Chapter 149: Starla

Not ready to head back to the ranch, Hunter drove the quarter mile from the diner to the North Star. He felt a twinge of nerves as he did. The last time he’d been there, he’d been with her.

Up to now, being in a noisy, crowded bar was something he just didn’t think he could stomach. For now, though, he craved human contact, craved to be where other people were, even if he didn’t particularly feel like speaking to them, just some noise to drown out the desolate silence of his soul.

The parking lot in front of the North Star was reasonably full for 8:00 on a Wednesday night, which Hunter took as a good sign. Several of the folks from the meeting had also come for a drink. Maybe he could just slip in and find a quiet place at the end of the bar where he could have a quick drink and not garner unwanted attention.