Wood (A True Lover's Story #2) - A.E. Via Page 0,70

those rich brown eyes. “I’d planned another kind of work for you today.”

Despite how amazing Wood felt in his arms, Trent couldn’t shake the knowledge of a stranger’s eyes boring into him. He wanted answers. He eased away from Wood’s chest and nodded toward the kitchen.

“That’s Brody.”

Trent bristled, and Wood clutched him tighter. “Relax. Brody Goodwynn is my AA sponsor.”

For some reason that explanation was even worse. “Sponsor?” Trent whispered, glaring at the light green eyes that appeared to be assessing his and Wood’s closeness. “I think you need a new one. This one’s not very good at his job.”

“Wood is a grown man, and he’s responsible for his own actions,” Brody said casually. “My job is not to prevent him from taking a drink… nor is it yours.”

Trent broke away from Wood’s hold. “Don’t you fuckin’ tell me what my damn job—”

“Trent, don’t.” Wood hooked his elbow and stopped him from charging down the hall and getting in that smug asshole’s face. “He’s right. I said Brody is my sponsor, not my savior. I made the decision to do what I did the other night, Trent. Okay?”

Trent continued to glare, and Brody narrowed his eyes, then cocked his head to the side curiously. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Trent. Wood’s told me a lot about you.”

Wood pecked him on his forehead, then turned him around. “You’re gonna be late. We’ll talk later tonight, okay? But I really need to finish talking with Brody.”

Trent nodded and did what he was told. He didn’t like that Wood’s sponsor was a mature, elegant-looking man that seemed as if he could be just the kinda guy Wood would fall for. But it was him that Wood had rushed to and wrapped his arms around, so he wasn’t feeling insecure.

Wood

Wood waited until Trent’s bedroom door was closed before he turned around and met Brody’s displeased scowl. Instead of explaining himself, Wood returned to the kitchen and grabbed Trent’s lunch pail off the top of the refrigerator. He’d watched his roommate make his lunch enough times now to know what he preferred. He kept his back to Brody and concentrated on putting the correct amount of ham and turkey slices on Trent’s sandwich.

“Wood,” Brody finally said.

“Don’t.”

“If you have to say it, then you already know better.”

“Brody. Trent’s a good guy. He was there for me.”

“You can’t depend on him to keep you sober,” Brody gritted out.

“I know that,” Wood combatted. “I’m not trying to use him.”

“Not intentionally.”

“Damnit, Brody.”

Brody lowered his voice to that soothing sponsor tone. “I’ve said it a million times, Wood. Starting a relationship is not advised while going through the steps of the program. It complicates things. In AA you’re supposed to be focusing on self-reflection and spiritual awakening. How are you going to do that and concentrate on another’s well-being?”

“I don’t know. I’ll figure it out,” Wood grumbled. He pulled the notepad out of the drawer and scribbled a quick note, folded it, and dropped it in the lunch pail before he snapped it closed. “But all I know is that since Trent’s put his hands on me, I haven’t even thought about the fucked-up situation I made for myself.”

“Do you even still need me for guidance and advice?” Brody asked with his thin fingers clasped in front of him.

Wood scrubbed his hand over his beard and dropped down in the seat across from his sponsor. “Of course I do. But…”

“But you’re horny,” Brody chuckled, then drank some more of his apple juice.

Wood glanced down the hall before he answered. “Heck yeah, man. There’s gotta be some exceptions, Brody, for men who’ve just spent over a decade in prison.”

“I understand, Wood.”

Wood shook his head, and Brody laughed harder. “No you don’t, buddy.”

Trent slammed his bedroom door behind him and joined them in the kitchen. He went to grab his lunchbox off the refrigerator and noticed it was already on the counter. Wood held in his smile when Trent popped it open and saw his lunch… and a note… were already ready for him. Trent cut his eyes at him, and Wood saw a promise of a thank-you for later.

“I gotta get going,” Trent said to him, then turned toward Brody. “It was nice to meet you. Have a good day.”

Wood’s dick was getting hard at the maturity Trent was trying to display, though it looked as if he wanted nothing more than to throw Brody out the door by his neck.

“Very nice to meet you too, Trent, and likewise. I’m