What's good ya'll! Back with the update in a more reasonable time! Look at Gawd! I really hope ya'll like this chapter! Because it's the longest one so far! Idk how I keep typing these long ass chapters tbh lol. I just be wanting to make sure I capture the scenery, because I'm a very visual person. If i'm being overly-detailed, PLEASE don't be afraid to let me know! I know I can get carried away sometimes because too many details can make the story get blurry, so Please just lmk what ya'll think in the reviews!

Anyways, I have to mention that I did borrow a scene from the HBO show 'True Blood' that I integrated into a scene for this chapter, which I think you will find absolutely HILARIOUS! All my other fellow True Blood fans might catch it when they read it but I hope ya'll won't mind! I understand there's no creativity just copying scenes from shows, and I've NEVER done this in ANY of my stories. But I honestly thought that this 'True Blood' scene fit this scene for my story PERFECTLY lol! At least I'm mentioning it, hell!

Shoutouts!:

GREENPEACE1990: Thank you for the support doll! Please continue your reviews!

Chel29: I've missed you too girly! I'm doing better with my updates now I promise! And yeah, Jazmine came up from the gutter since then. You think Huey and Jazzy were freaks LAST chapter? Girl...keep reading! ;) ;) Lemme know what ya think!

ThickBlackGirl: That actually did come across my mind with Riley throwing up gang signs! ctfu that's crazy you said that! But even though he's got that hard-headed exterior, he's still very adaptable and insightful like his brother in SOME ways. And you gotta love it when Huey shows his soft spot for our Jazzy Baby. But you can only withstand the teasing for so longgg... hence, read this chapter and find out! HAHAAAA! And Ik, I'm getting around to Jazmine quitting smoking. Hell, I'm getting around to it myself lmao! Please review luv! :-*

I hope you all enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE BOONDOCKS OR ANY OF AARON MCGRUDER'S CHARACTERS!

WARNING: Lemony Smut contained in this chapter ;)

Huey was finishing updating some test scores in his office. Surprisingly, most of his students were above 80% average this semester before finals. He would never have guessed with how dense some of them were when it came to discussing certain black history subjects. Being at a PWI was, in fact, alienating for a man of his background, but he was nowhere near intimidated by that. The only other brother working in the institute was Blake, so at least there was some color in the place besides him. There was a knock on his door that made him look up from his computer.

"Uhmm.. excuse me? Dr. Freeman?" His top student, Jocelyn Mitchell poked her head in his office. "Mind if I talk to you just real quick about my final paper?"

"Of course, Ms. Mitchell. Have a seat," Huey gestured to one of the two open seats in front of his desk, which she gladly obliged, closing the door behind her. Jocelyn was a light-skinned, biracial, twenty one year-old, with black curly hair going down past her shoulders, and matching dark eyes. She had defined cheek bones, a strong jaw, big, wide lips and and an even brighter smile. One might even confuse her for the actress, Jurnee Smollett-Bell. The resemblance was uncanny. She was very participating and outspoken in class, and was nearly always the first person to raise her hand to answer his questions. It was students like her that made him proud of his job….his JOB! "So how can I help?"

"Well, I finally came up with a title for it! 'The One Drop Rule, Today: An Irrevocably Dominant Gene or Jim Crowe?' Jocelyn stated pulling a folder out of her backpack and getting out her paper.

"Captivating," Huey complimented. "Very strong title."

"Yeah, thanks! But my main problem is that I feel like my thesis is still missing its main viewpoint. It is kind of indecent for average readers, but, you see this topic is personal to me and I really want it to be perfect!" She spoke genuinely. "I'm not only typing this for a grade, but I want to submit it with my application to Yale for Law School. I want to become a defense attorney for accused minorities. If it's good, I could get a pretty hefty scholarship." Huey's eyebrows rose in shock. He understood she was very adamant about black history, otherwise she wouldn't be in this class, along with a few other related courses. But he obviously underestimated her integrity.

"I completely understand," Huey folded his hands on his desk, followed by his usual scowl. But Jocelyn was one of the very few at school who his threatening demeanor didn't shake. "Did you go over it with Dr. Jarrett?" Dr. Jarrett – a white, pious, closed-minded man – was the head instructor that Huey assisted for. You could only imagine Huey's discontent with that irony. He hardly even acted like the head instructor at times. Out of the eight total classes they had a week, Huey taught at least five on his own. Not that he was complaining. At least the material would be taught efficiently.

"Of course not!" Jocelyn scoffed. "You and I both know he gets cringy over certain material. He couldn't possibly give me the best input for this! 'The Mulatto history is just as gruesome and complicated as the Negro.' I believe he said" Jocelyn sneered, rolling her eyes.

"Right.." Huey muttered. "Well, let's see what you have so far." Huey reached out for her paper and she handed it to him.

Half an hour went by and they finally got her thesis officiated, with most of the details and illustrations that she really wanted to include, carefully worded and phrased much to his advisement.

"I just don't see why I can't put that in there," Jocelyn shook her head. "It really is vital to the paper."

"I'm sure they can read between the lines, Ms. Mitchell. Trust me, they will know what you mean. You forget who you're submitting this to." Huey eyed her over the rim of her papers.

"Ironic isn't it? We gain the education to read and write, and yet still, we can't speak our truth," Jocelyn shook her head and chuckled. "Ever since the Civil Rights was passed, they think they can just turn a blind eye and say 'Alright! So we're good now?' It's like they're afraid of their own injustices."

Déjà vu, Huey thought.

"Sounds like to me, you classify yourself as a whole black person anyway, despite the argument you make in your paper." He stacked her papers up neatly and placed them on the desk in front of her. He looked at the neat stack and laughed in his head, thinking about what Jazmine had flirtatiously said to him last week.

Okay, enough Freeman! There's an actual genuine student in front of you! Don't be a dick! Huey thought, before clearing his head.

"Well… yeah," Jocelyn's tone changed. "…But I'm not a hypocrite! It's easy for a black person to see that I'm mixed. But if I was walking down the sidewalk in a white neighborhood, one wouldn't automatically call me mixed, or even white. I may have lighter skin, but my black characteristics outweigh it a million to one! So they would just automatically assume that I'm black! That analogy was clearly emphasized on the third page, second paragraph!" She flipped the pages and pointed to the direct sentence. Huey sat back impressed.

"You're going to make one helluva lawyer, Ms. Mitchell," Huey smirked.

"Oh I know it," she smirked back, as she cockily flipped her hair over her shoulder, exposing her dangling hoop earring with the shape of Africa in the middle. "But that's because I had such a helluva instructor."

"I'm just the educator. Your talents are your own, Ms. Mitchell," Huey acknowledged her compliment.

"Please, Jocelyn," she insisted, eyeing him from across the desk. "Are you saying that I'm talented, Huey?" She asked with a subtle flirtatious tone. Huey cleared his throat and sat up straighter in his chair. Jocelyn smirked and looked down at her lap.

"For a star pupil such as yourself, indeed, Ms. Mitchell. Was there anything else you needed?" Huey politely curved. Jocelyn gave a soft grin and a light chuckle.

Was worth the shot, she inwardly shrugged. "No, Dr. Freeman. I've taken up enough of your time," she grabbed her papers and slipped them back into her folder and placed them in her backpack, zipping it up.

"No hassle at all," Huey nodded standing up and making his way around his desk. Just as she stood up, another knock came at the door.

"Come in!" Huey called out. And in, walked Blake in a gray suit with a white button down and a light purple tie.

"Oh!..am I..interrupting something?" Blake teasingly asked. Huey just rolled his eyes.

"No, Dr. Robinson, I was just leaving," Jocelyn chuckled. "Thanks a lot, Dr. Freeman. Have a good break!" Jocelyn shot him a huge smile and waved as she made her way to the door.

"No problem, Ms. Mitchell. You too," Huey nodded towards her.

As she walked out of the office, Blake held his smug, amused smirk on her until she left. Then his look shifted over towards Huey, who only shook his head at him and resumed his work at his computer.

"Ole' girl be visiting in here more and more it looks like," Blake fueled.

"Oh, does it?" Huey grumbled. "She just needed help with her final paper, that's it. She's my top student, and it shows. So she's bound to drop in every now and then."

"Uh-huh, more like drop it down on dat di-"

"BLAKE! Don't make me show out in front of these white folk, cause you know I will!" Huey shouted a little too loud.

"Damn, nigga chill out!" Blake loudly whispered back, before poking his head outside of the office to make sure no one was around, and then closing the door. "I'm only playin' nigga! You tryna get a brotha fired up in here! Hell, I was just tryna see if you wanted to stop at Henry's after work. Start break off right wit' a few drinks, some pool, get a couple girls' digits? What'chu say?"

Huey thought it over. It has been a minute since they've kicked back and let loose. And he could definitely use a drink.

"Yes to the first two," Huey muttered, finishing up the last column of grades and turning off his desktop.

"Awh yeahhh, the mysterious 'silent beauty'," Blake teased. "So that's still goin' strong huh?"

"It's going…" Huey rolled his eyes as he placed some paperwork in his briefcase. "And don't refer to her silence as an identifier. She's much more than that."

"Ah come on, Freeman. You're more uptight about this woman than I've seen you with anything else. What gives bro?" Blake asked with a smirk.

"Nothing," Huey went over to the coat rack and took down his coat, beginning to put it on. "If you actually knew her, you would know that her muteness doesn't become her."

"Well, I mean it is the only thing you've told me about her, other than the fact ya'll are childhood friends."

"And that's all you need to know. So drop it.." Huey said in a warning tone. Blake threw his hands up in defense as Huey collected his things. "Let's go." And they headed out of his office.

"Man, what's the deal, Trish? You must not like me or somethin'," Riley complained as he laid butt-naked under her sheets, with his hands tied up by satin scarves to the metal railings of her headboard.

Yes, Trisha Adelaide-Giovanna Romano was into bondage, which explained her dominant mentality in the bedroom perfectly. Riley foolishly thought he was able to conquer that part of her, but by the looks of his current situation, he wasn't so successful. But he wasn't complaining either! Shit was incredibly sexy! Every sliver of pleasure was amplified, knowing that she was the sole cause of it and that there was nothing he could do to but let her do what she does. God forbid ANYONE see him like this!

"Sure, I like you Reezy," Trisha said reassuringly as she sat at her vanity, applying a bit more pink lip gloss to her perfectly plump lips. "I wouldn't just tie up any man to my bed." She fluffed her voluminous hair, which was in a half-up, half-down style, and applied a bit more mascara to her already long eyelashes.

"So stay in…Jazmine won't mind," Riley eyed her hungrily from the bed. She wore black high-waisted jeans that hugged her frame perfectly, and accentuated her lean, coke-bottle figure as she sat on the stool. She had nude-pink pumps on her feet, that emphasized her leg muscles, making her look like a mustang! Her splendidly smooth, tan skin glistened luminously from the mirror lights, which contrasted beautifully to the sheer, black, lace bra she wore, keeping her bust in its mouthwatering, voluptuous confinement. Riley could literally feel himself arise from beneath the sheets.

Everything about this woman SCREAMED sex appeal, even when she wasn't trying! Her beauty radiated from within, like the deep-rooted ancestry of her homeland that she passionately loved. And not only that, she was exceedingly smart, held a stable career, had a spit-fire personality, and – his favorite quality about her – she could throw down in the kitchen! One thing to please his eyes, but to please his stomach?! Where them PAPERS at?! Whoa whoa whoa! Slow down, Reezy! He quickly shook the idea out of his head.

"One, Jazmine would mind." Trisha scoffed, clasping a pink pearl necklace around her neck and matching earrings. "We have a lot of things to do before Thanksgiving tomorrow and she'll kill me if I'm not there. And two, I already told you we can't be mixing pleasure with business, Papi. We don't need a repeat of the first time!" Trisha had gotten up from her stool and took her silver/off-blue, silk, long-sleeve Emporio Armani blouse with pink and sky-blue brush-print patterns on it, off the hanger and began buttoning it down her body. Riley watched frustratingly as the last of her exposed, and marvelously toned stomach was covered. "And three we've had sex like over ten times in the past week. At this rate we're gonna burn out before the end of the month if we don't slow down," She made her way over to the bed and kneeled down on the edge with a sultry look in her eye. "Because you're gonna start acting all weird, and closed-off and distant, and I'm not trying to go down that road with you baby."

Trisha wasn't an idiot. She may not have known Riley like the back of her hand, but she knew well enough about men to know that their sexual drive is just as easily dimmed as it is sparked. They weren't exclusive by any means, but they sure fucked like they were. Riley had stamina, and Trisha had the endurance to match. It was almost sinful how well they could work each other's bodies. It was intoxicating and addictive. However, she knew better than to fall into it.

"…But I'm horny," Riley grunted as he nodded down at the well apparent tent he made with her sheets. When was this man never horny?! He clearly didn't understand who had the upper-hand in this situation. That dominant side of her started to come out. So, she had a pretty thorough, but scandalous, idea on how to get him to pipe down and behave.

"Awww…well I'll be home a little later tonight…" Trisha cooed as she ran her hands down his muscular body and stopped at his waist, where the sheets covered him, and started scratching at his hipbones. Riley exhaled heavily as his ab muscles tightened at her touch. Trisha bit her bottom lip as she let her hand slip underneath and gave him a couple long, tender strokes. She saw his face twist up and how hard he was trying to steady his breathing. "Will you be a good boy until I get back?" And she stopped her actions. Riley's eyes snapped open.

"Wha-?" Riley got a worried look. Trisha made a fake-shocked look at him. "Hol' up!..you…" He sat up straighter. Trisha gasped playfully at her own mischief. "You are NOT leaving me here like this," Riley wasn't sure if that came out as a command or a questioning plea.

"Ohhh," Trisha let out a sinister laugh. "You better be happy that's all I'm doin' to you Papito." She gave him a teasing lick on his lips before kissing them, followed by the same on his nose. All the while, Riley was staring at the woman like she had red horns coming out of her head. "You can just think of it as foreplay," she winked as she lifted off the bed and headed out her bedroom door.

"Foreplay 'dese NUTS! You better not!" Riley shouted after her, but all he heard were her clacking heels getting fainter and fainter. Riley sat back against the headboard in disbelief. When he heard her front door close and lock, he just smiled and chuckled like she HAD to be playing. "Aite, this ain't funny God Damn it!" Riley hollered. Then he heard her car start up and drive off. "GOD…DAMN IT!...DON'T!...NAHH!...FFFUUUCKK!.." Riley shouted as he pulled at the scarves around his wrists, but to no avail. If anything they only tightened. They weren't just some ordinary knots. Trisha tied them military style and far enough to where his mouth couldn't reach and bite them off. He continued to kick and and thrash about like a wild animal caught in a trap, until he fell back exhausted. "Fuckin' crazy ass BITCH!" Riley hollered. "You best HOPE I don't get outta this shit!"

