Author's Note:
I've got to admit, we're in the endgame now, and I'm both excited and a little emotional. So, buckle up! After this, we have one chapter (AND an epilogue) left, and you won't wanna miss it!
Cedmaster3K:Right?! Look at our girl growing up! Tom stepping up? About time, right?!
Naturalgal29: I know, I know. But trust me, the final stretch is going to be so satisfying. Just wait—you're not ready for how everything's gonna play out.
Juey: You hit the nail on the head—this was a chapter all about people getting their lives together. You know your love life's in shamble when RUCKUS is making sense, omg. And Huey's feelings? Let's just say the real question is when he'll stop overthinking long enough to do something about it. And Tom being the real MVP this chapter?! Everybody's making stuff happen! It's perfect! Lmfao. As for how it all unfolds, you'll find out very soon lol.
As I said last time, when I get three reviews, YOU get the next chapter. All I ask is that you review the last one as well. Lmfao. I would really love to know your thoughts when it's all over. Please don't leave me hanging!
Happy Reading! And thank you all so much for all your support!
-Miss Ace Thank You
Chapter Thirteen
Step Thirteen:
So, now you've made your choice.
About time.
But the thing is, they'll never know until you tell them.
So, what are you reading this for?
Get up, and make it happen!
Go tell them how you feel.
Ugh, sunlight.
Jazmine woke up to the sun shining directly in her face and groaned.
She dragged herself downstairs and snatched a note off the fridge from her extremely apologetic father, explaining that Mr. Freeman's wedding was today and he'd agreed to be one of his groomsmen.
Her heart sank immediately when she realized there was no way she could go, especially after everything that had happened.
Huey had made it clearer than clear.
He didn't see her that way, and now, he never would.
Not with Arielle back in the picture.
If she went to the wedding, everything would be ruined, and their friendship would be over for good.
So instead, she turned on the TV and pulled up Disney Plus.
It was time to see what Star Wars was all about.
"No, Huey!" Granddad cried out as he and Riley tugged on the handle, trying to get inside. "This is a mistake! Ebony's ass is too good to be with someone like me!" He hollered. "We all know she can do better! Her ass is beautiful, smart, and curing incurable diseases every goddamn day! I don't deserve her! This ain't gon' work!"
"Duh, nigga!" Riley glared at the door. "Her ass looks good, and you an old nigga who wears purple speedos to show off your wrinkly ass body!" He dodged Huey's hit with ease, talking like he hadn't just tried to knock him into next year. "But, aye…obviously she likes all that shit for sum reason! If she didn't, she'd have been gone." Riley shrugged. "I'm tryna keep eatin' all those good meals she be cooking. And like ya said, ha ass ain't no dummy. She knows what she's doin' and ha ass likes it. So open the door, nigga! It'll be alright. Ha ass clearly don't want no one but you."
Huey raised a brow when Granddad opened the door, just as surprised as he was.
"Boy!" He stared at Riley. "Did you just show me some compassion?"
He moved over to hug him, looking at Riley like he'd won the lottery.
"Whew! I always knew if I kept beating and punishing you for actin' a goddamn fool, I'd live to see something like this!" Granddad smiled. "All my hard work with yo hardheaded behind has finally paid off!"
"Compassion?" Riley snorted. "Nah, nah! I just think we should make sure this shit happens fo' ole girl finds a new family to spoil. It's bad enough she'll have Huey's hating ass as a grandson, but living closer to Ruckus? That ain't right." He smirked, his eyes trailing over to the groomsmen waiting in the other room.
"Besides, ion' know if you noticed, but Tom's been working out, getting his life together and shit." Riley leaned forward whispering into Grandad's ear. " He's younger, wealthier, financially responsible, eager to please, and Jazmine'll be moving out soon." Riley nodded. "If you don't make it happen, she might just move on to him."
Granddad dragged them both inside, a lot more pep in his step as he turned to eye Tom, shaking his head.
"Boy, you're right!" He rushed to the dresser in his hotel room and grabbed one of his handkerchiefs, dabbing at his face. "Huey, get the cufflinks! Riley, make sure my shoes are good and steam my tux."
Granddad took a deep breath and glanced at himself in the mirror, adjusting his bow tie.
"It's time."
Jazmine was so engrossed in the movie, she barely even noticed someone picking the door open.
And by the time she had, it was way too late.
She dove to the floor, crawling out of sight until she noticed a very familiar pair of sandals from her vantage point on the ground.
"Cindy?"
She gave her a funny look, even more humiliated when Caesar snorted as well.
She rose to her feet, blushing when she noticed him staring at her TV screen in amusement.
"Caesar?!"
"Jazmine?!" They both mocked her tone, laughing at her annoyed face.
"Excuse for me being surprised." She rolled her eyes at them. "I thought you two would be at the wedding by now."
"We were." Caesar pouted, ignoring Cindy's snickering. "Mr. Freeman caught me eating a few steak kabobs and put me out. He's a little….on edge, today."
