Author's Note: When I read this chapter online the other day, something felt off to me. I realized I uploaded the wrong one! Only the ending is different, but you should reread it so there's no confusion. By the way, Ray has already been kicked out of his band. Ohh and thanks for all the reviews : )

Deep breathes.

She kept telling herself that. But why wasn't it working? She sat there for hours working up the strength and courage to talk to him. How could she behave so immaturely?

Because he's an ungrateful bastard.

She shoved her face tighter against the pillow, trying to force the thoughts from her mind. She finally maneuvered herself to the edge of her bed and sat up. Not bothering to straighten her clothes, she marched resolutely to the door.

Deep breathes.

She made a point to be gentle this time and quietly shut it behind her. She stopped a few feet from the couch and looked uncertainly at him.

She found herself smirking despite her current feelings of uneasiness. Of course he was asleep. She turned and made her way back to her room.

"Can I help you with something?" His overconfident voice and protruding ego almost quashed her guilt for behaving so harshly towards him.

"Huh?" she said dumbly.

"You were staring at me." He said, his voice clearly reflecting a sudden interest in her hesitance.

"I just… didn't want to wake you… again." She replied, trying to sound apologetic.

"I wasn't asleep."

"Oh."

Deep breathes.

"So…" he said, looking at her expectantly.

"So… I wanted to apologize." She paused slightly, not really knowing what to say. "I've put you in an awkward position. I know this past month must have been weird for you."

"I'm fairly certain you don't know." He retorted, instantly regretting the bitterness that seeped through his voice.

"You're right." She said, her gaze falling further to the floor, "But I'm still sorry."

"Don't worry about it." He swiftly stood up and brushed his hand lightly on her shoulder, "He's a good guy."

His hand dropped to his side and walked passed her towards the kitchen. Biting his tongue was all he could do to refrain from spilling any other thoughts he was thinking.

Deep breathes.

She studied him for a moment, before following his stride. "How would you know that?"

Surprised, he turned back to her, "What do you mean?" He could tell she was trying desperately to remain calm.

So much for an apology…

"You haven't taken 2 seconds to get to know him."

"I'm an excellent judge of character." He says, laughing under his breath.

Why is she making this so difficult?

"Coming from the guy who fell in love with a 15 year old STD carrier."

Low blow.

"I just meant he must be one hell of a guy if he's good enough for you. What does my opinion matter anyway?"

Deep breathes.

"Exactly, Ray. Your opinion doesn't matter." She yelled, her fists clenched at her side. "Your apparent approval means nothing."

"Do you see me caring?" He yelled after her, as she took off towards her room.

"God, silly me for thinking you cared about anybody except yourself."

Ray cringed as the door slammed yet again and sat back down on the couch. He knew he needed to talk to her, to explain himself. He was running out of time, it was only a matter of days before she was gone and out of his life for good.

He was aching for a beer, to drown his sorrows and forget every feeling that was screaming inside him. But that would come later.

He knew what had to be done. He stood up and hesitantly approached her door, his hand reaching for the doorknob. Before he could turn it, he heard her voice, apparently she was on the phone.

"You're not going to believe this... He proposed."

Ray stood frozen in front of her door with his jaw literally dropped. He quickly backed away and reached for his keys. Getting fired was only going to make this day worse. He shrugged on his jacket and took off for work. This time he was the one to slam the door.