Jazmine was typing away at her computer, finishing up some vital chain emails for work before the holiday weekend. Come the new year, she was going to be doing a lot of traveling. First, was the Invictus Conference in Miami in January. She had just sent in her proposal and was still working on her introduction speech, but all and all, she was more than ready for the new year.

She was currently waiting for Trisha to get here so they could go pick up Tom and his parents from the train station, then pick up Sarah from the airport. When Robert heard that Tom and Sarah were visiting, he just had to insist that they all come over for Thanksgiving dinner. Jazmine was thankful that he offered, for it took the pressure off her having to entertain everybody. But at the same time, this weekend was a shit storm waiting to happen. For the obvious reasons….they were her parents, her divorced parents at that!

She had spent the past two days cleaning and preparing the guest bedrooms. It was going to be a full house, and also, the first time her parents would be back under their first family roof, together. It was going to be an eventful weekend, and she wanted it to go smoothly, or as smoothly as two ex-spouses under the same roof could be.

She released a pent up sigh as she rubbed her head stressfully. She looked to her right, past her mouse, where her zippo lighter laid. She's hardly put the thing down since she made that promise to herself a week and a half ago. She's been compulsively lighting it and closing it like a crazy woman. She grabbed it and leaned back in her chair, tracing its engravings. She opened it, lit it and let the flame sit for a second. It was a small flame now. It hardly rose past the eyelet. She thought she would have wanted to savor what fuel was left. Much to her shock, she was tired of prolonging it. She was tired of mourning. She wanted to be free. She wanted to move on. She wanted to love again. That was probably a far stretch, but it was something she was willing to reach for. She looked at their high school picture on her desk.

'I love you so much, Matthew Caulton, so much! Words don't describe how much I miss you… She thought in her head. 'You will always be in my heart…. But I don't know how much longer I can hold on.' Her heart shattered into a thousand pieces as she thought those words. It was harsh, but it was true. Her time mourning was coming to an end. And she didn't feel the slightest shame about it.

She heard her front door open, for she left it unlocked so Trisha could let herself in. She quickly closed her lighter and put it in her pocket before turning off her desktop and making her way downstairs.

"Hey girl! Ready for this?" Trisha asked as Jazmine came down the stairs.

'Not really,' Jazmine stopped at a mirror on the wall and patted down her clothes. She had on a burgundy, cut-off sweater, a black, leather, high-waisted skirt, black stockings, brown leather ankle-boots, and gold jewelry, including her locket. 'It's been so long since we've all been in this house together. What if it's a disaster?'

"Well, back then it was your parents' house. Now, it's yours. You can fill it with better memories than they did. Make it the home you always envisioned." Trisha advised.

'Yeah, I guess you're right.' Jazmine gave a hard sigh. 'I've just been stressing about this all week. My dad has been hounding me about this house since I moved in, my grandparents are fucking snobs, and I've hardly seen my mom since…I don't know when,' Jazmine shook her head. 'Now everything is randomly supposed to be hunky-dory because it's our first time coming back together as a family.'

"Hon', sometimes that's all the incentive a family needs, to regroup. It'll be fine!" Trisha reassured her. Jazmine just shrugged and grabbed her car keys. As they threw on their coats, Jazmine noticed Trisha smirking and giggling to herself. She lifted her eyebrow at her, like Huey's signature look.

'And what's got you acting all happy?' Jazmine signed as they stepped outside.

Riley was fuming with absolute rage. He simply laid in Trisha's bed, tied up like a helpless negro sex slave! It had to have been at least two hours since Trisha left him like this. This shit was sooo GAY! But fuck it felt good as hell at the time! Now, that bitch was dead meat! Whether it be when she got back, or he broke out of here somehow, that ass was his the next time he saw her. And not in a good way!

He had looked all around for his phone that he possibly could over a hundred times but it was nowhere in sight. Until he heard vibrations erupt from the floor, just under the brass nightstand to his left. Riley's head snapped up and he leaned over the side. He couldn't exactly see the floor, but based on the loudness of the vibrations, it had to have been close. Riley had swung his whole lower half over the edge of the bed, and felt around with the very tips of his toes. He moved his foot towards the nightstand, and he accidentally ended up kicking the phone slightly further under it.

"Fuck!" Riley grunted. He stretched even further, his whole right side basically hyperextended to its full length. He crept his big toe under the edge and strained so hard to use whatever friction he could to nudge it out, he started sweating. And then, by the grace of God, he pulled it back with enough force it slid right out by the bed. "Yeah YEAH!" Riley celebrated. But then it stopped vibrating.

He quickly scooped it up with his feet and lifted it to the bed. He flipped it over and tapped the screen with his toe, then carefully typed his PIN number. He was in the clear now! He noticed that it was Cindy who was trying to call him. Awh damn! They were supposed to hoop at 2:00 pm. It just passed 2:15. So it hadn't been two hours, it was actually three and a HALF! Yeah, that bitch was dead!

He quickly swiped the notification, and it sped dialed her back. He tapped the speaker button with his toe and waited for the connection. She picked up on the second ring.

"REEZY WHERE DA FUCK YOU AT?! You said we was supposed ta scrap today! If you wanted to pussy out and forfeit, then you could have at least called and let me know! I know you got ya ass handed to you last game, but that don't mean you gotta call it quits like a lil bitch!" Cindy hollered.

"Dat ain't a good look Reezy!" he heard Caesar shout on in the background. Riley rolled his eyes. Caesar just had to be there as well!

"C-MURPH WILL YOU SHUT DA HELL UP FOR A SEC?! Damn!" Riley shouted back irritably. "Listen, I got a lil'….tied up wit' somethin! I need your help!"

"What you talkin' about Reezy? Tied up wit' what?" Cindy asked more concerned.

"Man look, I don't wanna say over da phone, but take down this address and pull up, ASAP!"

"Hol' up, Reez! You scarin' me now! Do we need to strap up?!" Cindy shouted.

"STRAP UP?! BAE! GET DA HK!" Caesar shouted, then Riley heard rustling in the background

"Nah hol' up ya'll! Everything's chill aite?! Just…make sure you bring yo lucky safety pins so you can get in this mf!" Cindy was as smart as they came, but the woman was a crook as well! Hell, that's why she was his right-hand man with his Fundraiser! She could unlock a high-security federal VAULT if possible!

"You LOCKED UP somewhere Reezy?! What the fuck is going on fool?!"

"CINDY! I done told you I don't want to say it ova' da damn phone! I'm literally… held up right now. But everything is coo' aite?" Riley felt like he sounded more and more bitch-made as he spoke. This shit really was pathetic.

"Umm..okay Reezy. Just tell us the address and we'll be on our way!" Cindy said annoyedly. Riley told them the address and he heard Caesar confirm it in the background. "Hold tight fool," Cindy muttered then hung up.

Riley sat back against the headboard, releasing a hard sigh and shaking his head. He was never going to be able to live this shit down, and they weren't either! He already knew he was going to get flamed forever after this. But he was not about to wait up here all damn day like some hostage. So he kicked the sheets around until they covered him decently and patiently waited for them to get there.

It was about twenty minutes until Riley heard faint clicking and ticking and what seemed like someone tussling with the doorknob in the front hallway. Until, he heard the final click of the lock unlocking, followed by the door opening and people easily walking in. Here we go…

"Reezy! You here!?" Cindy shouted. "Where you at fool?!"

"Damn, where are we? The Louvre?" he heard Caesar comment.

"In here…" Riley said lowly, just above a mumble.

"Boy you better have a damn good reason for us cancelling our match and me breaking into these people's.." Cindy rambled as she opened the bedroom door. "WHAT THE FUCK, RILEY?!" Cindy screamed covering her eyes with her hands.

"Yo, bae, what's goin' on?!" Caesar came running into the room. "Ahh, damn, Reezy?" Caesar threw his hand at his side as he shook his head. Riley just annoyingly stared ahead at the dresser and let them have their reaction.

"Riley, what the fuck did you get yourself into?" Cindy asked as they walked towards the bed. "This is a sex thing isn't it?"

"Ya'll gon' get me up outta here or what?! Instead of asking me stupid questions!" Riley struggled against the tightening scarves.

"Who's stupid here? The one who's here to help or the one tied to the bed?! Don't give me that Riley, how did you get like this?!" Cindy snapped.

"He been gettin' down with that Italian chick!" Caesar teased. "Out of all the crazy stunts yo females have pulled on you, this shit blows ALL of them out of the water!"

"Caez I'mma need you to shut the fuck up, bruh! On NATION, don't fuckin' play wit' me right now!" Riley snapped. "Get me da fuck outta this shit!"

"Where are some damn scissors at nigga?!" Caesar and Cindy looked around, but there was literally none anywhere.

"Fuck this, I'll be right back," Cindy's blonde hair trailed behind her as she left the bedroom and headed into the kitchen. Caesar examined the military knots and shook his head.

"Riley Freeman getting sub'd down by a female Italian Dom," Caesar tsk'd his tongue and gave a sarcastic sigh. Riley's nostrils flared as he began tapping his foot. "Wouldn't have let dat shit happen to me thoughhhh!"

"That's cool. It's not meant for youngbloods…" Riley muttered. Caesar glared at him as Cindy walked back in with a chopping knife.

"Yooo C-Murph, watch out wit' dat now!" Riley squirmed, slightly crossing his thighs.

"Oh, grow up Riley! If you had, we wouldn't be in this situation!" Cindy grabbed onto the scarf tied around his wrist and slipped it underneath, careful not to knick him. And in one swift motion, she sliced through the satin like it was warm butter. Riley grimaced as he finally let his arm down, and Cindy made her way over to the other side of the bed, doing the same with his other wrist.

Riley rubbed his right wrist and stretched his arms and cracked his neck. Oh, that deviled woman was going to pay!

"Thanks, ya'll. But if you ever tell anybody about this we throwin' hands! And dat's on me!" Riley pointed at the both of them.

"Yeah, unless she ties 'em up again beforehand," Caesar muttered. He and Riley exchanged glares again. "Whatever, man. Just put da monster away, no homo," Caesar shook his hand at him as he walked out of the room.

"Right, you my homie and all, but I definitely could have gone the rest of my life without seeing this shit!" Cindy said as she followed Caesar out of the room again, letting Riley finally get up.

"Yo C-Murph, hand me dat knife right quick," Riley said wrapping the sheets securely around his waist.

"Umm..why?" Cindy looked back and forth between him and the chopping knife.

"Just hand me it right quick!" Riley said frustratingly sticking his hand out further. Cindy rolled her eyes and approached him, flipping the knife over on the handle side towards him. Riley simply took it and looked back at the wooden, center-part of the headboard.

"What's up Reezy?" Cindy looked at him confusedly.

Then, in a flash, he stabbed the center of the headboard perfectly. He stabbed it so hard, that when he released it, it still held in its place, sticking out horizontally above the mattress.

"Riley, what the hell? That's kind of a violent message don't you think?" Cindy furrowed her eyebrows at him.

"Violent? This girl was bouta let me sit here and be tied up like a damn animal 'til she gets back. And I don't even know when.."

"Okay okay okay!" Cindy shook her hands at him. "This is not the place nor the time! Just go get dressed fool!"

"You're the one in here!" Riley retorted. Cindy huffed aggravatingly as she turned and stomped back out of the room. Riley rolled his eyes as he turned and looked at the knife one more time before smirking and getting dressed.

Huey effortlessly struck the white cue ball into the black 8-ball, ricocheting it into the corner pocket. Blake defeatedly threw his cue pole onto the empty pool table while Huey triumphantly grabbed his second glass of scotch on the rocks from the ledge of the table.

"Nigga, you cheated!" Blake complained, making his way back to the bar.

"For all four games?" Huey smugly retorted. "You couldn't score a point if there were holes around the entire table. Maybe you just suck." Huey held up his empty glass at the bartender, who fixed him another fresh glass.

"Whatever nigga," Blake rolled his eyes before ordering another Jack Daniels and coke. They both took a couple more sips in silence, sitting on the barstools, watching the pre-season NBA game on the television above the bar.

"So what you got planned for break?" Huey asked breaking the silence.

"The usual. Family function, big dinner, getting lit. You?" Blake answered.

"We were supposed to head down to Chicago and visit the rest of our family, like usual. But Granddad ain't been feelin' too well these past few days, so we thought it best not to make him travel. So, we'll just be having some of our friends over for dinner."

"Ole' girl included?" Blake raised a teasing eyebrow at him.

"Yes, if you must know!" Huey answered annoyingly "You know, you've been asking me a lot about her. What's it to you, man?"

"Aye' look, I don't mean no offense, Huey." Blake blatantly lied. "It's just that you my dawg, you know? Figured we could talk about anything."

"My personal relationships are where our conversations end," Huey took another large gulp from his drink. "I want to respect her and her privacy."

"Well, I would expect a woman who can't talk to certainly have some secrets," Blake took a big gulp of his drink as well.

"You haven't the slightest clue," Huey muttered. "But that's what makes us getting to know each other again that more refreshing." Huey didn't know if it was the drinks, or his constant, undying infatuation boiling to the brim, for he began talking out the side of his neck. "Since she can't express herself vocally, I have to pay closer attention to her. The way her face softens when she's listening, how she slowly sways from side to side when she's content, the way her nostrils flare and her lips shake when she's mad, how she blinks when she's curious, the way she bites her bottom lip when she's nervous…"

That last observation of her he loved the most! So much, that it made him involuntarily start to think further about what other body language signals he enjoyed about her. He stared off into space as his thoughts drifted.

And the way her body tenses and relaxes at my touch, how when I kiss her neck, her breath hitches, followed by a faint airy whimper. How her back arches upwards, and her ribs protrude out and retract back in, from tightening and loosening her abdomen muscles as I grind into her, Huey had to cease his thoughts, for they were, along with the alcohol, getting him extremely hot.

"Damnnn nigga, you be studying her huh?" Blake eyed his friend humorously. Huey sat up straighter in the bar stool and cleared his throat. "You ain't gotta front, Freeman. We're only men. We can only resist a woman's charms for so long." Blake said, starting to feel a buzz as well.

"I feel you there," Huey agreed and they cheered they're glasses together, before taking another sip. "But it's always better when you gotta work for it. And she's way worth the effort."