"On edge over a few steak kabobs doesn't sound like him?" Jazmine tapped her chin thoughtfully, staring at him. "How many did you really eat, Caesar?"
"Forty." Caesar shrugged, throwing his hands up when Jazmine and Cindy's jaws dropped.
"What?" He gave them both an innocent look, playfully batting his eyes. "I was hungry!"
"That's just wrong." Jazmine shook her head. "I would've put you out too."
She turned to Cindy, eyeing her warily.
"And what about you? What did you do to terrorize Mr. Freeman on his special day?"
"I was just guilty by association." Cindy shrugged. "The real question is, why aren't you at the wedding of the year? Don't you live and breathe this kinda stuff?"
Busted.
"Usually, I do, but I'm not exactly in a wedding mood today." Jazmine sighed. "It's like I told you on the phone last night, I'm happy with the decisions I made, but I think it's best if I sit this one out. Yesterday was a bit much.."
"I know." Cindy wrapped an arm around her. "It's just…you broke things off with Shawn, cut things off for good with Vince, told off both your parents, and now you're watching Star Wars for comfort?!"
"It just so happened to come on!" Jazmine protested. "And honestly, it's not that bad….I'm just, y'know….watching it, getting into the amazing world of Luke Skywalker."
Cindy and Caesar exchanged a look.
"Jazmine." Caesar was skeptical. "We all know you hate Star Wars."
"I don't know…." Jazmine shrugged. "Maybe I never gave Star Wars a chance. Maybe there was something special about the movie, something cool about Luke Skywalker going from this regular kid to this superhero willing to do anything for Princess Leia."
"Jazmine…" Cindy held up her hands as if Jazmine would detonate a bomb any minute. "Turn off the TV."
"No!" She dived back onto the couch, snatching up the remote before Cindy could confiscate it. "I need to see how it ends!"
"You need to stop using Star Wars as a hyperbole, and talk to us." Caesar rolled his eyes. "I love you, sis, but c'mon. What's really going on here?"
"Is it that obvious?" Jazmine groaned, covering her face with her hands.
"It is." Cindy nodded. "So, stop lying to us, and let it out. Why are you holed up in here watching Star Wars? Why didn't you go to the wedding? Why are you sad if you really moved on from the two guys you liked last night?"
"Because I may have realized something last night." Jazmine murmured, so low she could barely hear it. "Something like me being in love with my best friend."
Cindy's eyebrows raised.
"What was that?" Caesar asked, cupping his hand over his ear. "I didn't hear you. You were talking too low. You said you were in love with who? Cindy?"
"I said I'm in love with Huey." Jazmine rolled her eyes. "Happy now?"
To her surprise, Caesar started grinning, jumping up and down as he did a happy dance, moonwalking all over the hardwood floor in the living room.
"Yes, yes, yes!" He shouted triumphantly, pointing in Cindy's direction. "In yo face, sucka!"
"Shut up, Caesar!" Cindy shook her head at him. "You practically forced her into it."
"Nah! She confessed all on her own!" He told Cindy. "I told you Jazmine would figure it out first!"
"Figure it out…." Jazmine repeated, the realization of what happened dawning on her.
Wait, what?!"
Jazmine glared at them, her eyes darting from Cindy to Caesar. "What the hell? You two knew what was happening the entire time?! You tricked us?"
"Sort of." Cindy smiled. "We've been waiting for you two to get together for a long time." Cindy explained. "That's why we planned the whole thing."
Caesar nodded. "We knew Huey couldn't resist placing a bet on something, especially something that seemed so easy." He chuckled. "You know how much ya boy loves being right."
Cindy smirked as well. "And well, we all remember the time he beat Vince up for playing with you before the other breakup." She shrugged. "I always thought there was something more there, but you two were too stubborn to get it together. I figured this was the perfect way to encourage a good thing."
Jazmine couldn't believe what she was hearing.
The whole time, while her and Huey were focused on doing this right, her friends had been in the background, making sure that they fell for one another.
And ultimately, making shit messy as hell.
"Besides." Caesar nodded. "You couldn't resist proving everybody wrong. You don't like being told what to do, either. You two are equals when it comes to proving you're right. You just needed a little push in the right direction."
She looked at Cindy, who came to sit beside her on the couch.
"I wasn't expecting him to give you an entire book, Jazmine." Cindy frowned. "I thought about calling the entire thing off, coming clean, especially when you had that outburst in the restaurant." She sighed. "I thought Huey might've been pushing you too hard. That we'd made a mistake in putting you two in a weird predicament. I didn't want to ruin your friendship."
Caesar came closer as well, nodding.
"But as I pointed out." He boasted. "He was only going so hard because he cares about you." Caesar grinned at her pouting best friend. "And when you two were late after he bailed you out, I knew it was because you were starting to vibe with each other forreal, especially after that trip to Chicago I encouraged."
He smirked.
"We both figured one of you would realize it eventually." He grinned wider. "And I knew you'd be the one to admit it to us first."
