Do Better

Three

Jhene

It's been two weeks since the situation in NYC. The wound on my waist healed up to a scar, and things have went back to normal. I haven't spoke to Aubrey or any of his crew since that night, only because of how busy everyone's been. I missed them... Their company was so nice, too nice.

My phone buzzed on the counter; coincidentally flashing Aubrey's name across the screen.

"Hello?"

"Hey, you free tonight?" He replied, but he sounded busy.

"Yeah, why?"

"I've been working on a new song. I want you to check it out and see how you'd feel about singing the hook."

"I'd be more than happy to." I smiled from ear to ear, letting the news sink in.

"Alright, I'll text you the directions. Is 10 tonight good?" After agreeing on the time and whereabouts, I ended the call. I couldn't help but feel so excited that I'd get to see them tonight.

-

I put on a pair of skinny jeans and my NWTS crew neck that had "SEPT 24" on the back so I'd blend in with them. I left my hair it's natural wavy style and grabbed everything I needed before heading out the door.

On my way, I turned on the radio. The Weeknd's voice played through my car, bringing me a sense of peace and relaxation. I took a right, entering through the gated community and followed all of the directions Aubrey had given me.

Once I was there, I knocked on the door and 40 answered.

"Hey, Noah!" My face lit up when I saw him.

"I love the shirt." He smiled his comforting sweet smile. I hugged him and he let me inside. Aubrey walked into the kitchen where we were in a pair of sweats and an OVO t-shirt with two OVO owl chains hanging around his neck.

"Hey, Aub." I smiled.

After saying my hellos to everyone, Aubrey took me to another section of this huge house to his studio. I loved this house; and I loved how they all stayed here together. It had a nice vibe to it and it was beautiful in every single way. The studio was through two long hallways then down a small set of stairs. It was dark with only a few lights coming from pot lights in each corner and from the buttons, keys, and screens of all the equipment. There was light in the shape of the OVO owl on the wall along with several plaques and awards.

"Tell me what you think of this beat." Aubrey handed me a pair of headphones that I gladly put on and began playing the song. It sounded amazing.. It had a nice feel to it; faster than a slow song, slower than a fast song. It had the beat that made you feel like you were in your zone.

"I love it." I took the headphones off and handed them back to him. He seemed pleased with the song and played it back, this time adding his verses in. I listened closely and watched him with admiration. He was so dedicated, so hardworking... This man deserved everything he's worked for, plus so much more. Along with everyone else that was a part of all he's done.

"I thought you'd be perfect to sing the hook." He rested his feet up on the table in the room. His compliment made my mind go in a thousand different directions.

"Me? I think The Weeknd would be amazing to put in on the hook... Or even Miguel." I suggested.

"Nah.. I think you could do it." I smiled and agreed to doing it. I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to write for it. It needed a hook that was more about finding yourself; not about love.

In this exact moment, I felt like I was where I was supposed to be again. It's like music connected us. I always felt so at home when me and Aubrey recorded or performed together.

After thinking about it for a couple of moments, Aubrey spoke up, "How's everything been? You know.... With..." He trailed off but I knew what he was talking about.

"It's been fine." I didn't want to talk about this situation, everything was going nice right now and I didn't think it was fair to bring my own problems to him.

"Don't lie.." He looked at me and I knew he saw right through the cover up I tried to put on.

"It could be worse... I just, I hate going places cause I always have this feeling that they're gonna come right back into the picture. It scares me." I looked down at the floor.

He stayed silent for a while.

Then the silence broke and he spoke up, "I know what can help." He stood up from his chair, and instead of asking what it was, I just waited.

He left the studio for a couple of minutes. I wasn't sure what he was doing. He told me he was going to get something to help, and I couldn't help but wonder what that was.

When he came back, I glanced and what was in his hand and he was right; the blunt was the perfect way to calm down and keep those thoughts away.

He lit the blunt and took a puff of it, releasing the smoke out of his mouth. Aubrey passed it over to me and I inhaled it, letting it flow out into the room. We both repeated the process a few more times. I felt the high coming on. Aubrey patted his lap with his hand, signaling for me to come sit with him. I walked over and sat down on his lap, taking the blunt from him. I inhaled it again, blowing the smoke into his mouth. He did the same to me, then I tilted my head back, letting the smoke fill the room. I felt small kisses on my neck while I had it exposed to blow the smoke out.

"Mmm." I let a small moan escape from my throat. The room was still dark, and a soothing beat was playing through the speakers at a low volume. Aubrey's gaze held mine and I smiled small, staring back at him. I wrapped an arm around his neck, hugging him as the high became stronger.

"I hate that you don't feel safe because of what happened..." His voice was so low and sexy as it trailed off.

"I'll be fine, Aub." My fingers outlined his jaw. "What can we do about it, you know?"

"There is something we can do it about, Jhene." He looked at me, but my expression stayed the same.

"What's that?" I kept trailing my finger through his stubble, waiting for an answer.

"You can stay with me."