I couldn't wait, so. Here it is.

Ashley's POV

There are five main rules you have to follow when you're black in America:

1. Don't end up on Maury

2. Listen to any and all albums released by Drake, even if they suck

3. Accept that they will follow you around in stores

4. Don't wear hoodies in white neighborhoods

5. Do not, under any circumstance, punch a white, straight rich guy in the face

"This is crap," Dennis said. We were sitting in the lobby of the police station, where they were questioning Kenzie. "They really gonna hold him in here just for punching a racist?"

"First amendment," Pete, who had showed up at the station a few minutes ago said. He handed Erika a soda. "He can be as racist as he wants."

"Unfortunately, Kenzie isn't allowed to punch anyone. It's assault," Erika said. "And with his record, he might spend the night in here."

"Where's your Moms?" Dee asked, voice tense, jaw clenching and unclenching, almost as much as his fists. He was the only person pacing around. "Are they gonna let us see him? Should we lawyer up?"

"I'm already on it," Pete said. "My Dad's a civil rights lawyer, but he has a buddy who specializes in criminal cases."

Dee nodded, shaking his head and cracking his knuckled. "I'm not leaving here until my brother is free," he said.

"Then I hope you packed an overnight bag," Niko, seated closer to Erika on the bench said. "Only God knows what foolishness Preston has told these people and only God knows what of it they'll believe is true."

"He punched a trust fund baby," I said. "A black drug dealer punched a white trust fund baby. Who do you think they'll believe?" I stood up. "If Kenneth goes to jail I'm blowing the whistle on that stupid party."

"If Kenzie hasn't done that himself," Erika said. "That would screw everything up."

Dee stopped pacing for a sec and stared over at her. "You're worried about him talking about a blackface party, Erika?" he sneered. "My man could be sleeping in a whole cell tonight and you're deluded, civil liberty-wannabe ass thinking about how this fucks up your mission....whatever the that means?"

Erika sat u straight. "Dennis-"

"You too woke, Erika," Dennis said. "You so woke your brain is starting to melt from not closing your damn eyes."

"There are bigger things going on here," she said. "Kenzie will spend one night in prison and it'll be the end of this." She shuffled on the chair. "God knows it's not the first time."

"That's risky," Niko said. "I don't feel comfortable exposing one of our own."

"Everything we do is a risk," she said. "This entire operation was a risk. If the blackface party gets exposed, we risk every bit of leverage we had. They will go into lockdown mode. We need them comfortable and open."

"Easy for you to say," Dennis said. "You're not the mofo handcuffed to a table being grilled by the freaking cops right now."

"If it were me, I'd want you to do the same thing," Erika said. "Nothing would be different."

"It was you," Dee said. "Kenzie told me how Ashley protected you after you killed that woman."

"Okay," I said. Luckily the lobby was clear of any other people. "That's enough from the both of you."

Erika sighed. "I don't know why he had to punch him." She took out her phone. "Breaking rule number 5 is serious. I was just questioned by the police about a freaking murder and I'm sitting in a police station. I'm risking stuff right now too."

"We realize that, Erika," I said. "We're aware that this isn't the most ideal of situation for any of us."

Pete hung up his phone. "Lawyer should be here in two hours or less."

"So, what now?" Niko asked, leaning against his knees, propping his chin up by his knuckles. "We just sit here?"

"Do we really have a choice?" I asked. My ass was starting to itch from sitting so damn long.

"I don't think we do," Niko said, as an officer with a few papers came through a set of doors. "Are any of you related to Kenneth King?"

I walked up. "I'm his brother."

Erika came over and hugged him, and I scooted backward for a moment, blinking so fast between them I think I was cross-eyed after.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah," she said. Then she turned to me, when she noticed I was confused. "Ashley this is Antonio. He's my cousin. He's here to help."

My eyes flashed between them before I settled on just nodding. "What's going on in there?"

