Chapter One - A cabin by the lake

Arya

I had arrived at my family’s lake cabin after a five-hour drive. I will be spending the entire summer here, so eight weeks. It had been in my family for generations. We spent our summer vacation here when I was a kid with my parents, younger sister Demi and my older brother Nathan. But as the years passed and we got older, our parents got older, we stopped coming. My siblings have their own families now.

I chose to come here for two reasons: first, I have had a rough few months, and secondly, I have a book to write before my publisher drops me. I have written a few best-sellers, but I haven’t had a new book in a while, and I had to change that. I love this place; it is so beautiful. It is surrounded by woodland, nature, a vast, beautiful lake, and there were only another five cabins in the area. There is a farmers market every Saturday just ten minutes away, the same place where the restaurant/bar and the shop is. You need to drive a few miles into the city if you need anything else. I have made sure to bring enough supplies and essentials to do me at least a week, and then I will go into town to stock back up.

I climb out of my car, breathing in the clean, fresh air. I close my eyes, feeling myself relax instantly. I head inside, taking everything in. I have missed this place. It has high ceilings, the floors are oak wood, and so are the walls. A log fire sits in the middle of the living room area.

My family have had some great times here. It had four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The living and kitchen area is open plan. You can see the view of the lake, the hills and mountains in the distance through the large glass pane windows. It is breathtaking, and I am excited for my next eight weeks here.

After admiring the view for a few minutes, I head back out to start bringing my things in. I will unpack my cases later, but I need to put my groceries away, but after, I am going for a walk. The cabin is clean because even though it rarely gets used, my parents have a cleaner in once a month. It takes three trips to bring everything in.

I quickly put my shopping away, placing my two large cases in the main bedroom, where I will be sleeping. I can shower later once I come back from my walk. I change into my walking shoes, get a bottle of water and head out. I will only manage a short walk because it becomes dark soon, and I don’t want to get lost in the middle of the woods in the darkness.

I stroll towards the lake because there is a path I can walk along. There is not another soul in sight. The peacefulness is excellent and what I need. It is like a completely different world out here. The sounds of birds chirping the slight breeze in the air making the trees blow are enough to make me smile. I admire the beautiful flowers and trees surrounding me, snapping photos along the way.

I walk for an hour before turning to head back. I only met one person with their dog the entire stroll. As I come to the part of the lake in front of my cabin, something catches my eye, well, someone. A man is coming out of the water. He ran his fingers through his wet, dark hair, slicking it back. I know I should stop staring, but I couldn’t pull my eyes away; instead, I ran them over his toned, muscular body. He looks like the type of man you would see in an ad campaign for a massive designer.

I licked my lips, feeling bad for looking at him like this, but I couldn’t stop. He looks up, noticing me for the first time. I panic and rush off. I am in too much of a rush that I am not watching where I am going; the next thing I know, I trip, falling flat on my face. My knee hits hard off a rock.

“Ouch! You son-of-a-bitch.” It hurts like hell. I fight through the pain, ignoring the blood streaming down my leg and force myself to my feet.

I am so damn embarrassed, and I don’t look back. I don’t need the handsome stranger to see me in agony with tears running down my cheeks. I limp my way back to my cabin, and it is a struggle. I stumble slightly, “Easy, sweetness.” I hear a male voice say from behind me, and he is holding me up, “That looked like a painful one. Are you okay?” he asks. His accent is different from mine. I am from Oregon, and he sounds like he could be from New York, “Fine.” I reply, refusing to look at him.

“No, you aren’t. What cabin is yours?” I point him in the right direction. The stranger helped me upstairs and to the entrance, “Thank you, I can manage from here.” I finally look at him smiling. Bad idea! I whimper the second my eyes meet his baby blue ones. Oh God, why is this man so damn good looking!

A surprising look takes over his face, “Arya?” How does he know me? “Um, do I know you?” I ask, confused, “You don’t remember me, uh? I guess it has been a long time, and I have changed over the years.”

I study him closely, trying to work it out, but nothing. I feel bad for not remembering him. I shake my head, “Who are you?” A smirk rises on his lips, “Think a little harder. And while you do, we can head inside and see to your knee,” I open my mouth to speak, but he gives me a stern look, and I change my mind, “And no, I am not telling you.” He chuckles.

I am in too much pain to argue with him on it. He helps me inside, leading me over to the sofa, “First aid kit?”, “In the bathroom, under the sink,” I respond. He goes to fetch it, which gives me time to catch my breath and think harder on who he could be, but nothing. If he didn’t know me by name, I would suggest he is mixing me up with someone else. Maybe we crossed paths, briefly. Surely, I would remember a man like him?

He comes back with the first aid kit in hand and kneels in front of me, “Let’s get you cleaned up, Arya.” He smiles. I nod, and he takes wipes, cream and a small bandage from the box. I now wish I had worn trousers rather than shorts and maybe there wouldn’t have been so much damage to my knee. It is throbbing.

“So, can I at least know your name?” I question, maybe his name would help ring a bell for who he is, “Kyson.” He replies. Nope, still have no clue who is he.

God, I wish he would tell me how we know each other because if I can’t work it out, it is going to annoy the shit out of me, “Still don’t remember?” he laughs, “No. I am sorry.” I sigh.

“It is fine. It has been a long time. You will work it out. But brace yourself, gorgeous; this is probably going to hurt.” Ahh, he isn’t going to tell me, is he? “I am sure I can hack it.” I snicker. He starts cleaning my knee, and it hurts. I close my eyes, gripping onto the sofa, trying to ignore the pain and stop myself from crying again.

