Cedarwood Cabin

Chapter 8

EIGHT

FLORA

I wake up feeling much better this morning, the dizziness has completely disappeared.

The cabin is silent and I can only hear the birds outside chirping. Quietly, I get out of bed, needing to use the bathroom.

I walk down the hallway as the wooden floorboards creak under my feet. Just as I reach the bathroom, the door swings open and out walks a woman. I recognize her. It’s Jonny’s girlfriend, Jenna. She stands there in only a red, lacy bra and underwear, exuding confidence. I can understand why Lyka is attracted to her. Jenna smirks at me, looking me up and down with an evil glare. I feel awkward, not knowing what to say or do. It's clear she spent the night here. Before I can say anything, I hear the door behind me creak. I turn around and see Lyka standing in his doorway, topless. He has perfect six-pack abs and a V-line leading down to his lower body. His eyes meet mine, but he doesn't say a word.

Jenna nudges my shoulder deliberately as she walks past me. She walks to Lyka, who steps aside to let her pass as she disappears into the room.

Lyka lingers for a moment, his eyes still locked on me. He smirks like he is taunting me. I roll my eyes at him, feeling frustration welling inside me. He slams the door behind him, echoing through the silent cabin.

I take a deep breath and steady myself before entering the bathroom. I try and push Jenna and Lyka out of my mind.

I finish on the toilet, I wash my hands, and splash some cold water on my face. I then step back into the hallway, ready to face whatever the day might bring.

I walk into the living room and see Dax fast asleep on the couch. He looks peaceful, his messy hair sticking out in all directions. I tiptoe past him to the kitchen, but a floorboard creaks loudly.

“Morning,” Dax says, his morning voice deep. He rubs his eyes and squints.

“I didn’t mean to wake you,” I say, apologetically.

The blanket falls from his chest as he sits up, revealing his toned, tattooed torso.

What is it with the men in this cabin and their amazing bodies?

Dax swings his legs over the side of the couch. He pats the cushion next to him and I take a seat beside him. Just then, we hear shouting from Lyka's room.

“Lyka! Lyka!”

“Ahh, that sounds like Jenna,” Dax says, shaking his head.

“It is. I bumped into her while going to the bathroom.” I give him an awkward smile. Dax looks around the room, clearly unsure of what to say next. He seems expectant to change the subject. “Breakfast?” he offers, tossing the blanket aside. I nod in agreement.

Dax jumps up from the couch and I can't help but notice he's wearing just his underwear. I look down and see his morning wood pressing up against the fabric.

“Oh, uh…” I stutter, looking down and quickly averting my eyes .

Dax looks down at himself and chuckles. “Just gonna go to the bathroom,” he says with a grin.

I give him a closed-lip smile. I don’t know where to look, I feel so awkward.

Wow… Fuck. He looked big! I have only seen Marty’s, but Dax is bigger.

I hear more shouting and banging from Lyka's room. I try to block it out, instead focusing on the fire that is just dying embers. A few minutes later, Dax returns, dressed in gray sweatpants and a T-shirt. “Alright, let's get some breakfast going,” he says with a smile, heading towards the kitchen. I follow him as Dax opens the fridge, pulling out the ingredients. “How do you feel about pancakes?”

“Pancakes sound amazing.”

As Dax stands at the stovetop cooking the pancakes, I realize I haven't seen my phone since being here.

“Do you happen to know what happened to my phone?”

“We found it smashed near a rock, it doesn't even turn on. I asked Lyka to see if he can fix it. He's good with technology stuff,” he replies, flipping a pancake. “Make yourself at home, by the way.”

“Oh, okay…” I mutter, feeling a mixture of relief and frustration. At least they found it, but now I'm even more cut off from the outside world.

Why am I even worried? It’s not like anyone is going to contact me. They think I’m in London.

I walk over to the cupboard, grab a glass, and then head to the fridge to pour some orange juice. I stand next to Dax and lean my back against the countertop.

“How old are you and Lyka?”

“I'm twenty-nine and Lyka is thirty-three. You?” he asks, glancing at me briefly before turning back to the pancakes.

“Twenty. ”

“Wow, you're young. Can't even legally drink yet,” Dax teases with a smile.

“Uhh…I guess. It's weird here. In England, we can drink at eighteen,” I say, shrugging.

“Lucky Brits,” he says sarcastically, raising an eyebrow.