"Your brother is in serious trouble," he said.

I took a little step forward and cocked my head. "All he did was punch some guy. Minor assault."

"Some decent human beings would say it wasn't assault at all," Dee said.

"He has some very.... colorful priors," Officer said. "They are using this to go after his weed empire. It's the Al Capone tactic. Nail him on a smaller charge, get him for the bigger charges at the same time." He sighed. "He could face ten years."

"You've got to be kidding," Dennis said, laughing. "How does that civil justice taste right now, Erika?"

"Shut it, Kenzie," she responded. She turned to her cousin. "What can you do?"

"Nothing," he said. "I'm not on this case. And I just..." He looked at me.

Erika waved him off. "It's okay," she said. "Antonio is the reason the police haven't really suspected me for the murder."

"Don't talk loud," he said. "The cameras in here don't pick up sound, but we have some great lip readers." He came down to basically a whisper. "I can't help you guys right after I helped Erika," he said. "Too suspicious."

"So Kenzie's fucked?" I asked. I looked at Erika. "Dee is right, Erika. This is bullshit if Kenzie has to go to prison for you, after we risked almost going to prison for to save you."

Erika sighed and started pacing. And pacing. And paced. Until she suddenly stopped dead in her tracks, mid-step. "Maybe he doesn't."

"Lemme hear this one," Dee said, folding his hands over his chest. She looked over at me. "The Reds have gotten people off before."

Dennis sputtered. "Reece Red is your answer?" He snorted. "You gotta be kidding me."

"He's powerful enough," she said. "He can use his connections to get the best lawyer in this state, if not pressure them to drop the case altogether."

"I can't be hearing this," Antonio said and left the lobby.

"You want me to use Reece to get Kenzie off?" I asked. "That's......like asking Donald Trump to comfort a rape victim. He's the exact thing we're fighting here."

"Well I'm open to damn suggestions!" she shouted. "That was mine. What do you guys got?"

Silence.

She looked over at Dennis. "You got anything, Jaz?" she asked. "Or am I going to have to come up with all the suggestions to save Will?" She looked back at me. "I don't see any other way, Ashley." She slipped her phone in my hands. "Kiss and make-up and save your brother in the process."

My eyes shifted from Erika to Dee, who was standing behind us, leaning against the desk, staring over at me, with one hand on his basketball shorts and biting the thumb nail of the other hand. God, could he freaking clench and unclench his jaw. Did all boys have to do that when they were angry?

He was against it for the obvious reason and Erika was for it for the obvious reasons. They are both hypocrites here, but it isn't making any of this easier.

But my brother's life was on the line. His freedom. If I owed anything to anyone, it was Kenzie. He was the first to accept me, he protected me, Jesus, he might just actually love me.

"I'll use my own phone," I said and slipped hers back into her hands. I spun around, away from the gaze of Dennis and dialed Reece.

Reece's POV

"Where is he?" I asked, entering the police station lobby.

Everyone's gaze shifted over to me, including Ashley, who looked more strained than usual. "He's being questioned."

"Not anymore," I said.

Liza stepped in after me. "Where's Kenzie?" she asked. "This won't take long." She took off her coat and tied her hair.

"And where's Preston?" I asked, and I felt the hatred pumping through my veins. I could only guess it was visibly wearing on my face too.

"I'll get them off of Kenzie for the moment," Liza said. "But we need a criminal attorney here like now."

"Five minutes till he's here," Pete said from his corner.

"Good," she said. Then she turned to me. "You're up, big brother. Get Preston to back off of Kenzie. The nuclear option is on its way, so use it if you have to."

I nodded as she disappeared through two double doors that probably lead to the investigation rooms.

"I need air," that Dennis boy said and jumped off of the counter he was sitting on, not making eye contact with me or Ashley.

Speaking of Ashley, he was standing in front of me, with his big, curly locks flopping in front of his eyes. It was the first time I've seen him without his hair styled up and curled with whatever mystery goo he used to keep it up straight.

