Page 9 of Kisses Behind The Spotlight 2: Finale

“What’s wrong?” Amill hopped off her stool and headed toward her.

I was up on my feet behind Amill when I heard Mama Marissa and Yaseer’s thunderous footsteps descending the stairs.

“What’s wrong?” Amill sputtered as the rest of us barreled into the sitting area.

Yarissa was up on her feet, staring at the adults lined up in front of her. “Q isn’t here because he’s in jail?” Yarissa interrogated, her mouth open.

“Oh, girl,” Amill waved her off and went back to sit at the kitchen island.

“Okay, no more time on TikTok for you either,” Mama Marissa noted, taking Yarissa’s iPad. They greatly restricted her internet access, but I guess not enough to shield her from Q’s arrest. “Police did that to your face? You went to jail too?” Yarissa probed. Her cadence was slow, like all of the dots were falling into place.

Tears welled up in her bright eyes, and Yasser scooped her into his arms.

“Q is in jail, but we are going to get him out in the morning. It’s not something you have to worry about. Your brother is okay. I talked to him a few hours ago,” Mama Marissa assured her, gently rubbing Yarissa’s back as she cried on Yaseer’s shoulder.

“Yeah, I’m going to get him first thing in the morning. He will be home before you get out of school,” Yaseer added.

“I can’t go to school tomorrow,” Yarissa blubbered.

Yaseer pulled Yarissa off his shoulder and bounced her in his arms. Yarissa was already tall for her age, so she had to look down at Yaseer as he held her against his side.

“You can stay home tomorrow. I’ll call Ms. Angela and see if she can come over,” Yaseer stated, referring to her on-call sitter.

“Okay,” she sniffled.

“And we’ll let you stay up a little late. We can get ice cream and watch Princess and the Frog. Let’s go grab your Crocs,” Mama Marissa insisted.

“Okay,” Yarissa nodded before wrapping her arms around Yaseer’s neck.

They headed for the stairs to retrieve the Crocs, and I went to sit next to Amill at the kitchen island. Amill had two glasses in front of her, and she poured wine into both. When they turned to head up the stairs, we caught a glimpse of Yarissa’s face. She was grinning and stuck her tongue out at Amill. My eyes widened, and my mouth slipped ajar. Yarissa left me feeling a mix of disbelief and astonishment.

“Dad loves talking about the stunts I pulled when I was younger, but that lil girl is ten times worse than me. I don’t care what nobody says,” Amill whispered, taking a sip of the red wine.

“I see,” I murmured. “No wine for me. I was given a tetanus shot.”

“More wine for me then.” She shrugged and slid my glass in front of her.

“I’m going to sleep. I’m exhausted,” I announced with a big yawn.

“Okay, bestie. Sleep tight. I love you,” Amill pulled me in for a hug.

“I love you too.” I wrapped my arms around her, and she held me tight for a few moments I desperately needed.

CHAPTER FOUR

Quinten Bentley Jr.

My lawyer, the prosecutor, and the judge were going back and forth while I stood silently with my hands clasped in front of me. When I entered the courtroom and saw my family sitting together, it was comforting. I was ready to get this shit over with. I used my phone call to hit my Uncle Vincent; he told me to sit tight, and I would be out as soon as he could make it happen. I had no doubts about that. I was granted bail while New York arranged my extradition, and Xain was granted bail as well before we were shuffled back out of the courtroom into the holding area. It took another few hours before we were processed and released.

Exiting the secured area where they kept the inmates in the courthouse, the first thing I saw was Jameera, with a large bandage covering half of her face. My blood ran cold, and I had to take a deep breath as she sprinted in my direction with my family behind her.

The closer Jameera got, the more I saw the wariness in her eyes. If I weren’t already in handcuffs when that officer slammed Jameera to the ground, I would’ve added to the chaotic scene. The anger I felt seeing that was indescribable. Three officers were on me, and all my efforts to reach her were in vain.

Once Jameera was within arm’s reach, she jumped into my arms, and I held her up, inhaled her scent, and ran my hands through her soft curls. The buzzing in the courtroom subsided as we reunited.

“Bae, I’m sorry,” I whispered.

“It’s not your fault.”