Page 11 of Kisses Behind The Spotlight 2: Finale

“Please don’t make my job harder than it already is.”

“He won’t be saying shit,” Uncle Vincent replied.

“Yeah, I don’t do many interviews because my girl likes our life private. You don’t have to worry about that with me. How long until we get the body cam footage back? Whatever we can do to the officer who did that to Jameera, I want it done. Fired, sued, all that.”

“I get it. It’s going to take some time to get the body cam footage. FDLE is investigating the incident because of your involvement and the shots fired at the airport. We will have to wait for the state attorney to complete their investigation before we can access the arrest footage. One step at a time. I’ve worked with your uncle for years; I can assure you that the outcomes for all five of your cases will be favorable. As soon as I have an update, I will give you a call. Do either of you have any additional questions for me?”

“Nah.” I shook my head and stood from the chair.

“By any means.” Uncle Vincent suggested, then followed me out of the office.

“Oh wait, fellas. One more thing,” Alexander shouted from the office.

We both turned and headed back through the glass door. “According to new documents filed this morning, the officers found Xanax in Khaleesi’s purse during their search. Khaleesi told me they are hers and she doesn’t have a prescription. She’s going to have to eat that possession charge. With no criminal record, I’m going to do everything I can.”

“Do that,” I requested.

Jameera was up on her feet when she saw us coming down the hallway.

“How did it go?”

“It went well,” I assured her. “Let’s focus on your dad now.” I took her hand in mine, and we continued to the elevators.

“Stepp is with you until further notice, Q. Duke is coming through to grab me. After he takes me home, he’s coming back to be with Jameera just in case y’all need to split up.” Uncle Vincent informed us once we made it to the parking garage. Duke was circling the garage and stopped right in front of us to open the door.

“Bet.”

We shook it up and went our separate ways. Duke passed me my phone once we were safely in the truck. It was finally charged back up. The notifications were flooding. Family checked on me, and my label and manager offered to pay for a lawyer and celebrated how my sales spiked after the arrest. Most tour dates were sold out, and everything was going better than we’d hoped for with the tour and album, but I couldn’t even crack a smile when my girl was in pain.

About thirty minutes later, we were entering James’ hospital room, and even I wasn’t prepared for the sight before me. Jameera’s hand was clasped tightly in mine, and I felt it tense up. I gently rubbed my thumb across her knuckle to hopefully soothe some of her stress and pain.

James’ face was bruised, he was hooked up to a plethora of devices, and the incessant beeping in the room was taking me back to my dark days when I was in his position.

The sharp, sterile smell of disinfectant, latex, and rubbing alcohol lingered around the cold hospital room. Hospitals were triggering as fuck for me. From being shot to the kidney transplant to the rejection scare admissions, I hated Tampa General. Over the years, I’d managed to avoid hospitals. Even when Anila gave birth to Van, I waited until he was discharged to meet him. If I could get away with that for the new baby, I’d do the same. That said, I tucked those feelings aside and braved the hospital for Jameera.

“I need him to wake up so we can put this nightmare behind us. I’m dealing with so much PTSD from losing my mom, and I’m struggling to hold it together,” Jameera broke down.

I pulled her into my arms and allowed her to expel her emotions while I rubbed her back.

“We gotta think positive, baby. Ain’t that what you always used to tell me?” I encouraged, pulling Jameera across the room.

I sat in the chair and pulled Jameera down into my lap. Her head fell to my shoulder, and she continued crying. “Now I understand why it was so hard for you to think positive,” she wailed. “It’s hard.”

A rustle across the room caught both our attention. Sam sat in the chair by the window, asleep with his head in his hand. Jameera wiped her tears and slid off my lap. She gently nudged Sam’s shoulder, and his eyes popped open.

“I didn’t even know I fell asleep. How did court go for Q?”

“He’s out.” Jameera nodded in my direction.

“Good shit.” He smiled.

Sam stood from the chair and stretched, letting out a long yawn.

“Go home and get some rest in your bed. We’ll be here for the rest of the day.”

“Okay. I’ll be back later to stay the night again so you can get some rest at home. James is a fighter; he’s going to pull through.”

Jameera nodded, and Sam kissed her forehead. “Y’all call me if you need to leave before I get back,” he instructed, then hugged Jameera and left the room.