Chapter 9.
Huey's POV
October…
"Pass it already nigga!" I take one last pull from the blunt and pass it to an annoying Riley. This nigga ruins my high every time I smoke with him. Riley, Caesar, and I were in one of the VIP areas of my club, a dark room off to the side. Not really VIP per say but you had to pay money for one of the rooms.
"Damn had it forever," Riley inhales smoke. He is definitely exaggerating; he is just impatient.
"I'm the one who rolled it."
He sucks his teeth, "Okay and? Nigga that still don't mean nun."
"Reez you act like you can't just roll another one." Caesar says. That's true we had more than enough weed. Riley knew Caesar's suggestion wouldn't work though.
I snort, "That's cause he can't, he will most likely fuck it up."
"Man that's not true."
"Not gonna lie Riley ya shit do be falling apart sometimes or skinny as fuck." Caesar shrugs.
"Anyways back to Huey's gay ass damn near smoking the whole jay. It's principle, three puffs then pass when you in a session." Yeah when you ain't pay for it but it was my money. But they would pay me back or next time around they would buy it. Shit I didn't care, as long at the end of the day I had my blunt.
"Since when you know what the word principle means?" I joke.
"Since you been a gay ass hater." That didn't even make sense. He wasn't allowing my brain to stop working.
"Shut up Riley! Damn. You fucking up my high." Riley sucks his teeth then takes a pull.
After a few rotations around us it's back to me. I take one long pull and French inhale. Then another but this time I lean my head back when I exhale. I look up at the ceiling and I really feel it now. I relax and close my eyes. The calming sensation, sounds muffled and thoughts on pause, all of it hit differently. While Riley and Caesar sit there just laughing at anything as always. I ride out this moment. I'm a calm high. It's one of the reasons I do it to get all of this shit off my mind and forget everything. Don't get me wrong I'm not addicted but it's nice to smoke every now and then.
I hold my hand out for whoever wants to take the jay. One of them takes it. I don't know who nor do I really care. The noises of the club fade out more and I let my mind stand clear for a few minutes.
"Aye!"
"Aye." I ignore Riley trying to get my attention for the second time.
"Ayooo this nigga knocked the fuck out." Caesar and Riley can't control their hollering. They act like children.
"Yo record him. Record him." I felt a flash on my face a few seconds later. I pop my eyes open and snatch the phone out of Riley's hand.
"I don't like to be recorded. Y'all niggas childish as fuck," I scowl at the both of them.
"Chill out nigga it was a joke. Don't be mad we caught ya hater ass slipping." Riley cackles and Caesar joins in.
I shake my head and toss Riley his phone, "Whatever I'm going to the bathroom."
Walking away from the two who are in tears, 'So immature." I walk to the bathroom and I know I'm walking slow as hell. I glance at the bar, the usual drunk people are there. There's a couple kissing sloppily on the two stools. 'What else is new?' I eternally cringe.
Turning my head from the all over the place kissing I have to do a double take when I see the guy stop and pull away from the girl. Cairo?! I'm high but I'm not that high to be seeing weird shit. I know that face. I duck into the bathroom when he makes eye contact with me. I don't even have to use the bathroom anymore. Did that really just happen or I'm tripping? Is my mind playing tricks right now? Nah. I splash cold water on my face. I need to be somewhat sober to take in whatever I just saw.
I knew that nigga was still a cheater. 'Business trips my ass.' Jazmine needs to know what he truly is. It's not my business but she definitely deserves the
truth. And if it has to be from me so be it. No way was Cairo going to tell her. Just as I'm thinking the door opens and it's Cairo.
"Huey my man. What's up, old friend? How you doing?"
I scrunch my face up in disbelief, "What's up?! Nigga you tell me you all over some girl that's not your girlfriend."
"No one I just met her tonight. Look she came onto me. Cut a nigga some slack. What was I supposed to do?" Ummm I don't know, push her off. He's on some real bullshit already.
"Whatever, you're going to tell Jazmine right?"
"Nah Jazmine doesn't need to know about this. " I shake my head. I'm not shocked still the same him.
"If you don't tell her I will."
"Oh what you trying to swoop in and hope she falls for you. Nigga, stop texting and talking to my girl. Piece of advice, she'll never want you bro." I don't know where his accusation came from. But I didn't appreciate it, Jazmine is just a friend.
I scoff, "First off "bro" I don't do relationships. Also, It's not even like that. She just deserves to know the truth." Now that part was real nothing fake about it.
"Tell her If you want. She is so dumbly in love with me she'll never believe you." I grit my teeth.
