Chapter 34

As the rest of the day went by, filled with cards, calls and texts from close friends wishing me a happy birthday. Christian and Haiden decided to take me out but I didn't know where they blindfolded me and we drove for a few hours, until they guided me somewhere. Christian told me to take off my blindfold, and once I did I had to make sure I wasn't dreaming because I was standing at the edge of the dock, the sun cast a warm gold hue over the horizon. Christian and Haiden had decided to celebrate by buying a yacht, a gift that was as extravagant as it was unexpected. I turned to see my friends, Noah, Mia, and Sarah, beaming with excitement.

"This is so amazing!" I squealed, twirling around like a giddy child. I felt the salty breeze tugging at my hair, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.

Christian leaned against the sleek hull of the yacht, his arms crossed and his expression cool. He was always a hard one to read—a blend of dark intensity and playful teasing. Haiden, on the other hand, stood beside him, grinning with mischief. He was the playful twin, the gentle spirit who balanced Christian's aloofness.

"You guys really didn't have to do this," I said, feeling overwhelmed by their generosity.

"Consider it a birthday gift," Christian replied, his voice low. He caught my eye for a moment, and even in his cold demeanor, I felt the hint of warmth that flowed beneath the surface. "Just don't wreck it with wild partying."

"Not a chance!" I laughed. Giddy adrenaline coursed through my veins as we stepped aboard, leaving the weight of the world behind.

As the yacht glided through the water, I felt like a princess in my own fairytale. My friends and I poured drinks, the sound of ice clinking invigorating the air as we toasted to another year. We danced on the deck under the fading twilight, laughter mixing with the sounds of waves lapping against the boat.

The stars began to twinkle overhead, and I felt a sense of freedom I hadn't experienced in a long time. I danced with abandon, my inhibitions melting away with every drink. Christian and Haiden chose to stay behind—work, they said, but I suspected they wanted to keep an eye on me, even from a distance.

Hours rolled by in a blur of music and merrymaking. I was lost in the rhythm, and as the night deepened, my senses dulled by alcohol, the boundaries of caution began to fade.

It all started innocently enough; I picked up my phone, a giggle escaping as I thought of the twins. I texted Haiden and Christian that I missed them, that they should have joined. Something about the way they both looked at me that night felt alive; I wanted them to see how free I was.

Then, in my hazy state, the texts turned flirtatious. A few innocent pics—just me in my favorite lacy bra and matching panties—slipped through the digital ether. I couldn't help my drunken bravery; I felt sexy and rebellious, living in the moment.

At some point, my fingers moved faster than my thoughts. I don't even remember hitting send on the nudes. The realization hit me like a bucket of ice water when I received their swift, stark replies. I giggled, half mortified and half exhilarated.

"Hailey..." Christian's text read, a mix of surprise and something darker. My pulse quickened, heat flooding my cheeks.

"Seriously??" came Haiden's response, followed by an array of emojis that I could only interpret as mischievous.

Suddenly the laughter faded, and I felt my heart race. What would they think? I had crossed a line, but in my drunken mind, my mistakes seemed like innocent fun.

As the boat rocked gently in rhythm with my beating heart, I glanced at Noah, Mia, and Sarah, who were now also slightly tipsy and giggling at my antics. They urged me to go wild—to own my decisions.

Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling of anxiety clawing at my chest. What if they were angry? What if Christian's cold heart couldn't thaw in the face of my reckless abandon? What if this fun-loving side of me meant I was unworthy of the sweet relationship we had?

My mind raced, a thousand thoughts colliding, but another text chimed in, snapping me back to the present.

Christian: "You definitely didn't just do that."

Haiden: "I'll be on the next yacht to you. Save some fun for me."

My stomach danced with nerves, and all I could do was laugh as I gazed up at the stars, knowing that the twins would come next weekend, ready to shower me with love, and probably a bit of hot teasing over my birthday mishap.

As the night wore on, surrounded by laughter and my friends' infectious energy, I realized that in that moment, I would embrace it all—the wild, the sweet, and everything in between. After all, it was my birthday, and I was determined to make every second count, consequences be damned.