He flips the pancakes again, the golden brown surfaces sizzling slightly as they land back in the pan.

“You wanna eat these outside on the balcony?” he asks, plating the pancakes. “Sure,” I respond, feeling a little thrill at eating outside with the forest view.

Dax takes two plates and walks over to the back door. I hold it open for him as he steps out, following closely behind. I am taken back by the view as we step onto a dark, wooden balcony. The sight is breathtaking—nothing but endless trees. The sun shines through the tops of the trees, creating beautiful shadows. Dax places the plates onto a wooden table with benches.

I take a seat on one of the benches and feel the roughness of the wood on the back of my legs. The air is fresh as I take a deep breath. Dax sits across from me and we both dig into our pancakes.

“If you don't mind me asking. What do you and Lyka do for work?” I ask, taking a bite of a pancake.

Dax pauses for a moment. “I compete in a lot of motocross games, Lyka does a lot of woodwork making furniture, and we both hunt,” he explains, his tone casual but filled with pride.

“Men with many talents?” I ask in a joking tone.

“You could say that,” he replies, a small smile playing on his lips.

“So, I'm guessing Jonny is on another motocross team?”

“Yeah. He's hated me for a long time; he just can't beat me. And he hates my brother for obvious reasons.”

“Is Lyka adopted, too?” I venture, hoping I’m not overstepping .

“No. His mother and father wanted another child, but couldn't. In the end, they adopted me when Lyka was four and I was a newborn baby,” Dax explains.

“Oh! I’m sorry to hear that, Dax,” I say awkwardly, not sure how to respond.

“It's cool. Before you ask, I know your next question...My mother dropped me off at a fire station when I was just two weeks old,” he continues, his eyes fixed on his pancakes.

He looks up, his golden eyes meeting mine. “I'm over it. Lyka's mother and father gave me a life. They were my real parents.”

I feel a lump in my throat. I look out at the forest, trying to process everything he shared. “That's really amazing, Dax. To have had that kind of family, I mean,” I say, turning back to him.

“Yeah, it is. They gave me everything I needed. Lyka and I…We've had our ups and downs, but we're brothers.”

“Having each other's back and being close is nice to see.”

Dax chuckles, shaking his head. “Yeah, close is one way to put it. We're both stubborn as fuck, but we'd do anything for each other.”

“I wish I had brothers or sisters.”

Dax looks over at me, his expression thoughtful. “So, you said your mother died of Covid? You mentioned your auntie, but do you not have anyone else? No grandparents?” he asks.

I take a deep breath and the loneliness overwhelms me. “Nope. No one else. I am all alone in America.”

Dax's face softens. I can tell by his facial expression that he feels empathy. “I'm really sorry to hear that. I can't imagine how hard that must be.”

I can feel tears form in my eyes, but I don’t want them to spill over. “It’s been rough. After my mom passed, it felt like my whole world fell apart. She was my rock. And now, with my father gone, too, I just feel like there is a huge void inside me. ”

Dax reaches out and places a comforting hand on my hand. “I get it. Losing family is never easy. But you're not alone. You've got us, at least for a little while.”

As we finish our breakfast, the conversation shifts to lighter topics. Dax tells me about some of the motocross races he's won, his face lighting up as he recounts his favorite moments. Lyka suddenly walks out onto the balcony in his underwear, the sun highlighting his tattoos. He lights a cigarette, takes a deep drag, and leans over the railing, exhaling a cloud of smoke into the air.

“Sounds like someone had a good night,” Dax states.

Lyka takes another drag and nods. His eyes seem so distant. Jenna walks out fully dressed in a black leather jacket and black ripped jeans. Her heavy boots thud against the deck as she walks up to Lyka. She turns, her eyes narrowing as they land on me and Dax.

“Anyway…” I begin, trying to break the awkwardness.

“Wait, aren't you the British girl who crossed my boyfriend Jonny at the concert?” Jenna accuses in a sharp tone. She attempts to wrap her arm around Lyka's waist, but he shifts away, avoiding her touch.

“I think you heard wrong. He made a comment and grabbed me, so I spat in his face,” I reply bluntly.

Dax raises both his eyebrows, a chuckle escaping his lips. He seems impressed by my retort.

“And your boyfriend ?” I continue, not missing a beat. “Yet you're here, fucking Lyka.” The words come out sharper than I intended, but I don't regret them. Lyka smirks, his eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and approval.