"Well, you were wrong about everything else." Jazmine sighed, lifting her head from its spot on the couch. "I saw him out with Arielle last night, Caesar, and they looked pretty into each other." She sighed. "He's clearly still into her, not me. They're probably back together."
Caesar smirked.
"No, he's not." Caesar said. "Huey only went to dinner with her to ask her for a favor. Huey wants to keep Riley busy while he's away at school, and she's connected to someone who can get him in at the snap of a finger."
"But-"
"No buts, Jazmine…" Cindy shot her a look. "Just tell me this. Do you love him?
"Well, yeah…" Jazmine admitted. "I just don't think he feels the same way. It's not like I can just barge in and make him want me."
"We can help with that." Caesar nodded. "We just need you to cooperate."
"With what?" Jazmine raised a brow, staring at them as they exchanged yet another look.
"Well…the reception is downtown at the Wuncler hotel." Cindy grabbed Jazmine's hand, nodding. "I'm sure Mr. Freeman will want a thousand pictures from the family, so we'll have a few hours to get ready."
"Get ready?" Jazmine stared at them. "Get ready for what? Guys-"
Cindy rushed over to the door and flung it open, frantically waving her hand as a few people walked inside.
"I hope you don't mind." She grinned sheepishly, shrugging her shoulders as Jazmine's jaw dropped again. "But I kinda called for backup."
She blinked when Mrs. Paula, Mr. Reynolds, and Brandy walked inside, their presence calming her down already.
"Fried catfish for comfort." Ms. Paula grinned, holding up a small box as well, whispering into her ear. "And mints from Mr. Reynolds, just in case."
She clapped her hands together, her good mood infectious.
"I am so happy you are finally over that little arrogant, wannabe Dak Prescott!"
Brandy chuckled as well, reluctantly setting her plate to the side.
"So am I." she grinned. "I told you there was something there."
"I noticed too." Mr. Reynolds nodded. "When that boy was talking about you at my apothecary, I knew it was just a matter of time."
Jazmine looked around, sighing.
"But…what if he doesn't feel the same way?"
Everybody just shook their heads, digging into the other plates that Paula brought over.
"Don't worry." Cindy grinned, pulling out a long, black garment bag. "He does." She gave her a hug. "But just in case he's still too stubborn to admit it, we have a plan."
Huey knocked at the door to make sure everything was perfect before the wedding started.
The bridesmaids gave him soft smiles, dressed in floor length gowns for the wedding, and despite the fact that the wedding industry was a crooked, greedy, capitalistic venture monetizing the very human need for connection companionship, he had to admit….
Everyone looked good.
There were so many shades of black women and men, walking in and out of different rooms, taking photos, laughing and talking, just doing them.
It was still stupid.
They could've definitely saved a ton of money by going to the courthouse.
But Granddad was happy, and when the door finally opened, so was he.
Ms. Ebony looked so beautiful that even he was taken aback. She smiled at him as she usually did, completely unaware of just how stunning she was.
"Are they ready for me?" She asked as she fixed her veil, checking her makeup one last time before her mother helped her stand to her feet.
Huey nodded. "Yeah, they are."
Ebony shook her head, gazing at herself in the mirror until tears starting to fill her eyes.
"Don't cry, girl!" The makeup artist fussed. "You'll ruin all that pretty makeup I just did."
"I know, I know." Ebony shook her head, her voice breaking. "It's just….this day…oh my gosh…this day."
"Um…" Huey headed for the door. "I can tell them to wait a little longer."
"No…I'm ready." Ebony tried to stand up straight and then burst into tears all over again. "It's just…Huey, I'm so happy." She smiled at the laughing group of bridesmaids, all beaming as they surrounded her. "I am marrying into a wonderful family, into this big, crazy community full of people that I know and love."
Her makeup artist handed her some sort of special wipe, and Ebony began gently dabbing at her face while the woman just shook her head, pulling out all sorts of makeup out to reapply to Ebony's face.
"Marrying Robert means so much to me." She smiled before bursting into tears again. "We could've gotten married anywhere, and I would've been just as happy" She sobbed again, breaking out into an ugly cry. "But he chose to do all this, Huey! To use this day to show me how much he cares, and I just love that…I'm so….I'm so happy."
"Awwwwwwwwwwwww!"
The bridesmaids crowded her, making Ebony seem to cry even harder.
"Marrying the man you love is one thing." Ebony continued her speech, the tears still flowing down her face…and the faces of her bridesmaids. "But marrying a man that sees my worth, that really and truly wants the best for me? I couldn't ask for better. He is truly a selfless, giving man with a heart of pure gold."
Huey raised a brow at that, but even he knew better than to disillusion a happy bride on her wedding day.
In a move rare to Ebony, he gave her a small, awkward side hug, patting her shoulder before rushing out, embarrassed.
"I'll uh….go tell the pastor you're almost ready." He nodded at the bridesmaids before handing her some more tissue. "Welcome to the family.
