An Imperfect Love Story - Book 8

Meeting With George

STEF POV

It had been a few days since Lena had spilled out during sex that she loved me and was in love with me, and it had my brain more confused than anything. I had no damn idea what to do with that at all, and in some sense I felt I was avoiding her now for I didn't know what in the hell to do or how to feel.

When I had picked the kids up, my exchange with her was rather quick and awkward, for I just didn't know how to be. I wasn't mad by any means, but I was confused as hell, and honestly I am more terrified than I want to admit. It is no secret that I think deep inside I want another chance with Lena because even if I felt like our marriage was over, and toxic at the end of the day I think I really did want another chance with her. But, I didn't know if she wanted that and I wasn't even sure if it was something that I wanted to ask her.

"I'm glad you were able to meet with me," I shove my hands in my pockets as I smile softly, for George had asked me to meet him at one of his favorite sandwich shops during my lunch break.

He really was a good sponsor and between him and Mike busting my ass there really wasn't any room for a fuck up. Well, there was but I was adamant about staying sober for myself and my kids no matter what life challenges were being tossed at me.

"No problem, Stefanie. Sit. Sit down, girl," he opens his napkin and places it on his collar as he cuts his pastrami and rye, and I sit across from him in the booth. "I ordered your favorite: a BLT and coca cola."

"Oh, you didn't have to do that, George," I smile as he takes a big bite, and the waitress brings me my food almost immediately.

"Thank you, Tara! You will get an extra tip like usual," he smiles as I see him shove money in her hand and she grins.

"More coffee, Mr. George?"

"Sure. Come back in like 5 minutes."

As she walks away, I take a sip of my coke and look right at George. Initially it had been very hard for me to say anything to him, and well at times it still was because I hated to look like a fool and admit that life could be very hard without having any booze to solve my problems. But, I knew I had to get this shit off my chest because there was no way in hell I could keep it locked inside. I just couldn't for my own sanity.

"So Stef, what's happening." He asks as we sit here for a few minutes in silence and I reach for a smoke remembering I left them all at home. "Gave up smoking?"

"Oh well I don't smoke as much. I cut back."

"That's good. Not easy but good." He says as I clear my throat and take another sip of my cola for I know he's waiting for me to spill and that was never an easy thing to do for me.

"So um, like I said on the phone, I guess I'm struggling a bit, George. I mean not anything I can't handle, ya know."

"Yeah?" He questions looking up from his meal as I sip my cola again. "So you're good then? You don't need to get it off your chest if you can handle it?" He pushes as my eyes meet his and I bite my bottom lip. "Stef, one thing we have been working on is admitting when life is too much and admitting how much you are actually struggling. If you don't admit it then you can't work on it and as you have noticed pushing it under a rug doesn't serve you well. So either you fess up or don't."

Taking a bite of his sandwich he says all this without batting an eyelash as I continue to look at my uneaten food, and knowing how much him being right makes me crazy.

"I'm struggling badly, George, and usually, well usually I'd go get a drink so I can think clearly," I laugh awkwardly as he listens.

"Alright, but you didn't. You called me. So what is it? Lena?" He guesses as he eats a fry and it was rather unnerving how well he knew me, but comforting at the same time.