Jenna glares at me, her lips curling into a sneer. “Dax, keep your bitch on a leash.”

I scoff, unable to believe her audacity.

“Watch your mouth, Jenna,” Dax warns .

She ignores him and moves in to kiss Lyka, but he turns his head away, her lips landing awkwardly on his cheek. She storms back into the kitchen.

Lyka takes one last drag of his cigarette, flicks the butt over the railing, and follows her inside. The balcony door slams shut behind him, leaving Dax and me again alone.

“Well…that was something,” Dax says.

I shrug. “She had it coming.”

Dax chuckles and shakes his head.

“Let’s hope that will be the last we see of her for a while,” Dax says. I nod, sharing the mutual feeling.

Lyka walks back onto the balcony, sitting beside me on the wooden bench. His demeanor is guarded.

I guess Jenna has gone, then…Thank god.

“I've invited some people around tonight,” Lyka announces.

“Alright, cool,” Dax responds.

“Will you be dropping me back soon?” I ask, my gaze shifting between Lyka and Dax, searching for their response.

Dax and Lyka look at each other, communicating silently. Lyka doesn't say a word. He just turns away, looking into the forest.

“We’ll give it a few more days. We wanna make sure you’re fine first,” Dax replies.

“I know what I did in the forest was stupid. I can’t thank you two enough for helping me. However, I don’t want to be a burden,” I explain, my voice filled with gratitude and shame.

“It’s just a few days. It’s not like you have anyone to go home to, Flora.”

I flinch at his words, but I can tell he meant no harm in what he said. He was right, and deep down, I knew it, too. I had no family waiting for me. The thought of going back to an empty house filled me with dread .

Reluctantly, staying here might be the lifeline I need, even for a few more days.

“Well, what about food? I can pay toward the costs.”

“Flora…Me and Lyka have enough food for some time. We don't need your money. We’ve got a freezer full of animals we’ve hunted,” Dax reassures me.

I feel guilty; these two brothers have already done so much for me. The least I can do is offer to contribute.

Lyka reaches into his pocket and pulls out a pack of cigarettes, pushing it toward Dax. Without a word, Dax places one between his lips, lighting it.

“Just enjoy your time here. Take a break,” Dax says after exhaling a stream of smoke.

Taking a break in this beautiful cabin, deep in the forest seems nice and ideal. Hopefully, it will be enough to restore my mind from the dark thoughts that linger.

I realize I have to go commando, not wanting to wear my worn panties again as I get dressed. I step into the hallway and hear quiet voices coming from the living room.

“It’s all working, yeah?” I hear Dax ask.

I peek around the corner and see Lyka and Dax standing in front of the TV. Lyka looks up and notices me. He quickly switches it off and crosses his arms.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

Dax turns around and gives me a closed-lipped smile. “Yeah…”

Lyka only grunts in response. He sits on the couch and immediately goes on his phone. I glance around the room and notice their massive collection of movies. Rows upon rows of DVDs and Blu-rays line the shelves. Intrigued, I walk over to the shelves, running my fingers along the various movie cases.

“You have so many horrors…”

“Ahh, you like horrors, then?” Dax asks, moving closer and standing behind me.

“My favorite is Misery .”

Dax looks over at Lyka and raises his eyebrows. “Lyka loves that film, too…”

Lyka glances up from his phone, giving a small grin with a flicker of approval in his eyes before returning his attention to his screen. Seeing another expression other than grumpiness from him feels odd, but I’m not complaining.

“You’re welcome to watch anything you want,” Dax says.

“Thanks, Dax.”

I look back at the movies, seeing what other titles they have.

“I was thinking we could ride around the forest to the lake,” Dax says, breaking the silence.

“Wait. You have a lake?”

“We don’t own the lake. It’s just off our land, a short ride from here. We sometimes go fishing there.”

I shrug my shoulders and reply, “Sure.”

Dax nudges Lyka with his foot and he looks up from his phone. “You coming?”

Lyka stands up and huffs. “Yeah,” he replies bluntly.

Dax grabs a set of keys from the side table. We exit the cabin onto the porch that wraps around the building and the fresh, forest air hits me. At the front of the cabin, five Adirondack chairs are arranged around a stone fire pit, strings of lights hanging from the surrounding trees. It's a beautiful scene, so tranquil. We descend the wooden steps and I follow Dax and Lyka towards a stone garage. Lyka steps forward and lifts the garage door, revealing an array of vehicles inside .

