1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,480 Have you ever known the person you wanted to be with all your life, but have never made a real 2 00:00:04,480 --> 00:00:08,640 effort to try because you knew you already had them and thought you weren't ready yet? 3 00:00:09,520 --> 00:00:15,040 Let me just say the time waits for no one. Standing across from me is Simona Johnson. 4 00:00:15,040 --> 00:00:19,040 She has been the center of my attention since she walked into our best friend's engagement party 5 00:00:19,040 --> 00:00:24,720 an hour ago. Not only is she beautiful and sexy, but she is also my college crush and a badass 6 00:00:24,720 --> 00:00:30,960 lawyer. What intrigues me the most is the wartar she has her arm looped into. In the 15 years of 7 00:00:30,960 --> 00:00:35,760 our platonic relationship, she has never brought a date to any close friend or family event. 8 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:42,480 She always arrives solo. I know this because our friend circle is the same, whenever one is invited, 9 00:00:42,480 --> 00:00:48,720 all are. And when everyone, including myself, brings a date, Simona never has one. The idea 10 00:00:48,720 --> 00:00:54,640 of her not bringing a date made me feel safe. It made me relieved to know that I still have a chance, 11 00:00:54,640 --> 00:01:00,800 whenever I'm ready. It might sound selfish and conceited, but I know myself. I prefer to have 12 00:01:00,800 --> 00:01:06,000 fun in my youth before settling down and getting married. Being committed to one woman is a mental 13 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:10,800 strife, and though I knew from inception that Simona would be the one I would be marrying, 14 00:01:10,800 --> 00:01:16,320 I couldn't allow myself to get tied early in my life. Maybe knowing that she is always single and 15 00:01:16,320 --> 00:01:22,560 available gave me comfort. Simona knows that I'm fond of her, and I've made sure to let her know. 16 00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:29,040 And she is also fond of me. But because of my choice to lead a fast life, she has kept her 17 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:34,320 distance. Now I'm beginning to think that this distance is going to be permanent sooner than I 18 00:01:34,320 --> 00:01:40,400 think. I'm standing near the open bar nursing my gin and tonic when Simona laughs out loud. 19 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:46,000 She then gives the turd a light tap on his shoulder. What the fuck could be so funny? 20 00:01:46,960 --> 00:01:53,280 He could never be that funny. She laughs again. Okay, I'm dragging my ass over there. 21 00:01:54,240 --> 00:01:59,040 Oh hey Trevor, nice of you to join us. Charlotte, the bride to be says. 22 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:04,720 Well, I heard everyone laughing so I'm curious. I say, glancing at Simona. And she quickly 23 00:02:04,720 --> 00:02:10,800 hardens her smile and breaks our eye contact. Sean was just telling us a joke about what happened 24 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:16,800 at his last golf game. Oh, you play golf? I inwardly roll my eyes because his outfit 25 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:23,600 matches his personality. I'm pretty sure he's a trust fund guy too. Did you lose? Yes, I play 26 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:30,160 and many other things. But no, I didn't lose. I won actually. Yes, he won. Simona chimes in with 27 00:02:30,160 --> 00:02:37,280 a smug grin. Sean offers his hand. And you are? I shake it. Trevor, Trevor, Toretto. 28 00:02:38,320 --> 00:02:41,600 Jesus fucking Christ, his hands are softer than my 10 year old niece. 29 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:48,480 Toretto as in oil rig company, Toretto, Toretto. I shrug one shoulder. We are probably related. 30 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:54,320 Charlotte and Jeffrey, my best friend and groom to be both scoff. Sean, my boy, 31 00:02:54,320 --> 00:02:59,680 you're looking at the next air to that said company. Yeah, his great grandfather started 32 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:07,040 toig C. Interesting. And what exactly do you do? I oversee trust funds. I make sure they are put 33 00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:13,920 to proper use. Maybe I can manage yours. Sean chuckles. Good one. But I don't have a trust fund. 34 00:03:13,920 --> 00:03:19,600 Sorry. I'm the CEO and co founder of slide in the fastest growing instant messaging and social 35 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:25,520 integration app. You should know you use it, right? No. What's that about? I don't usually 36 00:03:25,520 --> 00:03:31,120 download generic apps. I use it. But as of now, and I don't, I'll grind my dick in a sink before 37 00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:38,160 I give him that satisfaction. Huh. Okay. Yeah, enough about that. Don't you guys have some 38 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:44,720 engagement stuff to do? Oh crap. Your mother asked for some more napkins. I forgot. Really, 39 00:03:44,720 --> 00:03:50,880 babe? And you're just remembering? They're in my car trunk. Oh, wait, before you two go, 40 00:03:50,880 --> 00:03:55,840 Sean adds, I want to celebrate the new couple to be with a ride on my yacht. It'll be a nice 41 00:03:55,840 --> 00:04:03,680 