Page 42 of Cedarwood Cabin

Lyka stands up from the stool, his eyes locked onto Robin. “What the fuck were you doing with Flora?” His voice is cold.

“What's wrong? Jealous? The little virgin might not want the Faulkner brothers?” Robin taunts.

“Shut the fuck up!” Lyka growls, his eyes narrowing.

Robin smirks. “For once, someone in this town doesn't want you two. You fucking hate it!” he replies.

I stand up from the stool and it falls behind me. I feel the adrenaline kick in. “I know your plan…Take her virginity just so you can boast about it,” I say with fury.

Robin lets out a sinister chuckle, his eyes gleaming. “I promise to be gentle with her…Maybe.”

His words provoke me and I see red. Every ounce of anger and protectiveness surges through my body to my fists. I rush toward him, tighten my fist, and punch him straight in the face. The force of the blow sends him stumbling backward.

“You ain’t going near her again. Got it?” I shout through gritted teeth. I look at my knuckles and they are covered in blood. Lyka throws a cloth at me and I wrap it around my hand.

Robin recovers and he glares at me. Lyka stands beside me, ready to back me up.

“I'll be gone first thing in the morning when I’m sober and can drive,” Robin mumbles, his voice barely audible. He looks defeated as he turns and leaves the kitchen.

I feel Lyka place a hand on my shoulder to calm me down. However, I am too wound up and shove him off. I take a deep breath and sit back on the stool, trying to calm myself.

“I just want to protect her…for her to be safe with us. I don't know why,” I confess.

I turn my head to Lyka and his expression is unreadable, as always.

“She's in a dark place. We’ve both been there. We know what it’s like to feel helpless, Lyka.”

Lyka's eyes meet mine, and for a moment, the room is filled with an unspoken understanding. The darkness we've both faced forged a bond you can’t put into words.

Tammy walks into the kitchen wearing one of Lyka's T-shirts. She moves with confidence, completely oblivious to what just happened. She walks up to Lyka, wrapping her fingers around his hand. She tugs on Lyka’s hand and pulls him towards the hallway. “Come on, Lyka.”

Lyka hesitates for a moment and he looks back at me. There's a brief flash of something in his eyes—apology, perhaps, or regret. But then he allows himself to be led away, following Tammy back to the bedroom.

I take another sip of my beer and Sav slowly walks in. She takes the beer bottle from my hand, lifts it to her lips, and takes a sip. “Everyone has passed out.” She giggles, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

I manage an awkward smile, unsure of how to respond. Robin and his words still linger in my mind.

Sav moves closer to me, placing the beer bottle on the counter as she stands between my legs. Her hands rest on my shoulders and she leans in, her lips brushing against my neck.

“Sav…” I say. I push her gently, giving her a warning.

“Dax…It’s been so long since we’ve fucked,” she murmurs against my skin.

My mind drifts to Flora, her image flashing in my mind. I shouldn't be doing this. Guilt gnaws at me. Why am I thinking of Flora?

Sav’s hand trails down my chest, moving to my jeans. She feels for my cock and starts rubbing.

“I can’t…” I whisper.

Sav stops, her eyes locking onto mine with desire. She takes a step back, her hand still grasping mine. She pulls, her eyes pleading. “Come on, Dax,” she whispers. I can tell she’s putting on a seductive voice. I feel a mixture of emotions inside me—guilt, desire, confusion. I take a deep breath and follow her.

FLORA

I wake up in Dax’s bed and my head feels dull from last night's beer. I glance down at the floor and see Lina and Dickie laying near the foot of the bed, cradling each other while they sleep.

The room's quietness is shattered when I hear chanting from Lyka’s room.

“Yes, yes, yes!”