Friends

Chapter 30

A/N: Chapters 31-48 are on Patreon along with other exclusive scenes if you want to check those out!

Marcqwuan's POV:

"Listen, I know I'm a mess. Honestly, I know it better than anyone else. I know what I'm doing is wrong. The right thing for me to do would be to step back, be rational, and judge from a distance-but I can't. I love her, and I can't picture a future without her. I don't want to settle for a future where we're just friends, where I spend the rest of my life wondering, What if we'd just given it a chance? What if she's the one? What if she's my person? And you're right, I know it probably kills you to see me keep making the same mistakes. I might learn my lesson eventually, but right now? I don't think it's time for me to figure it out. I'm not gonna drag you into this mess if you don't want to be a part of it. I went in there to cancel the date, and I just couldn't do it. I tried, man, I really did, but at the end of the day, I just couldn't. Honestly, I'm kinda proud of myself for not backing out. Maybe it's a small win, but I'll take it. Your best friend is actually going on a date after years of being a complete recluse."

I sigh heavily into the phone, the weight of my words sinking in. I can almost hear Jaylin's reaction through the silence.

"That's because you're a straight-up whore. You just swipe right on dating apps, or you run into women at the gym, or in the grocery store, or whatever. You get their number, and somehow-I still don't get it-you take them out for boba, and fifteen minutes later, you're fucking. So, I gotta admit, with you actually taking her on a real date, I'm definitely more okay with this than your usual casual relationships." Jaylin's voice crackles with disbelief through the speaker, followed by a short laugh.

"And isn't that enough to get you to help me out with this date? I haven't been on one in years, and I have no clue what to say or even how to talk to her," I plead into the phone, feeling the pressure mount, a mix of nervousness and frustration. I try to imagine what it will be like-what if I mess it up?

"Bro, you two have been talking every damn day for the past three weeks. What do you mean you don't know what to talk about?" Jaylin's voice is almost incredulous, like I'm missing the obvious. I feel the heat creep up my neck, suddenly self-conscious.

"That's us just catching up on the usual stuff, talking about our days, therapy sessions. This is different. This is the first time we're actually going out together, outside of my apartment. Yeah, we'll probably talk about therapy, but I can't make that the whole conversation. I need to think of some other stuff to say." I pace a little as I speak, the phone pressed against my ear, trying to get my thoughts straight.

"Alright, well, what do you usually talk about when you're out with girls for boba? What's your game plan?" Jaylin sounds a little smug, like he's waiting for me to reveal some secret. His tone grates on me slightly-like he knows something I don't.

"Honestly, bro, it's been so long since I've had a 'real' date. But I know that eye contact is key. It's like an automatic way to create that spark, you know? They ask me what I'm looking for. I ask them what they're looking for. They'll say something like, 'I'm just a go-with-the-flow kind of girl,' and I'll tell them, 'I just want to slut someone out and treat them like a princess till something happens.' And then they look at me, all wide-eyed like, 'Oh my God, that's exactly what I've been waiting for.' And then I'll just say, 'Let's get out of here.' After that, there's not much talking, man. We walk to my place, and I go straight into fucking," I say, chuckling, knowing how simple it sounds, but it's the truth. It always works.

"Wait, are you being dead-ass with me right now?" Jaylin sounds like he's trying to process what I just said, the shock in his voice obvious even through the phone. I wonder if he's actually shocked, or if he's just used to me making ridiculous claims.

"I'm completely serious. That's the routine, man, with every woman." I shrug, though he can't see it, but the casualness in my tone is real. I don't even feel bad about it-this is just how things go.

"And that works every time? You've had success with all of them?" Jaylin's disbelief is even clearer now, his voice rising slightly. He probably thinks I'm lying-or at least exaggerating.

"Yeah, I mean, there are some girls who want the whole dinner-and-a-movie thing, and I'll tell them that I want something low-pressure. If things get weird, we're not stuck. Boba or coffee allows for both of us to just bail. I'll tell them, 'If you don't get it, I bounce. Simple as that,'" I say matter-of-factly, feeling a little more confident about the situation. I've said it enough times that it feels like second nature.

"Wait, you've cracked the code to dating, and now you're asking me for advice?" Jaylin laughs, his voice full of disbelief, clearly finding this whole thing a bit ridiculous. I can't help but chuckle, too-this whole thing is pretty absurd, but I need to get it right for her.

"Bro, that's not even real dating. That's just hookup culture. But when it comes to an actual date, where we actually have to talk and get to know each other? That's where I need your help. That's your thing." I feel the need to clarify, tapping my fingers on the table nervously as I speak. I don't want him to think I don't appreciate his advice.

"Alright, bro, first thing you need to do is get her talking about herself. Women love talking about themselves so much, they invented a word for it-'yappers.' Seriously, they'll yap about anything."

I don't like how quick Jaylin is to call Jasmine just another woman. I know she's not like that.

"Ask her a question, let her answer, and then try to come up with a joke based on what she says. Bonus points if you can tease her a little in a playful way. Keep the conversation going on that topic for as long as possible, until she asks you a question or you see the conversation dying down. You're funny, so it should come easy to you. And, whatever you do, keep that eye contact to build some sexual tension." Jaylin's voice has a certain confidence now, like he knows exactly how it'll play out. It's like he's already got the whole thing planned out in his head.

"There is absolutely no sexual tension on this date. It's just a friendly hangout," I emphasize, trying to sound firm, but it's clear from my voice that I'm second-guessing myself. I just don't want things to get complicated.

"Bro, I couldn't pay you to keep it in your pants." Jaylin laughs, the sound of his amusement almost contagious through the phone. I shake my head, feeling myself relax a little.

"Thanks, fam. I really appreciate it." I laugh along, shaking my head, feeling more relaxed after hearing his familiar tone.

"You've got this, bro. I believe in you." Jaylin's voice is supportive, as always, and I can almost feel the reassurance coming through the phone.