Chapter 7
SEVEN
FLORA
I open my eyes and notice the flow of a warm, crackling fire. My head feels dizzy as I manage to sit up, look around, and take in my surroundings. I am in a huge, cozy cabin.
“Whoa! Steady,” a calm voice says. I look to the left and see Dax walking over. My head starts throbbing as I reach to touch it.
“Some water…” Dax offers, holding out a glass.
I can feel my hands tremble as I reach out for the glass. I bring it to my lips and take a sip. Straight away, the water soothes my sore throat.
“Thanks,” I say, my voice weak.
“How are you feeling?” Dax asks, his voice gentle as he sits next to me.
“Dizzy, and my throat hurts.”
“I’m glad we found you in time. You gave us quite a scare.”
I don’t know what to say, so I look around the cabin. “Where are we?”
“Cedarwood Cabin. We thought it was a good idea to bring you here. Somewhere safe. ”
I nod, keeping quiet. I’m guessing this is where they live. The card they left me said something about Cedarwood Cabin.
“Thank you,” I say with gratitude.
Dax gets up from the couch and walks into another room as I settle back against the cushions.
I take in my surroundings as I look around. The massive cabin has two stories and a balcony overlooking the living room area with a stone fireplace in the center. A deer antler chandelier hangs from the ceiling. Every soft furnishing is light cream with either bear, deer, or moose woven into the fabric. This cabin looks like something out of a film.
How can they afford this?
They must live here with their parents; it's going to be awkward meeting them. I take another sip of water as I hear footsteps from above me. I look up to the balcony and see Lyka walking across. My eyes follow him as he makes his way to the wooden stairs. I nod my head as he descends down the stairs.
“Hi,” I say quietly.
Lyka looks at me and rolls his eyes, his expression hard and unwelcoming. I watch him walk away, feeling confused.
Left alone again, I take another sip of water. The cabin, with its rustic charm and luxurious touches, feels almost surreal. Despite the beauty around me, the interaction with Lyka leaves me feeling more isolated than ever.
All of a sudden, I feel nauseous, like I’m going to throw up. The intense feeling makes me stand up in a panic.
“I’m going to be sick!” I exclaim. I frantically look around for the bathroom. Everything blurs around me as my stomach makes noises and churns. Dax bursts back into the living room and, without hesitation, grabs my arm as he leads me to a door on the far side of the room.
I run, stumbling to keep up with him. Dax pushes the door open, revealing a small bathroom. I feel relief once I see the toilet . I rush forward, fumbling with the lid and barely managing to lift it. I collapse and throw up. Vomit fills my mouth, mingling with the taste of vodka. My throat burns. I grip the sides tightly, my knuckles white as I try to steady myself. The sound of my retching echoes in the small bathroom.
Dax rubs my back with one hand, his other holding back my hair as he remains quiet. I start to tremble and feel weak as the sickness subsides. I stay there for a moment with my head in the toilet. Dax moves and hands me a damp washcloth. I take it, feeling grateful yet embarrassed.
“Just take your time. You’re safe,” Dax says with a calm tone.
I push myself back from the toilet and nod weakly. I feel grateful for his support.
“This is so embarrassing. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. Let's get you back to the couch. You need rest,” Dax replies. He helps me to my feet, his arm steady around my limp body.
We make our way back to the living room where Lyka stands leaning against a door frame, arms crossed over his chest, staring at me with disapproval.
Why the fuck is he judging me? I feel embarrassed already.
Dax lowers me on the couch and I sink down, feeling exhausted yet relieved. Lyka pushes off the door frame and walks away with a huff.
“I know what you tried to do in the forest,” Dax begins as he sits in the armchair across from me. His face glows from the fire and his eyes are filled with compassion. “Lyka and I won't mention it to anyone. But I think staying here for a few days is best until you recover.”
My breath catches in my throat as my defenses crumble. I look away from him, not wanting to make eye contact. “I’m ashamed,” I mumble as my eyes fill with tears .
“Don’t be. I know how you feel. When my mother…well, my adoptive mother, died from sepsis, my whole world came crashing down. I didn't want to be here.”
My tears spill over and I wipe them away. “I know that feeling too well. My mother died from Covid.”
Dax leans forward in the armchair and looks at the fire. “So, you don't have any other family in America?” he asks.
“No. I have an auntie in London. However, it’s an estranged relationship,” I explain. “She used to contact me regularly once we moved here. She wanted me to move back to London after my father died, but I haven’t contacted her back…even though that’s where people think I am right now.”
Dax gives me an awkward smile and I can tell he doesn't know how to respond. The silence between us grows. The only sound you can hear is the fire crackling and the occasional creak of the wooden cabin settling.
I shift the conversation. “So, do you live here with your father, then?” I ask.
“No. Our father died of liver disease five years ago. The alcohol killed him after he turned to the bottle. He wasn’t much of a father after my mother died. Lyka stepped up, looking after me.”
Guilt hits me and I feel terrible after my recent actions with the vodka. “Oh. I’m so sorry. I’ll stop asking questions.”
Dax lets out a dry chuckle. “It’s fine. Lyka and I have moved on. That’s life.”
I wish I could move on like they had.
He stands up from the armchair, walks over to a wooden box in the corner of the room, opens it, and retrieves a blanket. He places it beside me. “Get some rest. I’ll cook you up something.” “Thank you,” I murmur, placing it over my legs.
Dax heads towards the kitchen and I settle back into the couch. I glance toward the staircase, half-expecting to see Lyka ’s disapproving figure. Instead, the space is empty. For the first time in two months, I allow myself to relax.
I blink hard a couple of times and finally manage to open my eyes. Lyka leans over me, his cold stare greeting me. I quickly raise my torso from the couch and the blanket slips down my shoulders.
