. His chin went on my head and I didn't say anything about it because he was the cutest thing. Plus, my face fell into his chest.

"Your hair smells like strawberries and coconut oil. It smells nice and I like it."

And he smelled like musk and wood but, I'll be real about it, that was ignored since my mind was focused on why his friends really weren't there. The earlier song got in the way of that but he looked so disappointed.

It pissed me off because, had we not shown up, he wouldn't have anyone else to support him. That bothered me.

"Tripp, just because your friends aren't interested in what you like, doesn't mean they can't support you anyway. Those aren't your friends if they don't-"

"Journee, I'll be honest with you. The guys don't know about this hobby of mine. Well, career, if you must. You don't understand how much they insult me and pick on me. How much they see me as a child instead of a man."

"Then how are they your friends, Tripp? Friends still support you despite them not liking what you like. You shouldn't have to hide this from them because you love what you do and you can see that all over your face," I smiled at him for a quick second and those pearly whites peeked while we rocked back and forth.

"By the way, because I know your 'little' friends, you better not tell them you touched me. Darian will be sent to kick some ass. You got me?" He nodded rigorously and smiled brighter as we slowly rocked together.

I couldn't take my eyes off the way he looked out into the environment. He watched everyone else around us as if he wished for something like what everyone else had.

"You said that everyone's journey is not like ours, Tripp. You should enjoy the trip while you still can and take your chances... Yours don't seem like it will be bad though," I said before our eyes connected again.

Here we go again, out of breath, chest rushing up and down, all that.

My smile fell into a concentrated-flattened face as his hands moved down my backside. His head leaned closer to my nose and I just let it happen. Fuck who sees, right?

Our lips did like our eyes before long and that's when I experienced those sweet lips. He was an amazing kisser and the first to turn me on while making my toes curl. He's got skills.

****

What's up, everybody?

I really hope you enjoyed this chapter but don't get your hopes up (hee hee).

Do you think they've sealed the deal or what?

Tripp was so nervous around Journee. Do you think it was the feels he had?

Do you think the feels are growing on Journee?

How the hell Angie get oysters? Lol

Answers to these and more coming on Friday! See ya around the Wattpadisphere!

Love ya!