Huey Freeman's Guide to Dating

Chapter Thirteen: The Best Policy

Step Thirteen:
So now you've made your choice. 
About time. 
But the thing is, they'll know until you tell them. 
So what are you reading this for.
Get up and make it happen!
Go tell them how you feel!

Ugh, sunlight.

Jazmine woke up to the sun shining directly in her face and groaned.

She dragged herself downstairs and snatched a note off the fridge from her extremely apologetic father, explaining that Mr. Freeman's wedding was today and he'd agreed to be one of his groomsmen.

Her heart sank immediately when she realized there was no way she could go, especially after everything that had happened.

Huey had made it clearer than clear.

He didn't see her that way, and now, he never would.

Not with Arielle back in the picture.

If she went to the wedding, everything would be ruined, and their friendship would be over for good.

So instead, she turned on the TV and pulled up Disney Plus.

It was time to see what Star Wars was all about.

"No, Huey!" Granddad cried out as he and Riley tugged on the handle, trying to get inside. "This is a mistake! Ebony's ass is too good to be with someone like me!" He hollered. "We all know she can do better! Her ass is beautiful, smart, and curing incurable diseases every goddamn day! I don't deserve her! This ain't gon' work!"

"Duh, nigga!" Riley glared at the door. "Her ass looks good, and you an old nigga who wears purple speedos to show off your wrinkly ass body!" He dodged Huey's hit with ease, talking like he hadn't just tried to knock him into next year. "But, aye...obviously she likes all that shit for sum reason! If she didn't, she'd have been gone." Riley shrugged. "I'm tryna keep eatin' all those good meals she be cooking. And like ya said, ha ass ain't no dummy. She knows what she's doin' and ha ass likes it. So open the door, nigga! It'll be alright. Ha ass clearly don't want no one but you."

Huey raised a brow when Granddad opened the door, just as surprised as he was.

"Boy!" He stared at Riley. "Did you just show me some compassion?"

He moved over to hug him, looking at Riley like he'd won the lottery.

"Whew! I always knew if I kept beating and punishing you for actin' a goddamn fool, I'd live to see something like this!" Granddad smiled. "All my hard work with yo hardheaded behind has finally paid off!"

"Compassion?" Riley snorted. "Nah, nah! I just think we should make sure this shit happens fo' ole girl finds a new family to spoil. It's bad enough she'll have Huey's hating ass as a grandson, but living closer to Ruckus? That ain't right." He smirked, his eyes trailing over to the groomsmen waiting in the other room.

"Besides, ion' know if you noticed, but Tom's been working out, getting his life together and shit." Riley leaned forward whispering into Grandad's ear. " He's younger, wealthier, financially responsible, eager to please, and Jazmine'll be moving out soon." Riley nodded. "If you don't make it happen, she might just move on to him."

Granddad dragged them both inside, a lot more pep in his step as he turned to eye Tom, shaking his head.

"Boy, you're right!" He rushed to the dresser in his hotel room and grabbed one of his handkerchiefs, dabbing at his face. "Huey, get the cufflinks! Riley, make sure my shoes are good and steam my tux."

Granddad took a deep breath and glanced at himself in the mirror, adjusting his bow tie.

"It's time."
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Jazmine was so engrossed in the movie, she barely even noticed someone picking the door open.

And by the time she had, it was way too late.

She dove to the floor, crawling out of sight until she noticed a very familiar pair of sandals from her vantage point on the ground.

"Cindy?"

She gave her a funny look, even more humiliated when Caesar snorted as well.

She rose to her feet, blushing when she noticed him staring at her TV screen in amusement.

"Caesar?!"

"Jazmine?!" They both mocked her tone, laughing at her annoyed face.