I tamp down my emotions and square my shoulders. “Because it’s about me, and I have a right to know.”

“You didn’t need to hear that shit,” he says roughly, making me flinch again. “Can you honestly tell me you feel better knowing that?”

I swallow past the tears threatening to fall, hating how angry and upset he is. “In a way, yes, I do. Leaving what he said to my imagination isn’t good either. Does it hurt to hear? Of course, but it’s not the worst that’s been done to me, and it hurts me more to know he said it to you. That you had to hear that.”

“Jesus, Liv, this isn’t about my feelings, this is about yours.”

“Your feelings always matter to me,” I whisper.

He stops pacing, his body instantly deflating. With a heavy breath he takes a seat on the bench, his head in his hands.

Swiping the few tears that have managed to escape, I walk over and stand in front of him, placing my hand on his tense shoulder. “Grayson, please talk to me.”

His arms wrap around my waist, pulling me between his parted legs, forehead resting on my stomach. “I never wanted you to hear those words.” The despair in his voice is heartbreaking.

My fingers thread through his hair as I hold him close. “I know you didn’t, but you can’t protect me from this. The damage has been done, and no matter how hard it is to hear, I’m strong enough. I can handle it. As long as I have you I can handle anything,” I add quietly.

“I know. I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just…I want this shit to be over with.”

“Me, too. But as bad as that was to go through I do think it was necessary. I know the trial isn’t over yet, but today was definitely not in his favor.”

He remains quiet, his arms holding me tight as we both seek comfort in one another.

Pap and Carol walk out of the courtroom, breaking up our moment.

“Everything okay out here?” Pap asks.

He’s upset about what just happened, but I can tell he’s trying to hide it for my sake.

Before I can answer, Grayson stands. “Yeah. We’re good.” He slings an arm around my shoulders and presses his lips to my temple. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

Just before we walk out I inhale a deep breath, bracing myself for what I know I’m about to encounter.

Animosity, contempt, and hate.

As we exit out of the building, chaos assaults my ears—loud and grueling. I get the urge to run, but Grayson and Pap come to an abrupt stop.

“Well I’ll be damned.”

Pap’s words pull my attention to him. “What is it?”

I follow his hand as he lifts it to point out over the divided crowd. A gasp escapes me as I look beyond the two angry groups and see a third. They stand silent, yet their presence is just as powerful. Some are holding signs that read:

WE STAND TOGETHER.

PEACE and LOVE.

RISE ABOVE the HATE.

My heart soars when I scan their faces. Gwen and Jack are standing next to Fletcher. Mr. Jefferson also stands among them, along with so many other familiar faces. Everyone we used to be so close with, but I thought we lost after what happened to Jamal. The one person I notice most though, the one standing in front of the group smiling back at me with profound love and conviction is…Tania.

Pulling free from Grayson, I rush down the steps, my eyes fixed solely on her. I don’t even try to fight the steady stream of tears pouring down my face as pure joy fills my heart.

“Liv, wait,” Grayson yells before catching up, following close behind with one hand on my lower back. “Be careful. Stay close to me.”

Slowing down, I smile up at him and nod. He responds with one of his own then helps me make my way beyond the barriers, police, and National Guard until I’m standing in front of my best friend.

Pride beams from her beautiful face. “Hey. Sorry I didn’t make it inside.” She shrugs. “I was busy roundin’ folks up to support my girl.”

A laugh tumbles from my lips, but it quickly turns into a sob as I throw my arms around her. “I can’t believe you did this.”

She squeezes me tight, bringing her mouth to my ear so I can hear her over the roaring crowd. “This is how it should be, Liv. Peace and love.”

“Thank you. Just…thank you!”

“I always got you, girl.”

“And I always got you.”

“I know.”

Pulling back, I wipe away my tears before moving on to Fletcher, and everyone else, trying to wrap them in a group hug. “Thank you, thank you so much for being here and doing this.”

“Thank you, Olivia,” Gwen says. “You were right at the diner. We all lost track of what’s important. We just want to be there for you. All of us,” she adds, looking over at Fletcher.

“Thank you,” I say again, my chest filling with incredible warmth.

Grayson shakes their hands next, and I look over to see Pap talking with Mr. Jefferson, giving him a friendly handshake and clap on the shoulder. Ignoring everyone else, I gaze at the people before me, amazed at how they all came together.

Unity.

It’s exactly what we needed. And for the first time since this mess began, I start to think that maybe everything will be okay after all.

CHAPTER 25

WHEN COURAGE OUTSHINES FEAR

A secret POV

I walk out the back doors of the empty school, the last of my teammates driving away along with the coach. Or so I thought. But when I round the corner to the parking lot I see De’Shawn Miller and two other guys from his crew.

I’ve been trying to lay low, keeping my distance from them as much as possible. Which hasn’t been hard since I wasn’t friends with them to begin with. Hell, a few months ago I would’ve never been caught dead associating with these assholes. It wasn’t until Jamal got caught up in their shit that I was dragged into it.

All because I couldn’t tell my best friend no.

He needed me so I was there for him. It turned out to be the biggest mistake of my life and it cost him his.

The last few weeks have been hell. Ever since the day I saw Reggie picking up De’Shawn from school and they told me what they were going to do to Miss Bradshaw, I’ve been consumed with guilt, knowing my call didn’t make it on time. I spent too much time debating whether to make the call or not, and now I have to live with that for the rest of my life. Continuing to keep this secret makes me no better than any of them.

But I don’t know what to do.

If I tell someone, then I’m putting my own life at risk. Reggie may be locked up right now but his orders are still being carried out from beyond those prison walls. His crew is still running drugs. They’ve taken to stealing what they need in surrounding towns in order to lay low, but it’s still business as usual.

Yeah, if I rat them out I’m as good as dead, but some days I wonder if it won’t happen anyway. Because God knows if they don’t kill me, the guilt eating away at me will.

The three of them stand huddled together, looking down at something between them, laughing. “Man, she put up a good fight. Who knew she had it in her.”

My stomach recoils at the remark. I have no idea what they’re talking about, and I really don’t want to know either. I quickly move on, hoping to escape without them noticing me.

I should’ve known better.

“Sup, man.” I look over at De’Shawn. An arrogant smirk tilts his mouth, one I want to smash in on a daily basis. “Get over here and take a look at this. I feel bad you got left out of all the fun.”

“Sorry, but I gotta get home.”

He watches me carefully. “It’ll only take a minute.”

I want to tell him to fuck off, but I’m weak. I’m a coward and they all know it.

His grin spreads as I make my way over, obeying the order, but his calculating stare still makes me nervous. I try to relax my pounding heart and keep cool.