RONALD
The pounding in my head started before I even opened my eyes.
For a few seconds, I lay there, staring at the ceiling, breathing slowly as my brain struggled to piece together the mess of memories from last night. My mouth tasted like stale whiskey and regret, and the dull ache behind my temples pulsed harder every time my heart beat.
I dragged a hand over my face and exhaled heavily.
Fragments came back first. The rain. The empty beach. Lily standing there looking like she’d just realized the world wasn’t as kind as she believed it was.
Then the kitchen, the argument, and finally, the words I had thrown at her.
You’re just another girl I f****d.
My stomach twisted so violently that I sat up immediately, pressing my palms against my eyes as a wave of nausea rolled through me.
