The Good Intentions

Chapter 21 - Bethany

Bethany

I can't stop thinking about it. All night and all morning, I can't get what Paige said out of my head. Granted, she just thought she was telling me stories about her friends, but she actually freaked me out. I haven't been able to snap myself out of this daze. I'm scared to be with a man. The fear of rejection is eating me alive.

I want to cancel my plans with Kaden today. But he's already knocking on my front door, picking me up for another day of trying to get me to have fun. But, I'm not really in a fun state of mind.

"Ready?" He asks with the biggest smile.

I don't say anything and just nod, taking the helmet out of his hand and walking past him to his motorcycle.

"You good?" he asks with a laugh but I don't miss the concern clinging to his words.

"I'm fine. Let's just go." I could at least try and fake it. But I'm not a good liar. So I just keep my mouth shut, wrap my arms around his waist, and stay quiet the entire ride over to wherever it is he's taking me.

***

A lake, big and beautiful, sits proudly in front of us surrounded by dense trees. A long wooden dock spans out over the water. I don't even feel like I'm in Florida right now. And there's not another soul in sight. Just the two of us.

A deep orange hue from the evening sun cascades its light over the water. I've never seen anything so peaceful. And for a moment, just a moment, not a second longer, I feel serene. For a moment my throat doesn't feel constricted and my body feels relaxed. Just a moment, though.

"What are we doing here?" I manage to ask. The first words I've spoken in a while.

Kaden just looks at me for a second before giving me his typical smirk. "Going for a swim."

"I didn't bring a bathing suit."

He grins wider at that and pulls his shirt over his head. His toned torso basks in the light and I can't look away. I stare at the amazing abs carved into his body. Until he frees his head from his shirt, mine snaps away. But not fast enough because he laughs. My arms cross over my chest but he still finds it all so amusing.

"Come on," he presses, unbuttoning his shorts and kicking them away. From the corner of my eye, I see his blue boxers and his finger hooking the waistband.

"Don't do that!" I snap, turning fully around.

He laughs. "Come on, it's skinny dipping."

"No way."

"Doll—"

"No," I snap again. "I'm not doing that."

He sucks in a long breath. "Okay," he lets it out. "You can either get undressed, jump in that water, and have a fun time. Or you can tell me what the hell is going on with you."

My body goes rigid.

"I'll stand here all night if I have to. But you are doing one of those things." He laughs again. "I mean, I've already seen your ass before. But I promise, I won't look at you."

I let out a sharp breath and tighten my arms across my body. "You swear you won't look?" There's no way I can rehash to him all things my sister said and what her words are doing to me. I refuse. I can't. I just can't.

"I promise," he says in a slight whisper.

The tone of his voice makes me feel oddly comfortable. Even as I pull my shirt over my head, I feel kind of... safe. Despite the fact that my palms are sweating and my heart is slamming ruthlessly into my ribs.