Down for the Ride

Chapter 1

I thought vacations were supposed to be relaxing and a chance to forget about your personal woes back home. I learned that anything can be ruined, and this vacation has for the foreseeable future ruined any semblance of that vision.

When my boyfriend-well ex- boyfriend now- surprised me with tickets for a week in the Dominican Republic for my 25th birthday I was over the moon.

My family immigrated to the States when I was a toddler and spent many summers at my grandmother’s house on our family ranch and still went back as an adult to visit. The trip was a thoughtful gift and well planned out by the person who I thought I loved more than anything, August Miller.

August had booked us a room at one of the most beautiful all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana, a well-known tourist area, along with two first class tickets for the trip there and back. And all was well, that is until yesterday night’s fiasco at a club we attended.

I cringe in my seat at the hotel’s bar, nursing my sorrows at 10 am with a mimosa as I recall the night before.

We had been at the resorts club for over 2 hours before I peeled myself away from August on the dance floor, deciding I needed to find a restroom. August and I had been drinking and dancing, having the time of our lives on the dance floor, looking like an interesting pairing. Jordan was a tall all-American boy with his sun-kissed skin, bright green eyes, and curly dirty blonde hair. He had a smile that could blind you and lips that could make you forget your own name. A stark comparison to my darker olive skin tone, waist length curly hair and deep brown eyes. I fit right in, and surprisingly so did Jordan. We had been dating for the last four years, and I made it a mission to teach him all my favorite things about being Dominican from music to dance to language.

I found the bathroom with no issues and did my business quickly trying to hurry and get back to my boyfriend. We had been drinking with abandon it being the first night and the drinks being free, and I could feel the warmth of the tequila flowing through my veins as I tried to catch sight of August’s 6’3 figure.

I located him but he was now in the middle of a group of girls with his arms around two of the girls’ shoulders. My anger was slowly creeping up my stomach, beginning to sober me up. August and I had gone through issues of infidelity before, when I found him sexting other women from his university classes a few months ago and I almost ended it. But he gave me one hell of an apology and has been on the straight and narrow since. But right now, he was pushing boundaries by entertaining women while on a vacation he bought for my birthday.

I watch as he caresses one of the girl's, a redhead with breasts spilling from her black dress, shoulders furthering the anger brewing inside me. I watched as August looked towards where the restrooms were where I should have been and quickly scanned the area that surrounded it, as if checking to see if I was there. I had moved over a few sections to get a better look at what he was doing, being mostly covered by the decorations next to me. But nothing prepared me d me for seeing my boyfriend, the love of my life I thought, leaning own to kiss the redhead straight on her plump lips.

I let out a gasp that grabbed the attention of the club goers sitting in the section I had been hiding by. Seeing red I stalked over to the scene in my little white dress and strappy gold heels, my long curly hair that was straightened, swayed around me with every step I took. August’s tongue was shoved so far down her throat that he did not even pull away when I pushed through the group of hooting and hollering girls, cheering their friend on as she tongue fucked my boyfriend.

I pulled him from her with one strong pull of his shoulder.

“Hey what-“he began angrily but his face went white as he realized it was me who had pulled him off her. “Ver- “

I did not even let him finish before reeling back and full force punching him in the nose. I did not feel it at the time, but I sprained two of my fingers doing that, and I broke his nose. Blood gushed from his nose as the girls around us screamed at the scene, immediately getting the attention of security. I said nothing as he writhed in pain, one of the bartenders giving him a rag to help with the bleeding. August continued to apologize to me despite the pain he obviously was in.

I continued my silence as security asked what happened, and how it escalated. I looked down at my left hand, regarding the promised ring that August had bought me on our third-year anniversary remembering- his promise to change it out for an engagement ring once both of us finished college.

Suddenly, the idea made me sick.

I took the ring off my finger and threw it at his feet. The commotion settled as the diamond ring clattered on the dirty tile of the club, everyone waiting for my next move.

I puffed my chest, trying to keep some of my pride and dignity despite feeling so dirty and embarrassed.