sunset cruise and party all on me. Charlotte's eyes sparkle. Really? Sean nods. Oh, great. Oh, 42 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:09,680 fucking great. Now he's trying to win them over. What are the odds of him having a yacht? A million 43 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:15,120 and a million. Typical. Jeffrey shakes his hand and thanks him before walking off. 44 00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:21,200 Charlotte walks away, leaving us three. Now it feels hella awkward and I want to make a really rude 45 00:04:21,200 --> 00:04:28,640 comment about his sweater. Like where the fuck did she find this guy? At a spa club? Sean isn't even 46 00:04:28,640 --> 00:04:35,040 Simone's type. She likes them super tall and have at least an ounce of mail in them. Does he even do 47 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:40,880 any heavy lifting? I bet he's got people waiting on his every need. I bet he cries a river for a 48 00:04:40,880 --> 00:04:50,160 splinter. Fucking toad. All right, enough of this shit. Excuse me. Uh, Simone, may I speak with you 49 00:04:50,160 --> 00:04:57,840 alone? She presses her lips in a thin line and then faces Sean with a smile. Hey, can you get me a 50 00:04:57,840 --> 00:05:05,120 refill? This will only take a second. Sure, love. He grabs her glass and then leans in kissing her 51 00:05:05,120 --> 00:05:12,000 on the cheek. What a fucking dweeb. What was the reason for that to show domination? What's mine 52 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:19,120 is mine. This guy has no idea how quickly he's going to be single. Simone heads over to a corner 53 00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:26,800 and I follow. What do you want, Trevor? Really? A date? I'm allowed to bring a date. Since when? 54 00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:33,600 You never bring dates to events like these. Why is this your problem? Then she glances around the 55 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:41,440 room. And where is yours, hmm? I didn't bring any. Well, that's a surprise. So what? You and 56 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:46,800 Stuffy are a thing now? I don't see how any of that is your business, but yes, we've been dating 57 00:05:46,800 --> 00:05:54,080 for over two months and his name is Sean, Sean Belavier. The fuck? If y'all been dating, then 58 00:05:54,080 --> 00:05:59,600 why is there no sign of him on your socials? She folds her arms. I don't post everything. 59 00:05:59,600 --> 00:06:05,520 Yes, you do. Sean and I prefer to keep our relationship private. Sometimes it's better that way, 60 00:06:05,520 --> 00:06:11,360 so we don't invite chaotic energies into our lives. I laugh. What the fuck are you talking about, 61 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:19,360 Simone? Chaotic energy? For example, you. Me? But it's nice knowing that you're keeping tabs on me. 62 00:06:19,360 --> 00:06:25,760 That has never been a secret, Sim. She rolls her eyes. And since when do you date? You don't ever 63 00:06:25,760 --> 00:06:32,640 bring dates to events much less have a relationship. I'm getting old, Trevor. 36 to be exact. I don't 64 00:06:32,640 --> 00:06:38,240 have time for games. I am ready to settle down and have a family while I can. I don't have my whole 65 00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:44,160 life unlike you. What's that supposed to mean? For a man who has graduated summa cum laude, you're 66 00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:50,080 quite dumb. You'll still need to elaborate, Sim. Huh? You can get married and have a family even 67 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:56,480 at 60. I don't have time. She sighs and lets out a loud breath. I don't even know why I'm explaining 68 00:06:56,480 --> 00:07:01,520 any of this to you. Sean and I are happy and dating and we'll see where it goes. So you're 69 00:07:01,520 --> 00:07:07,520 willing to have a kid with this dude? Yes, and marry him. A pain stabs me in the heart, but 70 00:07:07,520 --> 00:07:13,760 is everything okay? Sean steps between us and it pisses me the fuck off. He hands Simone her drink. 71 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:19,360 They're all out of mango mojito, so I got you a regular one. Is that okay? She smiles up at him. 72 00:07:19,360 --> 00:07:25,360 Yes, thanks. And I also nab two cream puffs because I know you love these. They were going fast. 73 00:07:25,360 --> 00:07:32,320 He holds the small plate up. Oh, how thoughtful of you. She glances at me and then back at him. 74 00:07:32,320 --> 00:07:38,320 Come, I want you to meet my cousin, Wanda. When they walk off, I realize that I'm biting into my 75 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:45,600 cheek and now I'm tasting blood. Fuck. Out of all the guys in the world to date, why him? Why any man 76 00:07:45,600 --> 00:07:50,240 as a matter of fact? I could care less about her fucking around even though she barely did, but to 77 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:55,760 settle? Sean isn't even close to her type. I thought she was waiting. All those years I thought she'd 78 00:07:55,760 --> 00:08:03,360 been waiting for me. Fuck. Fuck. I take a deep breath. Shit. My heart is beating faster than 79 00:08:03,360 --> 00:08:08,320 normal and now my chest is tightening. I clutch my chest feeling a tingle up the back of my neck. 80 00:08:08,960 --> 00:08:13,840 Someone slaps me from the back. I'm about to go bat shit crazy on them when I realize it's Jeffrey. 