All of me wanted to believe that wasn't true but part of me knew it was. I just wanted to punch the shit out of him for speaking so boastful and looking smug about it. But this fight wouldn't end well not cause he could beat me but because I don't exactly have good balance. I'm not in the right state of mind to fight right now. Instead, I scowl at him .
"Listen it's our little secret between old friends." He pats my shoulder and walks out the bathroom. Old friends? Yeah fuck that. Jazmine should know but most likely won't believe me. I'd look jealous and she already thinks I'm paranoid. Cairo's words echoed in my mind, 'What should I do?' Either choice I make would hurt Jazmine. I stand still in the bathroom, thinking.
It was a tough decision to make...but I decided to tell Jazmine when the time was right. This way would give me time to think about how to go about it. Cairo would have his way for now but his karma would soon come.
Jazmine's POV
Law school is in session again, I started last week, the end of September. It's a bit stressful with work but I still manage. At least I'm free on weekends like today. I didn't know what to do this Saturday actually. Cairo is still back and forth with business trips; he's actually in New York right now. We try to make it work but long distance is getting harder every time he leaves. Speaking of my boyfriend let me call him. He almost immediately picks up.
"Hey babe we need to talk."
"Hey… about what? Did Huey tell you something?"
I scrunch my face in confusion "No and Why would he?"
"No reason. I was just testing you to see if you were still in contact with him." Not this again. I roll my eyes. He really didn't trust me.
"I haven't... but I didn't call you to talk about Huey."
"I'm listening."
"When are you coming back. I feel like we haven't spent time together in a long time. We need to."
"Yeah I know me too. But babe you know how work is." I knew he was going to say that, 'So fricking predictable.'
"I don't even know why I bother. You care more about your job then me."
"Don't be dramatic, you know that's not true. Besides, do you want a broke man?"
"I didn't say-"
Cairo interrupts me, "Good. Then don't ask me that anymore. I'll be home in a week or two, love you." Cairo hangs up before I can even respond. What he just said was rude as hell. He has the fucking nerve. I have my own money. He sure doesn't pay any of my bills. Ugh men.
I need to get my mind off him so I text my friends to hang out somewhere for lunch to which they reply…
Cindy- We going out to lunch with the boys.
Asia- But please tag along with us. We need to chill.
Cindy- Bougie ass bitch. Never want to hang nomo.
Me- Not even. Plus be alone while y'all boo loving? no thanks!
Asia- We could all be boo loving but ya nigga ain't shit.
Cindy- That too good for us, always missing in action, yellow, muthafucker.
Asia- I'm weak * 3 laughing emojis*
Cindy- Lmao it's true
Me-Cut it out *eye roll emoji*
Cindy- But really come thru I think Huey finna come too.
Me- Okay I'll come.
Cindy- Damn. That was quick. Ya got something going on? *Smirking emoji*
Asia- Something you want to tell us?
Me- Stop. Y'all know I have a boyfriend.
Asia- We know… that's why you're coming with us. Duh.
Cindy- Yeah girl. Huey looks way better anyways.
Asia- Right. They would be cute together.
Cindy- Buttt meet us at the diner we always go to in an hour.
Me- Okay see you guys in a few.
I cut my phone off, those two were a mess. But I couldn't help but love them. Huey and I haven't hung out since the museum. I asked him to but he said he had stuff to do. It was like he was avoiding me. Maybe I was thinking too much into it. I toss the thought aside and start getting ready.
I don't have to do much since I already took a shower this morning. I just have to do something with all this hair. I decide to just put a headband bandana over it and leave it out. Refreshing the curls that need it so my hair won't look so frizzy. I put on a white crop top sweater, light blue jeans and slip on vans. Paired with some bracelets and earrings. I grab my wallet and I'm off to the restaurant.
When I arrive, Asia, Riley, and Huey are standing in the back parking lot. Asia is on her phone while Huey is leaning against his car talking to Riley as I approach. He's dressed nicely, I take note.
I walk up to the group, "Heyyy!"
"Hey bitchh." I hug Asia, stopping the boys conversion.
"Wassup Mariah. Ain't seen yo ass in a min." Riley greets me as Asia let's go of me. I give him a side hug.
"Hey Riley." I walk over to Huey next. Huey nods as a form of greeting but I wasn't going for that.
"Hello stranger. I'm Jazmine Dubois. Nice to meet you. " I put my hand out for him to shake. He rolls his eyes and takes my hand. Lingering for a moment.
"Very funny." He smirks letting go of my hand and I miss the warmth.
"So where have you been at?"
