Chapter 14

Maija

Present

"Maija wake up; we're home." He shakes me gently as I slowly open my eyes, a bit disoriented. I smile when I see his face. I like waking up to him; wait, what does that mean? It must be the beer talking. He slips out of the car, comes around to my door, and pulls it open before attempting to pick me up. I push him away gently.

"I can walk."

"No, you can't. Please let me carry you." I look at his worried face and sigh. My head is too cloudy to argue with him, so I nod. He smiles before taking my phone from my hands and slipping it into his pockets. He then picks me up gently, laying me against his chest as he closes the car door. As he carries me towards the house, I inhale his scent– it comforts me. This is what I am missing with Danuel. Zayne smells like home. I snuggle in more, feeling safe and secure, when suddenly a burst of laughter breaks out as we enter the house.

"Charles, no, no… stop it…." I hear my mom scream through fits of giggles.

"Come,