H.E.L.P. ... I'm addicted

Part 18 - Go your own way

Back in California, Lindsey was determined to make himself well, though he wasn't nearly as addicted to alcohol as much as he was the first time he detoxed, this almost not even being a detox; just a program with certain steps to help him realize that he didn't need a drink to relax.

The last few steps of the program was to join a group, Lindsey not sure if that was such a good idea with his name and all, but he went anyway. All he wanted was to be back in Stevie's arms, nothing else could throw him off track, that is until he met Kristen. No, Lindsey was not looking for someone on the side, it was Stevie for him and that was that, this younger woman being quite the looker but he found her personality to be quite repulsive. She was one of those snooty women that thought they were "all that," talking in almost a valley girl tone as she introduced herself to the circle, Lindsey making up a fake name just to keep the people off his back. Since it was okay with his counselor, he made up the name, Jack Singer, making it up at the drop of a hat to not bring him any unwanted attention.

Once the first meeting came to an end, Lindsey being the quiet natured person he was, he headed straight for the door but was stopped when a hand took his. Kristen. What did she want anyway?

"Hi," she flirted, tucking some hair behind one of her ears, "...you were so quiet back there, I can't blame you though, I was at my first meeting, too."

"Uh, yeah, hi," scratching the back of his head, "...I'm not one for small talk really, I like to talk about deep subject matters but with people I know well. I'm honestly just taking part in this group because I want to get back to my finance in Arizona."

"Oh?  She's not here in California?" looking down at his left hand, no ring. "I didn't see a ring so I assumed you were single."

"No," giving her a light smile, "...I'm not. I don't plan on ever being single again, Ste - I mean, well, she, means a lot to me and I've waited an awfully long time to get back together with her."

"So you were old lovers?"

"Um, something like that, yes."

"Listen," touching him on the arm, "...I was just about to get some lunch. How about joining me?"

Thinking to himself, he really didn't think this was such a good idea, being that she was attractive but it wasn't as if he would touch her. No, he belonged to Stevie and only Stevie, but what was wrong with having lunch? "You know what, I'm not doing anything, why not?"

"Great! I know a perfect little place called the Bee's Nest, homemade sandwiches! It's a fifties style diner!"

Lindsey chuckled to himself, she was definitely much younger than him with her enthusiasm over a diner. "Sure, I know the place, I'll meet you there in ten."

"Wonderful! I'll see you then!" giving a wink and touching him on the arm again, putting on her sunglasses as she turned to flip her hair at him.

"Don't even think about it, Buckingham," saying to himself as he left after her, giving Stevie a call before he left the parking lot. "Hey, baby, how are you?"

"Linds! Oh, hey, baby, I am doing just fine. I watched daddy golf today but then even putted a few times myself, I won!"

"No way! You did? Stevie, that is great! Congrats, baby, I am proud of you - even I couldn't beat your dad!"

She laughed, "He told me."

He rolled his eyes, "Yeah, I bet. How's my other baby doing?" picking at his steering wheel cover.

"Absolutely wonderful,"  a hand cradling her belly, "...the morning sickness is light, not at all like it has been."

"I'm so glad to hear that, I hated leaving you again, I miss you so much."