"Awwwwww!" They all chorused loudly. "He's so sweeetttttt!"
"I knowwwww!" Ebony squealed, fanning her face as tear streamed down her cheeks. "I'm so blessed! He and his brother are just wonderful, wonderful human beings."
Huey closed the door behind him, shaking his head.
He was happy for Granddad.
He really was.
But there was no way in hell he was staying in there.
"Boy!" Granddad shouted down the hall. "Is she ready or not?!"
Huey just shot him a look and held up his hands, letting Granddad know to be patient.
Then, he waited at the door for her grand entrance, just in case she needed him.
He wondered if he'd ever love someone to give them a day like this.
And how much she'd cry if he did.
"I really don't think this is a good idea, guys."
Jazmine glanced down at herself in the gorgeous gown they'd bought her, running her hands over the silky, silver material.
"I mean, I look good, don't get me wrong, but I really don't think barging in like this is gonna help matters." She chewed her bottom lip nervous. "You know how he gets."
"Hush." Cindy rolled her eyes. "He's gonna love it."
"And hey." Brandy smiled. "If he's crazy enough not to feel the same way, at least you can move on, right?"
Jazmine froze.
Moving on from Huey?
She wasn't sure if she wanted that at all.
Vince and Shawn were one thing. Their bond was based around romance and romance only.
But Huey was her best friend, someone she didn't ever want to lose. Not ever.
"I know it's scary." Brandy told her. "But you have to take a chance on love, put yourself out there."
"I don't know." Jazmine shook her head. "He didn't really seem eager about anything in the romance department the other day."
"He might have thought you were interested in those other two boys." Ms. Paula's smile made her feel calm again. "And besides, even if you don't get the answer you want, you can always date someone new. And in the meantime, you can dig into those extra fish plates I left in the fridge."
The women all glanced at Caesar and Mr. Reynolds, waiting for him to add some words of encouragement.
But they were stuffing their faces. Both their stomachs filled with fish, barely listening to what they were saying.
"Hm?" Caesar glanced up, realizing they were staring at him. "Oh! Yeah." He nodded, grinning at Jazmine. "You look nice, Jazmine! You're gonna be the belle of the ball for sure!"
"Um hmmmm, sho is." Mr. Reynolds smiled, just as oblivious as Caesar. "You clean up nice. Dress looks just fine. Ain't no need in worrying about looking the part, babydoll. You'll fit right in at the reception.
Cindy just rolled her eyes at them.
"Unbelieveable." Cindy muttered. "You can't stop eating to be there for our friend, Caesar?"
"Why you mad?" He set down the plate, walking over to Cindy. "What did I even do?"
"Not now, Caesar!"
"...I'll just bring by some extra plates later." Ms. Paula whispered, shaking her head at her friends. "Just in case."
"Thank you." Jazmine smiled, relieved that in all this, there was some delicious catfish to look forward to.
"Now, remember." Cindy told her friend, watching as Ebony put a few flower shaped pins on the side of her hair. "You march in there, tell him how you feel, and you don't take no for an answer."
Jazmine shook her head.
"No." Jazmine decided. " I'm not gonna force it." She said. "I know what I want, and if he doesn't feel the same way, it is what it is. I'm not gonna do that to myself anymore. It's all or nothing from here on out."
To her surprise, Cindy didn't argue, or yell, or even give her a look of concern.
Instead, she reached out and hugged her.
"I'm proud of you, friend."
"Thanks." Jazmine smiled at her, laughing when Brandy cooed and snapped a photo of them snuggling into each other. "I'm proud of me too."
He still couldn't believe he'd pulled it off.
A thousand pictures later, Huey and Riley were watching Granddad dance with his new wife. The newlyweds were lost in each other, beaming with joy as they swayed from side to side.
Teddy Pendergrass played in the background, the familiar notes shifting the energy as they watched the couple sing to each other like no one else was in the room.
"I've been so many places. I've seen so many things, but none quite as lovely as you…."
Granddad pulled her closer, completely lost in the song. Ebony wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a chaste kiss before leaning her forehead against his, completely smitten by her new husband.
"This mane really did it." Riley shook his head. "Can you believe this shit?"
Huey shook his head, just as dumbfounded as his brother. "I won't lie. I for sure thought she was taking off before the wedding."
"Nigga me to!" His brother started cracking up. "She was doing all that cryin' n' shit before she walked down the aisle! I was like….ionno, maybe ha ass finally woke up and realized she could do way better than Granddad's crazy ass."
Riley paused, staring at them.
"But he really loves her nice ass." He softened, looking at them on the dance floor. "And for whatever reason, Ms. Ebony loves that nigga too."
"Yeah." Huey blinked. "He does."
"You inspire me, inspire me….."
"Shiddddd." Riley grinned. "You prolly next."
"Don't be ridiculous, Riley." Huey rolled his eyes. "I don't have time for love."
"Since when, nigga?" Riley looked at him sideways. "Yo ass so hellbent on saving the world, you don't care about love?"
