Chapter 18
Christmas Eve
Maya woke to someone shaking her shoulder gently.
"Maya. Maya, wake up."
She blinked against the morning light, disoriented. The patio chair beneath her was uncomfortable, and her neck ached from the awkward angle she'd been sleeping at.
Liam crouched beside her, concern etched on his face. "Dude, did you sleep out here all night?"
Maya sat up slowly, her muscles protesting. The pool was still steaming gently in the cold morning air. She'd cried herself to sleep right here, hadn't she?
"I must have dozed off," she said, her voice rough.
"It's freezing out here. Come on, let's get you inside before Mom sees and has a heart attack." Liam offered his hand and pulled her up. "Go to your room. Get some actual sleep."
Maya nodded, too tired to argue, and stumble
