Strangers in the Storm ✔

Chapter 22: To Stay Alive

DAMIEN 

For the past hour, Damien has been in the gym, lifting, punching and running his troubles away. None of it was helping. Perhaps pumping oneself full of testosterone wasn't the smartest idea when angry, but he needed to get the energy out.

He needed to do something with his body.

His thoughts were scattered all over the place and he was in desperate need of a distraction, just like he was the night that he met her.

"You called?" Mona stepped through the door, dressed in a black tank top and tights, her tattoos on display.

Damien sat on the bench, "I need your help."

Mona looked around, they were alone in the gym, "It's 9PM, what the hell are you doing?"

"Can't be alone." Damien leaned against his knees. "I need a distraction."

Mona squinted, "You said you wanted to work out."

"That, too." Damien brushed it off. "But first and foremost, I need a fucking distraction."

Mona, as discerning as she was, narrowed her eyes more, "What did you do?"

"Nothing." Damien stood up, unable to sit in one place, and grabbed his water bottle. "I broke up with Roxanne."

"Oh, my God, I knew it." Mona grunted and sat on the bench Damien was on a second ago. "I should have betted on you screwing it up. What's the matter with you?"

"Don't..." Damien closed his eyes and breathed in, trying to stifle anger, "Why are you immediately assuming it's me?"

Mona shrugged, "Experience."

Damien chuckled, "Great, thanks."

"So, what happened?" Mona asked.

Now, when he was finally about to say it out loud, it sounded kind of stupid.

"She's not over her ex." Damien murmured, deciding that encompassed all of it.

Mona's forehead creased; she didn't believe him, "Are you sure?"

"Jesus, Mona." Damien paced back and forth, anger coursing through his veins, "What kind of a question is that?"

"The kind that requires an answer." Mona shrugged. "She seemed really into you when I met her. Plus, you treated her like crap. If you had kicked me out of your apartment the first night we met, you wouldn't have seen me again."

Damien grimaced, "I didn't treat her like crap, what kind of an assumption is that? I've been good!"

"When did this happen?" Mona asked.

"A week ago." Damien sighed. "I was fine until today."

Mona lifted her head, "What happened today?"

"She hasn't called." Damien squeezed through his teeth.

"What?"

"She hasn't called!" Damien raised his voice. "She hasn't called today."

Mona was quiet for a moment, then she burst into laughter.

"I knew it!" She stood up. "You screwed up and somehow convinced yourself it was her fault. Same old tricks with you, Damien."

Damien stared at the blue rubber flooring.

"I just need you to drive me home." He said suddenly.

Mona's grimace relaxed, "Why?"

Damien closed his eyes, "Because if I go alone, I'll end up in a bar."