Do Better

Seven

Jhene

"Come on, Aubrey! Just tell me what it is." I held onto his arm as we walked on the sidewalk on the beautiful Dominican Republic. This place was refreshing. I felt free. It was just a relaxing vacation with the people I've grown so close to in the last couple of months. There were no worries, no negativity. Just as I thought about having no worries, memories of the bet came flowing back into my mind. How was I even supposed to do this? My week will be up by the time we get back home. I guess my only option was to find a casino around here, go to it, play, win, and keep it a secret.

"I'll tell you the surprise once you tell me what's going on." He stopped walking and looked at me, his eyes burning through mine.

"What do you mean? Nothing's going on."

"You're thinking about something. I can tell." God damn it. I knew I had been too obvious.

"It's nothing, Aub. Let's go back to the house." I smiled and rubbed his arm up and down to reassure nothing was wrong.

"I'm not leaving this spot until you tell me what the hell is going on." He held a firm expression, and I have to admit, it did scare me a bit.

"Have fun waiting then." I turned to walk back home, but his hand grabbed my arm, pulling me right back to the same spot.

"You're not leaving either until I hear what I wanna hear."

"Fine, but can't we at least talk about it at the house?" I reasoned.

"Yes." He started walking back and I stayed right beside him, walking down the sidewalks. What was I supposed to do? Tell him the truth? I couldn't do that. I already told myself, and Krissie, that I wasn't going to tell him. He'd judge me immediately and assume the wrong things. I definitely could not risk that.

The air was so warm and the beautiful scenery kept distracting me. I was thankful for that, though.

We walked up the sidewalk that led to the rental house and felt my stomach churn uncomfortably. We walked up the stair and through the double doors that led inside. I didn't see anyone when we walked in, and the house was silent. They must have all went out.

"Where is everyone?" I asked Aubrey, pretty sure that he knew.

"They went out." He sat his wallet on the kitchen counter and walked upstairs. I had assumed he was expecting me to follow behind him so explain, so I went up as well.

I walked into his room, noticing that it looked similar to the one I was staying in.

"Ready to tell me what's going on now?" He slipped his shoes off then slid his jacket off. He was in a white button up shirt and his navy blue dress pants and it made my heart race. It was a fucking beautiful sight.

I sighed and sat down on the bed, letting my feet dangle off the side. I hadn't even thought of a lie or excuse to tell him. He was obviously expecting me to say something.

"No." I replied honestly.

"Well you aren't leaving until you tell me what's bothering. And I mean it this time." When he said those words, it didn't feel like much of a threat. I truly wouldn't mind staying in a room with him for a long time. Snap out of it, Jhene. My subconscious brought me back to the reality of the situation.

"Aubrey, don't worry about it. I'm fine, I promise." I looked down at the floor and interlocked my fingers together.

"Jhene." He said, making me turn my head in his direction to see him unbuttoning his shirt. "I can read you like a book. I know something's wrong. You were having such a good time at dinner, then out of nowhere you got quiet and you stopped smiling. I know you have something on your mind and I want to know what it is."