"Nigga, you don't even care about love!" Huey shook his head. "You were just plannin' on makin' Shanice a baby momma the other day!"
"Cuz imma real nigga, that's why!" Riley smirked. "But haters like you are thirsty for love n' shit. That's why yo ass gon' be doin' this shit in ten years max." He nodded. "Of course, my poor sister n' law is gon' see me, and realize she can't get wit' all dis. She gon' try, but as a real nigga, imma tell her to stick with yo hating ass so you can be happy, even if yo ass only got her cuz ian' want her ass."
"How thoughtful of you, Riley." Huey shook his head, blinking when a photographer snapped a candid of him and his brother. "I never knew you cared about my happiness to begin with."
"That's cuz yo ass don't know nothing, nigga!" Riley smirked, his eyes softening again when they fell on Granddad. "But he does." He murmured, snapping another photo of them on his phone. "That nigga's got it figure out."
"Yeah." Huey nodded. "He does."
"Aye, aye, aye!" The DJ got on the loudspeakers, completely ruining the special moment between Granddad and his new wife.
"Grab someone you love and join the happy couple on the dance floor, right now!" The man hollered. "I wanna see legs poppin', rumps shakin', and hips breakin'! Ya know what time it is! It's time to pop yo shit, muthafuckas! Let's get this party starteeedddd!"
It was clear that Granddad was pissed, but just as he started to rush over and give the DJ a piece of his mind, Ebony fell straight back and laughed, causing him to laugh as well.
Huey just shook his head, relieved he'd captured that moment on video.
"Have fun, hater!" His brother chuckled. "My date's waiting."
Huey rolled his eyes, not even bothering to say anything when his brother went to pull Shanice onto the floor.
Instead, he held up his phone, recording as Shanice draped her arms around her neck and leaned in close, whispering something to his brother.
He blushed at whatever she was saying, until Huey sent the video to his phone with a smirk.
"Not very real nigga of you, but…. I see you."
Riley maneuvered Shanice away from Huey as smoothly as he could, twirling her around until Riley could flip him off without her noticing.
Huey just shrugged at him, lifting his phone.
He'd gotten plenty of ammo to shut him up.
For now, anyway.
"Wow. You two are never gonna stop fighting, are you?"
Huey didn't have to guess who she was. He'd gotten to the point that he could feel Jazmine without even having to look at her, but when he did…..
Wow.
Jazmine looked….grown. The awkward, silly girl next door was standing in front of him with his book, completely different from the girl he'd worked with a few weeks ago. He could tell that this Jazmine was completely self-assured, confident, and ready to take on the world.
And he felt an astonishing amount of pride in knowing that he'd be the one to help her achieve that, even if deep down he knew she would've gotten there on her own.
With or without him.
"Your granddad looks happy." She smiled, watching him and Ebony in the center, dancing as if they were in their own little bubble.
Huey tore his eyes away from her to watch them again, a tiny smile coming to the surface as he watched them cheer on Riley and Shanice. "That's because he is."
Jazmine nodded, glancing at the open patio near the back door.
"Do you mind if we talk?"
Talking to Jazmine, or watching black people act a fool on the dance floor for no damn reason.
It wasn't a hard choice at all.
"Let's go."
He reminded himself to stay calm when Jazmine made her way to the exit with him close behind.
She smelled good, and all he could think about was how good her hair looked, and how good she looked, which was bad, considering he'd just apologized for taking advantage of her the other day.
When she finally made her way onto the other end of the patio, he made sure the doors were unlocked and then closed them, nodding.
"What's up?" He asked her, raising a brow. "What made you change your mind about coming tonight? Not that I'm mad that you're here. I'm just curious."
"Honestly?" She gave him a nervous look, rubbing her shoulder. "I don't know where to start."
"Then, let's try the beginning." He shrugged.
"Okay." She took a deep breath. "Yesterday, and the day before that, I was confused about choosing between Shawn and Vince. It was like…I couldn't think straight because my focus was somewhere else."
"That's normal." He nodded. "I mean, when you're getting over someone it's standard procedure to be honest."
"That's what I thought, too." Jazmine admitted. "I had a lot to work through with my parents, still do, if I'm being honest. But the whole Shawn thing was pretty easy. The only reason it wasn't gonna work was because I didn't really want him, no matter how bad I wanted to."
When he didn't say anything, she kept on talking.
"I know why I kissed Vince after you and I were arguing that night." She took another deep breath, moving towards him. "It's the same reason I went to the movies with you to see Star Wars and then watched it again last night, once I got sad-"
"Hold up." Huey smirked. "You watched Star Wars, and your grandma didn't die again?" He snorted. "Maybe God does exist."
"Not now, Huey!" She threw up her hands. "Don't you get it?" She moved closer. "It's the same reason I fought your ex, the same reason we've been acting the way we've been acting, the reason I'm always hugging you, going to you for any and everything. It's the reason I got so mad you said there was nothing between us."
"Jazmine…."