“Fuck! Jesus, Lyka! You scared me,” I gasp.
“Dax made you some food,” he mumbles, walking away.
Do I have to follow you then? Yes? No? Asshole.
I push the blanket to the side and stand up slowly, still feeling rough. With each step, dizziness hits me harder.
I enter the kitchen which has the same rich wood that defines the rest of the cabin. Deer heads adorn the walls. In the center stands a stone island with smooth, light wooden stools surrounding it.
Dax is already at the island and pulls out a stool for me. “I made you some chicken noodle soup. Hopefully, it will make you feel better.”
I take a seat, my eyes falling on the bowl in front of me. The soup smells delicious. The golden liquid has tender chicken, noodles, and vegetables with steam rising off it.
“Don't worry if you can't finish it. The main thing is you need to drink plenty of water,” Dax explains, his voice soft but firm.
I lift the spoon and take a sip, the warm broth soothing my sore throat. Dax sits next to me with his own bowl. Across the island, Lyka sits there with a grumpy, intense, rugged allure. His tattoos snake up his massive arms. His light blue eyes, piercing and co ld, sharply contrast his black hair, which is stylishly pushed back. Despite his grumpy demeanor, his edge makes it hard to look away.
Dax, on the other hand, presents a more approachable figure. His light brown hair falls casually on his forehead and his golden eyes hold an inviting warmth. Even though he was adopted, there was a surprising resemblance between him and Lyka. I observe them, feeling an unexpected flutter in my stomach. It is strange and unsettling. There’s something about them. My eyes flutter back to Lyka. He sits there, still glaring at me.
Stop staring at me, Lyka. Fine, I’ll make small talk. Asshole.
“So, Lyka, who was that girl with the black hair and tattoos at the concert?” I ask.
“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.
He walks back to the bathtub and turns off the faucet. I watch him for a moment, struck by the veins running down his arms. Before leaving, he stands near the door, his hand resting on the frame as he speaks. “I’ll leave you to it. Fresh towels are over there,” he explains, nodding toward a rail.
Before he turns around to leave, he adds, “Oh. I also laid out one of my T-shirts and some shorts for you on my bed.”
“Thank you, Dax. Again, I’m so ashamed of what I tried doing in the forest–”
“Listen. Let's not talk about it anymore. However, don’t feel ashamed. Okay?”
I watch as he quietly shuts the door behind him, leaving me alone. I walk over to the door and lock it. I take a deep breath and peel off the layers of clothes. Eventually, I stand naked and exposed in front of the mirror, looking at my skinny body from the weight loss of not eating for the last two months. I feel mixed emotions as I look at myself. There is a part of me that feels relieved that my plan didn't go through. However, at the same time, I feel uneasy knowing the Faulkner brothers are seeing me in such a vulnerable state.
I turn away from the mirror and step into the bathtub, the warm w ater enveloping me. I sink down until the water reaches my breasts, closing my eyes to shut out the world outside.
The sound of water trickling from the faucet fills the room. I lean my head against the tub, drifting into the tranquil waters.
I wash my body quickly with the soap, hoping it has not been used on the brothers’ ball sacks. I decide not to wash my hair, anticipating they’ll drive me home tomorrow. I finish rinsing off and step out of the tub. I pull out the plug, wrap a towel around my body, and pick up my clothes from the floor.
I open the bathroom door and peer down the hallway, but see or hear no one. I walk down to the first door, which is slightly open, revealing a cozy bedroom. A fireplace casts a warm glow as I enter, turning my head to the right. There, sitting by the window and smoking, is Lyka. He stands up abruptly, eyes scanning me up and down, causing my heart to race. Memories of uncomfortable encounters with Marty flood my mind and I grip the towel tighter.
“Shit, sorry. I thought this was Dax’s room,” I mumble, feeling nervous.
I exit the room and hurry to the next door down the hallway. This time, the bedroom door is closed. I knock, open the door, and look around, taking a moment and looking around the room. I see the T-shirt and shorts that Dax has put out for me on the bed.
Like the rest of the cabin, the bedroom has a rustic charm. A stone fireplace stands against one wall. The wooden double bed is adorned with dark green bedding. A standing bookshelf in the corner catches my eye with books adorned with small figurines and trinkets.
The room feels peaceful, a sanctuary amidst the wild beauty of the forest outside.
I set my clothes on the bed and glance around. A framed photog raph on the bedside table catches my eye—a snapshot of Dax and Lyka together, their smiles carefree.
I change into the T-shirt and shorts quickly.
I hear a knock on the bedroom door as I'm in mid-thought. “Come in,” I say loudly.
Dax pokes his head around the door. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, thanks. The T-shirt is a little big…but it will do.” I giggle as the garment hangs loosely on my body.
“You look good…” Dax says in a flirty tone, then quickly shaking his head as if catching himself. I look away as I blush.
“Are you sure you don’t mind me staying in your room?”
“Honestly, it's fine.”
“Okay. Are you going to be dropping me back tomorrow?”
He slips his hands into his jeans pockets. “Not sure yet. I want to make sure you're fine first,” he replies, his eyes meeting mine with a hint of concern.
I nod, unsure of how to respond to his kindness.
“Well, I'll let you get some sleep. If you need me, you know where to find me.”
“Thanks, Dax,” I say softly, appreciating his effort to make me feel at ease.
He gives a final nod before walking out. The room falls into silence, the only sound the soft crackle of the fire.
I turn around, look at the inviting bed, and crawl onto it. The bedding is thick and cozy. I take a deep breath, inhaling the faint scent of pine and wood smoke. My thoughts begin to settle as I lie there. My eyelids grow heavy. Despite the unfamiliar surroundings, I feel a sense of calm.