The Long Way Home

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alteration of content is permitted.
This book is a work of
fiction
,
any similarities are coincidental
.
This book contains materials not suited for people under the age of 18. All
characters in this fictional story are based entirely on the crazed mind of the
author and are not based on any human. Any similarities are by chance and not
intentional.

This book is dedicated to my
fans—thank you so much. The interest and support has been amazing. I also
must thank my husband and children. You supported me even when I was in my
writer’s frenzy.

Cover Art by Regina
Wamba
at Mae I Design

Edited by Andrea Burns and Rhiannon Nicks
at Blue Butterfly

Thank you Nick (sexiest proofreader ever).

A special thanks to The
Nators
and Triple M. Thank you all. Best E-Friends an E-Girl could have!!!

This book, like all of my books is written
in Canadian English.

Other
Books by Tara Brown

The Devil’s Roses

Cursed

Bane

Witch

Hyde

Death

The Born Trilogy

Born

Born
to Fight

Reborn

The Light Series

The
Light of the World

Imaginations

The Blood Trail Chronicles

Vengeance

Blackwater
Witches

Blackwater

The Single Lady Spy Series

The
End of Me

My
Side

The
Lonely

LOST
BOY

P.I.’s
Like Us

His hand slid down my back as we listened to the speech from
the headmistress. I swallowed slowly, keeping my look calm.

“I meant what I said last week about me and you,” Frank
whispered into my ear. The room erupted in applause as the speech ended with a
toast. I maintained my smile, clapping and looking supportive of the proposed
playground being installed at the local elementary school. Honestly, it was a
waste of funding, but I didn’t have children yet so I wasn’t truly allowed an
opinion. Being on the committee for the school my children would attend was dry
as hell, but it was what women in my circle did.

Frank chuckled, “Only a few more weeks and you’ll be married
and having kids, then it’ll be you whispering into my ear.”

I laughed and took the chance to step away from him, hoping
no one noticed his advances on me, not that I was the only one he would have
hit on all afternoon. I was certain he had worked the room at least twice
already. The problem with being part of the committee was that I had to remain
amiable or he wouldn't donate to the school. His kids had long since left it so
he had no real reason to help out.

The room was filled with prying eyes and sneaky whispers of
course, as we were amongst our closest friends and neighbors. I finally started
breathing as I made it away from Frank and his octopus hands. I stepped up to
the bar, glancing around for my fiancé, Phil. He hadn’t brought me a fresh
drink; I'd waited for ten minutes but he never came. I couldn’t see him
anywhere. In the sea of well-dressed people, he blended perfectly.

The young bartender smiled at me, “White wine?”

I shook my head, “I had red.”

He brought the bottle over, “You look like more of a white
wine to me.”

I smiled at him, “Do I? What makes you think that?”

His eyes roamed my face in a way that I could almost feel,
like they were his hands lightly brushing each spot he gazed at. He licked his
lips and nodded, “Pink, full lips, fresh makeup—not over done, slight
curl to your hair but the frizz is in total control. You're put together enough
that I’d say you’re organized and maybe a slight ball buster. Red wine drinkers
are artistic, messy, and free. You look too confined in your life.”

I met his blue eyes with a hard look, “Do you always
sweet-talk the ladies this way?”

He leaned across the bar, speaking softly,
“
I
have a sneaky suspicion that you may not qualify for that classification.”

My lips lifted into a grin, “I like honesty in a stranger.” I
also liked the way his black dress shirt fit his body. He looked fit. In my
early twenties, he would have been the exact sort of person I would have snuck
off with. I missed that carefree time in my past even more when he gave me a
cocky grin with dimples and muttered, “I know you’ll like me. I get off in two
hours, then we can see about getting you off.”

I winked, hoping it covered up the blush spreading
everywhere, “If I happen back this way for a napkin, you be sure to have a
number on it.” It was a joke. I had no intention of taking his number. But I
did like the way he looked at me and talked dirty to me.

I turned, scanning the room for my next stop. I smiled at
Frank, giving me a death glare from across the room. I walked back over to him,
feeling recharged and safe from his advances. I stayed at a safe distance from
him as I spoke softly, “Did you speak to the school to see what type of
donations they’re looking for this year? I know it’s not just money.”

He leaned against the wall, clutching his drink, “You never
answered me about not returning my call last week. I was serious about what I
offered you a week ago.”

I scoffed, “I never returned it because I wasn’t interested
in what you had to offer. I’m still not. So don’t touch me or hit on me. I’m
not like that, Phil and I are happy.” I hated forcing sentences. I sipped my
wine and nodded, “But be sure to find out about the donations.”

He shook his head, laughing, “You like acting like a hard bitch,
but I bet you like being told what to do.”

