Page 30 of Cedarwood Cabin

“Why, jealous?” he retorts. His eyes flash with amusement as he smirks arrogantly.

“No.” I scoff and roll my eyes.

Dax interjects. “Sounds like Jenna. That's Jonny's old lady.” He seems unaffected by the tension between me and Lyka as he continues to eat his soup.

Lyka finally stops staring at me, picks up his spoon, and starts eating.

“Ahh. So…are you seeing her?”

“No, I just fuck her,” Lyka replies bluntly, a smile spreading across his lips.

“Wait. So, is she with Jonny or not?” I ask, turning to Dax for clarity.

Dax sighs. Lyka jumps in, his tone dripping with smugness. “She always wanted to be with me. I just fuck her to wind Jonny up. All I have to do is snap my fingers and she comes running.”

I roll my eyes, feeling a mix of disgust and pity for Jenna.

“Well, aren't you just classy, Lyka,” I mutter.

My comment must have struck a nerve because Lyka suddenly leans forward on his stool, his eyes narrowing with malice. “Foolish little girl,” he says, his tone dripping with cruelty.

“Lyka!” Dax shouts.

“Do you have a problem with me, Lyka?” I counter.

Lyka rolls his eyes, dismissing me without another word. He returns to his soup and looks disinterested.

“Just ignore him. I do,” Dax says, trying to lighten the mood with a joking tone. I manage to finish my soup, though my stomach feels uneasy. I take a sip of water, hoping to settle it. “Thank you, that was nice,” I say, offering Dax a grateful smile.

Dax takes my bowl, stacking it on top of his own. He walks over to the sink and places them down. “So, I'm gonna sleep on the couch tonight. You can take my bed.”

“Oh no, I couldn't do that. I'll sleep on the couch–”

“No, you're a guest,” he insists, cutting me off.

“The couch isn't comfortable. What about if you share a bed with your brother?” I suggest, glancing at Lyka.

Lyka looks up from his bowl, his expression hardening. “I don't share.”

“Of course you don't,” I say sarcastically, unable to hide my irritation.

“Didn't your parents have a bedroom?” I ask, hoping to find a solution. Dax hesitates, an awkward smile playing on his lips. “Uhh, yeah. Lyka and I have left it untouched since Dad died...”

The room falls into an uncomfortable silence.

Dax turns on the faucet, the water beginning to flow as I lean against the cool bathroom wall. A warm bath is a good idea after my rough day.

“About Lyka…don’t worry about him. He’s like that with everyone,” Dax reassures me.

I give an awkward smile, unsure of how to respond. I walk to the window and I glimpse outside. The view takes my breath away—nothing but an expanse of lush green trees stretching as far as the eye can see.

“Oh, wow. It’s beautiful,” I gasp.

“Yeah. We’re lucky.” Dax walks up beside me. His tall frame casts a shadow on the window. “The nearest neighbor is miles away. It’s a fifteen minute drive to town.”

“Very deep in the forest, then…”

“Oh yeah. Just the way we like it.” Dax chuckles.

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