"You got it bad, nigga," Blake shook his head. "Not that I blame you. 'Cuz I can see how a girl like Jazmine is worth the hold-up," Blake drunkenly let out.

"…wait, what?" Huey turned his head to look at him. Blake froze in his seat, inwardly kicking himself for slipping up and mentioning her name. But he quickly played it off as best as he could.

"J-Jazmine?...That is her name isn't it? I could've swore you mentioned it once," he attempted.

"Nah…I didn't," Huey's demeanor immediately changed. "How the hell do you know her name?"

"I-I mean.." Blake stammered along with a nervous chuckle. "Huey, you mentioned her name, literally the first time you brought her up. You don't remember because it was just a light conversation."

Huey returned to his usual scowl as he faced forward again, barely considering that maybe he did slip up and accidentally mention her name. But he could've sworn that he didn't. He tilted his almost-empty glass, watching the ice topple over each other. Blake was lucky he was tipsy, otherwise he wouldn't have let it go that easily.

"I don't remember because I know I didn't mention it," Huey said almost threateningly. "You even said so yourself that I ain't say all that much about her."

"Yeah, well," Blake shrugged and downed the rest of his drink before throwing his coat back on. "I best be getting home anyway. You take care. Have a good break, Freeman." He slapped Huey on the back, and Huey reluctantly engaged in a clap-and-dap.

"Yeah…you too, man," Huey muttered. Blake left a couple bills on the bar, then raced out of the restaurant and Huey watched as the rotating doors stopped spinning. As much as he'd rather just drop this small insignificant thing, his instincts were way too sharp to allow him to do that. He knew that even the smallest unnoticed detail could be a red flag. Blake definitely sounded like he knew exactly who she was. He would have to revisit this later.

After finishing his drink, he placed is credit card on the bar for the bartender to close him out, before pulling out his phone.

To: Jazmine

'Did Tom remember his amoxycillin?' (An antibiotic used for Salmonella)

'Ur not funny… (-_-)' Jazmine texted back a few minutes later. Huey chuckled through his nose before replying.

'I'm jp.'
'They get in yet?'

'Yea..Waiting for them to grab their luggage now.'
'Then, headed to the airport to get my mom.'

'Good, good."

'Wydoooiiinn?' Huey smirked and shook his head.

'Chillin at a bar down the street from campus.' Huey hesitated to bring up Blake. He decided that there would be a better time to bring that up so he gave her the run-around.
'Came to have a few *three liquor glass emojis* Trying to let loose before the weekend.'

'Ughhh what I wouldn't GIVE! *pain emoji*'
'They've been here for ten minutes, & I'm already irritated *eye roll emoji*'

'I understand. Trust me!'
'Now you see why I can't stand the holidays'

It was several minutes before she replied again. He took the time to tip and sign his receipt the bartender gave him, and placed his credit card back in his wallet.

'Really? Because I coulda sworn the main reason for that was becuz 'someone' just so happens to share the same b-day as the Messiah? *thinking emoji* *Laughing w/ tears emoji*'
'A Huey Freeman Christmas indeed!' *three crying emojis*'

'Shut it…' Huey rolled his eyes. He forgot that Jazmine was literally the only person outside of his family who knew when his birthday was. He probably wouldn't be as spiteful about the damned day if people actually knew the holiday's true meaning! But everyone who knew him, knew it better to just not wish him Happy Birthday…or Merry Christmas… just don't say anything to him until the new year!

'Awwww, okay I'm sorry Hueeyyyy lololol! *Two Winking kissy face emojis*'

'You better be..'
'Ole' Ms. Praise Santa *side-eye emoji*'

'HEY! I genuinely thought Santa and Jesus were the same person!'
'U could have at least corrected me!'

'I did… but you yelled and I quote, "That is blasphemy against St. Nick! I refuse to listen to a HERETIC!" & stormed away.'
'I'll admit, you sure know how to stand your ground'

'Omggg! I do remember that! *face-palm emoji* *Laughing emoji*'
'I was such a goody-two shoes back then lol!'

'"was.."'

'U hush! *blushing emoji*
'B4 u don't get a Christmas OR birthday present this year!' Huey nonchalantly shrugged and was about to reply, but Jazmine beat him to it.
'DON'T! start that 'It's just another year closer to dying' mess or I'm going to kick u! *eye roll emoji*

'You know me so well…'

'I seem to kno a lot' She used his phrase on him.
'Just like I kno u secretly DO want a good birthday/Christmas gift from me. *smirk emoji*'

'If you think you'll fit under the tree *shrugging emoji*'
'I'll wrap AND unwrap you myself *smirk emoji*'

'Huey Freeman! *shocked emoji* *Crying laughing emoji*
'Okay, we're about to head out. Hold that thought for later!*Smirking emoji*'
'I'll lyk when we make it home. *Winking emoji*

From: Huey

'Alright, beautiful' Jazmine blushed down at her phone as she bit her bottom lip. He definitely must have been tipsy. He was getting way too flirty. Not that she was complaining.
'You all be safe!'
'I'll be waiting for later. *smirking emoji*'

She gave a soft giggle as she turned her phone off and put it in her back pocket.

"And you talk about me acting all happy," Trisha side-beamed.

Jazmine mimicked what she said, screwing up her face and mouthing her words dramatically, then rolled her eyes. They did their usual physical exchange where Jazmine bumped her with her hip, and Trisha elbowed her. That's when Tom walked up to them.

"We're ready honey!" He said cheerfully with his suitcase and handbag in his hands. "Nice to see you again Trisha!"

"Likewise, Mr. Dubois! How was your train ride?"

"What kind of train station is this?! Where are the porters?!" Tom's mother, Genevieve (John-vee-ev) Dubois, shouted from the luggage cabby, with all hundred of her and her husband's suitcases beside them.

"Darling, it's Thanksgiving weekend, surely we aren't the only ones in need of station services," Par'es Dubois, Tom's father, reasoned.

"All the more reason for them to be PROPERLY STAFFED!" Genevieve said strongly. "You don't expect me to carry all my luggage do you?!"

"Of course not, my sweet," Par'es luckily signaled down a couple train station porters and tipped them both generously, before they started to load up their luggage on their carts.

"….That's how," Tom muttered to the girls.

"Jazmine, daahhhling!" Genevieve strolled over to them like a royal, British lady in-waiting. "It's so good to see you, my dear!" She gave Jazmine a big hug followed by a kiss on both cheeks. Jazmine grinned softly, trying hard not to choke from the strong, century-year old, perfume she was wearing. Her grandmother was a thin, tall, brown-skinned woman, with hazel eyes, and dirty blonde/nearly silver, wave-pressed hair. She wore Chanel from head to toe, along with shiny jewels on her neck, ears, wrists and fingers, confidently displaying her wealth. She was, after all, the trophy wife of over 40 years to the owner of the most prestigious law firm in all of New York, who made his way over behind her.

"My, my, you are starting to look more and more like your grandmother every day," Par'es came up and kissed Jazmine on the forehead. He was a stout, hefty, mocha-skinned man with grey curly hair, starting to bald in the front, and grey facial hair. He wore a midnight blue suit with a white button down and a gold tie, golden cuff links, and a matching gold watch. "At least when she was your age, I should say."

"You scoundrel!" Genevieve slapped him on the arm. "Jazmine don't listen to your nincompoop of a grandfather! We, Dubois women, age like fine wine, my dear. But you certainly are just as lovely as I remember!"

"'We just saw each other this past Easter,'" Jazmine signed as Trisha spoke.

"Ah…yes..well, my looks are one thing, my memory is another…" Genevieve waved it off before turning to Trisha. "And you are, my dear?"

"Trisha Romano, ma'am?.." Trisha reminded her. "I've only been your granddaughter's interpreter for the past five years. We met this past Easter… last Christmas, and the Christmas before that…and before that."

"Oh have we now?" She retorted, catching Trisha's tone. "As per requested service no doubt…"

"A service still needed around her own family," Trisha retorted. Jazmine eyed her grandmother assertively, for what Trisha spoke was true.

"Speaking of family!" Tom interjected. "Honey, we still need to go pick up your mother. We'd better go before we're late." He said to Jazmine.

"Honestly, my boy, if you were in such a rush to see your ex-wife you should have said so!" Par'es joked.

"Father!" Tom objected. "Urrghh, you promised you weren't going to do this!"

"Oh right, right! My distraught son and his hopeless eagerness," Par'es dismissed. "Let us go, then! Genevieve?" Par'es held his arm out for her.

"Hmmph," Genevieve flashed out her fan and began fanning herself, sneering at Trisha, as she strutted along with her husband with her head held high. It was barely ten degrees outside. Why the hell did she need a fan?

Jazmine and Trisha both shared a look before shaking their heads and following them.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU FUCKED UP?!" Rasheeda yelled at Blake through her phone.

"Exactly what I said, goofy! I fucked up! We were drinking, I got loose at the mouth and ended up saying her name, when he never once told me what it is." Rasheeda gave an irritated sigh.

"Boy how can you be so STUPID?!" Rasheeda paced back and forth.

"Me?!" Blake shouted back. "Trick, YOU the one stuck on a mothafucka' who don't even WANT YO ASS! Got me out here spying on him, doin' yo dirty work, framing MY OWN friend, and look! He STILL don't want yo ass! They STILL fuckin' wit' each other! Yo' you need to chill this shit out cuz! This is really going too far! We blood and all, but I ain't doin' this shit no mo'! You on your own!'

"Oh, I don't think so, Cuz," she sarcastically said back. "I may not be able to get Huey back, but I can make damn sure no one else does. And you're going to help me."

'Hell nah! Sheeda are you deaf or something? I DON'T..WANT ANYTHING…TO DO WITH THIS NO MORE! Why the fuck would I continue helping yo bat-shit crazy ass!?'

"Because if you don't, I will tell Huey myself how you have helped me already. Telling me her name, where she lives, about her retarded ass not being able to talk, and helping me take those photos of us in the parking garage. I don't think your job would think so highly of one of their doctorate instructors spying and infiltrating their fellow coworkers with incriminating photographs." Rasheeda threatened.

'You fucking wouldn't,' Blake snarled.

"Really cuz? You must not know me at all." She said. "And you and I both know that Huey is the type to take matters into his own hands, quite literally. So don't fucking push me."

'You are a real evil bitch, you know that?' Blake spat.

"Of course I do," she nonchalantly said. "Now be at our usual meet-up spot tomorrow and don't be fucking late!"

'Fuck you,' He retorted before hanging up. Rasheeda smirked and hung up before sitting down on her couch.

She picked up her half a blunt from an ashtray and lit it, drawing in a puff and inhaling deeply. She got lost in thought about her old relationship with Huey Freeman. It was rocky from the start, but that was because he was such a damn stiff! The man never peeped a smile, a chuckle, a smirk, NOTHING! They barely shared anything in common. But damn, was he fine. And the sex was out of this world! Speaking of sex, this weed was definitely making her horny. She got her phone back out, and went through her recent conversations. She clicked on a name that she hadn't seen in a while. He wasn't no Huey, but he would do. She would just close her eyes and imagine it being him.

As Jazmine waited outside of the glass wall to the airport's boarding room, she tapped her foot and twiddled her fingers nervously. Tom had his parents distracted at the bar just down the way, for he knew Jazmine would want to be alone for their first moments reunited. Trisha waited against the wall behind her. She understood the weight of this moment as well.

The last time Jazmine saw her mother was that last night in the hospital, where she decided that she would rather stay with her dad in New York, rather than return with her to Savannah. She remembered the hurt look on her mother's face. She didn't mean to hurt her feelings. And she really didn't intend to become so alienated from her own mother. She knew how badly Sarah wanted to be there for her, but in Jazmine's state of mind back then, she wasn't too privy on anyone being there at all. As the days passed, they heard less and less from each other. It wasn't out of spite, it was just random. They didn't see each other for holidays, their birthdays, not even a FaceTime call. And now, five years later, Jazmine wanted no one else's presence here any more than she did her mother's. It was a long overdue reunion.

Her twiddling increased as the automatic door on the other side slid open and people came walking out one by one. She felt her palms getting sweaty and her stomach getting butterflies. Then, moments later, she saw a blonde head of hair, and her twiddling stopped along with her heartbeat. Sarah walked out from behind a tall man, clutching tightly onto her purse, with a nervous look on her face that much resembled Jazmine's own, as she looked around the busy airport. Jazmine took in the sight of her mother, struck at the fact that she looked almost EXACTLY the same!

Except, her blonde hair wasn't in its usual shaggy bob anymore. It was grown all the way out and perfectly straightened and trimmed, reaching down to her mid-back, with a few shorter strands falling down the sides of her face. Her aqua-blue eyes remained bright and optimistic, and she still kept her lean and slender frame. She had very faint smile lines coming in, but they were barely noticeable due to her noticeably tanner skin, mostly due to the Georgia sun and heat. She wore a dark blue, double-breasted coat with black buttons, dark jeans and black heeled boots. She continued to look around until her gaze fell on Jazmine, where she gasped and her eyes widened in shock.

Jazmine blinked a couple times before shining a bright smile at her and waving from behind the glass wall. Sarah wasted no time in rushing past the surrounding people and out the revolving door that led to the loitering part of the airport and strode over to her daughter, where she stopped right in front of her, just barely arm's length away. After another moment, she finally spoke.

"Hi, baby," Sarah shakily said just above a whisper. Jazmine's lips trembled as she gazed up at her mother. She somehow gathered the strength in them to mouth the word, 'Momma,'. Sarah's smile quickly fell, being shown the full detriment of her daughter's condition for the first time. Jazmine noticed this, and she released a shaky sigh as she hung her head. "Oh, Jazmine," Sarah quickly shook off her first reaction and reached for her, pulling her into a smothering hug. "My baby…my sweet, beautiful, baby. I missed you so much!" She said into Jazmine's hair followed by multiple kisses on the top of her head. Jazmine let her tears fall into her mother's coat as she squeezed her back tightly, letting her know the feeling was mutual.

Trisha smiled as she watched adoringly from the wall.

They stayed like that for quite a minute, swaying from side to side as they held onto each other. Like they've been waiting for this embrace forever, and indeed they have. They slowly pulled apart, where Sarah lovingly cupped Jazmine's cheek.

'Look at you,' Sarah signed. Jazmine's smile immediately returned. And here she was, fearful that her mother hadn't bothered to learn sign language all this time.

'Look at YOU!' Jazmine retorted. 'You look so pretty, Momma!' Jazmine signed cascading an open hand over her own face.