Erika cleared her throat. "I think we should all get some air."

"I second that," Niko and they all trickled out of the lobby. Leaving Ashley and I alone for what felt like the first time in a long time.

And after what felt like a lifetime of very, very loud silence and just looking anywhere but each other's faces, I spoke. "I'm sorry."

"I know," he said, folding his arms. "I guess I should apologize too."

I waved him off. "Don't. You don't really have anything to say sorry for."

"I do," he sighed. "I treated you like you threw the party."

"Well," I coughed and scratched the back of my head. "That's true."

He shrugged his shoulders, sighed and sat down on of the benches not too far away from me. I slowly crept over, and sat next to him. "This is all just so confusing," he said.

"What is?" I asked.

"Everything," he repeated. "Dennis is, you are, my Dad is, Kenzie... is beyond all human comprehension, and my feelings are conflicted on everything."

I stared at the side of his perfect face.

I've never really said it, but he's this unique blend of day and night –his skin is. Dark and light at the same time. Like midday when the sun was high in the sky and midnight when the moon was brightest were mixed and painted over his skin. "I'm here to help," he said. "I'm going to get your brother out of this."

He looked over and smiled. "Why?"

I frowned. "You're my fiancé."

"I'm your fake fiancé," he said.

"Well, I enjoy you," I said.

"Is that code for you like me?" he asked.

I twiddled with my fingers. "It could be."

He smiled, but it went as fast it came. "You're...not so bad."

"Is that code for you like me?" I asked.

He snickered. Then he stopped. "No."

"Can't blame me for asking," I said, snorting back. I slapped my lap. "Well, let's go and get your brother off."

"How are we doing that exactly?" he asked. "I mean, are you just going to threaten him"

I shrugged, buttoning up my shirt to the top. "Basically."

Opening up the double doors. I stopped a cop. "Is Preston Kyle allowed to have visitors"

"He's not being held," she said. "He's in room 4B with his attorney and an officer."

I nodded and took Ashely's hand, leading him to the room. I was surprised he didn't yuck it away from me.

I didn't have the common decency or respect to knock on the door because why the fuuuck would I? I opened it up, without warning and they all turned to me.

Preston was wearing a crazy amount of bandages. "Reeth," he said and by the flying spit, and the fact the's' sounds were replaced with 'th' ones, he hadn't replaced that tooth he lost.

"He's a witneth, he wath there," he said, and if all of this wasn't so serious, I might have actually snorted out a laugh.

"I'm not a witness," I said. "I'm here to ask that you dropped the charges."

Preston stuck up his middle finger at me. "You're dreaming if you think that will happen thithead."

"My client is pressing charges," the lawyer said. "There's no way this isn't happening, Mr. Red."

"Then he's got to press them against me too," I said. I motioned my clamed hands over to the officer, so he could get the cuffs "I punched him too. So, slap on those cuffs officer, and I like em' on as tight as possible" I blew the little white twink a kiss.

"You did?" Ashley asked from behind me. I briefly spun and saw that his eyes were wide. "You punched him?"

"Yeah," I said, winking at him, I said, motioning back to the cop. "So cuff me officer, cuff the billionaire in the room and let's see where this shit goes."

"I'm not afraid of you," Preston said, snorting. "You're a toothleth lion."

I smirked. "I had a feeling you'd say that," I said. "Which is why I had Liza place a call."

Preston's lips curved down. "To who?"

The door opened.

"This place smells like donkey shit," Mother said, taking off her gloves and throwing them to the side. She peered around the room, scanning every person, every single one of us with her narrowed, cutting stare. "Preston Kyle, why am I not surprised you're in a police interrogation room?" She snorted, slamming the door behind her. "Like racist father-Like bigoted son."

"Mithteth Red?" Preston said, gulping, practically folding into his seat, origami style. "Why did you get here so quickly?"

