CHAPTER 26: A BETTER MAN

DAMIAN I was slumped on the bar cushion, an almost empty bottle of whiskey dangling from my hands and two empty bottles lying lifelessly on the floor. The house bar was dim, and the only light in the room was from the TV. Life seems meaningless since Marie was gone. I took another swig from the bottle, and the burn on my throat gladdened my heart as it helped distract me from the pain Marie's absence was causing in my chest. The door swung open, and I raised my head slightly. I saw Ray walk into the room, but I wouldn't have been bothered even though it was a stranger. He looked at me, and I could see his mouth twitching. "Damian, what the hell are you doing? "Ray's thick, cold voice made me flinch." I just stared at him, wondering why he was shouting. "What does it look like I'm doing?" I mumbled, lifting the whiskey bottle to him. " Care for a drink?" Ray's eyes narrowed as he strode across the room, snatching the bottle out of my hand and throwing it across it. It shattered a