“Your stuff will be outside the room. Come grab it and get your own flight back home. We’re done.” I say to him over the dull roar still going on behind us. I didn’t stick around to hear the words he was shouting behind me, allowing security to lead me out of the club. It was not until I turned the corner, a safe distance away from any prying eyes, I shed a tear, crying the entire was back to the hotel room. One of the security guards gave me a pitiful ride back to my room on his golf cart since the club was onsite at the resort but on the opposite side of the rooms. By the time I had gotten back to the room my sadness was replaced with rage as I sped through unpacking all his stuff and shoving it into his bags, placing them outside the door. I was thankful that I was the only one that had the room key, due to me having my small clutch.

I snort as I remember August coming back to the room, banging on the door begging me to let hm in around 3 mornings, 4 hours after the events of the night. I told him to go stay with that red and all her friends in their room since they were so well-acquainted after that searing kiss on the dance floor. Eventually he gave up around 4 am and I got a lovely text from him saying he was going to book a flight home and let me “calm down” and “think things over” reminding me 7 times, I counted, that he loved me with all his heart.

I rolled my eyes just thinking about it as I sat in the cabana we rented during our stay at the resort, dragging myself from the pools bar to enjoy the amenities. I woke up this morning with no regrets. The only regret I have is going to be breaking the lease on the apartment I had signed 3 months prior, specifically to be closer to August while he went through his master’s program. Since both my schooling and current job were 100% remote, I had the ability to go wherever I wanted. I was a personal assistant for work, and if I balanced my client’s calendars, handled their inbound calls, and scheduled their travel they allowed me to work whatever hours were needed. And my classes were paused for the summer break, not requiring me to be present in our virtual sessions until the Fall.

Even though I felt like a fool, I got dressed in my flashiest bikini this morning and walked down to the bar inside the pool area to grab a mimosa and have been laying in the cabana ever since.

I was removing August’s access from my bank accounts when a shadow covered me. I was wearing a mid-sized sun hat and dark sunglasses. They were a Fendi frame, a gift from my now ex-father-in-law. August’s family always adored me, and I knew once they found out what happened between us, they would take my side.

It would hurt to lose them in my life, because they truly are amazing people despite their son’s actions.

I looked up, staring at the waiter that had been bringing me mimosa after mimosa since 8 this morning. He was a younger kid, a native of the island. I could tell by wide structure of his nose, the caramel skin, and the kinky brown hair on his head. He was tall, and his uniform made him look like he was playing dress up when paired with his young face.

“Señora,” he started picking up another empty glass, “Yo se que no soy nadie para decirte nada, pero no creo que es en tu interest sigir tomando tan temprano.”

I chuckled. He was right, and I had planned on ordering breakfast since I was starting to feel a little loose from the alcohol I had put on my empty stomach.

“No te proqupes.” I say, pushing my sunglasses up. “Tengo hambre y me voy a mariar si no como algo. Puedo ordernar un sandwich con huevo, queso blanco y bacon con una agua fria por favor. Creo que voy an esperar hasta el almuerzo para sigir bebiendo.”

The young boy smiled and nodded, rushing off to put in my food order.

I sighed, adjusting my glasses and hat to cover more of my face. The cabana provided a good amount of privacy from other patrons of the resort, but I still felt like there were too many eyes on me. I know I made a spectacle last night by punching August square in the face, but I was hoping no one would recognize me since I had washed my hair and now was rocking my natural curls.

I sat in the cabana and eventually got my breakfast. I was finishing my sandwich when I felt a shadow loom over me again, blocking the sun.

I looked up to find not one, but two very pretty men standing in front of me.

Not just handsome, pretty. They were beautiful to look at.

I took my sunglasses off my face, placing them on my head to give these two pretty boys my attention.

“May I help you?” I said in English. They did not look to be natives, and we were at a popular tourist resort.

The one on the right smiled at me, showing off a row of perfect teeth. I saw he had what seemed to be stones in the canines of his teeth. I look up at his brown eyes, glittering in the sun. His brown curly hair was pulled back into a half up style showing off his tapered jawline adorned with a five o’clock shadow. He was wearing a pair of stones in his ears as well as a gold Italian link chain. I noticed his olive skin was also covered in tattoos of all kinds.

