Page 61 of Cedarwood Cabin

I look up at Lyka. His expression is unreadable, but his eyes flick to the box and back to me.

I grab the box, open it, and pull out the instructions. “Okay, I just have to take one pill,” I mumble to myself.

Dax passes me a glass of water and I take the pill out of the box. I put the pill into my mouth and grab the glass of water. Before I take a sip, Lyka’s hand quickly covers the top of the glass, pushing it down to the counter.

I freeze, looking at Lyka with confusion. His eyes are filled with an emotion I can’t figure out.

What are you doing, Lyka?

Dax notices and calls out, “Lyka…”

Lyka turns around hastily, shaking his head as if trying to clear his mind.

I shrug, feeling confused. I lift the glass to my mouth again and take a big gulp, swallowing the pill.

“I can’t believe that pill cost nearly fifty dollars,” Dax grumbles, glaring at Lyka.

“What? That’s pricey…Do you want any money?” I offer.

Dax’s gaze softens when he looks back at me. “No, it's okay, flower. Don’t worry about it.”

“Question. Did you wear a mask when you went into town?” I ask. I didn’t want the risk of catching Covid.

“Of course…Also, I picked you up some new underwear and something else.” I don’t know what the surprise is, but I feel very grateful for the underwear.

Dax reaches into the bag and pulls out a set of watercolors and other supplies. He places them in front of me with a wide smile.

“Wow,” I breathe, opening the watercolor tin and seeing the vibrant colors inside.

“The watercolors in the barn were no good, they were too old. I thought you could get back into painting.”

“Dax, it's been so long.”

“You can do it. I believe in you. I wanna see how beautiful you can paint.”

His words are encouraging as old memories flood my mind. I feel grateful that he wants to see my paintings, but I’m nervous. It’s a part of me that I neglected for too long now.

Lyka gets up from the stool and gives me a soft look as he leaves the room.

I walk onto the balcony wearing one of Dax’s old T-shirts that hangs loosely on my body. I see an easel, a table with paints, brushes, and a jar of water already set up. A speaker plays Fleetwood Mac music.

I take a seat on the wooden stool. I’m nervous as I take a deep breath and pick up a paintbrush. I look at the forest; the breathtaking view is begging to be painted.

My hand hovers over the colors. I go to start with the color black, but I pause and dip the brush into the vibrant green instead.

I feel hope, fear, excitement—all my emotions take over me. The brush glides smoothly across the paper as I begin to paint. I lose myself in my art, each stroke bringing me joy.

Time seems to blur as I am immersed in painting. Being surrounded by natural beauty, two hot brothers, and painting seems therapeutic.

What am I thinking, two hot brothers? I had slept with both of them. I was only a virgin last week. What have I done?

I look over the balcony and see Lyka and Dax chopping wood. They are both topless, a sheen of sweat on their bodies shining in the sun. Their bodies move effortlessly as they swing the ax.

I was tangled in a web—their web. Desire and confusion fill me. I don’t know what I want.

Lyka senses my gaze and he looks up at me, his eyes locked onto mine. I quickly avert my eyes back to the painting, feeling awkward.

Did I want both of them? Could I have both of them? The lockdown will be over soon and they won’t want me then. They will throw me back into the real world.

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