Heavy Heart

Chapter 12

I was rudely awoken by my phone ringing. I sat up with a start, launching Mr. Fuzz. I hadn't noticed he was sleeping on my shoulder so when I sat up with a start, I accidentally sent my cat flying to the foot of the bed. Through hooded eyes I glared at my clock next to my bed, it was 2:44am. What the actual fuck, why was my phone ringing. Then my eyes shot open, realizing it was probably bad news.

I reached over and answered my cell, not even looking at who was calling, "Hello!"

"Hey, baby, I need a ride. I'm way too drunk to drive home tonight." a loud, slurring voice shouted into my ear. I yawned into my phone and closed my eyes, as I flopped back down on my bed.

"Who is this?" I groaned. I heard a laugh come down the phone, "It's the guy you kicked out this morning. Can you please come get me?" It was Zack, and he was wasted. I sighed, "Zack, just sleep in your truck."

Zack let a hic-up go through the line as he slurred, "I got a ride with Brock and he took some girl home with him tonight. Everyone else has left, the bar is locked up and I have nowhere to go. I wouldn't bother you if I had anyone else to call."

"Fucking hell, Zack. Fine. I'll be right there." I muttered and hung up the phone. I didn't bother getting dressed, I just threw my jacket on, grabbed my keys and ran out the door. I drove to the bar and found Zack sitting out front on the curb. He winced his eyes as I blared my headlights into his face.

Zack got up with great difficulty from the curb and wobbled his way over to the passenger side of my car. I unlocked it for him as he tugged on the door handle. He opened the door and dropped onto the seat inside. I glared at him but all Zack did was smile wide at me. He blew me a kiss and smirked, "Hey baby, you are the best."

"Uh-huh." I muttered, "Put your seatbelt on, Zack." He did as I instructed. I didn't look at him, I just put my car into reverse and asked, "Do you want me to take you to your mom's house?"

He shook his head, "No, she will lose her shit if I show up looking like this. Can I stay at your place?" I groaned, "Zack, I was asleep! I hate this!"

Zack leaned over to my side of the car and kissed my cheek, "Please, baby, I have nowhere to go. I'll sleep on the floor if you want, just let me stay at your house." I rolled my eyes but nodded. I took him to my place. He smiled at me as I pulled into the driveway.

I dragged him into the house and took my jacket off. Zack fell face first onto the floor. He had been trying to take off his shoes but in his drunk state he fell down. He started laughing loudly and shaking his head. I sighed and leaned down to help him with his shoes. Once they were off, I took his jacket off and pulled it off his shoulders.

Zack smiled up at me from the floor, "You are so nice, Layla. So nice to me, nice to everyone. No one would believe you kicked me out this morning." I sighed and shook my head, "Zack..."

He waved me off, "No, I get it. You don't want anything serious. I get it. I just thought maybe what we did last night was special. But it's all good, I know it's not special to you."

"Come on, drunky, you can sleep in my bed. No funny business though. I was sound asleep when you called so don't even try." I warned him. Zack nodded as I pulled him up to a standing position. I took his hand in mine and guided him to my room. Zack slipped out of his jeans and fell face first onto my bed. He was sound asleep in minutes. I covered him with my blanket and shuffled him over slightly so he wasn't on my side.

As I crawled into bed next to him I stared into his face. Zack was a very annoying man but I found myself smiling at him. He'd woken me up in the dead of night, yet I still felt compelled to go and pick him up in his drunken state. I wasn't angry with him, I hadn't made him walk home to his mother's. Instead, I'd allowed him to stay with me, not only in my house but in my bed. As I adjusted my body to get more comfortable, Zack rolled completely over to face me. His eyes fluttered open, before focusing on me.

He smiled at me and shuffled closer, "Your bed is so comfy, Layla. I love how soft it is." I nodded, "I'm glad it's up to your expectations." Zack chuckled, "You are awesome."

I sighed, "Go to sleep, Zack. I'm tired, just let me sleep." He leaned forward and kissed my forehead, "Ok, good night baby." I frowned and rolled onto my back away from him, "Knock off the 'baby' shit."

Zack closed his eyes and hummed slightly, as though he didn't really hear me. In a few moments I heard him snoring softly again. I closed my own eyes and let myself drift off to sleep.

When I woke up in the morning, Mr. Fuzz was resting on my chest, purring lightly. I glanced down to see behind him was an arm that wasn't mine. Zack had wrapped his arm around my waist and was snuggled up with his face in the crook of my neck, sound asleep. He wasn't snoring, he was just breathing softly. I closed my eyes again and let myself breathe him in, he smelled so delicious.

Mr. Fuzz and lay awake together for a while, snuggled up with Zack. I wanted to wake him up, but he looked so peaceful next to me I didn't have the heart to. I listened to his breathing, I could feel his steady heartbeat through my side. It felt oddly comfortable to wake up with him, I wasn't expecting to feel that way.

Zack started to stir about thirty minutes after I woke up. He nuzzled further into my neck and moaned softly, "Layla? Mmmm, you smell good." I chuckled, "That's good to hear. How are you feeling?"

"My head hurts, I feel like I was hit by a truck." he muttered into my neck. I sighed, "I've got Tylenol and Advil if you want, it's in the cabinet in the bathroom." I felt Zack smile, which sent a shiver down my neck.

I cleared my throat as I told him, "I can make you some breakfast if you want. I've got eggs, bacon and toast. I mean, only if you want." Zack pulled me closer to his chest and sighed, "You are taking such good care of me, Layla." I chuckled and shrugged. We laid there together for a few minutes before I moved to get up. Zack groaned but allowed me to move

I pulled on my housecoat and shuffled to the doorway of my bedroom. I glanced back at Zack watching me, his eyes were tired but they seemed happy. Mr. Fuzz sat at the foot of the bed, also watching me. I whispered, "Take a shower, Zack. I'll make us some breakfast."