"Oh please, Jazmine." Sarah waved her hand off as she tucked the stray hairs behind her ear. "I've been traveling all day. I look terrible."

'No, Mom. You look amazing!' Jazmine reassured her. 'Like HIGH SCHOOL amazing!' Jazmine emphasized.

'Well, thank you sweetie. And how is the house?' Sarah made the shape of the roof of a house with her flattened hands.

'You'll see soon enough! You might find it different, now that you're staying as a guest.'

'That's perfectly fine with me.' Sarah signed as she rolled her eyes. They shared a laugh before Jazmine nodded her head back at Trisha, signaling for her to come over.

Trisha lifted off of the wall with a smile and made her way over to them.

'Mom, this is my interpreter and best friend, Trisha Romano. Trisha, meet my Mother!' Jazmine signed.

"Oh, it's so nice to finally meet you, Trisha! I understand you've been such a great help to my daughter, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for that!" Sarah spoke sincerely as she shook Trisha's hand.

"Well, she didn't make it easy on me, but I'm more than happy to be here for her. And it's a great pleasure to meet you too Ms..?" Trisha drew a blank.

"Oh, just call me…"

"Sarah?.." Tom called from behind her. Sarah's face went blank just for a second, before showing a bright smile as she turned around.

"Tom!.." Sarah greeted cheerfully. Whether it was real or fake, the girls really couldn't tell.

"I thought that was you. You look…" Tom did a once over her. "…good!"

"I know," Sarah shrugged. Jazmine looked at the back of her head confused. "You've certainly gotten more… prickly." Sarah hinted at the newly grown stubble along Tom's chin and upper lip.

"Just..going for that..rugged look, you know?" Tom petted along his chin.

"Seems rather…relaxed, for a man such as yourself," Sarah baited.

"You always did say I was too uptight," Tom said with a smirk.

"I said a lot of things," Sarah nervously rubbed her sleeve as she looked down to the floor.

"We both did," Tom added. Sarah looked up at him, and they shared a subtle look. He was about to say something else before…

"Why, Ms. Hampton! How loonggg it has been!" Par'es shouted as he and his wife came up behind them. "Now I see why my son was so adamant about seeing you! You are a vision my dear!" Tom rolled his eyes.

"Thank you Mr. Dubois," Sarah acknowledged. Not that he ever gave her a true compliment while they were still married.

"Oh, hush now Perry. You would have let our son marry a shoe-shiner if she were pretty enough." Jazmine and Trisha both sucked in their cheeks on that one. Honestly, this woman had little to NO filter on her at all. "Not that you aren't pretty my dear, of course! And I must say, that new tan is actually really becoming! Enjoying your time in the south, are you?"

There was a dull silence among all of them, before Sarah drew in a slow breath.

"As always, such a pleasure Mr. and Mrs. Dubois," Sarah sourly said as she held her smile, unstinted at her ex mother – in law's indirect insults. "I'll be going to get my luggage now… my own luggage. Since I'm still young and strong enough to carry my own bags." She gave them another sarcastic grin with squinted eyes as she and the girls went to the luggage cabby. Par'es gave a flustered look, while Genevieve whipped out her fan again. Tom just held his shaking head.

'Damn, Momma,' Jazmine signed looking at her mother in shock.

"Right?" Trisha added. "Go Sarah!"

"Sweeties, I've had to deal with those 'High & Mighty's' for a long time. I've learned exactly how to deal with them, and how to duck and dodge their gaudy ways. Now, since your father and I aren't together anymore, I don't have to hold back for nothing! Your Momma can be petty too," Sarah smirked.

Jazmine gave her a look that said 'Oh REALLLyyyyy?'. One word she never would have associated her mother with was petty! And not just that. Jazmine could sense a whole different vibe about her mother. It was like a daring, almost reckless kind of weekend was definitely going to be interesting.

After first going to an early dinner, where more unsubtle, petty conversations were held, the group finally ended up back at Jazmine's house.

"Oh, Jazzy," Sarah gasped in the passenger seat as Trisha pulled up to the curb. "Honey, the house looks so beautiful!" She exclaimed, taking in the new paint job.

'Wait until you see the inside, Mom,' Jazmine signed from the back seat when Sarah turned around to look at her. Tom followed not too far behind them as he parked in the driveway in Jazmine's car with his parents in the back seats, like they were being chauffeured. You could see his dismayed expression through the window. As they all got out, Trisha opened her trunk for Sarah to grab her one suitcase and handbag and purse. Jazmine was about to walk past her own car, but Tom stopped her.

"Jazmine, come help your grandparents…now," Tom ordered, searching for the house key on her key ring. She could sense he was already irritated with them and decided not to argue. She subtly rolled her eyes as she trudged along and helped them carry their fifty-eleven suitcases.

'Didn't nobody tell their boujie asses to pack ALL this shit for a three-day trip!' Jazmine signed to Trisha, who came and helped as well.

'Three days J…Three days. When we get through Thanksgiving tomorrow, the following days will go even faster. Just keep it together.' Trisha signed back. Jazmine nodded and they both, along with Tom, took a suitcase in each hand and a bag or two over each shoulder to save them the extra trip.

"Oh, thank you so much darlings!" Par'es said watching them pass in front of him. They tried their best to hide their annoyed faces. "These old bones aren't what they used to be!"

"Yes…that fact was clearly made at the train station," Sarah swooped in and took one of the overnight bags that was slipping off of Jazmine's shoulder and carried it along with her own luggage. She heard Jazmine give a snicker.

Tom had unlocked the door and let the girls pass through, where they drastically let the bags fall from their grip.

"'Well! Home, sweet home!'" Trisha voiced along with Jazmine's signs as everyone else entered.

"Wow…Jazmine," Tom gasped as he set down the suitcases. He took in the extremely different them decorum his daughter transformed their old house into. "Sweetie, this is great! You have really turned this place out!"

'Thanks, Daddy,' Jazmine smiled proudly at her parents' reaction.

"What do you think, Mother?" Tom asked. Jazmine sighed quietly. He just had to ask didn't he?

"Well…" Genevieve gave a stale smile as they scoped the place. "It certainly does have its um….appeal. Don't you think so, Perry?"

"Yes, Yes! It quite reminds me of our first property we bought in..uhh where was it darling?"

"Chicago," Genevieve answered.

"Ahhh CHICAGO! YES! Was just an old, run-down 2-bedroom shack. The family that lived there, I can't quite remember their name. Anyway, the parents were cracked out, couldn't pay their rent, and had two kids they couldn't take care of, isn't that something? Anyway, the place was in HORRIBLE condition, so we bought it out from under them and turned it into our very own luxurious mansion that it is today. Now, the whole neighborhood is upgraded along with it. Not a crack house within ten miles of it!" Everyone just stared at him after he finished talking.

"And you're proud of that?" Trisha broke the silence with her arms crossed.

"Well, for transforming a bad neighborhood into a good one, yes I am young lady," Par'es adjusted his tie. Trisha quietly scoffed something in Italian as she shook her head.

"Easy, sweetie," Sarah said to the side. Trisha only nodded.

"'Well, thank you for that beautiful comparison of my newly arranged house to a crack house, Grandpa.'" Trisha interpreted in the exact tone Jazmine intended. "'I'll show you to your rooms.'" She signed before she and Trisha picked up their suitcases again.

She reluctantly let her grandparents have her master bedroom and bathroom, since it was the most luxurious room in the house and she knew it would appease to their liking. And plus, who was going to carry ALL that luggage up and down those stairs?

She gave her father the smaller guest bedroom upstairs that had a queen-size bed, a dresser, and a lamp. He would have to use the guest bathroom across the hallway. And Jazmine would be sharing the bigger guest-bedroom with her mother, which was down the hall on the opposite end of the house. It had a king-size bed, along with a little hang-out/reading section in the corner by the window, a vanity up against the wall, and a built-in bathroom.

When they were all settled, Jazmine met Trisha back downstairs in the foyer.

'Three…more…days!' Jazmine signed tiredly.

"I know, hon'," Trisha sighed. "And if they are anywhere as tiresome as today was, I better get home and get some shut-eye. You need me for anything else?"

'No, I'm good! You've been so much help today, like always. You get home safe and rest.' Jazmine stroked her arm comfortingly.

"Alright, J." They engaged in a quick hug before Trisha grabbed her coat. "I'll call you in the morning, k?" Jazmine nodded and she opened the front door for her.

'Night,' Jazmine signed.

"Night, girl" Trisha said back as she stepped through the door.

As Jazmine closed the door, Trisha tightened the waist-tie on her coat, giggling with sheer mischief as she skipped down the porch steps. She stayed looking down at the ground before looking up and nearly having a heart attack at who was sitting on the hood of her car.

"GESU CHRISTO! (Jesus Christ) RILEY!" Trisha screeched. "What the hell are you doing here?!"

"What am I doing here?" Riley repeated. "What am I doing here?! You mean why am I not TIED UP TO YOUR FUCKING BED LIKE SOME SEX FUGITIVE?!" Riley had gotten up off the hood and stormed up to her.

"Shhhhh! Okay, okay, Riley. Please, keep it down!" Trisha tried holding his arms, but he pulled away violently.

"Don't fuckin' tell me to keep it down, this is MY fuckin' hood! I don't give a FLYIN' FUCK WHO HEAR ME!" Riley shouted. "What?! You don't want people to know how fuckin' sick and TWISTED yo ass is?!"

"Riley, come on! Please don't talk to me like that! It was just a joke, Papi!" Trisha desperately tried calming him down.

"JUST A JOKE!?" Riley got even closer. "I was tied up for over three fuckin' hours! My shoulders are so sore I can't even lift them! I had to be rescued by my friends and face being fuckin' HUMILIATED!"

"Your friends?! You mean you had them break into my HOUSE RILEY?!" Trisha shouted back with her Jersey-accent in full effect.

"Hell the fuck YEAH I had them break into yo shit! What d'you think? I was gonna just sit and wait for yo ass to get back?! You lucky I ain't had them turn da place out!"

"Guiro su Dio (I swear to God), Riley, if I go back and ONE THING is out of place, I'll…"

"You'll WHAT?!" Riley cut her off. They were now so close, their noses were barely a centimeter away from each other. "Call on yo Pops to clip me? Tell him to 'get a place ready' for me?" Trisha's eyes widened. "Yeah, you don't think I notice how you avoid talkin' bout him? 'Wine business'.. yeah fuckin' right!"

"Maledire! POOOOO!" Trisha shouted loudly, before spitting to the side at the ground. Riley nearly took a step back. "Maledire te e le tue parolacce! (Curse you and your foul words) I'm warning you, Riley. You're walking on a minefield right now. You leave…my father…OUT of this. You don't know what the fuck you're talking about." Trisha growled.

"Nah, I know exactly what I'm talkin' 'bout. I may be hard-headed but I ain't stupid. I know where that fire personality and sadistic mindset of yours come from and I don't want no parts of it." Riley backed up shaking his head at her.

"Wait…what are you saying Riley?" Trisha asked walking after him.

"I'm sayin' I'm done wit' yo ass," Riley clarified. "That shit you did was scandalous as fuck! I dunno how ya'll Romans do yo shit ova' there or whatever, but here, a nigga tied up is as scary as a rope hanging from a tree. And I ain't got time. So deuces.." Riley chucked up his index and middle finger.

"Wow…Okay, so I'm a KKK member now?" Trisha scoffed with a sarcastic shocked expression.

"Call it what you will, but I'm out," Riley shrugged.

"Tough guy Young Reezy Escobar gets scared away by the Mafia boss's daughter," Trisha scoffed again along with a chuckle. Riley's scowl slightly lifted in realization that his observations were spot on. Trisha shook her head as she made her way to the driver's side and opened the car door. "And I'm VENETIAN asshole! Tuhh.. I sure didn't take you for a pussy," Trisha muttered.

"The fuck you say, bitch?!" Riley shouted stepping back towards the car.

"Call me that again, and you'll never know," Trisha threatened in a tone Riley's never heard her use before as she sat down in the seat. "You better watch your fucking step." She slammed her car door then peeled off, yelling more Italian profanities out the window, not caring that she nearly ran him over. Riley quickly kicked the back of her car hard, so hard he didn't even care about the pain. He shot up two birds, along with shouting even worse profanities as her car sped down down the street.

"FANCULO!" Trisha cursed as she punched her steering wheel. Cazzo figa culo cagna, she thought out loud. Who was he to make assumptions on her life like that?! He had no business bringing her family into this matter! None whatsoever!

When she got to a stoplight, she cursed again and began crying as she rested her forehead in her hand with her elbow rested on the ledge of her window. She was only just playing a joke on him! She probably did take it too far. But that didn't mean he had to throw her family history in her face like that! How the hell did he even figure it out?!

Her father's business wasn't what made her!... Well okay, it kind of was, but that didn't mean she was involved in any way shape or form! Nonetheless, outsiders learning knowledge of their business was strictly forbidden. And she was the blame.

When she finally got home, she examined every inch of her apartment. Everything seemed to be exactly as she left it, until she got to her room. Her mouth fell open as she approached her bed. The scarves were still tied to her headboard, but torn away at the ends. But that wasn't what shocked her. She yanked the chopping knife from her headboard, gripping the handle angrily as her breathing accelerated.

Now, Trisha had an excellent sense of humor. But one thing she definitely did NOT entertain, were threats. He may have left it as a joke, but in her culture, a gesture like this was exactly the opposite. She took a deep breath in, and exhaled hard through her nose.

'This isn't you, Trisha… Let it go.' She thought to herself. Her grip had gotten so tight around the knife her hand began to shake. She released her anger by launching the knife across the room, where it crashed into her vanity mirror, leaving it shattered, but still holding its place.

She looked at her distorted reflection as the tears began falling down her face again. She plopped down on her bed as she continued to cry in her hands. She didn't know what to do with herself. So she reached in her pocket and pulled out her phone, dialing a number.

"You are calling an international phone line. Charges may be included. Do you accept? Press one for 'Yes.' Per l'italiano, premere due. (For Italian, please press two.)" Trisha simply pressed one and waited for the operator to connect her. It was way late where she was calling to, but she didn't care. She needed to make this call.

"Ciao?" She heard an older woman speak tiredly. "Ahh-delaide? (Trisha's middle name) Sei tu, figlia mia? (Is that you, my daughter?)"

"Mami?" Trisha sniffled before choking back another sob at the sound of her mother's voice. "Ho davvero incasinato. (I really messed up.) Dov'e Papi? (Where's Dad?)

