Getting It Right (BOOK THREE)

Chapter 52

"Pookie you're getting so big!" Janine says, tickling the squirming brown baby in her lap.

"She's seventh months now, my baby is growing up too fast." Aubrey reaches over and tousles Neveah's hair as she giggles madly at Janine's tickling fingers. She crawls out of Janine's lap and lays on her stomach to catch her breath.

"You know, I don't think hiding from your boyfriend is a sign of a healthy relationship." Janine points out the fact that Aubrey has been here since early this morning, hoping to avoid Jeremiah. She even turned off her phone so she wouldn't feel guilty about ignoring his calls or text.

Aubrey groans, "Please spare me the advice Dr.Phil, I just need a break from him. Plus he's pissed at me because I accidentally called him Keenan."

"Holy crap," Janine gasps. "When and why?"

"We were kissing and I accidentally moaned Keenan's name." Aubrey cringes at the memory. Janine stares at her for a minute then bursts out laughing so loudly that Neveah jumps and looks back at her. "It's not funny!" Aubrey insists.

"Yes it is," Janine laughs, "You moaned your exes name to your current boyfriend. That's suicide."

"He almost did Janine!" Aubrey exclaims but that doesn't stop Janine from laughing. A smile creases Aubrey's face before she eventually starts giggling too. Neveah rolls over on to her back and looks at the two of them with a smile. Their laughter makes her kick her feet and squeal along with them.

Aubrey's laughter gradually changes to tears and Janine's smile fades, "Whoa whoa whoa, why the water works? I'm sorry for laughing."

"The video," Aubrey croaks. "He showed me the video again and I swear it haunted me all night. Every time I think about it, it makes my stomach hurt and I feel like I'm back in Florida drunk off my ass, embarrassing myself in front of everyone. That video has made me cry night after night and I'm not sure how much more of the taunting I can take."

Janine puts her arms around Aubrey and pulls her face towards her shoulder, she gently rubs her back in small circles while keeping one eye on Neveah who's fingers are in her mouth as she stares up at the ceiling.

"When does the DNA tests come in?" Janine asks.

"The doctor said two to four days," Aubrey replies. "I don't know how long I can wait. I'm scared Janine, even when the results do come in, then what am I going to do?"

Janine hugs her tighter, "I don't know what to do either Bre, but you have to get away from Jeremiah. He's a ticking time bomb and I don't want to see you seriously hurt. You should really talk to your Aunt or your mom."

Aubrey pulls away from her shoulder and wipes her tears. "I can't or he'll release the video everywhere. You know what's on that phone, if that surfaces not only will everyone shame me for it but Keenan is going to hate me even more than he does now."

"To be honest Bre, what's on that tape doesn't compare to what you're going through. That night in Florida is embarrassing and you should be ashamed of it, but it's in the past and you don't deserve to suffer like this. Whether you admit it or not you were happy with Keenan and you love him. With Jeremiah, you just seem dead inside like he's sucked all the life out of you. Neveah doesn't need to be exposed to something like that at such a young age. You can't let Jeremiah over power you like this or it will set the wrong example for her." Janine says, still rubbing her back.

Aubrey leans over and grabs Nevy before she crawls too far and bumps her head on the table. She places her in her lap and stares at her innocent eyes, glad that she's clueless as to what's happening around her right now. Janine's right, she doesn't need to be exposed to the way Jeremiah treats her.