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What did Quaide tell her during his short coaching session on the drive over here? Stick as close to the truth as possible. Her name started with L. She actuallywasa Leo.
“I’m here because…”Stick close to the truth.She dragged in a deep breath. “I have a lifetime struggle with abuse. My parents used. My mom…lost her life to addiction.” A lump lodged in her throat.
This was heavy stuff she rarely discussed in a way that felt personal. She was the first person to veer from the subject or make a joke to distract from the matter.
And though she sat in a room full of strangers, telling her story felt strangely intimate. Every person’s eyes were on her. Some leaned forward, paying closer attention, and even the guy straightened out of his slump.
“I never realized how much their actions affected me,” she said.
Several people bobbed their heads in agreement.
“I’m here because I want to save people around me…”Close to the truth.“From more heartbreak.”
“Yeah, girl. You tell it.” A woman in a purple T-shirt and pajama pants raised a fist in tribute.
Lark smiled at her. “Anyway, thanks for listening. I’m glad to be among friends.”
Oddly, she spoke the truth. She warmed with the fellowship of being with people who’d faced similar challenges in life as she had growing up.
She didn’t feel anybody was better than another, only that a lot of factors went into each individual’s situation. How many times had she written about similar topics in those college writing classes?
When she came to a close, the pastor gave her a slow once-over that made her feel like cold, creepy fingers had just stroked her. He thanked her for her introduction and moved to the dude sitting beside her.
The guy raised a hand in a wave. “Name’s Jacob. I’m a Sagittarius.” Everybody laughed at that one. He moved quickly through his reason for coming to the meeting, and that shifted the focus off Lark.
She spent the rest of her time studying everyone’s body language. When the pastor finally announced donuts and coffee were available at the back of the room, she mingled with the others and chatted about the meeting.
When the guy who’d taken the selfie with her approached, coffee and a glazed donut in hand, she smiled. “So how did you like the meeting?” he asked.
She glanced around. “It’s a small group. Are there usually more people? I was told it was a substantial group.”
“We’re missing some. There are usually a few more in attendance.”
“I prefer larger groups. You know…easier to fade into the background.”
“Oh yeah, I get it. Usually, there are two more guys here. Maybe a handful of chicks. You should get one of these donuts before they’re gone. You know how we like to stuff our faces when we can’t give in to our vices.”
With a nervous laugh, she nodded and moved off toward the coffee. She poured herself a paper cupful and then slipped out the back door. Hightailing it across the parking lot, she was suddenly flanked by two huge men.
A scream gathered in her throat before she realized it was Clay and Quaide escorting her to the truck.
“Well?” Clay turned to her as soon as Quaide was in his own truck and they were shut in theirs.
“I got photos. Of everyone. And there were at least two men and a handful of chicks missing from the regular crowd today.”
“Chicks?”
She nodded and brought the coffee to her lips. “And I think I started to work through some of my own issues too.”
In reaching for the gearshift, he stopped and twisted to look at her. “Your issues?”
“Yeah. With my mom. I don’t know why it helped. I didn’t say much or go into deep details. It was just…having somebody listen who’s been there too.”
He stared at her. What she could only call awe filled his eyes. “My god, Lark. Are you evernotgoing to shock the hell out of me with how amazing you are?”
Tears smeared across her vision. “That’s probably the best compliment I’ve ever received. Get over here and give me some sugar.”
He chuckled at her words, leaned over the console and kissed her fully on the lips.
