Page 64 of Gunner

“You tell anyone—”

“Don’t worry. Then I’d have to explain what I was doing here, and I’m not down for that either.”

“Not even Crowe, Winter.”

“Especially not him. He’s been on my ass lately about my use.”

“You should listen to him.”

“Oh fuck off. A few AA meetings and you think you can judge me?” He stalked off down the street, mumbling under his breath.

“Where the fuck are you going?”

“Anywhere the night leads me. If I’m high enough, I can convince myself anyone I’m fucking is the reverend. They don’t even need to be blond.”

I had no desire to follow Winter and ensure he didn’t do something stupid. Like fall into that ditch I’d warned him about. Cursing under my breath, I rang Crowe’s number. The steady hum of chatter nearby meant the meeting had ended. At least I hadn’t missed much.

“Gunner, what’s up?” Crowe asked.

“Your buddy Winter’s high as a kite. You should send someone to get him before he does something stupid.”

I gave him the location, then walked around to the back of the building where I’d parked the car I’d “borrowed” without the owner’s permission. He’d get it back. Eventually.

A silver truck was parked two spaces down from the car. As I approached, the door opened, and the reverend got out. When he spotted me, he walked around his truck.

Fuck.

I did group meetings, not one-on-one counseling shit. I wasn’t down for that.

“Hey,” Reverend Homer said. “You’ve been to a few of our meetings. What do you think?”

“Uh—” I didn’t have one thought or another about the meetings. “They don’t seem to be helping.”

“But you keep coming back. That’s good.”

“Is it? I’m not down for all this talking and shit that you make everybody do.”

“That’s fine. It does help to talk, but it also helps to listen, and you’ve been listening a lot. There is something, though. Do you have a sponsor yet?”

On my first day, I’d learned what having a sponsor was, but I didn’t see myself getting that close to anyone. Ever.

“I don’t need one.”

“Well, if you ever get serious and would like a sponsor, I’d be happy to work with you.”

I frowned. Even if nobody else in that room had figured out who I was, he should have. Why would he want to sponsor me, especially if he must have made the connection between Winter and me because of how Winter had embarrassed him in front of everyone?

“It’s your call.” He took out his wallet, removed a card, and handed it to me. “You can call me at any time. If I don’t answer immediately, leave me a message, and I’ll return the call as soon as I get the chance.”

“Why would I call you?”

Reverend Homer smiled. He really was handsome. Was that the reason his congregation was full of mostly women? Everyone wanted a piece of the single reverend. Winter had his work cut out for him for sure.

“Talking to someone can help you to maintain your sobriety. You call me if you feel stressed, get the urge to drink, have big decisions you’re struggling to make, starting romantic relationships, or just about anything you’re having an issue with.Obviously not if you need your sink fixed or anything. I’m not the man for that job.”

His soft chuckle held warmth. He had a nice quality voice that made you listen. Probably why I ended up returning to these meetings, though I’d never realized it before.

“Do people really call to talk about everyday stuff like that?”