FORBIDDEN TIES {My brother's best friend}

Chapter 30

I opened my eyes slowly, the soreness between my legs reminding me of the night before. A smile crept onto my face as the memories flooded back. That felt so good. But then I realized Cyrus wasn't lying beside me. Instead, I felt the car moving. Panic surged through me as I sprang up, wrapping the blanket around my body, and looked at him in shock. He was driving.

"What the fuck?" I exclaimed, my voice a mix of confusion and irritation.

"Hey beautiful, you're awake," he said, smiling as if nothing was wrong.

"The car is moving?" I asked, my mind racing with questions. He nodded.

"How? You repaired it?" I asked, incredulous. He shook his head.

"Some dude was driving past, and I stopped him. He helped us," he explained. I nodded, still processing the information.

"But you don't drive someone else's car, right?" I reminded him, suspicion creeping into my voice.

"No, I don't. But you're not just someone, babe," he said with a smile. I looked at him, feeling like something was off. His explanation didn't quite add up.

The day wasn't fully bright yet, casting a dim light that made me wonder what time it was.

"What's the time?" I asked. He checked his phone.

"4 AM," he said. I hadn't slept much.

"We're almost at the camp," he added nonchalantly. My eyes widened in panic.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I exclaimed, scrambling to grab my clothes from the car floor. Quickly, I started putting on my underwear, my heart racing. The thought of being caught like this was mortifying.

As I pulled on my clothes, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. The pleasure from the night before clashed with the anxiety of the present moment. I glanced at Cyrus, who was focused on the road, a slight smile playing on his lips. How could he be so calm?

"Why didn't you wake me up earlier?" I asked, a hint of accusation in my voice.

"I wanted you to rest. You looked so peaceful," he replied, glancing at me with a soft expression. His eyes seemed sincere, but I couldn't shake the feeling of unease.

I hurriedly dressed, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. My thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and worry.

As we approached the camp, I felt a knot of anxiety tighten in my stomach. The camp came into view, the tents and the early morning activities of my friends becoming clearer. I took a deep breath, bracing myself for whatever questions or looks we might face.

To my surprise, the camp was quiet. Everyone was still asleep, the early morning stillness creating a peaceful atmosphere. I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Maybe we could slip back without anyone noticing.

Cyrus parked the car, and I quickly fixed my hair, trying to make myself presentable. We stepped out of the car, and the cool morning air on my skin was refreshing. I looked at Cyrus, a mixture of gratitude and lingering confusion in my eyes.

"Thank you," I said softly, breaking the silence between us. He smiled, his eyes warm and understanding.

"Anytime," he replied, his voice gentle. He walked over to me, offering his arm. "Let me walk you to your tent."

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded, taking his arm. As we walked through the quiet camp, I felt a strange sense of camaraderie with him. Despite everything, he had been there for me. And for now, that was enough.

We reached my tent, and I turned to face him. "Goodnight, Cyrus," I said, my voice sincere.

"Goodnight, Lena," he replied, his eyes holding mine for a moment longer than necessary.