"White privilege," Mother boomed and slammed her hands on the table. "Drop the charges against my son's soon-to-be brother in law or I will knock out what's left of your teeth and shoved my very large fist down your throat."

"You can threaten him, Ma'am," the officer said.

Mother rolled her eyes, stood up straight and laughed. "I can very much well say what I please." She stepped closer. "And If I were you, I'd be getting this boy to drop these charges because if he doesn't so help me God, I will have you fired and then have your probably-ugly wife committed into the nearest asylum for marrying some idiot cop who reeks of chicken sweat, stale shit filled donuts and rape allegations."

"Jesus," Ashley muttered from behind us.

I couldn't help but smile. "So, where were we?" I asked.

Preston looked terrified. Like he'd seen a monster. Or, well, my mother. "My Dad won't like take-"

"Your Dad's too busy cheating on your mother to care about your well-being," she said. "Drop them right now or I'll hang you buy your small intestines."

"Fine," Preston said. "I'll drop the chargeth."

"Good," Mother snapped. She straightened her jacket. "Now I'm going home."

Preston was turning red. I leaned against the table and smirked at him. "Hey Preston, say Sally sucked his ball-sac three times really quickly without spitting everywhere."

Ashley's POV

"Your mother scares me."

Reece laughed. We were waiting outside of Kenzie's door. "Yeah, she takes getting used to."

"And I thought black moms were terrifying," I said. "I don't think my mother could come up with insults as vivid as those, and she taught high school literature."

Reece kicked himself off of the wall opposite me and stood in front of me. "You're welcome by the way."

I narrowed my gaze. His breath smelled of wine. "I never said thank you."

"You're smiling is thank you enough," he said.

I rolled my eyes and looked anywhere but his eyes, or his lips. His hand gripped my chin and turned my face toward him. He looked me in my eyes. "I like you, Ashley," he said. His voice was low and soft and milky. Almost as milky as his skin. "I've never really really liked anyone before."

I remembered what Erika said. They will look you in your eyes and lie. "How do I know you're not lying?"

"Because I'm about to kiss you," he said.

He lowered his head a bit. He felt taller than me tonight. "I'm going to kiss you and you tell me if you think I'm lying after."

I swallowed. Here was this cute asshole saying he was going to kiss me. He just saved my brother. He did it even though I gave back the ring. What angle was he coming from? What did I have that he wanted? Was he really trying to fall in love? Was he-

He kissed me.

His bottom lip parted my lips and his top lip griped me.

My hands started moving. I don't know where they were going but they climbed and climbed, until my fingers were tangled in his hair. And my eyes got weak and fluttered to a close. And my lips started moving and sounds –moans? – fought their way out of. Reece growled. His hands went to my ass, he squeezed and he growled.

"The fuck?"

We broke apart. Reece skirted to the other side of the wall like he had on roller-blades.

Kenzie eyed us, coat in hand, braids held back by an elastic band. "That some way to tell him thanks for getting yo brother out of jail," he said and rolled his eyes. He leaned against the wall on his shoulder. "You gonna give him a thank-you bj too now, you thottie?

"You're very much welcomed, Kenneth," I said. "He got you out of prison."

Kenzie raised his hand to the sky. "Oh Lordy, Lordy, a white man got me out of jail. Thank ya, white Jesus!" he sang. "Thank ya, Abraham Lincoln for ending slavery, and making us equal for about two seconds. Thank yyaaaaa Kim Kardasian for marrying Kanye West and making him white people problem now. Yaaas, white people thank ya!"

"Dick," I mumbled.

"No, dick is what you tryna get jammed down yo throat in an open hallway at a police station, hoe," he said as he started walking down the hall. "I swear, you teach them good, black values, make them watch Martin and Roots  and they still stray away."

Reece coughed and I followed. "We should probably go," he said.

"Yeah," I said. "We probably should."