Jazmine walked into her kitchen in her PJs and opened the refrigerator, getting out a bottle of water. She nearly chugged the whole thing before Tom walked in.

"Hi, honey! You mind grabbing me a few of those to take up with me?" Tom pointed to the fridge. Jazmine smiled and nodded as she handed him three water bottles. "Thank you, honey. I must say, the place looks great! You have really shaped this place into a proper home. Your mother and I are so proud of you."

'Thank you Daddy. It's been a real getting used to being in our old home. But I've molded it into my own, you know?' Jazmine signed before drinking the rest of her water and throwing it in the recycle bin.

"Of course." Tom paused for a second. "Don't listen to your grandparents, okay? You know how they are."

'Trust me, I know,' Jazmine shrugged with a modest grin. 'Have they settled in okay?'

"Yeah they have. Or as settled as they could be." Tom chuckled. "They passed out like ten minutes ago. Very smart move by the way, on letting them have our room…or rather…your room now." Jazmine smirked but then shook her head.

'I just don't see why they have to be so….so…'

"I know, Jazmine. They really do mean well. They're just used to a different style of living."

'And what style of living is that? Bigotry?' Jazmine retorted. 'They may be higher class, but that doesn't mean they have to talk down on everyone and everything. They act as if we're not even family.'

"That's not true, Jazmine. They love you very much!"

'Then why do they overlook my condition? They look at me as if I'm afflicted! They haven't learned ONE SIGN in five years. They hardly remember me at all because of the fact I can't speak! They are so superficial, they barely know the color of their own skin!' That last statement was a little too true for comfort.

'Jazmine, your grandparents have sacrificed so much to rebuild a new life for me and the rest of our family. They grew up in a world where it was either sink or sail, especially with the fact they were a black couple. Back then, you had to establish yourself as either/or and there were formalities to respect. I know they come across as snobbish, but they couldn't be more proud of you and how far you've come.' Tom signed. Jazmine just closed her eyes and sighed through her nose. He completely missed the point she was trying to make.

'Okay, Daddy,' Jazmine decided to just drop it. 'I'm tired. I'm going to bed okay?'

"Alright sweetheart," Tom gave her a hug and a kiss on the forehead. "Goodnight. I love you."

'Goodnight, I love you too," Jazmine signed and she headed upstairs.

When she walked into her guest bedroom, Sarah was already in bed, sitting against the headboard, reading a novel. Jazmine lazily made her way to the bed, kicking off her house shoes in the process and fell onto the bed, letting out an exasperating sigh as she landed her head directly in Sarah's lap. She nuzzled even closer and wrapped her arms around her mother's waist. Sarah gave a light giggle as she bent the corner of the page she was on, and closed her book and removed her glasses, placing them on the nightstand.

"Long day?" Sarah teased, stroking Jazmine's hair behind her ear. Jazmine nodded as she slowly closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of her mother's fingers scratching her scalp. This was what she missed. Just being held like this by her mom, feeling her motherly warmth and comfort. It was as if nothing changed. "I can't tell you how proud I am of you, Jazmine. You have come so far and conquered sooo much…. Matthew would be too." Followed by a sniffle. Jazmine looked up at her mother, who nearly had tears forming in her eyes.

'I know he would, Momma,' Jazmine signed, surprising herself at how collected she kept at the random sound of his name. 'Which is why I made the decision to move on with my life, and start a new one. I loved him. And I always will. But I've suffered in silence long enough on his account.' Sarah smiled admirably at her daughter. At times, she thought Jazmine's strength far exceeded her own, and in this instant, she felt that thought to be absolutely true.

"Oh, how I wish I could have been with you all those years, Jazmine," Sarah closed her eyes as the tears began to fall. "Your father has done a WONDERFUL job! But… I only wish that…"

Jazmine sat up straighter and hugged her mother just as tight as when they first saw each other earlier that day.

'Mommy, it's okay!' Jazmine shook her head at her. 'I don't blame you for anything. I never have!'

"But I should have protected you, baby. I shouldn't have let you stay in that apartment all by yourself! I should have been there!" Sarah sobbed. All Jazmine could do was shake her head at her solemnly. It seemed like as far as Jazmine has come from moving on from that night, it still haunted her mother very much. "I think back on that morning when I received that call from your father, telling me how you and our...grandchild... probably weren't going to make it and that I should come at once. It took me a full day to finally get to you baby, and I couldn't get there any faster! But when I did, and I saw…." Sarah clasped her hand over her mouth to muffle her sobs. Jazmine brought her back into another hug, her own tears forming as well. "I was so scared for you, baby."

'I'm okay, now, though Momma. I'm here, I'm safe, and I'm happy. That's all that matters right? I didn't go back to Savannah with you because.. well,'

'The memories with him there?' Sarah answered for her. Jazmine nodded her head. Sarah cleared away her tears and sat up straighter as well. 'I understand. Things were just as crazy back in Savannah as they were up there. Your high school, his neighborhood, our neighborhood, most of downtown, everywhere held vigils for him. His face was plastered everywhere in the city for a good minute. He sure had an impact on his city didn't he?' Sarah signed.

Jazmine grinned softly and nodded. That, he did. He wasn't just highly involved in school, he was a community leader too. He was very active in community service, charity events, fundraisers and other events. It all made the circumstances of his death that much more heartbreaking for whoever knew how he really died.

"And honey?" Sarah spoke aloud. "I feel like I do have to tell you this." Jazmine rose her eyebrows. "…I..ran into his mother just two weeks ago. I thought you would want to know." Sarah hesitatingly said. She saw Jazmine's shoulders tense up. "I know you haven't spoken to his family since…the incident. But, honey, she is still terribly distraught. Matthew was her first born and her only son, and she only wants closure. She can't seem to go on without fully knowing what happened to him."

Jazmine faced away from her and sat over the edge of the bed, staring into her reflection at the vanity mirror on the wall, staring back at her. She saw the girl's breathing slightly accelerate, her eyes widening and tightening. Sarah sighed and put a hand on her shoulder.

"I know you don't want to discuss that night sweetie. I understand it may uncover some ugly memories and attract some unwanted attention, but I've spoken a little with her. She doesn't want any more investigations, she doesn't think you are to blame, and she doesn't want any big publicity over this. She just wants the truth." Jazmine continued to stare at herself for a moment before looking over her shoulder at Sarah. "Just think about it, okay? As a mother, I understood her frustrations, and I only want for both of you to find peace. Maybe this closure could do just that."

'Yeah... I guess you're right. I've actually…recently told one other person, besides Trisha, the full story of what happened since I've been here.' Jazmine signed.

'Really? Who, sweetie?' Sarah signed eagerly.

'…..Huey Freeman,' Jazmine spelled out.

"Huey FREEMAN?!" Sarah yelled out a little too loudly.

'Momma SHHHHHH!' Jazmine shushed her.

"I'm sorry, honey. It's just that…" Sarah chuckled in disbelief. "Well, I guess now I know why we're dining over there for Thanksgiving,"

'Mommmm,' Jazmine signed dramatically. 'We just got…reacquainted when I moved back in. He recognized me instantly as soon as he saw me.' Jazmine could feel her caramel skin turning magenta, and Sarah could read her like a book.

"Oh really?" Sarah smiled genuinely. "And how did you find it in you to tell him about your past?"

'I don't know, I just felt like… I could trust him, you know? Since the first day I moved in, I felt like I could trust him. We still have that bond from before we left,' Sarah listened intently, nodding slowly with an adoring smile on her face. 'He's taking the time to learn sign language for me, he treats me indifferently from my condition, he respects me, and… he is so sincere Momma. He listened to my story with full attention, without judgement, and … instead of giving me pity, he gave me…' Jazmine realized her hands were trailing off with her thoughts about the other qualities that she oh, so cherished in him.

"Yeah?" Sarah leaned in intrigued. Jazmine just shook her head. "What is it honey? Tell me!"

'Well… he gave me… intimacy,' Jazmine signed slowly looking down at her lap, her face now, a bright red.

"Oh my… Jazmine," Sarah said breathlessly. "Well why sound so timid about it? Do you like him?" Jazmine parted her lips, and gave a nervous chuckle, followed by straining gasps for she didn't exactly know what to say, let alone sign. "…more than like him?"

'Momma!...' Jazmine complained. But Sarah kept her knowing look on her. 'Well, yeah.' She shrugged. '…I know I like him. I actually really do like him.' Jazmine suddenly realized as she placed her hand on her chest where her locket was. 'And I thought I'd feel guilty about it. But, I don't Momma.' Sarah nodded understandingly as she cupped Jazmine's cheek.

"And that is perfectly fine, baby. If Huey is the diligent young man I remember, then I think you will find yourself very happy with him. And by how red you're getting, I think he's been successful already." Sarah smirked. Jazmine touched her cheeks embarrassedly.

'Just…don't tell Dad.' Jazmine signed seriously.

'Baby, I don't have to tell your father anything. You may be our daughter, but you are still a grown woman with your own agenda. Him being a father and you being his daughter, he's always going to be protective over you, as unreasonable as he can.' Jazmine rolled her eyes but nodded. "And I know it's been a long time sweetie, but time waits for no one. I don't have to tell you that life is sudden, and that anything can happen. If your heart goes out and is set on someone, don't let another second go by without letting them know." Jazmine held onto her mother's words. They were bittersweet, but true.

'I know, Momma. I just want to make sure that this chapter closes completely before starting a new one. Should Huey be the face of that new chapter, I want it to be a clean, fresh start.'

Crap! I forgot to text Huey back!, Jazmine thought.

"Sounds like a good plan," Sarah nodded before letting out a big yawn. "I think I'm gonna call it a night, hon'. You staying up?"

'Yeah, just a while longer. You go ahead,' Jazmine signed getting up and making her way towards the door. 'Goodnight, Momma,' and she flipped the night switch.

"Goodnight, sweetie," Sarah yawned out as she got under the covers. "My baby," she chuckled. "Turning my lights out for me." Jazmine laughed too before closing the door behind her.

As she walked down the hall and downstairs, she noticed the lights were off, so her dad must have already turned in. She pulled out her phone and saw that it was already a quarter after 9 pm. She thought Huey should still be up by now. So she went to her living room and turned on a lamp on the end table, sitting down in one of her chairs.

She pulled up Huey's name and decided to FaceTime him. The phone rang five times before it chimed, signifying him picking up. The screen was black at first, as she heard rustling and a slight grunt.

"Hello?" She heard his voice tiredly say, followed by him switching on a lamp, showing his tired face.

'Hi, Huey! Sorry, did I wake you?' Jazmine reluctantly signed.

"Nah, you good. Laid down for a nap, ended up sleeping over," Huey said wiping the sleep out of his eyes. Damn, he had a sexy ass tired voice! That raspy, rugged tone that almost matched his voice when he was turned on. Jazmine had to stop herself from biting her lip.

'That'll teach you about day-drinking,' Jazmine joked. 'You lush.'

"So you got jokes," Huey smirked as he sat up straighter.

'A few,' Jazmine smirked back. 'Sorry I forgot to text you earlier. It's been hell over here getting my family settled.'

"No worries. Trust me, I get it. How are they doing?"

'Oh, Mom is so amazing! I missed her so much! We got to talk about everything and get back on track after so long apart. I didn't know how badly I needed her until today.' Jazmine signed truthfully.

'That's great, Jazmine, really,' Huey signed back. 'How's Tom and your grandparents?' He saw Jazmine roll her eyes.

'Well… my grandparents are… incorrigible to say the least, and Dad doesn't make them seem any better. They act as if they're forced to be here, and they're really not. They can go for all I care.' Jazmine signed staring off into space.

"You don't mean that," Huey shook his head.

'But I do…' Jazmine quickly retorted. 'They're snobbish, self-loathing, aristocrats. You'll see for yourself tomorrow. So head's up…'

"Even still, they are your family, Jazmine. You've demonstrated better character than them by still opening your home to them. And don't worry about me. I've had plenty of experience in dealing with those types of people. We'll be fine." Huey stated confidently. Jazmine gave him an unsure look, but nodded nonetheless. Huey wasn't the most subtle person when it came to dealing with the "higher-up"

'Tell Mr. Freeman thanks again when you have the chance. He didn't have to open his home either, with his health and all…' she could see Huey tense on that last part. Mr. Freeman was as strong and rambunctious as they came, but it still put Huey on edge to think of any sign that his grandfather was possibly nearing his time.

"It's not a problem, honestly. He was very excited hearing about Tom and Sarah visiting and thought it only right to have them over for dinner again. It actually works since we wont be traveling to Chicago. He's pretty bummed about that. We all are. But it's not worth putting more stress on him." He looked down and away from the screen. Jazmine gave a solemn look. She could tell it weighed heavy on him.

'So having MY family over for dinner instead is supposed to be less stressful?' She asked sarcastically. 'How many dinners had to end early because of them in the past?' Jazmine pointed out.

"True…" Huey affirmed. "Just make sure your mom doesn't bring pea-stuffed peach cobbler again and we'll be good." Jazmine instantly cracked up laughing silently as she doubled over in her chair. She had to cover her mouth to make sure she didn't accidentally vocalize. It was true though. Despite how much her daughter had learned and further exceeded, Sarah could not cook to save her life!

'I'm so weak, Huey!' Jazmine signed, still trying to contain her laughter. Huey smirked and chuckled with her. He loved how even though her laugh didn't resonate, her whole face and body sounded it out for her. Her gestures and mannerisms were so genuine. It was a newfound thing to him, studying her body language, one thing he would never get tired of.

"Nah, you aint weak yet, Dubois," Huey said in that damned baritone voice he knew would get her attention. He saw her immediately calm down and he licked his lips smugly. He then saw her slowly exhale. Since when did Huey Freeman become such a FLIRT?!

'No?' Jazmine smirked playing along. 'And just what, pray tell, would make a girl like me, go weak in the knees for a guy like you?'

"I can show you better than I can tell you. Although, you might not be able to walk with them weak knees so well afterwards…" Huey laid back against his headboard as he smirked. He saw her tighten her lips as she blushed. But Jazmine decided to reciprocate.

'I could easily say the same thing, too , you know?' Jazmine teased, releasing her hair from her low bun and shaking her golden curls loose as they fell freely down her face and shoulders. She knew he was crazy about natural African-American hair, more specifically hers to say the least. She saw his jaw clench up and his Adam's apple jolt as he swallowed hard. Jazmine smirked triumphantly as she sat back in the chair and tilted her phone to show off her angled body, which was only clothed in a gray, spaghetti-strap tank top, no bra, and light pink, silk shorts, that stopped on her upper thigh.