I leaned in, “Only in the bedroom and only in a certain
bedroom. I am a
nearly-married
woman for God’s sake.
Keep it in your pants.” I rested a hand on his forearm, in the exact spot a
lady should, and squeezed, “It was nice seeing you, Frank. Say hello to Ruth
for me. Jesus.”

He sipped his drink, still chuckling, “Of course. You know
she hates you.”

I shrugged, “What can I do? Tell her to
wait,
Phil and I are planning on kids next year after the wedding. By then I’ll be
needing plastic surgery and extra elastic in my undergarments as well.”

His face split into a smile, “I think you’ll always be one of
those naturally-beautiful women, even with a few extra pounds. When you get
tired of the kids and Phil, you know my number.”

I narrowed my gaze, “
Ohhhh
, Frank.
That was a good one. I may call you this week, after all.”

He scoffed, “I won't hold my breath.”

I pointed, “But you will open your
cheque
book.”

He nodded, “Yes, ma’am.”

“There’s a good man.”

I turned and walked to the group of ladies gossiping in the
corner. Angela gave me a sly grin, “Flirting with Frank for donations is almost
prostitution. You know that right? You are working the room hard, considering
you don’t have any kids yet.”

I sipped my
wine,
“I’d sell my soul
to beat Doreen out in donations and investors. She is such a bitch. Besides, we
need to keep the loyal investors we have.”

Diane winked, “Pretty sure none of them wants a hot piece of
soul.”

I smiled back, “Well, I’d sell that too for the right price.”

Helena laughed, “Oh, me too. Lord, at least then I’d be
getting some.”

The group chuckled amongst us. We were best friends. I didn’t
trust a single one, but I loved them more than anything. It was the world we
lived in.

Diane looked around, “Where is your sister? She should be
here. She and Shawn must be ready to start having kids.”

I laughed, “Brandi bailed on this at the last minute. Said
she was doing something with Shawn’s parents.”

Helena gave me a sarcastic smile, “Lucky bitch. Hey, did you
girls hear about Rebecca
Solez
?”

I gave Helena a confused look, “That Rebecca girl we
graduated with?” I didn’t want to think back that far. We were at ten years. It
made me cringe.

She nodded, giving us all a grievous look, “She’s pregnant.”

I smiled, “Oh, good for her.”

Helena shook her head, and I could tell by Diane’s face, it
was bad news. “Why?”

“Mark is sterile. Has been since eleventh grade.”

My jaw dropped, “Oh wow. Well then,” I held my wine glass in
the air, “Good for her.”

We all laughed.

My eyes finally caught a glimpse of Phil. I hadn’t noticed he
was in the corner talking to someone. I frowned and looked to the side, but I
couldn’t see any better. I lifted my head to try to get a better look. It was
Eleanor Grey.
Eleanor, who had slept with my neighbor Daniel
the summer before.
She beamed at Phil and nodded like the idiot she was.
She smiled and sipped her drink, not stepping back from his close conversation.
I felt like a knife twisted in my stomach as he leaned in, too close and too
similarly to Frank, and laid his hand on her waist. Whatever he was saying made
her blush like a schoolgirl. She nodded and grabbed his hand, pulling him to
the far side of the room and out the door.

Helena followed my stare. I saw the disapproval on her face.
She looked back at me but I averted my gaze. I didn’t need her sympathy or want
to confirm that, I too, suspected something wasn’t right there.

I glanced over at the bartender, but forced my gaze away. It
was the wrong choice. I didn’t even know if Phil was doing anything. I mentally
slapped myself; where else were they going, holding hands? Of course they were
sneaking off to one of the back rooms at the country club.

My throat was burning. I smiled, “I need the ladies’.” I
passed my wine to Angela. She nodded. I knew she’d seen it too. They all did.
We always saw everything; it wasn’t usually one of our own husbands or fiancés.
I was the last to be married. I had held out the longest.

I fought the urge to run from the room, forcing myself to walk
in a controlled pace. I was fully shaking when I got to the bathroom. Leaning
against the counter and fumbling with my clutch, I almost cried when I finally
got the snap open. The little blue pill felt massive in my fingers. I hated
needing it, but I hated the sweat and nerves that came from my panic attacks. I
had been taking them more and more lately. My father’s doctor had recommended I
up my dosage to deal with the stress, with it being so close to my wedding.

I slipped it between my lips, closing my eyes. I couldn’t
watch myself slip away in the mirror. I hated what taking the pill did to me.
What it looked like.

I opened my eyes as it trailed its way down my esophagus. My
strawberry-blonde hair was still glossy and in its place. Everything was perfect.
My peachy skin tone looked flawless. At least I didn’t look like he had made me
red and embarrassed.