We embark on our journey and I turn on the radio, tuning it to some eighties music. I recall Nate mentioning that this is her favorite music. As the music starts playing, she immediately starts bopping her head to the beat and humming along. The drive takes us up steep hills surrounded by dense forest. The scenery is breathtaking and we both enjoy the peacefulness of the natural world around us.
As we drive through the forest, she gazes out the car window and asks, “So where are we going then?” I smirk and reply, “Just wait and see.” The road ahead becomes increasingly rocky, but fortunately, our 4x4 vehicle is up to the challenge and easily navigates the terrain. Finally, we reach the top of a steep hill that towers over the dense forest below and a magnificent view opens before our eyes. The sight is awe-inspiring and we both find ourselves lost in the beauty of the landscape.
I carefully maneuver the Jeep in reverse, positioning it so that the back of the vehicle overlooks the breathtaking expanse of the forest and the blue sky above. With a sense of satisfaction, I step out of the car and make my way to the rear where I open the door for Tessie. I reach for the trunk and open it, revealing a neatly arranged collection of blankets and a hamper basket filled with delicious food.
“Fancy lunch with a view?” I suggest, smiling and extending an invitation.
We both settle down on the edge of the car’s trunk, taking in the magnificent panorama before us. “This view is breathtaking,” she exclaims, her eyes sparkling with wonder.
I carefully place a warm blanket over her legs to keep her from getting cold. With a hamper basket in hand, I retrieve some fresh and luscious strawberries that I meticulously cut into exquisite rose shapes. She looks at me with a surprised expression and exclaims, “Wow.” Confused by her reaction, I gaze at her and say, “What? Don't forget, I have some pretty impressive knife skills.” She raises one eyebrow and chuckles.
She takes the vibrant, red strawberry from my hand and gazes at it, admiring its beauty. “It's almost too perfect to eat,” she murmurs, her eyes still fixed on the fruit. I can't help but smile mischievously at her comment and take the strawberry from her hand. Holding it between my fingers, I lean closer to her and whisper, “What if I do this?” With a grin, I slowly place the strawberry halfway into my mouth, beckoning her to come closer. A sense of anticipation builds between us as she leans in, her lips hovering just inches from mine. Then, as we share an intimate moment, she takes a bite of the succulent strawberry, savoring its sweet taste. The radio fills the air with tunes, creating a serene atmosphere. I catch a glimpse of her smile and feel content. I reach for the prepared sandwiches and place them in the car trunk beside her. We relish each bite as we enjoy each other's company.
Tessie takes a bite of a sandwich and looks at me in disbelief. “I'm shocked you would set up something like this. You don't seem like the kind of person to do romantic stuff,” she says.
I chuckle nervously and reply, "Honestly, I've never done anything romantic like this. You should be lucky.”
She stares at me, puzzled, and asks, “Wait, what? You've never been on a date?”
I avoid her gaze and fixate on the breathtaking view of the forest in front of us. “Nope,” I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper.
Tessie shakes her head in confusion. “Wait, so...” she starts to say, but I cut her off abruptly. “Look,” I interject, my voice serious and frank. “I’ll be honest with you. In the past, I've fucked many women. However, I'm not a romantic. I’ve always seen women as nothing.”
Tessie’s gaze shifts to the side. As she speaks up, a question rests on her lips: “I can’t help but notice that you refer to women as nothing. You did that day with Celeste. Why?”
I can't help but chuckle quietly. “I have my reasons. But let's save that for another time, shall we?”
Tessie takes the sandwiches in her hands and brings them closer to her lips. Her voice trembles as she asks, “Ok…Well, am I nothing to you?” Her eyes betray a sense of hurt and disappointment, as if she is searching for reassurance in the response.
I lean in closer and whisper in her ear, “When it comes to you, Tessie, I’m so fucking weak.” The words escape my lips and hang in the air.
Tessie stares at me. “You confuse me. One moment, women are nothing to you. Yet you are controlling and all romantic with me. You make no sense,” she says, her voice soft and uncertain.
I let out a sigh and fold my arms across my chest. “Look, I have my reasons. But right now you need to accept that you belong to me, Nate, and Mike. No matter what happens, I'll always be a part of your life, even if that means watching you from a distance. Yes, I will be possessive, but I will also be anything you need and want. So stop questioning and just enjoy the view.” I pause for a moment before adding, “And kiss me...”