'You see..Women with weak knees and thighs can't really saddle up well can they?' She seductively asked. Huey slowly shook his head, never breaking eye contact from the screen. He was so focused on the curves and contours of her killer body that he almost missed what she was signing. She playfully let one of the straps fall off of her shoulder. 'But me?.. after I get done riding a bull, he's not bucking too much afterwards either.' She winked.

"Girl," Huey groaned out almost painfully. "Why you playin' wit' me?" His Chicagoan accent came out. He nearly sounded like Riley.

'What?' Jazmine shrugged innocently. 'I'm not doing anything. Damn, Freeman. You sure can dish it, but can't take it.'

"And you sure like to talk a lotta' shit," Huey looked her up and down with nothing but wanton.

'And what are you going to do about it?' Jazmine gave him the sexiest innocent look he's ever seen, with her bottom lip meekly tucked under her teeth.

"Again… I can show you better than I can tell you," Huey said with a daring smirk. He watched as she squirmed in her seat, shifting her thighs and ankles.

Those familiar urges were swarming her again. Their conversations have gotten more and more intimate with each passing day. He said he wanted them to wait until she was ready. But as of now, she didn't want just virtual flirting. She wanted to physically be alone with him. She missed his lips, his hands, his stare, everything about him that made her head spin. Her compulsions riled her up so much, she found herself planning to do something crazy, but paramount. She was ready.

'Is.. Riley and Mr. Freeman home?' Jazmine innocently asked. Huey raised his eyebrow at her.

"Nah, Riley just left out of here all pissed about something so I know he's probably not gonna be back tonight. Granddad is though, but I just gave him his night meds, so he's out cold. Why?" Jazmine involuntarily opened her mouth to speak, she was so anxious to suggest it, but closed it and looked down at her lap. "What's up, Jazmine?"

'Can I..come over?…' Jazmine signed slowly. Both of Huey's eyebrows rose as he sat up.

"R-right now, Jaz?" Huey stammered. He gave her a serious look. "You sure?"

'Yes. I want to,' Jazmine nodded affirmatively.

"I mean, I do too, it's just… I don't want you crossing the street in this cold."

God, Huey, would you shut the fuck up?!, Huey scolded himself. She's practically giving you the go-ahead and you making up EXCUSES?! Damn, nigga are you GAY?!' Huey actually had to shake Riley's voice out of his head.

'I don't mind…' Jazmine gave him a hinting smirk. She batted her long eyelashes twice at him, waiting for his response.

"Okay. Come on," Huey said lowly. "Don't get caught sneaking out of your own house."

'Boy, please. I'm grown as hell. I don't need permission from my parents just because it used to be their house.' Jazmine rolled her eyes.

"Yeah…alright," Huey crocked. "See you in a minute."

'Okay,' she winked and they both hung up.

So, Jazmine was completely fronting. She may have acted on impulse when she asked to go over, but she really DIDN'T know how she was going to sneak out of her own house. It may have been hers, but the fact both of her parents were currently staying in it again, made her feel like a kid again. And the fact that her grandparents were here made her feel all the sneakier. But she wasn't worried about them. They were dead to the world right now.

It was her dad that she was most nervous about. He was always a light sleeper. But he wouldn't likely be checking up on her if he didn't want to check up on his ex-wife either, so she should be good.

She quickly tiptoed upstairs and peered down the hall to her father's room. There weren't any lights coming from the cracks, so she was in the clear there. She quietly walked into her and her mother's room, where Sarah was fast asleep. She got out a plain pair of cotton, navy blue pants from an overnight bag she packed for giving up her master bedroom…reluctantly. She took the pants back outside the room, quietly closing the door behind her. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she threw on her pants and slipped on her black coat, followed by her brown uggs over her pink fuzzy socks. She giggled to herself at her 'Come-Thru' outfit. She looked like a straight bum. But hey, if tonight went as planned, she might not be wearing much for much longer.

She grabbed her keys from her key rack and paused before opening her front door, listening for absolutely ANYTHING to imply that her family was still up, but not a sound was stirred. So she took a deep breath, and gently opened her door, clicking the lock before stepping through, and closed it just as softly.

With that, she pulled her hood over her head and crossed the street. The butterflies in her stomach intensified every step she took into the blistering cold. It felt like old times when she would sneak over here when they were kids, but now, it was for a whole different reason. She thought of how times have certainly changed as she stepped onto their porch.

She didn't even lift her hand to knock before the door opened, with Huey standing there in a black T-shirt and basketball shorts. He took her hand and pulled her out of the cold, closing and locking the door behind him.

"You're crazy you know that?" Huey smirked.

'Yeah, well… Sanity is highly overrated.' Jazmine simply signed as she kicked off her uggs. Huey chuckled through his nose as she shook his head. Sounds like something he would say.

He let her pass in front of him and up the stairs. Jazmine gave a slight sway in her hips as she led the way to his room. She could practically feel his stare burning into her backside. With every step she took closer to his room, she felt the adrenaline pumping more and more. Here she was, in her best friend's house, obviously up to no good, while her family was sleeping in her house just across the street. Was it worth it? She'll let you figure that out soon.

When they entered his room, she felt her adrenaline at its highest. She stood before his bed, looking around his room, like she was looking for any particular reason to bolt for the door and hightail it back to her house, but she found none. She knew this was right where she wanted to be, in this very moment.

When she heard his bedroom door close, then lock, she could hear her heartbeat in her head. She stood stuck in her place, unsure of what to do. She's been out of the game so long, she couldn't recall any plays from the playbook when it came to late night visits like this. She was a little rusty.

Huey slowly approached behind her, noting her usual nervous stance. He was nervous too. He knew why she was here. He felt like he should just walk her back across the street and kiss her goodnight. It was the best thing to do wasn't it? He desperately wanted to be the gentleman he set out to be. But then he thought, if his hunch was correct about her being here tonight, she must not have been expecting the noblest of actions from him. It was a crude thought, but that was the reality of this situation. And he was all about accepting reality.

He saw how her shoulders were nearly at her ears, so he decided to help her relax a little. He wrapped his hands around her shoulders, grasping her coat by the hem of its collar, and slowly pulled it down and off her arms, hanging it over the end of his bed. She tried so hard to control her shaking body. She wasn't sure if it was from the sudden cool air, or her rattling nerves ready to boil over. Then, he brushed her hair over her left shoulder, exposing her neck and upper back to him. He studied the kinkier, brighter-blonde curls on the nape of her neck and the various little, dark beauty moles scattered on her back.

He brushed his lips up the back of her neck and trailed them back down with light kisses to her upper back. He felt her shiver as his arms snaked around her waist, pulling her closer against him. He had gotten so lost in her scent, it aroused him all the more. It was like a vanilla-butterscotch. Sweet, nostalgic and natural. He nuzzled into her more as his kisses then trailed over to her right shoulder blade, where the scar from her bullet wound resided.

He felt his blood boil at the sight of it again, knowing where it came from. But he quickly calmed himself down. Tonight wasn't about that. It had to be all about her. She was safe and she was here. Here, with him and that's all that mattered. He was going to cherish her for all she was worth.

He gave her scar a lingering kiss as well and Jazmine released a shaky sigh as she felt her whole body finally relax.

"What you doin' here girl?" Huey whispered in her ear as he brought his hands up her sides and turned her to look at him. Jazmine kept her eyes ahead of her, fixed on his muscular chest. She probably wouldn't have been able to find the words to speak even if she weren't mute. "Hmm?" He questioned again as he lifted her chin with his finger, meeting her emerald eyes. He gazed back down at her, waiting for her to give him the reply he needed to hear. Jazmine got lost in his wine-stained saucers. The intensity of how he stared at her made that heat arise in her again. She bit her lip seductively as she slowly regained her confidence.

'I believe you said you had something to show me,' Jazmine signed before placing her hands on his chest and ran them down his torso, tracing the hard muscles underneath. She ached to touch them directly, to touch him directly. Her hands stopped at the bottom of his shirt, and she looked up at him again. 'Unless you'd rather just tell give me a verbal demonstration, Mr. "Actions Speak Louder Than Words".' She signed with her hands still at his waist, giving him a challenging grin.

"Still talkin' shit," Huey shook his head with a devilish smirk. She returned his look as she lifted the bottom of his shirt up and off of his body. Oh my fuck! She screamed in her head.

Jazmine's breathing picked right back up at the sight of his mouthwatering, chiseled-by-the-gods body. Every muscle, from his chest, his shoulders, his arms, and his eight-pack ABS, all beautifully sculpted to perfection! His vegetarian and martial-arts lifestyle has definitely been kind to him.

He had a snarly black panther tattoo that came up over his shoulder and took up his whole left peck. It was very detailed and realistic. And he had Roman numerals inked on his side, just under his upper ribs. Jazmine bit her bottom lip longingly as her hands trailed up and down every crevice of him, savoring the hard surfaces under her fingertips.

Huey held her by the arms as he let her touch him. Her soft hands felt like heaven, and every time she grazed her fingers down the V of his pelvis, he felt himself stiffen in other places. He figured he'd amp it up a little. So he let his hands travel from her arms, down to her waist, pulling her close so their bodies could touch. Jazmine's lips parted as she felt his aroused length rub against her thigh.

"I see you got quiet," Huey taunted as he pulled the drawstring to her pants loose. Jazmine was about to sign something smart back, but she got distracted by Huey's hands traveling back around her waist, past her hips and down to her ass, inside her pants, but still outside her shorts. He occupied his mouth on her neck, kissing and sucking gently as he squeezed her ass cheeks real hard. She gasped sharply, jumping into him as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He shifted his hands under her waistband, letting her pants fall off of them and to the ground.

"You gonna..k-keep me..quiet?" Jazmine whispered in his ear before giving him a sultry look. Huey released her from his embrace and pushed her back onto the bed. Jazmine giggled at the ceiling as her back hit the mattress. She then sat up, supporting herself on her elbows and watched him kneel onto the bed and crawl to her, his stare never breaking from her.

"That depends, Beautiful," Huey said as he got close to her face, his hands planted on the mattress on either side of her hips, and his knee straddled in between her bent-up one and the other laying flat on the bed. Jazmine gave him a questioning look. "…on you," he clarified. Jazmine still looked confused. "You didn't bring your medicine did you?" Now she understood.

Fuck! Jazmine inwardly cursed.

She really didn't think that part through! She actually didn't even think of the connection! And she knew herself. She wasn't exactly the "quiet type" before she became mute. How was this going to work?

Huey simply smirked at seeing her get flustered with herself and leaned in and placed his lips softly on hers. Jazmine kissed back more tenderly, interlocking her fingers around the back of his neck and laying back into his pillows, pulling him down with her. Huey followed her earnestly, deepening the kiss as he let his tongue swirl with hers. She cupped his face and let her fingers travel into his hair, grabbing and scratching his scalp gratefully. Before it could get any more heated, Huey pulled away, slowly releasing her bottom lip from his teeth as she laid her head back down.

He hovered above her with his hands on either side of her head and their bodies just barely touching. He gazed down at the woman of his dreams, taking in every inch of her: her wild, unruly curly hair sprawled out everywhere on his pillows, her ginormous and mesmerizing green eyes, beckoning him with every blink of her long dark eyelashes, her round, modest breasts, with erect nipples that poked through her tank top, staring him in the face. His mouth watered as he chewed his bottom lip hungrily.

Jazmine swore if he kept staring at her like this, she was going to lose her nerve. She could literally feel the heat beaming from her cheeks. It was always that same look, like she was a cup of cool water in the middle of the Sahara desert. It turned her on to the highest extent, but almost intimidated her as well.

"Just…" She croaked out, but stopped herself. And that was another thing. When she was around him, she kept forgetting that she couldn't flipping talk! It was so backwards. Huey waited patiently for her to communicate. He watched as she brought her hands in between them. 'Please..' she emphasized drawing the circle over her breasts. '…be gentle.'

Huey nodded and leaned his head down to sweetly kiss her again, just as gentle as she signed for him. She shifted her legs so that he could rest comfortably between them. That's when he felt her begin to shake again. He caressed her side softly and barely brushed past her breasts as he slid his hand up her neck and cupped her jaw.

"You let me know when to stop, okay?" Huey said clearly and assertively. Jazmine nodded. "And please, if you feel like you're going to scream out…" Huey placed a throw pillow by her head. "Bite this…" he smirked. He enjoyed hearing her, more or less, pleasure cries, but not enough to lead her to hurt herself and suffocate.

Jazmine bit back a nervous giggle. This was really happening. They were really going to go there. She didn't know how far, but she was beyond thrilled. She cupped his jaw as well, and they brought each other in for another kiss and it quickly steamed up.

She let her hands wander again on whatever she could get her hands on. She wrapped her arms around his back, feeling every curve of the bulging muscles along his spine. Damn, it's been so long since she's felt a man's body like this. It was a pleasure that some may overlook, but for her, she reveled in the essence of him. Just the feel of his body above hers nearly drove her over the edge. She could feel herself getting a little over-excited. She released uneven breaths as she vibrated even more in anticipation underneath him.

"Shhhhh," Huey whispered against her mouth. "Relax, baby girl. I got you." Jazmine's breath hitched in the middle of her spasms. He sounded so damn sexy when he talked to her like that. It did the exact opposite of what he intended.

He occupied his mouth on her neck again, this time more aggressively, nipping and sucking her flesh, making her hiss into his ear. When he felt her start to arch into him, he pressed his weight down on her, and the two sighed in unison. Her body immediately stopped shaking and practically melted into him. He began slow grinding into her, rubbing his length against her center perfectly. Jazmine's mouth fell open, releasing more gasps and hisses as she locked her legs around his waist.

"Huueeyy" Jazmine breathed out. "Fffuuuckk.." She nuzzled against his cheek and licked along his jaw and down his neck. She sucked along his throat and bit down lightly. She felt the vibrations of his growl rumble on her lips. She gently ran her nails along his spine and curled her hips to meet his strokes.

"Shit, Jazmine," Huey groaned as his strokes became more urgent.

What was this woman doing to him?! He was a stickler for self-control. But every time he locked eyes on this woman, every ounce of control left his body. He thought she still needed time and space but..

"Touch m-me, Huey..p-please," she whispered in his ear as she took his hand in hers and put it on her chest.

… she obviously had other plans. She seemed to be rather ready to him.

He groped her left breast tenderly with his palm, while twiddling her nipple between his fingers and thumb, and watched her head dip back in pleasure. He slid his other hand down her side and cupped her plump ass again, lifting her pelvis to meet his as he ground her down in the sexiest way possible. He watched her face twist and screw at the feeling of his hands on her.