"No." She lifted her chin, looking straight into his eyes as she closed the space between them. "I'm not gonna shut up or run away this time." She nodded. "I'm not joking, I'm not hung up on Vince, and I'm definitely not interested in Shawn, Huey. I want you."
His jaw fell open when she pressed herself against him, her eyes soft.
"And…" She paused, placing her arms around his neck. "I love you."
"What?" He wheezed, gently pulling himself out of her grasp. "Look, Jazmine. I get it. You think you've exhausted all your options, and you're scared to be alone right now. It happens." He sighed, being as gentle as he could. "But I told you, this is just because you're vulnerable. It'll pass."
Jazmine jerked back like he'd hauled off and slapped her.
"You can't be serious right now!"
"Jazmine, we've been through this before." He told her, hoping they weren't making a scene. "You just want a fairytale, some perfect ending. But life doesn't work that way!"
"No, Huey." She glared. "That's not true! I've always liked you, even when we were kids. But Vince came along, and you were dating Arielle. It just…I guess I never noticed it until now." She sighed. "My feelings aren't because of me being vulnerable from a bad relationship. It's because it's really how I feel, Huey. I love you."
Huey sighed, not wanting to hurt her. But judging from the look on her face, the hurt was inevitable.
"If you don't love me, it's okay." She continued, still confident and self-assured. "Really, it is." She paused, nodding. "I just…I wanted to tell you face to face. I guess I thought if you saw I was being honest, you'd be more open to what I had to say." She took a deep breath. "But now, I guess I have to be open to what you're feeling, whatever it is." She looked at him, her eyes certain, not showing any signs of tears. "So, are you sure you don't feel the same way? Are you sure don't love me back?"
He sucked in another breath, his eyes firm as he stared at her in her gown, her arms crossed tight, as if protecting herself from what she instinctively knew was coming.
"I'm sorry." He said finally, holding her gaze. "But I don't feel the same way." He sighed. "And when the dust settles, I think you'll come to realize that neither do you."
"Oh…." Jazmine's voice faltered immediately, and tears filled her eyes. "Sure. Of course. I'll, um…." She blinked when the tears started streaming down her cheeks, nearly falling over as she tried to rush past him. "Thanks. I'll just go."
He tried to comfort her, but before he could say anything else, she was darting away from the patio, rushing through the crowd as she cried her eyes out.
He watched from where he stood, wincing when she tossed the book he'd given her into the trash.
She gave him another sad look before disappearing into the hall, but he held firm, refusing to go after her.
No matter how bad he wanted to.
Cindy was the first to fling open the door when she made it back to her house.
"How'd it…." She sighed when she saw Jazmine's wounded expression. "He shut you down, didn't he?"
"Of course he did." Jazmine snapped, relenting when she saw how hurt her friend looked. "I'm sorry, Cin. I didn't mean it." She sat down on the couch and sighed. "I know you guys thought differently, but it's done, and I'm good." She shrugged. "I finally got my answer, and now, I can move on."
"Are you sure he isn't scared?" Caesar eased over to her. "I know how he gets, and I'm sure he just needs some time to sort things out. Process everything."
"It's like he said." Jazmine frowned, shaking her head at them. "Either he loves me, or he doesn't. It shouldn't be this hard. I asked him if he was sure, and he said he didn't feel the same way, again." She shook her head. "It's time to face the music, guys. It's not happening. I'm sorry."
They both sighed, the weight of her words hanging in the air.
"Just...go." She sighed, afraid she would burst into tears all over again if she kept talking. "I'll be fine."
"Um, no!" Cindy objected, rushing over to her side. "We're not leaving you here by yourself!"
"Yeah, girl!" Caesar grinned. "We got your back and yo front!" He got up, passing her a plate of catfish. "You want us to turn on some Vivica Fox movies?" He lifted the remote. "We can…."
Cindy whacked his arm when Jazmine burst into tears, the thought of the movie bringing Huey to the forefront immediately.
"Caesar!"
"What?"
"You can't bring up stuff that Huey banned. That is not gonna cheer her up!" Cindy fussed. "You're terrible at this!"
"Well, It's not like there's a guide to handling Jazmine's breakups…" He winced when Jazmine cried even louder. "I'm doing the best that I can! What do you want me to be? Her daddy?"
They all froze when Tom cleared his throat, easing into the living room, his dress shoes squeaking on the floor.
"Cindy. Caesar." He nodded, giving them a short smile. "I appreciate you two checking in on your friend, but I think I've got it handled from here."
They both glanced over at Jazmine, who was still swiping at her face, trying (and failing) to stop crying over Huey.
"It's fine guys." She gave them a half-hearted smile. "Go."
"Okay." Cindy gave her a hug, gently smoothing down her hair. "But I'll be calling you first thing tomorrow to check on you."
Jazmine nodded. "Okay."
"Keep ya head up, Jaz." Caesar told her, nodding back at her dad. "It'll be alright. We'll swing by tomorrow, okay?"
