Long Road Home

by Marie Meyer

  Beyond the couple of features Jennifer shared with Mom, though, their similarities ended. When mom smiled, it was kind and inviting. Jennifer never smiled. She was rigid, harsh, and distant. Nothing like mom

  Jennifer curled her spray-tanned arms around my back. I braced for the impact. Jennifer wasn’t affectionate, especially with me, so I knew something hurtful was in store. I held perfectly still as she drew me close to her chest. The sweet, fruity scent of sweet pea blossoms—Jennifer’s favorite perfume—invaded my senses. For such a light, cheery fragrance, it always managed to weigh heavy, giving me a headache.

  Jennifer pressed her lips to my ear and whispered, “Such a shame Mom and Dad aren’t here to see you off. I’m sure they would have told you good-bye.” She slid her hands to my shoulders and placed a small kiss on my cheek.

  And there it was. The dagger through my heart. Mom and Dad. She knew they were my kryptonite. For the second time in less than an hour, I felt acidic drops of guilt leaking from my heart and circulating through my body. But what burned more than the guilt was the fact that she was right. It was a shame they weren’t here. And I had no one to blame but myself.

  I held my breath while my eyes welled up with tears. Not today, Jillian. You will not cry. I refused to give her the satisfaction. I stood up taller, giving myself a good two inches on her, and swallowed the lump forming in my throat. She was not going to ruin this day. The day I’d worked so hard to achieve.

  “Ready to go?” Griffin said, coming around the corner. “The boys are waiting by the door to say good-bye.”

  Jennifer stepped away from me and gave Griffin a disgusted once-over. “And yet another reason why I’m glad Jillian decided to go away to school,” she said. “At least I get a respite from the white trash walking through my front door.” Piercing me with an icy stare, she continued, “With the endless parade of women he flaunts in front of you, the tattoos, the music,” she scowled, “I’ve never understood the hold he has on you, Jillian.” She stifled a laugh. “Pathetic, if you ask me.”

  Griffin took a step in her direction. “Excuse me?” he growled, his expression darkening. I knew he wouldn’t hurt her, but he was damn good at intimidating her. He wasn’t the little boy who lived next door anymore. He’d grown up. With his deep voice and considerable size, he towered over her, the muscles in his arms flexing.

  She shuffled backward. “Just go.” With a dismissive flick of her wrist, she sat back down at the table.

  “Yeah, that’s what I thought, all bark and no bite.” Griffin pulled on my arm. “Come on, Bean. You don’t have to put up with her shit anymore.”

  I glanced back at Jennifer; she’d already gone back to her broccoli-laced brownie recipe. Griffin was right; I wouldn’t have to put up with her shit while I was away. But he was wrong about her bite. When he wasn’t around to back her down, she relished the chance to sink her teeth into me. It hurt like hell when she latched on and wouldn’t let go.

  We walked down the hallway. Michael and Mitchell were waiting by the door. “I need big hugs, boys,” I said, bending down and opening my arms wide. “This hug has to last me until December, so make it a good one.” Both of them stepped into my embrace and I held onto them tightly. “You two be good for your mommy and daddy,” I said.

  “We will,” they replied.

  I let go and they smiled. “I love you both.”

  “Love you, Aunt Jillian,” they said.

  “Now, go find your mom. She’s in the kitchen.” Knowing the boys’ penchant for sneaking out of the house, I wanted to be sure their mother had them corralled before Griffin and I left.

  I stood back up and looked into Griffin’s dark eyes. “I’m ready.” I tossed him the keys.

  “I’m the chauffeur, huh?” Griffin smirked, pulling his eyebrow up. He opened the door for me and I stepped out onto the porch.

  “You get the first nine hours; I’ll take the back side.” This time he gave me a full smile. What would I do without him? On the porch, I froze. It finally hit me. What would I do without him? Sure, I wanted out of Jennifer’s house, but at what expense? Couldn’t I just go to the junior college like Griff and get my own apartment? Why had I made the decision to go to school eleven hundred miles away? How could I leave him—my best friend?

  The lump in my throat had come back but I forced the words out anyway. “Griff…” I sounded like a damn croaking frog.

  Griffin wrapped his arms around me. “Yeah?”

  “Why am I doing this?”

  “What do you mean? This is all you’ve talked about since you got the scholarship.”