How long has it been since she's been touched like this? Her responsiveness was the answer to that rhetorical question. He then slid both of his hands up inside her shirt, grazing his nails along her smooth, flat stomach and stopped right at her ribs. He looked in her eyes for confirmation. She responded by lifting her arms above her head.

A moment later, her tank top hit the floor. He expected her to shield herself with her arms or hide her blushing face from him, but she did neither. She laid underneath him with her hands up by her head, eyes luring into his soul, and her chest, blessed with amazing D-cup breasts and light brown nipples, rising and falling with every deep breath she took. Her long torso was contoured with the lines of her abs that led down to her lower fleshy tummy with barely visible stretch marks. She was the epitome of perfection. He knew she was probably on the verge of having a panic attack from how long he was staring, so he had to lighten her up a bit.

"You so fuckin' sexy, Jaz…" he whispered so low it sounded like it came from his chest. She felt all the heat swoop down south as he said that. That inner-city Chicago nigga definitely showed himself when Huey was turned on. And it turned her on even more, knowing that she brought that out of him.

She made a come-here motion with her finger and Huey complied without hesitation. He went back into her arms and resumed dry-humping the shit out of her, the both of them groaning at the skin-to-skin contact. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head every time he would brush up against her clit just right. He watched as her jiggly upper assets heaved with every stroke he gave, and he knew what he had to do.

He licked a trail from her neck, down to her collarbone where he softly bit and sucked, and then down to the valley between her breasts. Jazmine arched her back into him more, tangling her fingers in his afro, encouraging him to go further. He then turned his head and captured her left nipple in his mouth. She lifted her head and moaned out loud! Luckily, not loud enough to hurt her, but she bit down on his throw pillow just in case. He smirked against her skin as he sucked her whole areola into his mouth, while slowly running his tongue over the bud, then flicking it fast, all while massaging and palming her other breast. Jazmine scratched at his shoulders, as she continued to arch her back in utter bliss.

Her pants and sighs got heavier as he continued his assaults. He switched his mouth over to her right nipple, while using his arm to wrap underneath her arched back, holding her more steady to him, and used the other to trail down her stomach, and to her inner thighs. As he pushed her thighs further apart, she looked down at him, still suckling her right breast, and he looked right back at her. He released her nipple and tongue-kissed her hard as he softly ran his fingertips in patterns until they landed on the apex of it, where her groin and thigh met.

"Jazmine,"Huey breathed on her lips, but she shook her head and shushed him with another fiery kiss. She wasn't going to let him back out of this. Not tonight.

"I want.. more, Huey,… please?" Jazmine practically begged between kisses. Huey couldn't possibly turn her down now. Her whispers were so bare, yet resonated so fully to him. And the lewdness that seemed to overcome her spoke for itself. It was like looking at a whole different Jazmine, who blossomed only for him. Although, he wasn't ready to pluck this radiant, sweet-fragranced flower yet, that didn't mean he couldn't 'taste the nectar' first.

So he brought his hand up her other inner-thigh, brushing over her silk shorts that blended into her silk skin, and ever so softly, ran his hand up against her mound. At that simple touch, he watched her completely lose herself. She bucked up against his hand, biting her lips hard as hell to keep from crying out. He cupped her harder, repeatedly pressing his fingers against her clit. Jazmine's eyes fluttered closed but her mouth fell wide open.

"Ohhh..Huueyyy, ssss ahhhhh," Jazmine was for real tripping. She was breathing so hard, she was starting to get light-headed if Huey's touches hadn't done so already. Huey bit his bottom lip at the sight of her writhing and twisting in pleasure as he continued working her. She was scorching hot on his hand and it got him increasingly hard. "T-take them off."

Huey's eyes widened. This woman was for real wildin'! She had trusted him with her body, and he trusted her to let him know how far she wanted to go. But he wasn't expecting to go this far. It caught him off guard, but he complied nonetheless. He sat back on his knees, finally giving her a chance to breathe and hooked his fingers around her shorts' waistband. She watched him lustfully as she lifted her hips and let him remove them, slowly shimmying them down and off her legs. She laid with her knees pressed together in only her violet G-string with white lace.

"Damn, girl," Huey groaned as he was about to enter her legs again, but she held up her hand for him to stop.

'You too,' she made a 'Y' hand sign with her pink and thumb, moving it back and forth between them. Huey smirked and sat back up. Jazmine sat up on her elbows and braced herself as he pulled down his shorts and kicked them to the floor, leaving him in his gray boxers. He watched Jazmine's gaze slowly scope down from his face, down his body and to his….Praise Santa!

Jazmine's face flushed red as she bit her bottom lip, staring at the miraculous tent he made. The flap was even forced to give way, but just barely enough to still cover him! That was what was rubbing up against her? She was right the first time. Huey was playing in a much bigger ball park… more like STADIUM! Jazmine involuntarily began squeezing her thighs together, and Huey chuckled at her sudden shyness.

"You know, we don't have to go all the way tonight, Jaz" Huey said tracing his fingers up her legs, massaging her calves and groping under her thighs. "Don't get me wrong, I want to, but…"

'But what?' Jazmine signed frantically, afraid that this was where tonight ended. He chuckled as he looped his arms under her thighs, gripping her hips and pulled her closer to him, making her fall back onto the mattress. She watched him earnestly, waiting for hi to respond as he loomed over her again.

"I don't want to wear you out before tomorrow," Huey began running his hands all over her body, memorizing every inch of her. She gave him an objecting look, but it quickly fell as she got lost in his touch again. "Can't have you limping around all day in front of everyone, now can I?" He pressed his groin against hers and they both shuddered. The only thing separating them now, were their thin undergarments, which felt nearly invisible. He felt twice as big and long against her and she felt twice as hot and wet against him.

"B-but… ssss ahhhh...Huey," Jazmine tried objecting. What was the deal? Hell, she would hop on one leg all day tomorrow if she could! He started humping her, this time with more need and wanton, clearing all complaints out of her head. Jazmine spread her legs wider and lifted her knees higher, giving him the perfect angle. "Ohh God..Hueeyyyy," Jazmine sighed his name again and again and again. She dug her nails into his mid-back as it moved in a sexy wave-like motion, then slid them down into his boxers, gripping and needing his rock-hard ass as she guided his movements, sending him ripples of pleasure.

"Mmmm, fuuckk this pussy is so hot, baby girl," Huey groaned as he brought both his hands down to massage her breasts and pinch her nipples. Jazmine's head fell back into the pillow at both his words and his touch. She never would have guessed that Huey Freeman was a dirty talker in bed, and she LOVED it! She could probably climax from just his words alone. "You don't know how bad I wanna slide into you, feel that wet pussy squeeze around me, taking every inch of this dick, and make.. you..cum..soo fuckin.. hard" His pace picked up with every word he spoke on that last part. Jazmine pulled him flush against her, moaning in his ear at the feel of his steaming body pressed against hers.

"Shhhittt, Jaz," Huey had stopped his grinding and began pounding against her pussy, like he was actually fucking her. The mattress began rocking, but thankfully his headboard was mounted securely. His hand slid into her hair, gripping it hard enough to not hurt her as he began biting down on her neck. Jazmine responded by biting into his shoulder as her eyes rolled shut at the feeling of his pelvis slamming against her clit. It took every ounce of control, or lack thereof, to not reach down and pull her G-string to the side. God, she was so tempted to.

After a couple more moments, he slowly stopped his thrusts and looked down at her face. He could see she wanted more and he in fact, wanted to do more. A naughty idea came into his head.

'What is it?' Jazmine signed as she barely whispered. He paused a moment before answering.

"Can I eat you out?" Huey asked in the most humble tone as he could. Jazmine's gasp got caught in her throat. She definitely didn't anticipate that. "If you're not comfortable with it it's completel…" she brought his face in for a tender kiss and brought him back down to lay on her. She pulled away sucking on his bottom lip, and looked him dead in the eyes before nodding her head. "I wanna hear you say it," he whispered against her lips. He slid his hand into her panties and rubbed his fingers against her labia and up towards her clit, rubbing it in soft circles. Jazmine's body convulsed at the direct contact before she could even find her words.

"P-please, Hueyy..sss ooOOOUU!" He pressed his fingers harder against her as he sucked on her neck.

"Please what, beautiful? Hmm? What you want?" Huey licked up her neck and licked her earlobe. Jazmine was seriously about to lose her shit. This man and the pleasure he was giving her was just too good for words! But she found them nonetheless.

"Y-your mouth..mmmm..eat my pussy Huey," Jazmine brought his lips back to hers. "Make me cum," she whispered against them. Who knew such naughty words could sound so good coming from her lips. He wasted no time.

He trailed his tongue from her neck down to her chest, giving both breasts equal attention before kissing the valley between them, and kissing and sucking along both her rib-cages. Then he trailed his tongue down her linea alba, kissing above where he stopped before continuing, kissed past her navel, and stopped at the edge of the white lace of her G-string. He pulled down one of her thin straps and gave a long lick to her hipbone followed by a tender bite to it.

All the while, Jazmine's head was completely spinning. As his talented mouth explored her body, her back arched higher and higher off the bed. She adjusted the pillow under her head to get herself nice and comfortable. After all that fantasizing, something told her to brace herself. She opened her legs wider as he reached her hip. She looked down to see two strikingly determined maroon eyes looking back up at her.

He kept his stare on her as pulled down the hem of her panties, but he stopped when he saw yet another scar, residing just above her mons pubis. His heart nearly skipped a beat as he realized what the cause of it was.

She tensed up immediately. She was so absorbed in the pleasures he was giving her, she had forgotten all about that permanent and most vulnerable mark on her body.

It was a flattened U-shaped scar, about 3-5 inches wide, right on the start of her vagina. When he looked up again, Jazmine quickly turned her head and covered her face with her hands, the first time she's ever hid herself from him that night. He quickly sat back up and took her hands from her face, turning her head to make her look at him.

"You are beautiful, Jazmine Elizabeth Dubois. You hear me?" he said sternly but lovingly. He saw tears starting to form in her eyes. It nearly ripped his heart to shreds. "Absolutely," he kissed her lips. "Completely," He kissed her cheek. "Positively," he kissed her neck. "Unquestionably," the top of her chest. "Undoubtedly," her stomach. "Unconditionally Beautiful," he gave her scar long kisses end to end. With every word he spoke, she felt her tears clear more and more, except for one that escaped and fell down her cheek and past her ears. And when he started kissing her scar, she whimpered out in pleasure as she arched her back again "Look at me, gorgeous," Huey whispered. Jazmine wiped the tear-trail off her cheek as she lifted her head. "You want me to keep going?"

She flexed her wrist forward like her mind never once thought otherwise. Who knew he was capable of such compassion, warmth, and affection? Why did he have to be so damn amazing?! After the gesture he expressed to her, she wanted him now more than ever.

Without breaking eye contact, he hooked two fingers around both straps and pulled down the last article of clothing from her body, slower than anything he's removed that night. And there she was, as bare and natural as the day she was born. Huey licked his lips as he drank her in.

Not wanting to waste another second, he lifted her ankle, and began kissing up her leg. He alternated between both legs until he reached her thighs, where he began sucking and biting softly on her soft, silken skin. Her legs quivered with anticipation as she let out impatient whimpers and sighs. When he finally approached her canal, he nearly came at the sight.

Her neatly trimmed, light brown pubic hair was waxed in a small triangle, pointing right to the bundle of nerves that was now erect. She was already creaming from her labia tissues, that glistened and twitched with every quake of her legs. He spread her thighs a little wider as he placed her legs over his shoulders. He licked from her inner thighs all the way to her groin and took a mean bite into the flesh there. Jazmine's hips flew up as she released an animalistic moan that neither of them knew she was capable of. He looped his arms around her thighs and pulled her back down, holding her still. He moved in closer, letting his hot breath tickle her. She squirmed in frustration, but his death grip on her thighs left her hopeless.

"Hueyyy, quit playin," she whined. He thought she waited long enough.

When he ran his flattened tongue from the bottom of her opening all the way to her clit, where he circled it softly, Jazmine's eyes slowly rolled shut for the hundredth time and her mouth fell open. It just took that one taste for him and he went into a frenzy. He fluttered his tongue between her folds, teasing her opening before pushing it through. Jazmine's hand found the back of his head as she pressed herself more into him, grinding into his tongue.

"Hhhaaaaa! Oh my…Hueyyy!..ohhhh sshhhhit!" She felt him flick his tongue deep inside her, fucking her with his pink muscle. When he got her as wet as he wanted, he moved his mouth up to her clit, licking her so sweetly and slowly, Jazmine could hardly contain her breathing. This blew all her fantasies out of the water! And when he wrapped those blessed lips around her, Sweet Mother in Heaven. Jazmine pulled at the pillow under her head as she moved her hips to the pattern of his licks.

Huey hummed against her as he sped up his tongue. He moved his hands from her thighs to her hips, gripping them pleasurably to keep up with her movements. She tasted so fucking sweet. He lapped and sucked on her like a bee to a honeycomb. The sounds she was making encouraged him to please her all the more. He ran his hands up her stomach, and massaged her breasts. Jazmine's eyes squeezed shut at the added stimulation as she placed her hands over his.

She started to lift her knees, but he even took the liberty to push them up further, to where her kneecaps hit the mattress and her feet were in the air. And his lips and tongue against her never ceased.

"Huey…H-huueeyy…Ohh fuckkk Huu-eeeyy!" Her mouth and throat were getting dryer and dryer with every breath she took, but she didn't care. Because once she started feeling that familiar, warm, tightness in the pit of her stomach, it was the only thing she was focused on. Huey could tell she was getting close and he wanted her to cum as hard as he could make her. He released one of her legs and brought his hand down to where his mouth was. Jazmine felt something tease her opening and she was about to look down, but then she felt it slip inside her and her neck hyperextended off the pillow. She had to grab the throw pillow, and bite down hard as he continued to finger her while still keeping his mouth sealed around her vulva. He soon entered a second finger and curled them both against her G-spot as he thrusted. Jazmine's whimpers remained muffled as she curled her hips, desperately trying to meet her climax. She reached above her head with her other hand and gripped the edge of his mattress, using whatever leverage she could to bounce back against his fingers. When her legs began to shake, Huey took his mouth off of her, finally drawing in a breath.

"Look at me when you cum, Jazmine" He growled. He didn't want her thinking about anything or anyone else but him when she came. She gladly obeyed and looked directly at him. He gave her the lustful eye as he bit his bottom lip, thrusting his fingers faster and watched as she struggled to keep her eyes open.