There's a dark, emerald green Land Rover, two motocross bikes, two sleek, black motorcycles, and four ATV quads.

How do they afford all of this?

“We do well enough with our jobs and hobbies,” Dax says, as if he can read my thoughts.

“We’ll take these,” Lyka says, walking over to the ATVs as he inspects them.

Dax grabs a helmet and a pair of gloves, handing them to me. “Safety first,” he says with a wink.

I put on the gear and walk over to the ATV as my nerves start setting in. Dax gives me a quick rundown of how to operate it. The engines roar to life and we drive out of the garage onto a dirt path leading into the forest. My heart races; I’ve never been on an ATV before.

The ride is intoxicating. The ATV easily handles the rough ground and I feel a sense of freedom as we speed through the forest.

After a short ride, we arrive at the lake. It's a tranquil spot with clear, blue water reflecting the sky and the surrounding trees. It almost takes your breath away.

Dax and Lyka park their ATVs and take off their helmets. Dax walks over to the water's edge and skips a stone across the surface. “Beautiful, isn't it?”

“Yeah,” I reply, my voice filled with awe. “It's incredible.”

Lyka leans against his ATV, lighting a cigarette. He takes a deep drag and exhales, his eyes fixed on the lake. There's an intensity about him that I can't quite figure out.

We stand there for a while, just taking in the beauty of the lake and the forest around us. For the first time in a long while, I feel a sense of calm wash over me.

Dax breaks the silence. “We come here often to fish and relax. It's a good place to clear your head. ”

My eyes don’t leave the lake, I’m still in awe at the view. “I can see why.”

I gaze into the distance and my eyes widen in dismay and fear. Across the lake, I spot a bear and her two cubs leisurely going through the underbrush. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen a bear in person, and even from this far away, the sight is both majestic and terrifying. My mouth opens in silent awe.

Noticing my reaction, Lyka follows my gaze and quickly understands.

“Hey! Mama bear!” Dax shouts. I’m guessing he shouted to let the bear know we were close.

The bear hears Dax's call, lifts her head, and looks in our direction. Without hesitation, she ushers her cubs back into the safety of the forest.

“Whoa…That’s the first time I’ve seen a bear. Scary,” I say, my voice breaking, betrayed by my fear.

Lyka shakes his head and scoffs, clearly unimpressed.

“Well, you better get used to seeing animals like that,” Dax says. “We’re deep in the forest. There are bears, wolves, coyotes, snakes, deer, elk, moose—”

“I’ve seen a moose, they’re massive!” I interrupt.

“Yeah…You don’t fuck with moose. More dangerous than bears, if you ask me.”

“I always find it crazy how many animals you have around here that could easily kill you. We only have sheep and cows in England,” I muse, shaking my head.

“Well, every place has its dangers. Here, you just have to learn to live with it.”

We stand there as the lake reflects the clear sky. I can’t help but feel respect for this place's untamed beauty. I glance to my right and notice a small, rustic, brown cabin nestled among the trees. Its presence seems almost hidden, blending seamlessly with the forest .

“Ooo, what's that?” I ask, looking at them both with curiosity.

“That's a fishing cabin. If you ever get stuck out here, you can stay in there. It’s pretty basic, just a bed and fire.” Dax explains.

I take a few steps closer to get a better look. It's old and weathered.

“We use it mostly during the fishing season or when we want to escape. It’s warm and dry,” Dax says.

Lyka, leaning against his ATV, takes a drag of his cigarette and adds, “It’s a good spot if you need some alone time…No one bothers you out here.”

I start walking towards it, and as we reach the cabin, I peek through the window. Inside, I can see a simple interior. A single bed is positioned against one wall, covered with a blanket. A small wood-burning stove sits in the corner, its chimney extending through the roof. There's an old wooden table with two chairs and a few shelves holding fishing gear and basic supplies.

Dust covers everything, making any object or piece of furniture have a slight gray hue.

“It’s a good place to fuck someone,” Lyka says, stubbing out his cigarette.

I roll my eyes and cross my arms. “Lyka…You’re either grumpy or fucking someone.”

Dax chuckles, raising his eyebrows and glancing at Lyka for his response.

