Entangled ✔️

Chapter 24

The One With Secrets

Adam threw in more branches to feed the fire. He stared appreciatively at Ahana’s damp bra and panties hanging over the hearth and chuckled.

Adam had stashed the panties in his jeans on the walk back, but the bra he’d hooked around a belt loop. Best flag he’d ever captured. His chuckle turned into a quick frown when he noticed Ahana shivering, hugging herself. “You’re cold,” he said, rubbing her arms.

“A-a li-little.” He knew from the way she was shaking it was more than a little.

He took the blanket from the sofa and wrapped it around her before tying it snugly in the back.

“The lake was a bad idea. I’m sorry.” The water hadn’t been bad when they first dived in, but it had gotten colder on the way back. Adam had given Ahana his shirt, but the extra layer had done little to provide additional insulation.

“Don’t be. It was fun. Why are you wrapping me up like a burrito? Are you afraid I’ll run again?”

He laughed. “Maybe.” He picked her up and carried her to the couch. He laid her down and slid in behind her to cradle her. “This is what my mom did for Rachael and me when we were cold.”

“You sure she did this because you were cold or to keep you from moving?”

Adam chuckled. “Probably both.”

“This was your family’s cabin, right?”

“Yes, I’ve been coming here since I was little,” he said softly.

They sat there quietly, staring at the crackling flames. Adam rubbed Ahana’s arms and occasionally kissed her forehead.

“I had fun today.” He tried to make his voice sound chipper.

“Me too. How many girls have you taken skinny-dipping in that lake?”

Adam tensed. “I’ve never brought a girl here.”

“Is it like your apartment? Because you’re private?”

“Sort of.” He could have stopped talking then. She didn’t ask any more questions. They were silent for a long time, but then he started revealing things he’d never shared with another person.

“This cabin represents some of my best and one of my worst memories. I don’t come here much. I’ve brought some buddies like Jason up here to fish. Rachael uses it for her family. Mostly it sits empty.”

“I’m sorry, Adam. It’s beautiful here, so I know it must have been very bad to keep you from this place.”

He kissed her damp hair. “It was my tenth birthday. I was excited to spend the weekend at the cabin. That’s where we spent most weekends, so I assumed this would be no different. My father called my mother and said he had to stay in New York on business. When she told me we couldn’t come up here, I threw a temper tantrum. I made her feel guilty for ruining my birthday. Finally, she agreed to drive us up here. My mother hated driving, especially so far. In fact, her car needed brake work at the time, so we borrowed our neighbor’s car. She let me invite two friends too. Rachael was asleep by the time we got here, thank God. I saw my dad’s car in the driveway. I thought he came to surprise me. I practically leaped over the steps to the house, even though my mother yelled at me to wait. I ran inside and looked for him everywhere. Finally, I ran up to the bedroom and threw open the door. Then I just stood there in shock for a few seconds.” Adam shivered, but it wasn’t because he was cold.

Ahana gripped his hand, squeezing it. “As soon as I realized what was happening, I slammed the door shut. I tried to push my mother back and tell her we had to leave, but she was determined to open that door. My friends came in, and I shouted at them to get out. Rachael, thank God, stayed asleep. By the time my mother opened the door, my dad at least had his pants on, but the two women he was with were still half-naked.”