"Fuck," Jazmine squeaked as she released the throw pillow. "I-I'm g-gonna.. c-c…Her lips trembled

"Go ahead," he smirked before leaning down and continued sucking on her clit.

"Oh God..Hueyyy…OhGod,OhGod,OHGODDD HUEEYY!," She could only hold eye-contact for so long before she got lost in her climax. Her body shook and convulsed uncontrollably. Her sight went white and the whole world faded out. She rode on this euphoric wave as long as possible. This release was long awaiting and so much-needed.

And he was still going! Prolonging her orgasm, nearly driving her to delirium.

Twenty seconds went by before she frantically patted his arm, pleading for him to stop his assaults. Huey lifted his head from between her legs and retracted his fingers. Jazmine's legs flopped down on the bed. She watched as he wiped his mouth, cheek to cheek, still holding that accomplished smirk.

With little strength she had, she reached for him and he entered back into her arms. They kissed slowly and passionately. She sucked his tongue and then his bottom lip, tasting herself on his mouth. Huey moaned into her lips. That shit was so sexy. He was so distracted he didn't feel her hands running down his body until she cupped his length. He pulled back from the kiss and gave her a daring look. She only returned it look with an innocent one.

"Jazmine…" Huey sighed followed by a grunt as she rubbed up and down. "You don't have to."

"I know," she whispered. "Let me make you feel good Huey." She bit her bottom lip as she took her hand, rubbed it against her wetness and went inside his boxers. She pressed their foreheads together and began stroking him. She felt him twitch in her hand. She could see he was trying to keep collected, but was failing miserably. He let out a low grunt on her lips and began grinding into her hand.

Jazmine shocked her own self at the initiative she was taking. She looked down to where his boxers fell just below his member. He was so big and hard in her hand! Her hand looked like a Barbie doll's wrapped around him. Fuck, it made her even more wet just envisioning him inside her. She squeezed and pumped her hand in patterns, imitating how her muscles would contract around him. That earned louder grunts and growls from him.

"Fuckkk… Jaz," Huey started grinding harder. She licked her other hand and joined it with the one already gripping him, massaging his entire shaft and head. His eyes rolled back as he released a hiss into her ear. "You bouta make me cum, baby girl."

"Cum for me Huey," Jazmine whispered as she sped up her movements. He bit into her neck as his whole body tensed and he gave a final thrust, exploding all over her hands. She slowly kept stroking him and squeezing him, making sure everything was out before he gave loud huff and grabbed one of her wrists. Jazmine slowly released him and brought her fingers to her mouth, sucking its contents off of them. She looked into his eyes and gave him that same accomplished smirk.

"You are something else, Dubois," Huey said breathily.

'No, I'm something more,' she signed as she winked.

"Mmm," he groaned before he gave her a small peck. He grabbed her a few tissues from his nightstand to wipe her hands with.

"Wait here," he said as he lifted off of her, letting the cool air finally hit her body. He got out of bed and walked out his bedroom door, closing it behind him. When he left, Jazmine found her tank top, panties and shorts and slipped them back on before laying back into his bed.

What the fuck just happened? She giggled to herself. She chewed on her fingernail and twirled her hair. She knew it was the endorphins, and maybe it was more, but damn did she feel soo good! All the stress, grief, anger and hurt was washed away, at least for now. And that was perfectly fine to her. She took a HUGE leap and she owned up to her decision. She had no regrets whatsoever. Huey was just so… fuck. She couldn't even put it into words. He was definitely not no "average man". He was exceptional! Hell… no wonder why his ex was so crazy. She giggled again. Best to keep that joke to herself. His bedroom door opened again.

He had on different boxers, still shirtless much to her appreciation, and held a white tea cup. She turned her body on her side, and eyed him naughtily from the bed. Huey smirked as he scanned her body. The way her waist dipped from her torso and rose to her curvy hips, accented by long, smooth butterscotch legs.

"Thought you might need this," Huey said snapping out of his thoughts. He walked over towards the bed and handed it to her, before getting his basketball shorts and slipping them back on. Then he sat next to her. "It's not mint, but it's the only kind we got."

Jazmine smiled admirably at him. This man really had a whole other side to him. "Sweet" was not a word most people would use to describe Huey Freeman. But most people didn't get to see the real Huey Freeman. And she felt honored to be amongst the few, or only one, to see it.

She blew on the hot brew before taking a small sip and sighing. She tasted it again and made a thinking face.

'Jasmine?' she signed. Huey rolled his eyes in embarrassment. She gently tugged his earlobe in a teasing manner. He pulled his head away as he looked her up and down. Jazmine snickered as she criss-crossed her legs under her like a kindergartener and began sipping away at her tea, letting it soothe her throat muscles. After a couple moments she finished it and he took it from her, placing it on his nightstand.

"So, how are you feeling?" Huey asked stroking her thigh.

'Like I haven't felt in a very long time,' Jazmine signed before placing her hand over his. 'Thank you, Huey.'

"You don't have to thank me, Jazmine. Only you are responsible for your own happiness." He interlocked their fingers.

'Well, you've played a huge role in my happiness since I've been here. So yes…' She signed with one hand as she leaned over and kissed him on the corner of his mouth. '..I do.'

"Well, you're welcome I guess," He smirked and kissed her right on the lips. He could spend the rest of his life kissing her and those sweet pink lips.

'What about you though? How are you feeling?'

"Honestly, pretty great. And after what you just said, I feel even better," Huey answered. "I'm glad I make you happy, Jazmine. And I can make you even happier."

'Oh yeah?' Jazmine smiled flirtatiously. 'Do tell.' Huey drew in a deep breath and sighed. Here goes nothing.

'Jazmine… I want you to be my girlfriend.' Huey signed. Jazmine's heart skipped a beat. 'You're not only beautiful, smart, independent, and loving. You are the most extraordinary woman I know. No matter what hardships you face, you still find the strength and courage to find a positive solution in the situation, which has always been my favorite quality about you.' He signed fluently. He saw Jazmine's breathing deepen as she kept her fixated stare on him. 'I want to be the one to make you smile, Jazmine. And be the one you run to when you're sad. I will respect you, I will treasure you, and I will keep you safe. You deserve all the happiness in the world. And I know I can make that happen for you. If you'll have me.'

By the time he finished, Jazmine already had tears in her eyes. Huey couldn't tell if they were happy or sad tears. But when he saw a faint smile slowly creep on her lips, it lifted the world tremendously from his shoulders. She gave a deep shaky sigh as she nodded her head before the tears fell down her cheeks.

"Yes," she simply whispered. Huey's eyebrows rose in shock. 'I'll be your girlfriend, Huey!' She signed cheerfully before tackling him in a bear hug, knocking him back onto the bed.

"Oof!" Huey grunted before chuckling and wrapping his arms around her. She squeezed around his neck as she nuzzled her face into it. He tried sitting back up, but she didn't budge. She stayed hugging him snugly and he felt her body quiver with the sobs she released into his skin. "Hey, hey. It's alright," he whispered into her hair as he rubbed her back. She sniffled before lifting her head and wiping away her tears.

'It's more than alright, Huey. I never thought I could be this happy again, let alone be this happy with anyone again. You are such a good man, Huey Freeman. And now, you're my man.' She brought him in by the back of the neck and kissed him to her heart's content. Huey kissed back with equal force, and next thing you know, they were moaning in each other's mouths as it got heated again.

She brought her thigh over his lap and straddled on top of him, still keeping their lips connected. Huey ran his hands down her back, caressing her sides and gripped her hips, pulling her weight down on him. She broke the kiss and sighed lustfully as she sat up and started grinding slowly but tenderly on him. She ran her hands down his divine body as she bit her lip.

"You sure you wanna start up again, Dubois?" Huey asked staring at her hovering cleavage as he roamed his hands over her thighs. "Tom might have sent a search party by now." Jazmine smacked her lips and rolled her eyes.

'Well, I was, until you brought up my rape-a-phobic father, Freeman," she crossed her arms. Huey smirked as he sat up and squeezed her against him.

"You sure didn't care about that when you walked yo' fine ass over here," he taunted as he squeezed her ass cheeks. He loved the way she shuddered every time he did that.

'Don't act like you didn't want me to,' she signed between their faces. 'Although I am very glad I did.'

"Me too." Huey brought his lips up her neck and kissed around the fresh hickey that was starting to appear. "Might wanna cover that up."

Jazmine pulled away and put her fingertips on the side of her neck and she could literally feel the teeth marks. Her mouth gaped open in protest, and then her lips tightened angrily.

'Huey Freeman! Are you fucking serious?!' she signed frantically as she hopped off of him and went to the little face mirror above his dresser. She hissed in anger as she turned around and glared at him.

"Sorry," Huey shrugged. "You got some soft hands." Jazmine's nostrils flared as she continued giving him the death glare.

'What are we? In middle school?! Huey I can't have a hickey on my neck when we're going to be dining with the entire family tomorrow!'

"Do you have foundation and concealer?"

'Yeah?'

"Problem solved." Huey got up and walked over towards her. "Just wear your hair down. They won't know the difference." Jazmine's face softened as she reluctantly nodded her head.

'So.. Will this be our little secret for now?' She asked.

"If that works best for you, I don't mind. I actually prefer it," Huey pulled her by her shorts. "Gives us quality time to focus on us, without everyone being in our business. Wouldn't you agree?"

'With friends like ours?' She gave him an unsure look.

"Shit, you're right," Huey shook his head.

'Well, let's just get through tomorrow for starters. Just try keeping your eyes off my ass, then maybe people won't notice.' She smirked.

"Can't make any promises, but I'll try," Huey said half-truthfully. Jazmine just shook her head and hit him playfully on his chest. She looked back at his digital clock on his dresser and it had just passed midnight! She didn't even know that much time had passed! They must've been having a lot of fun! 'Gotta go?' He signed. Jazmine made a pouty face but nodded. "Alright, I'll walk you back."

They both got dressed in their warm clothes and quietly made their way back downstairs and out the door. He held her close to his side as they battled the bruising wind pushing them back. When they got to her porch, she slowly and silently unlocked the door, and barely pushed it open before sticking her head inside. It was still pitch black inside, so the coast was clear. She turned back around and they gave each other a long hug, before connecting their lips for the millionth time that night. But this kiss, it was like a signature seal. A seal to solidify and conclude their first night as a couple. They kissed one more time before pulling away and Jazmine stepped through the threshold.

'Goodnight,' she signed.

'Good morning, Elizabeth' he signed back with a smirk as he spelled out her middle name. He stepped down from her porch as she closed the door. She flicked the porch light on and off a couple times at him, making him shake his head as he went back across the street.

Jazmine tiptoed upstairs and softly turned the doorknob to her guest bedroom. Sarah was snoring soundly, buried deep in the white blankets. She went into the conjoining bathroom and freshened herself up for bed, throwing on a simple blue nightgown and went back to the bed. She scooted under the blankets and laid back into the pillows, releasing a quiet sigh knowing she was fully off the hook.

She laid there a couple minutes, staring into the darkness, the only light coming from the moon-rock night light dimly shining from the corner. As she laid there, she recollected what all just happened in the last few hours. She had broken her abstinence streak with Huey Freeman, her best friend, who was now her boyfriend... She was now Huey Freeman's girlfriend.

"Boyfriend…girlfriend," Jazmine mouthed to herself. Just the feeling as the words escaped her lips felt so foreign. She almost couldn't believe it, it was so surreal. She hugged her blankets tightly as her lips tightened into a big grin. But then it fell.

She looked over on her end table, where Matthew's lighter sat. She was almost afraid to reach for it. She was afraid to touch it ever again. But she hesitantly picked it up anyway. After what happened tonight, it felt like a long-lost object in her hand, like a forgotten memory.

She opened it, and flicked the flint wheel, but only sparks came up. Jazmine's eyes widened. She flicked it again, same outcome. She did it two more times until the faintest flame ignited, but after five seconds, it slowly extinguished. One final time, and no sparks showed at all. A wave of emotion came over her as her stomach tightened.

Her hands shook as she held her now, finished lighter. It could have been lucky timing, or it could have been fate. She didn't know. What she did know, was that she was now, officially free from her grief.

She gently placed it back on her nightstand, standing upright with the lid still open. She laid back into bed, closing her eyes and placing her hands on her chest as she took a deep breath and released it slowly.

'I, Jazmine Elizabeth Dubois, will mourn for Matthew Timoltus Caulton, No Longer.' She vowed in her head, followed by a single tear that she let fall. And that would be the last tear she would shed on behalf of his name.

UH-OHHH! Jazmine done finally gave up the goods! And Huey moved in for the kill and CUFFED dat ass! YAASSSS! I was nervous the whole time typing this smut. Chile' I had to get some ice water! Whooey! And they didn't even go ALL THE WAY! Shit was intense, man.

BTW I'd like to clear the air about Jazmine's "non-speaking" voice, because I know I'm going to get questions about that. She can only speak below a whisper, barely even a whisper at that. It's like breathing out words as she mouths them. Same goes for her moans, whimpers, giggles, chuckles, all vocalizations. It's all just air passing through. Her laryngeal muscles can only withstand slight intonation in her vocal chords. I expect that during those five years, she has learned her limits in how loud she can withstand.

NEXT CHAPTER: Thanksgiving Day and Dinner! Shit is about to hit the fan! You DON'T wanna miss this! More reviews, quicker updates!

AND I'd like to address the current ongoing protests for racial injustices against black people! STAND STRONG AND TOGETHER MY FELLOW BLACK BROTHERS AND SISTERS! R.I.P. to George Floyd and to the countless others who have lost their lives to CARELESS murder in the hands of law enforcement and police brutality! I have gone to three protests myself and have gotten maized and tear-gassed like TEN TIMES for simply walking and standing...no seriously, just walking and standing with my fellow PEACEFUL protestors, down the street which was closed off and RESERVED for SCHEDULED protests that day! The police just showed up out of nowhere with police dogs, rubber bullets and tear gas showing unnecessary show of force, simply because THEY CAN! Because they don't want us to be organized. They don't want us to be united! The ominous THEY don't want blacks to recognize their strength and power! But WE CANNOT LET UP! NO LIVES MATTER UNTIL BLACK LIVES MATTER! AND I SAID WHAT I SAID! This is what our black elders have paved the way for! It's our turn to carry the torch of justice! No justice, No peace!

You all be safe out here! Stay healthy and take care of each other! We need all the love and courage we can get!

REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW PLZZZ! LOVE YA'LL! XOXOXOXOXO