“Which way?”
She points at a gap in the treeline.
I shift the girl in my arms to get a comfier grip.
“I could walk if you just help me,” she says.
She’s probably 130lbs, five foot four? Hardly a challenge. Her hair probably weighs as much as her body. And her curves feel delicious in my arms.
“No need, I’ve got you. My name is Asa, by the way,” I tell her.
Approaching the cabin, which is tucked away among trees, I’m getting more and more curious. The small building looks almost abandoned. Is she living here alone? Why would a girl like this want to live alone in a cabin in the middle of nowhere? I flash back to those big eyes, and how they filled with fear when she saw us.
Hugo and Lennox follow me towards the wraparound porch.
“Mind the boards under the window,” she says. “They’re a bit rotten.”
“This porch is a death trap.” Hugo growls. Hugo growls a lot these days.
“Get the door, Hugh,” I tell him.
The screen door groans as it opens and I step inside. There is one room—functioning as both kitchen and living room. Very basic, like seriously—no frills. I head to the small, wooden-armed sofa and carefully deposit the girl.
After I lower her down, she immediately sits up and straightens her back. “Thank you,” she says primly. “I’m fine. You can go now.”
She is dismissing us.
But I don’t want to be dismissed. She says she is fine but I look at her rapidly swelling ankle, then around the shack. One window has cardboard and duct tape to cover a broken pane. It doesn’t seem right to leave her alone here.
I squat down to her level.
“Look sweetheart, we’re sorry we frightened you, and we can absolutely leave straight away, but…but you are hurt.” I put out a hand to stroke her hair, then quickly retract it again. Bad Asa, do not touch the pretty girl without permission.
“Can I at least get your first aid kit out for you?” I ask. I’m doing my best to look unthreatening.
“She’s fine,” says Hugo. His voice is bitter, making the girl’s eyes widen.
“Ignore him,” I tell her. “He’s just grumpy grandpa. Isn’t that right, Hugo?”
Hugo growls.
Lennox is prowling around the place like he’s taking inventory.
Her hands and both knees are gravel-rashed and bleeding.
“Listen,” I say. “You got hurt because we startled you. Your injuries need cleaning. I want to help you.” I watch as she bites her lip. Her eyes, huge in her heart-shaped face, dart between me, Hugo and Lenny.
I twist around to face my brothers. “Hey, you guys—go. I’ll deal with this.”
Hugo throws up his arms. “Whatever, I'm out.”
Lennox moves next to me. “Nah. I’ll take care of her,” he says. Then leaning closer to me he adds, “After all, I did see her first.
The girl, hearing him, grows paler. Fucking Lennox. He needs to turn it down a notch. I wave him back. He grins at me and walks over to the table and takes a seat.
With Hugo gone and Lenny backing off, the girl seems to breathe easier. Only two strangers to deal with now.
“My name is Asa,” I tell her again. “What’s your name?”