“Just because you ain't getting any…” Lyka says in his deep, gravelly voice, a hint of a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.

Glaring at him, I feel a spark of defiance flare up. “Or maybe I don't want to.”

“Calm down,” Dax interjects, still smirking but clearly trying to diffuse the situation .

The atmosphere changes when Jonny suddenly appears behind the small cabin, his friends following close behind.

“Look…it’s the Faulkner brothers,” Jonny taunts. An evil grin spreads across his face and I want to slap him. He irritates me.

Lyka’s smirk is wiped off his face as he quickly moves to stand protectively next to me, his arm pushing me slightly behind him. I’ve never seen this side of him before, but it’s clear he’s ready to defend me.

“What do you want?” Lyka asks in a threatening tone.

“Nothing, just out on a walk,” Jonny hisses back.

“What, deep in the forest?” Dax retorts, stepping forward. His eyes narrow, his body tense and ready for whatever might happen.

Jonny's friend steps to the side, his eyes locking onto mine. He gives me an evil smirk. “Hey Jonny, isn't that—” he starts to say, but Jonny cuts him off, his gaze never leaving Dax.

“Yup. The British doll. You know she has a wicked tongue, spitting at me like that. Maybe I should teach her some manners and rip it out,” Jonny sneers, his eyes filled with a twisted amusement. His words make my skin crawl and I feel scared. I can feel Lyka’s arm pressing me more firmly behind him.

Lyka’s protective stance becomes even more pronounced, his arm acting as a barrier between me and Jonny. His muscles are tense; I can sense his readiness to act if things escalate.

Dax steps up to Jonny, their faces inches apart. “Get the fuck out of here,” Dax growls through gritted teeth.

I hear a sharp click and my eyes dart to see Jonny flip a switchblade open. The blade glints in the light and my heart skips a beat. Lyka notices it, too. I grab onto him, gripping his arm tightly .

“What are you gonna do, Jonny?” Lyka asks, his voice steady.

Dax's eyes follow Jonny's hand and he steps even closer, his face inches from Jonny's. “Cut me, I fucking dare you,” he challenges.

“You better back off, Jonny,” Lyka warns.

Jonny's friend looks uneasy, glancing between Jonny and Dax. “Jonny, come on, man. Let's just go,” he mutters, trying to pull Jonny away. But Jonny seems locked on Dax, the knife still out and threatening.

“You think a knife scares me? Go on, try it. See what happens,” Dax hisses.

The standoff feels like it stretches forever, every second ticking by. My heart is pounding in my chest. Finally, Jonny seems to waver. With a snarl, he retracts the blade and steps back, shoving the switchblade into his pocket. “You’re not worth it, Faulkner.”

Dax doesn't move, his eyes still locked on Jonny, watching his every move. “Get the fuck out of here,” Dax repeats.

Jonny and his friend finally turn and walk away. I release the breath I didn't realize I was holding, my grip on Lyka's arm loosening.

Dax stands there for a moment longer, making sure they’re really gone, before he turns back to us. His face is a mixture of anger and concern, the adrenaline still evident in his eyes. “Are you okay?” he asks, his voice softer as he puts a reassuring arm around me. “We need to be more careful. They might come back.”

“Agreed.” Lyka nods.

But amidst the fear, there's the realization that Dax and Lyka would do anything to protect me.

I jump onto the ATV, gripping the handles as we return to the ca bin. We pull up and park in the stone garage. I dismount and a wave of sleepiness washes over me.

“Hey, you don't mind if I go take a nap, do you?” I ask, handing the helmet back to Dax.

“You don't have to ask. Use my bed.”

Feeling grateful, I nod and head into the cabin. As I walk down the hallway, my eyelids grow heavier with each step. Suddenly, I hear footsteps behind me. I turn around and see Lyka trailing a few paces behind.

“What?” he grumbles, catching my eye.

“Nothing,” I mutter.

Lyka's eyes darken, and without a word, he storms past me, his shoulder bumping into mine.

What the fuck is his problem with me?

He slams his bedroom door with a loud bang that vibrates through the cabin.

I sigh as I shake my head and continue to Dax's room. I kick off my shoes and fall onto the bed, sinking into the mattress. Pulling the covers over myself, I let out a long sigh. The bed smells faintly of Dax's cologne. My eyes flutter closed and I drift off almost instantly.