Wrong Place, Wrong Time

Chapter 26

***So here's this. Why not read a fanfiction chapter to punctuate the stress of the U.S. election? LOL And it's set to good music. So have a seat, grab a snack, and read this chapter while listening to a happy song. It makes everything seem a little less tense, promise 😘

Some of you may recognize this song. It's a cover of "You Are My Sunshine" by Jasmine Thomspon. I actually used this song cover for a Jaya chapter in Untamed, and I fell in love with it. I now headcanon that Jay just randomly sings this to Nya when he wants to be cute or affectionate. Nya tries to sing it back - I also headcanon that she's bad at singing - but she only does it when he's upset about something. He knows she's trying <3

And I'm really sorry it has to be this way, guys. Actually, I'm not - I do what I must for the plot. You'll see what I mean by the end of the chapter.

I swear, I've written so many Jaya cuddles lately - ***

***(Jay's POV)***

I run into one of the spare rooms below deck, holding a bowl of that stale popcorn you can buy bagged at the store. I shouldn't be alone, but I had to get this. It's a day for celebration, in my opinion.

I plop the bowl of popcorn on the pillow-leaden bed. My dad spared no expense on this luxury boat, apparently. I use his ample pillow supply and a few extra blankets I found in the closet to construct a small fort.

"Are you doing okay, Nya?" I call. She's in the 'bathroom' we have on board. I honestly hate to know what it'll be like to clean that thing out when we're done with this sea vessel.

After we totally conquered that crazy storm, I helped Nya down below deck so she could get dried off and rest up. Zane's taking over for Skylor so she can have a break, too. I just hope we don't run into another storm, or we'll be back up there again. It's just light rain right now.

The bathroom door opens with a click, and Nya pokes her head out, a towel wrapped around her shoulders. She slowly moves toward the bed, lacking the energy to do much else. She does offer me a tired, flimsy wave in acknowledgement.

I run to her and pull her into a hug. "Hi."

"Hi. Mind if I sit down?" Her voice is exhausted and void of emotion.

I suddenly remember the amount of energy she's just exerted and laugh. "Oh, yeah. I made you a pillow fort, by the way. We can just sit in it and have a snack while you regain your strength." I guide her the rest of the way to the bed, and she flops down, reaching for one of the bottles of water I stashed there.

"Are you all dry?" I ask, settling in beside her.

She lazily fingers the towel around her shoulders. "Almost."

"I'll help." I grab the edges of her towel, pull it from around her shoulders, and rub her head with it.

She giggles softly. "What the heck, Jay?"

"I'm helping." I wrap the towel around her head and grin. "You look like Little Bo Peep."

By the look on her face, she's stifling a smile. "And you look like a fool. It's cute on you, though."

I hug her tightly and sigh happily. "I can't believe this is happening."

She chuckles. "You're something else, Jay Walker."

"You could say that." I pepper her hair with quick, tiny kisses.

She sighs, tired yet content. "You said there was food?"

I gasp, stopping in the middle of my mini-kiss festival. "You're right!" I pass her the bowl of popcorn, setting it in her lap. "You need to eat something so you can replenish your energy! And then you'll probably need a nap. But that means I'll just be sitting here watching you sleep – we aren't supposed to be alone right now – and that's kind of creepy. Um, the 'watching you while you sleep' part. So you don't have to fall asleep just yet, if you don't want to."