81 00:08:13,840 --> 00:08:19,520 Hey, you all right, man? I saw you looking a little uneasy there. Is your chest all right? 82 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:23,760 I peer down at my hand, death gripping the left side of my suit. 83 00:08:23,760 --> 00:08:26,560 Who the heck is this Sean guy? He's boiling my blood. 84 00:08:27,440 --> 00:08:31,600 Sean? Oh yeah, I met him at a golf club. I joined six months back. 85 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:38,880 You're into golf now? Jeffrey shrugs. It's a company thing. My manager needed a partner. 86 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:43,760 And I just happen to like it. It's excellent for networking too. You should try it. 87 00:08:44,320 --> 00:08:47,200 Right after you shoot me. I'm not going anywhere that guy is. 88 00:08:48,160 --> 00:08:50,800 Jeffrey laughs. And how the hell does Simone know him? 89 00:08:51,280 --> 00:08:53,040 I introduce them. Come again? 90 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:57,920 Yeah. We had this golf tournament thing and Charlotte said she wasn't going unless she 91 00:08:57,920 --> 00:09:03,680 knew someone there because it would be boring. So I told her to invite Simone. Sean saw Simone 92 00:09:03,680 --> 00:09:09,200 and asked me to introduce them. What the fuck, Jeff? I'm sorry. I honestly didn't think it would 93 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:14,560 have turned into a thing. I know Simone is always reserved and didn't think anything of it. But 94 00:09:14,560 --> 00:09:19,200 when Charlotte said they started dating, I didn't know what to say. And you couldn't give me a 95 00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:23,920 fucking heads up? Listen, Charlotte didn't want me to say anything because she knew you would have 96 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:30,400 ruined it. The fuck I would. See? This is why I kept my mouth shut. Simone is happy. Isn't that what 97 00:09:30,400 --> 00:09:36,640 you want? No. Not with that sweater wearing diva over there. Did you forget our plan? No, I didn't. 98 00:09:37,680 --> 00:09:40,560 Then Jeffrey lets out a breath. But to be honest, Trev, 99 00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:45,040 Simone has been there for too long. I can't blame her for wanting to move on. 100 00:09:45,600 --> 00:09:50,480 What the fuck are you saying? That you've played this out too long. Did you really think she would 101 00:09:50,480 --> 00:09:56,000 wait forever? Why do you think I came here tonight without a date? I've been thinking about this since 102 00:09:56,000 --> 00:10:01,120 our New Year's Eve party. Come on, Trev. That was nine months ago. And you're still thinking? 103 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:06,720 I was busy cleaning out my closet, getting rid of my skeletons. I haven't had sex in over seven 104 00:10:06,720 --> 00:10:12,560 months, Jeff. Seven long fucking months trying to make myself ready to spend the rest of my life 105 00:10:12,560 --> 00:10:17,120 with this woman. Only to be fucked over by some guy with a slick back named Sean? 106 00:10:18,400 --> 00:10:25,360 Wow. Yes. Look, I'm sorry. You had one job. To never meddle in our affairs. To never contribute 107 00:10:25,360 --> 00:10:31,280 to our downfall. I said I'm sorry, but I guess the tables are turned now. If that's what you think, 108 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:37,760 you don't know me that well. Oh, I know you, bro. I know you're gonna fuck this up and regret it. 109 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:40,560 There's a thorn in my shoe and I'm going to remove it. 110 00:10:41,280 --> 00:10:46,560 Simone is finally happy. Don't mess this up for all of us. Because if she's not happy, 111 00:10:46,560 --> 00:10:51,520 you know Charlotte is not going to be too. And I cannot start off my marriage with an unhappy wife. 112 00:10:51,520 --> 00:10:55,840 Does that look like happy to you? I point across the room where 113 00:10:55,840 --> 00:10:58,640 Simone and Sean are standing chatting with a group of people. 114 00:10:59,520 --> 00:11:07,440 Simone is laughing really loud, like extra, extra loud. She's laughing. And Sean is a funny guy. 115 00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:13,600 I highly doubt that. Look at her cheeks. Look at her fucking mouth. That's not a real 116 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:20,000 Simone laugh. I know a fake one when I see it. All right, suit yourself, but don't try to fix 117 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:26,080 things that aren't broken. That I point across the room again. My friend is definitely broken. 118 00:11:27,200 --> 00:11:30,720 And if I have to die trying to fix it, then so be it. But I'll be damned if 119 00:11:30,720 --> 00:11:34,720 Simone Johnson gets shacked up by a dude wearing a baby blue cashmere sweater. 120 00:11:35,600 --> 00:11:39,520 Jeffrey shrugs. All right, brother, I guess the ball is in your court. 121 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:53,840 This is the end of Playing for Keeps, Part One. Stay tuned for Part Two. And if you haven't already, 122 00:11:53,840 --> 00:12:10,320 subscribe, share, and follow me on Rumble. I'll appreciate it. Thanks. Bye.