"Around." Is all Huey says. I raise an eyebrow looking at him, waiting for a better answer. But he doesn't say nothing he only stares back.
"Yooo Caesar and Cindy on their way let's go in." Riley breaks me out of us our staring fit. We all go inside, I guess Riley and Asia got a ride with Huey here.
Once inside we tell the host of the situation. And she seats us at a small round booth that fits six. Asia sits next to me and Huey is on the other side. Riley is on the other side of Asia because he mumbled something about Huey being gay. A bus boy puts some water down for us. Not even five minutes go by before Asia gets up going to the bathroom. Then Riley announced he had to go take a phone call. 'Weird'
I looked at Huey pointing to where Riley and Asia left, "Wonder where those two are going."
"I know exactly where." Huey looked disgusted and I sat there with a questioning look on my face.
He deadpans, "They went to hook up Jazmine." I widen my eyes. 'How did the thought not cross my mind?'
"Oh...In the restaurant bathroom?!" Huey nods like it's the most normal thing in the world.
"No way you're that prudish?" I glare at him, I am educated on the area of sex.
"I'm not. I'm just used to the bedroom." I say honestly.
Huey raises an eyebrow, " The bedroom isn't the only place to have sex. Some people like to be spontaneous. Is Cairo that boring?" I blushed heavily. So Huey was spontaneous? That was interesting. Also, I am embarrassed that Cairo and I haven't really did anything but some minor petting.
"Um I wouldn't know." I look down drinking my water. Hoping Huey knew what I meant. But when he doesn't respond I look at him. He just looks stoic with a hint of shock?
"Anyways, you didn't expect me to be here or something?"
"Nah Riley was just annoying me before you came." I sense lies.
"Well it seems like you never want to chill when I ask."
Huey looks off to his side, "Truth is, I don't think it's a good idea for us to hang out alone."
I look at him bewildered, "What? Why-?" I'm interrupted by Cindy and Caesar.
"Yerrr We here" Caesar daps up Huey as I greet Cindy with a hug.
"Took you guys long enough."
"Damn hello to you too Jazzy." Caesar looks at me with a fake hurt expression and I give him a small hug.
"We got held up and what up fro fro?" Cindy greets Huey and he doesn't say anything back but gives a curt nod.
Cindy shrugs, "Where dumb and dumber at?"
"The bathroom."
"We know what that means," Caesar and Cindy give a knowing look. How did everyone get it so quickly? Was I really that clueless ? Soon after they sit down. Riley and Asia come back fixing their clothes. Riley having a goofy look on his face and Asia trying to look innocent. We all just shake our heads.
"That bathroom line must have been really long huh?" I ask
"Yup someone was in there taking a shit." Asia says and I can't help but laugh at her lie.
"Who were you on the phone with Riley?" Huey quips.
Riley sucks his teeth "Nigga mind ya business. Worry about yours and I'll worry about mine," He puts an arm around Asia. Huey just ignores his younger brother.
As we sat and ate, there was an awkwardness between Huey and I. He was avoiding eye contact with me. I tried to get his attention by eyeing him but it didn't work. Our legs brushed a few times and he'd murmur "sorry" and go back to talking to Caesar or his brother but the simple touch would send electric shocks through me. The waiter even was flirting with him and I felt a pang of jealousy when he didn't brush off her advances. Instead he took her number when we were leaving. I couldn't be mad though he wasn't mine. We are friends, that's all and friends don't ignore each other. So when the two couples looped arms once we got outside I fell into step with Huey.
"Are you ignoring me now? What's with you?" I said quietly, not wanting the others to hear.
"Nothing." He doesn't even look at me.
"Something is up. What do you mean it's not a good idea for us to hang out?"
Huey sighs finally meeting my eyes, "You have a boyfriend and I get the feeling he doesn't want us to be friends or that he doesn't even know we are friends." That was partially true. Damnit Huey was too smart for my own good. Yet Cairo isn't around half the time why should I give a fuck about how he feels? 'Because you're in a relationship with him Jazmine.' I chastise myself. Ugh whatever he couldn't dictate who I could speak to when he wasn't here.
"That's not true. I told you already he doesn't mind. Don't worry." Huey just looks at me skeptically for a minute and he doesn't say anything. Till we get by my car he speaks up.
"Jazmine."
"Yes?"
"I suppose we can make plans whenever you are free."
I smile, "Really?!" Huey nods.
"Okay I'll text you then."
"Bet." Is all he says before walking off, getting into his car. All of us say our goodbyes and head home. Today actually had a nice outcome, I needed that.