Page 39 of Cedarwood Cabin

“It's...different,” I reply honestly.

“I hear you are staying at the cabin for a bit?” Sav asks, looking up from the fire, her eyes curious.

“Uhh, yeah,” I reply, feeling the whole group's attention shift towards me.

“Have Dax or Lyka tried it with you?” Tammy asks, her tone teasing but pointed. I notice Lyka's grip on her thigh tightening, a silent warning.

“What? Oh, come on!” Tammy exclaims. “It's only a matter of time before you do,” she adds, smirking as her eyes shift to Dax and Lyka.

“The Faulkner brothers have slept with every girl here,” Lina chimes in, laughing as if it's the most natural thing in the world.

Dax shifts uncomfortably in his chair, the comment making him uneasy.

So it’s not just Lyka who gets around.

“Flora doesn't have to know that,” Robin interjects, shaking his head. He looks over at me, an apologetic smile tugging at his lips.

“Doesn't Flora mean flower in Latin?” Jack asks, smoothly changing the subject. His eyes meet mine, giving me a friendly smile.

I nod my head and smile, grateful for the distraction. “Yes, it does,” I confirm, sipping my beer.

“That's a beautiful name,” Robin compliments. “Very fitting.”

Lyka and Dax look at each other quickly.

“Thanks,” I say, feeling a bit more relaxed. The fire crackles and the smells of burning wood mingle with beer and cannabis.

“How did you end up here with these two then?” Sav asks.

“It's a long story,” I start, glancing at Dax. “Let's just say I needed a change of scenery and Dax and Lyka offered to help.”

“Hmm. Sounds like there’s more to it.” Tammy raises an eyebrow.

Lyka speaks up, sensing my discomfort. “It’s none of your business, Tammy.”

Tammy’s face shows she is slightly annoyed, but doesn't push further. She turns her attention back to Lyka before looking at me and holding the joint out in front of me. “Pass that to Sav,” she orders.

I take the joint from her awkwardly, not knowing where to hold it. Sav reaches over, takes it from me, and giggles.

Tammy starts kissing Lyka's neck as Lina moves herself between Dickie’s legs, sitting together in an intimate pose. The atmosphere is charged with casual intimacy.

I catch Tammy's eye as she looks at me, sensing my discomfort. I give her a polite and awkward smile.

“I bet you find this awkward, don’t you, Flora…” she says with a hint of mischief.

I don’t know how to respond. “Umm,” I say, hesitantly.

“It's how we live out here. It's a small town. We all kinda please each other, if that makes sense,” she continues as she nuzzles closer to Lyka.

Dickie kisses Lina's cheek and states, “You only live once, right?”

I can’t stop myself from asking, but the question slips out. “Do you all fuck each other then?”

Everyone bursts out laughing, making me feel embarrassed and stupid. Dax face palms, chuckling. “It’s just a bit of fun…” Lina states.

“What happens in Cedarwood cabin stays in Cedarwood cabin,” Lyka confesses with a smirk.

Robin shakes his head at them all. “Just ignore them, Flora,” he says, his tone reassuring.

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