“We noticed you sitting in this cabana all alone and thought you might like some company.” The one with the nice smile said. “Pretty girl like you shouldn’t be here all alone.”

And he ruined it. I scoffed and rolled my eyes.

“Really? That is the best you got?” I chuckled humorlessly. I sipped my water, regretting even paying attention to them.

Smilely’s friend smacked him upside the head. He looked sun-kissed, even a little burnt with the way his nose and cheeks were pink. He had dark freckles covering most of the bridge of his nose and down most of his cheeks. He was clean shaven, and his blonde hair shined in the sun. Unlike his friend it was cropped shorter, fading up the sides. He was also covered in tattoos, one of his legs and both his arms sleeved. He had an annoyed look on his face, which cause his square jaw to tighten.

“Pendejo, I told you to let me talk.” His voice was deep, and I was surprised when I heard a slight accent.

He turned to look at me, “I am sorry. My friend is an idiot and cannot flirt to save his life.” He rolled his eyes as Smiley huffed and crossed his arms childishly. “What he wanted to say was we saw you an hour ago and have been building the balls to come ask if you would like to have a late lunch with us and possibly dinner later if you’re not with anyone.”

He spoke clearly and earnestly when addressing me, maintaining eye contact the whole time. His eyes were a light shade of green, the sun making them almost white.

I pondered the idea for a moment. I was alone, I mean in my head August, and I were through, even though he might not think so in his mind. And these were two very handsome strangers in a beautiful country, how could I turn down the offer?

I could not help but ask,

“Are you both asking me out? Like together?” I questioned, gauging their reactions.

They both nodded, no hesitation or humor found on their faces.

Smiley spoke again, “We are as close as brothers, and we prefer to date women together. Is that a problem?” He sounded more confident and less like a little boy when talking about it.

I pondered again, or well, pretend to ponder it.

It did not bother me having to two men, I had always wondered what it would be like to be doted on and adored by two men at the same time. I came from a childhood of young, divorced hippie parents who were open and honest with me about the relationships they had and the ones that were not exactly the societal standard they would sit down and explain the dynamic and purpose of that relationship to me. I loved the freedom I grew up with, never feeling worried about my parents’ judgement.

“No problem, but I would like to know who I will be spending the day with.” I smiled brightly at them to show they did not intimidate me, even though they slightly did just from their heights alone.

Both grinned, clearly excited that I agreed to go out with them today.

Smiley introduced himself first, “My name is Leonardo, but most people call me Leo.”

“My name is Roman, and everyone sticks to it.” The blonde followed up with, making me laugh. He was a serious kind of guy I could tell.

“Nice to meet you Leo,” and I turned my attention slightly to Roman, “and Rome. My room number is 420, pick me up at 2?” I grabbed my belongings and walked straight through the pair, not missing the dark look that Roman gave me when I passed him.

Rome was much cuter than Roman, and he would just have to get used to it if he was trying to have my attention.

“Can we get your name at least?” Leo yelled behind me.

I grinned and cast a look over my shoulder, bringing my sunglasses down my nose a bit to see them, showing off my amber brown eyes. “Veronica.”

I kept walking to my room, nearly breaking into a sprint when I turned the corner out of their sight. My heart was pounding now that the excitement and female fatale had worn off. I was proud of myself forgiving myself to the wind and doing something crazy. As much freedom as my parents gave me, I never started too far from the normal path taken. I did well in school, did not party, dated seriously in both high school and college, smoked a little weed here and there (much to the disappointment of my parents-the quantity not the smoking), and was a “good girl”.

I had never really been the type of person to cozy up to strangers or do things on a whim, but I have sacrificed and suffered being with August, I owed myself a few days of unrestrained and genuine fun. As much as I would miss his family, August himself admittedly was less than worthy of me. And because I was in love and even just scared about being thrust back into the dating world that I just settled down with him for the comfort of it. The predictability was safe for me. But now that all that has been shattered, I guess I do not have another choice.

I will let the universe take its course and just be down for the ride.