She nodded, waving at them until they rushed out the door.
Jazmine shifted awkwardly in front of her father, who waited until Caesar's engine started and his car rumbled down the street before he sighed and took a deep breath, staring back at her.
The stareoff continued until he finally eased into the armchair in front of her and kicked off his shoes, nodding.
"I saw what happened with Huey, honey." He told her. "Not everything, but enough to hear the tailend of the conversation before you rushed out."
Well, great.
Even her dad knew the details of her awful love life.
"I think Caesar's right." He continued. "Honey, you just dropped a huge bomb on Huey tonight, and he probably needs a few days to figure things out."
Jazmine shook her head.
"That doesn't matter." Jazmine sniffled. "Because I'm still in love with him, and he's…he's just not."
"Oh, honey." Tom rushed over, pulling her into his arms despite her shaking her head no. "You put yourself out there tonight, and that's something to be proud of." He nodded. "What you did was something I'd never do in a million years. It took guts." He chuckled. "And that's something you definitely didn't get from me."
"Who else would it come from?" Jazmine snorted through her tears. "Some magical force in the universe?"
"No." Tom smiled at her. "It comes from your mother."
"Ugh." She rolled her eyes, pulling away from him. "Way to ruin it, Dad."
"I'm serious." He softened. "You have your mother's spunk, her outspokenness, her strength. You're turning into a beautiful young woman. She may not admit it, I know I don't." He sighed. "But we're very proud."
"Then how come she's barely around?!" Jazmine pushed herself back on the couch, rolling her eyes. "She hasn't even called me since the other day."
Her dad froze, pulling back to look at her.
"Because." Her dad sighed, taking a deep breath. "I messed up." He admitted. "Jazmine, you're mad at your mother because you think she's marrying a guy she was cheating with, but I'm the one who chose to end things. After being the one who had an affair."
Jazmine didn't know what to say.
"I…." She felt her heart sink into the bottom of her stomach. "I didn't know."
"And that's my fault, not yours, or hers." Tom told her. "Your mother and I agreed it'd be best to let you finish school here. Uprooting you would've been incredibly selfish, and it was really hard for your mom to be here after everything that had happened. I agreed to stay here and keep up with you, since that's what you're used to. She wanted you in New York with her, but we just figured it was better for you here. I'm sorry."
Jazmine felt even worst, knowing the truth behind everything.
"But that's no excuse for how we made you feel." He hung his head. "For you to grow up with so many questions, feeling like you had to go to one of your peers for answers instead of us…it's unforgivable." He told her. "When you were a kid, we just thought it was a cute little game between you and Huey. I had no idea you were so confused."
"I didn't either." She managed. "I mean…you guys didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with how our dynamic was. You didn't think there was anything wrong with how you handled me being me, my hair, my heritage, anything." She sighed. "Until Huey came around, I couldn't put into words what I was experiencing, and I guess…..the more you guys swept things under the rug, the less willing I was to talk."
"I get that." Her father nodded, lifting her chin as she lowered her head. "And I want you to know that it was our responsibility to make sure you were loved, secure, and cared for. For you to feel anything less than protected and safe means I have failed you as a father, and I hope you can forgive me for that one day."
"That's not true. I-"
"It is true, Jazmine." Her father nodded, suddenly regretful. "And I'm sorry. I am deeply, truly sorry for all the pain I ever caused you." He pulled out his phone. "I know you've been going to therapy, and I'd like to join you in some sessions as well, along with having some sessions of my own so that I can work to be a better father." He nodded. "I'm sure that in time, your mother will come around to doing the same."
Jazmine blinked back tears.
It was finally here, the olive branch she'd always wanted with her parents.
She reached out and hugged him, relieved that something had gone right, tonight.
He smiled slightly, his brow furrowing as he glanced down at her and then up to what was playing on the television.
"Honey?"
"Yeah?"
"Since when do you watch Star Wars?"
Ebony and Granddad were so happy with the photos they'd taken, they didn't seem to realize everyone else was exhausted.
Aunt Cookie and her husband were half asleep at their table.
Quite a few of the other guests had finally lost steam, struggling to stay alert on the empty dance floor, and the rest of them were slowly making their rounds to leave, inching closer and closer to the door as they said their goodbyes to the happy couple.
He had wandered back out to the patio, watching the quiet streets as the wind blew through his hair.
Jazmine had poured her heart out to him, and he'd pushed her away before he'd realized that she was right.
He was just as in love with her as she was with him, probably even more.
And now, there was nothing he could do about it.
He blew it.
"Your ass is too young to be looking so damn pensive." His Uncle Fred walked through the French doors to stand right beside him. "You gon' end up with wrinkles by the time you're twenty-five, boy!"
"I'm just thinking, Uncle Fred." Huey shook his head. "I'm fine."
"The jury's still out on that." His great uncle smirked. "Talk to me. What's got you down, nephew?"
"Nothing." Huey kept his eyes on the street, watching one of his cousins flop into their car and drive off.
