The Promise

Chapter Twenty-Seven

A/N: This training schedule is literally the worst. I'm not a morning person, so it's difficult for me. Enjoy Chapter 27 though. 

That evening, I was surprised when they didn't take me to their usual cave, and we didn't spend much time on the Boardwalk as we usually did. Instead, the guys made a quick stop at the Boardwalk before we left to visit a mysterious and secluded place.

They whisked me away to a clandestine hideaway on the back of a motorcycle. I couldn't help but squint tightly a few times due to Marko's daredevil-like riding. It felt as if we were either in a high-speed race or playing a daring game of chicken. Finally, we arrived at our destination, and I cautiously opened my eyes.

Before me lay a small lagoon-like cave nestled against the shore. A pristine beach stretched alongside, while the cave glistened under the enchanting moonlight. As I stood at the water's edge, I twirled around, taking in every enchanting detail. The cave glimmered and mesmerized under the moon's radiance, casting a captivating display of light all around.

"Are those crystals?" I asked, moving towards the cave wall.

"Yes," Dwayne confirmed. "Quartz."

"It's beautiful," I whispered, running my hands along the rough walls of genuine quartz.

"We knew you'd love it," Paul winked before ripping his clothes off. I let out a small shriek, covering my eyes as Paul wiggled his pants off his hips. "You can look, babe."

"Are you decent?" I asked, my cheeks flushing in my embarrassment. I wanted to look, but I didn't at the same time.

"I have boxers on!" As the other three friends laughed, Paul's expression turned slightly affronted, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. I found myself unable to look away as he stood by the pool, his physique resembling that of a sculpture carved from marble. A smirk played on his lips as he maintained eye contact with me, and a blush crept over my cheeks as I realized I had been caught admiring my boyfriend before he dove into the pool.

"Come on!" Marko's voice echoed through the air as he confidently shed his clothes and prepared to make a splash with a cannonball into the pool. Meanwhile, I hesitated, feeling self-conscious about my body. Despite my initial hesitation, I eventually mustered the courage to take off my pants and band tee. I chose to keep on my tank top and underwear, feeling more comfortable with this arrangement, before finally plunging into the invitingly warm water.

Dwayne joined our group of four as we immersed ourselves in the refreshing pool. The atmosphere was lively, with Paul and Marko engaged in a playful splash fight. I relaxed, relishing the soothing sensation of the warm water against my skin. Throughout the commotion, Dwayne remained by my side, skillfully shielding me from the exuberant waves generated by the two energetic individuals.

"Do you like this?" Dwayne asked, his deep voice breaking the silence.

"This is beautiful," I whispered, gazing towards the sky. Only a small hole was in the top of the cave, allowing moonlight to stream through.

"I thought you'd like it," David murmured, causing me to start as I turned around. David was standing on a rock by the edge of the pool, looking at the two of us.

"I do," As I stood in the water, a mischievous grin spread across my face. I extended my wet hand toward David, hoping he would join us. However, he shook his head, indicating that he preferred to stay dry. Despite my playful pout, David remained resolute. His gentle smile revealed his affectionate nature as he leaned forward, running his gloved hand tenderly down my cheek.

"He won't be swayed," Paul whispered, causing my heart to skip a beat. I jumped, going to whirl around in the warm water, but Paul wrapped his arms around my torso. "Just me, babes."

"You scared me!" I admonished Paul, who grinned into the curve of my neck. I missed the look that David shot Paul when his eyes turned yellow briefly. Paul just pressed a kiss to my neck before diving into the depths of the pool. I chuckled, letting Marko pull me along with him.

The four of us swam in the pool for a while. Marko and Paul liked to take turns scaring me. They loved diving down under the water while I was distracted and then grabbed my feet. It never failed to elicit a response from me, which amused the two troublemakers.

"Alright," Dwayne finally stated, noticing that I was yawning a bit more than usual. All of the physical activity, even though it was gentle, wore me out. Due to the caloric deficit, any activity made me tired very quickly. "Let's get out. Princess needs some time to rest."

"I'll be alright," I denied Dwayne's actions, even though Marko was holding most of my weight.

"Let's go, sweetheart," Marko murmured into my ear. With his help, we made it to the shore of the little lagoon. David had spread a blanket down onto the ground, where we all lounged while we rested.

I was lying on the ground with my head resting on David's shoulder. His warm breath was comforting as he pointed out the constellations in the night sky. Wrapped in David's protective embrace, I felt a sense of peace. The presence of the other three guys around us only added to the feeling of security. It was a beautiful and intimate moment, and my heart swelled with warmth. In that tranquil setting, it felt as if we had known each other for years, and the connection between us felt destined.

As I gazed at the star-studded sky, a sense of profound connection filled the air. It was as if an invisible red string of fate had inexplicably wound itself around each of our wrists, binding us together in an intricate tapestry of fate. With a faint smile, I found my attention shifting from the celestial wonders above to the three other males sharing the blanket with me, each one encapsulated in the same ethereal moment of unity and companionship.

"I love all of you so much," I blurted out, eyes wide as I realized what I had just revealed. I felt my breath hitch, freezing in my lungs as I froze.