Tessie rolls her eyes in response, a gesture that only seems to irritate me. I reach out and gently grasp her face between my hands. “Don't you dare roll your eyes at me with that attitude,” I warn. “If you do it again, I'll make them roll to the back of your head.”
“Maybe that's what I want...” she breathes.
“Don't tempt me, Tessie.”
Tessie giggles and leans in. We share a long, passionate kiss. Her lips are soft and taste of sweet strawberries. Slowly, I pull away and tilt my head, looking into her eyes. “Do you like bowling?” I ask, hoping to impress her. She blinks in surprise and a smile spreads across her face. “Yes, actually,” she says. “It's been years since I went, but I used to love it.”
I can’t help but smirk. “Great,” I say, “because we're going to the bowling alley after this.”
A bright smile spreads across her face, causing her eyes to sparkle with excitement. She giggles joyfully and exclaims, “Oh, I can't wait!”
We sit in silence and gaze down at the towering trees. I can't help but marvel at their majestic greenery. The air is crisp and refreshing up here on this steep hill. Tessie finishes eating and turns to me, and asks, “Did you bring anything to drink?” Without hesitation, I reach into the hamper and pull out a cool water bottle, passing it over to her.
I cast my gaze once more upon the towering trees ahead of me.
“If those trees down there could speak,” I muse out loud, reaching for a bottle of water from the hamper beside me, “they would have a thousand secrets to tell.” Tessie looks over at me and playfully nudges my shoulder. "Do they hold your secrets?" she teases, a mischievous glint in her eye.
I bring the water bottle to my lips and feel Tessie's gaze hovering over me. I sip and whisper, “Everyone has secrets, Tessie…” There's a moment of silence as we contemplate the weight of those words. Suddenly, Tessie takes a deep breath and says, “I know you have secrets. Mike told me everything that happened with his mom and sister. It was horrible.” My eyes narrow in suspicion as I look at her. “I know it was dreadful and vile. But he told you everything?” I ask as I cough and shuffle my body. Tessie nods up and down vigorously. “Yup, and I know you helped him, Cain.” I clench my jaw and respond, “I did. I would do anything for Mike and Nate.” Before I finish my sentence, Tessie interrupts me, saying, “Ay, I'm not judging you. I totally understand why you helped him.”
“Anyone we have ever killed had it coming to them and deserved it, Tessie,” I state, my voice tinged with conviction.
Visibly taken aback by my statement, Tessie probes further. "Have you killed a lot of people?” she asks, her eyes fixed on me.
I take a deep breath before responding. “A few, in the past. But I promise you we only killed people who deserved it,” I say. My jaw clenches tightly as I remember the past incidents that led me to form such a belief.
Her hand rests gently on my lap. “I don't care what you three have done in the past,” she says, her eyes locking onto mine. “I know you won't hurt me. As long as you only hurt vile people who deserved it, that's all that matters.” Her words seem to hang in the air, heavy with meaning and conviction. Despite her statement's gravity, her tone is calm and reassuring.
As soon as she made that statement, I felt a rush of emotions like never before. It was like a bolt of lightning had struck me. I knew right then and there that she was definitely the one for us. What struck me the most was her remarkable ability to overlook mine, Nate, and Mike’s past.
I draw closer to her, my heart pounding with anticipation. I lean in and whisper in her ear, “I can lose everything, but not you. Fuck, not you.” Her perfume fills my nostrils as I feel her breath on my cheek. As she leans in, I see the hint of a smile on her lips and she lovingly wraps a warm blanket around my shoulders. Our bodies nestled under the blanket, we kiss passionately, lost in the moment.
“Afternoon.” The sudden voice makes Tessie and me jump. We turn to see an elderly man and his dog strolling past. The man's voice is gravelly and weathered, yet friendly. Tessie and I exchange glances and can’t help but burst out laughing at the suddenness of the situation.
“Come on,” I say, extending my hand towards Tessie. “Let's head over to the bowling alley.” Tessie eagerly takes my hand and we both climb out of the trunk.
I glance down at Tessie's feet and I can't help but chuckle quietly. “I must look like a complete fool with these shoes on,” she says, joining in on the laughter. Her feet are adorned with bowling shoes, making her look like a clown.
“Don't worry,” I reassure her. “I look like a clown, too.” She giggles and looks down at her feet. “At least your feet are small. Mine are massive,” I joke, making her laugh even more.
I take her hand and lead her to our assigned bowling lane. Sitting, she looks at the screen to see who will bowl first. “Would you like a Cola or anything?” I offer.