"Nothing, huh?" His uncle sat in one of the chairs on the patio. "Well nothing ran outta here pretty fast a few hours ago. Pretty little ole thang, kinda tall, real pretty hair color in a real pretty dress." He smirked. "What happened to make her run up outta here like that?"
"She told me she loved me." Huey shrugged. "And I told her I didn't feel the same way."
"I see." Fred nodded. "Well, if that was true, why you so down in the dumps? You ain't gotta worry too much about it. You'll be leaving soon, and you're used to girls liking you who don't like you back at this age…aren't you?"
"Man, I dunno." Huey leaned over the railing. "With Jazmine, it's different. I thought I was doing the right thing, saving our friendship. It's complicated."
"How complicated?" His uncle raised a brow. "Are you two…y'know?"
"Hell no!" Huey shook his head. "It's not that kind of complicated." He said. "I made a bet with her friend that if she moved on, didn't go back to her ex, that I'd get a thousand bucks. Two thousand if she moved on to someone else."
"Sounds pretty simple to me." His uncle thought it over. "What's complicated about that?"
"I wrote a book." Huey said. "It's this guide to dating I made for Granddad. It worked well for everyone, everyone except her." He shrugged. "I ended up being a lot more hands on with her to help keep her on track. She needed a bit more coaching than the rest of the people I helped."
Huey turned to face him, sighing.
"But I also blurred the lines in the process." He said quietly, ashamed of what he'd done. "By the time I realized what was going on, I tried to stop it, tried to talk to her about it, but-"
"The damage had already been done." Fred nodded. "I think I follow."
"I wasn't trying to hurt her." Huey frowned. "She just caught me off guard, running in here with all that."
"But now that you've had a moment to think…." Fred stood up, eyeing him with a knowing look. "Do you feel any differently?"
"I didn't think I did at first." Huey admitted. "But it isn't right, her not being here. Her not being in my life period, it isn't right."
"Because you miss your friend?"
"No."
"Because you're used to her being around all the time?"
"No!"
"Then, whassup?" His uncle stared him down. "Why you mad?"
"I'm not mad." Huey sighed. "I just….love her." Huey looked back over the railing again. "And I didn't tell her when I had the chance."
His uncle snorted, laughing at him.
"Boy!" He slapped his knee, trying to catch his breath. "Ain't yo' ass still breathing?"
"What?" Huey turned to look at him.
"I asked a question." His uncle grinned. "Ain't your ass still breathing?"
His uncle repeated it again, looking at him like he was crazy.
"You young bloods today are soft as hell!" He rolled his eyes. "You know where to find her! Hell, ya ass got a cell phone, a GPS app, two working legs, and a car. If you want her, find her and make it right!"
Huey nodded, grabbing his keys.
"You're right." He headed for the door, his keys jangling in his hands. "I'm gonna go and-"
His uncle shot him a look, gesturing over to Granddad and Ebony, who had somehow made their way back to the dance floor, still dancing and drinking with some of his cousins, who'd mysteriously regained their strength.
He paused, wincing at his uncle's expression. "You meant tomorrow, didn't you?"
"Uh huh." Fred laughed. "Yo ass ain't getting me cussed out on Robert's wedding day! Yo girl will have to wait another day."
Huey sighed, glancing at his phone.
Maybe he was right.
But just in case it wasn't…
He was already planning the perfect Plan B.
Once you got past the boring theme song, Star Wars was actually a really good movie.
And the great thing about it was there was more than enough of them to keep her busy.
Despite everything, Jazmine was grateful that things played out the way that they had.
Without Huey's book, she never would've gotten back into watching ballet, gone to two concerts, discovered Garrett's popcorn and the beauty of Chicago, gotten into Pilates and yoga, and she definitely wouldn't have met someone like Shawn, a guy who renewed her hope in good guys that treated girls the way they should be treated.
Hell, she never would've been able to experience a date with Liam, one that was awkward at first but turned into something special.
Much like the movie, she'd never given a lot of things a fair chance.
But now that she had, she realized that leaps of faith were well worth it.
Because without those experiences, she'd still be stuck in a sad, pathetic rut, doing the same old stuff with the same awful guy.
But now?
Things were different. She knew more about herself after this experience than she ever had in her entire life.
And she felt confident that from here on out, everything would be fine, and she'd be ready for whatever life threw at her.
Huey didn't love her back, and that hurt. But what he'd given her was way better than some grand, melodramatic love story.
Because, in a way, he'd actually granted her a true sense of self.
And that, she decided, was far better than any boy, or man she'd come across in this lifetime.
One day, the stars would align, and she'd actually meet someone who felt the same way, who added to her happiness, who made her feel cherished and loved.
But right now, her feet hurt, her throat was dry, and her best friend had just broken her heart.
So until that day came, she planned on taking some time to wallow, maybe diving into the huge pan of catfish Ms. Paula placed in her fridge.
It was the last thing she thought about before drifting off to sleep, the chaos forgotten.