CHAPTER 15: YOU WANTED THIS

DAMIAN I sat there, staring at the space before me, my mind still reeling from what Ray had just said. Marie. It didn't make any sense, but the more I thought about it, the more the pieces started to fit together. Could she be behind all of this? I needed something to numb the chaos in my head. "Got any more beer?" I asked, my voice hollow, as I reached for the bottle Ray had left on the table. Ray hesitated, his eyes searching my face for a moment before he shook his head. "You've had enough, D. Maybe you should crash here tonight." "I'm fine," I snapped, even though I didn't believe it. "I just need one more." Ray didn't move, his expression firm. "You're not fine. Just stay here and get some sleep. We'll figure this out in the morning." I felt a surge of anger rise, irrational and out of place. "I said I'm fine!" I growled, standing up too quickly. The room spun for a second, and I had to grab the back of the chair to steady myself. "Damian, sit down," Ray said, calm but unyi