“I am sorry, but it needs to be cleaned up properly, so it doesn’t become infected,” He says. I open my eyes to find him looking up at me, “It is okay.” I manage to smile back at him. I am such a damn klutz, but I believe this is the worst thing I have done to myself.

Kyson finishes cleaning my knee up and wrapping it in a small bandage, “All done, sweetness,” he grins, “Thank you. I appreciate you helping me.”

I didn’t think my first day here would turn out like this. I am sure it could have been worse; at least I didn’t break anything, but it means I can’t swim in the lake for at least a week or more which sucks because I planned on swimming in it every morning.

“Do you have pain killers?” he asks, and I shake my head, “Okay, I will nip next door to my cabin and grab some because you are going to need them.” I don’t tend to take painkillers unless I really need them, and I think today I do.

Kyson leaves my cabin for his. I sigh, resting back on the sofa and run my fingers through my hair. I don’t know how I am going to get around for the next couple of days. I will manage because I don’t have a choice, but it is going to be a struggle for sure. He arrives only a few minutes later, getting me a bottle of water, “Here, take these. They will help.” He smiles, handing me a strip of paracetamol. I retrieve them for him, swallowing two with some water and thanking him.

Kyson sits next to me, and I turn to face him, “Can you please tell me how we know one and another? If not, it will annoy the hell out of me, and I won’t be able to concentrate when I am writing because I am a control freak and hate the unknown.” I beg.

A sly look takes over his face, and he shakes his head, “Nope! You aren’t getting it away with it so easily.” I groan in frustration, glaring at him. Kyson laughs loudly, standing, “I will make you some food because you need to stay off your knee at least for a few hours. Are you still vegetarian?” What the heck, how does he know such a personal detail regarding me? I don’t know if I should be creeped out by the entire thing.

I became a vegetarian when I was ten, but unless you are in my life, it isn’t common knowledge, “How would you know I am vegetarian? I am sorry, but this is getting creepy, “I say honestly, “I promise, I am not a stalker or anything. I just have a good memory.”

I look at him closely, and he seems genuine, but I will be keeping a close eye on him. I can defend myself if I need to, “Yes. I am still a vegetarian.” I finally answer.

Kyson saunters to the kitchen, raiding through the fridge and cabinets, “How does pasta with cheese and veg sound?” he asks, looking over at me, “Yes, sounds good. You really don’t need to make my dinner. I can manage.” I reply.

If he weren’t here, it would be a sandwich or a microwave meal for dinner because I would be able to stand long enough to cook a meal from scratch, “Nonsense. I don’t mind.” He smiles, “Okay, make sure you make enough for both of us.” I don’t want him making me food and not any for himself.

Kyson hums away to himself as he cooks. He looks sexy, cooking in my kitchen shirtless. I bite my lip as I watch him. Thankfully, he is too busy cooking to notice. I wonder if he is single? Either way, it doesn’t matter because I didn’t come here to hook up with someone. I came here to stop distractions and write. I give myself a shake, snapping out of it and pull my gaze from him. I am excited for food because I am famished!

My plans for tonight have changed slightly due to my fall, but maybe if I can’t move around, it will put my concentration on writing.

***

Kyson is helping me to my bedroom after dinner, which was delicious. I insisted he didn’t need to, but I am glad he did because it was a struggle to get to. He helps me into bed. Yes, it is still early, but I will be more comfortable in bed, and my leg will be elevated.

“Right, what do you need, gorgeous?” he questions. Whenever he calls me gorgeous, it makes me feel a little giddy and blush, “Um, my laptop, charger, notepad, pen and some water.”

I inform him where everything is, and he gathers them up, bringing them to me, “Snacks, you need snacks. How are you going to occupy yourself?”, “Write. I am an author and have a book due in a few months.”

“You always did enjoy writing and making up stories.” He smiles. I am beginning to think Kyson knows me better than I realised. I look at him, hoping he would say more, but he didn’t. He disappeared back to the kitchen and came back with a bottle of water, a can of soda and a snack bowl with fruit and veg, plus a packet of potato crisps.

“Do you have everything you need? I will leave you to write, but I am going to put my number into your cell, text or phone me if you need anything.” I am sure he has better things to do than be at my beck and call, “Thank you. I appreciate it.” he is lovely.

Kyson stores his number for me, double checks I don’t need anything else and goes to leave, “Kyson, thank you for everything. Can I at least get a hint where we know each other from?” I bat my lashes, trying to encourage him to share.

Kyson chuckles loudly, “You are welcome. I am sure I can give you one. Though I don’t know if I should be offended, you don’t remember your first kiss. I must have been terrible.” He quickly left before I had a chance to respond.

He was my first kiss? I rack my brain, trying to remember and then it clicks. My first kiss was right here by the lake when I was twelve, and it was Kyson’s first kiss too. I can’t believe how much he has changed! He used to be a skinny guy with messy hair and glasses. No wonder I didn’t remember because he didn’t resemble his old self even in the slightest. Though he was right, the kiss wasn’t great on both ends, but it was our first time. I met Kyson two summers previous when he was here with his family, and the one we shared our kiss was the last time I saw him. I felt terrible I forgot him, not only because of the kissing thing but also because we hung out a lot. I should have realised when he told me his name. So much has happened in the last fourteen years.

I lifted my cell, looked for his number and opened a text to him.

I am sorry I didn’t remember you, Kyson. I remember now. We hung out a lot every summer for three years X

I set my phone aside and open my laptop, bringing up a blank document. It is time to get into writer’s mode.