  “I know.” I sniffled. “But, I don’t know if I can do this. We’ll be so far apart.”

  “Uh-uh. Stop that right now. I am not about to let you throw away the opportunity of a lifetime just because we won’t see each other as often. You’re too talented for Glen Carbon, Illinois and you know it. Now go, get your ass in the car.” With his hand, he popped me on the backside, just to get his point across.

  I jumped, not expecting his hand on my ass. My heart skipped and my cheeks flushed. “Hey!” I swatted his hand away.

  “Get in the car, Jillian.”

  Damn, I already miss him.

  SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVOR RESOURCES

  According to campus sexual assault statics provided by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in five women and one in sixteen men are sexually assaulted while in college, and more than ninety percent of sexual assault victims on college campuses do not report the assault.

  If you are a survivor of sexual assault, or know someone who is, there is help out there. You are not alone.

  RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network):

  www.rainn.org

  NSVRC (National Sexual Violence Resource Center):

  www.nsvrc.org

  SOAR (Speaking Out Against Rape):

  www.soar99.org

  National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE

  Acknowledgments

  Writing a book isn’t a solitary effort. Lots of talented people lend their hand and expertise in turning my words into beautiful books. Without them, I wouldn’t make it.

  Huge thank-yous to my awesome agent and her amazing team. Louise Fury and Lioness, without the two of you, I’d be so lost. I can’t do this without you. Endless thanks!

  My editor, Megha Parekh, and the Forever Yours team. I’m blessed to have such a wonderful editor. Thank you, Megha, for believing in my stories. Also, a special thank-you to Lexi Smail, for the early guidance on this story.

  Amanda and Meredith. Thanks for letting me vent when I need to and for being just a text message away. I love you both. Drinks. Soon. Please.

  Always, the biggest thanks to my Darlings. Guess what? I love you! I’m another book closer to being able to stay home with you. Thanks for letting Mom write, and being so patient when I have to put birthday presents on hold. I promise I’ll paint your room when I’m done with this next book, Nenna!

  Thank you to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Through Him, all things are possible.

  And lastly, a heartfelt thank-you to all my readers. I love sharing stories with people and it means so much that you picked up my book to read. It’s because of YOU that I have this gig! So thank you, thank you, thank you!

  About the Author

  Marie Meyer is a teacher who spends her days in the classroom and her nights writing heartfelt romances. She is a proud mommy and enjoys helping her oldest daughter train for the Special Olympics, making up silly stories with her youngest daughter, and bingeing on weeks of DVR’d television with her husband.

  Learn more at:

  MarieMeyerBook.com

  Twitter @MarieMwrites

  Facebook.com/MarieMeyerBooks

  Instagram @MarieMWrites

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  Also by Marie Meyer

  The Turning Point

  Can’t Go Back

&nb
sp; Across the Distance

  Live Out Loud

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  Now Available from Forever Yours

  There’s a drawer I never open. It holds a picture I never look at. It reminds me of a day I hate to remember, but I’ll never forget.

  I’d give anything to be like the other girls on campus. Going to parties, flirting with boys, planning for a future. But that’s not me. And hasn’t been since the day my parents died. The only thing that got me through was Griffin. Even though I didn’t have my family, I always had him. Only, now I’m not so sure I do.

  It’s not just the eleven hundred miles separating us now that I’m at college. Or his band finally taking off, and all the gigs and girls suddenly demanding his time. It’s as if everything is different—the way we talk, the way we text…the way he looks at me and the way those looks make me feel.

  Griffin has been the only good thing in my life since that horrific day. But I can feel our friendship slipping away—and I’m terrified of what will be left in its place…

  In Across the Distance we heard from Jillian, now it’s time to hear Griffin’s side of the story…

  When Jillian moved next door, she refused to get out of the car. I climbed into the backseat beside her and promised to never leave her.

  Now, I’m driving her a thousand miles away, so she can leave me.

  She has to go. What else would she do? Follow me and my band from one cheap bar to another, get hit on by sleazy promoters? Because Jillian would definitely get hit on. She’s the most gorgeous, talented girl I’ve ever known, and she doesn’t even see it.

  This scholarship gives Jillian the chance to study at the best design school in the country. It’s what she’s always wanted. I won’t stand in the way of her dreams, no matter how much it hurts to watch her go. I just wish she wasn’t leaving without knowing the truth…

  It’s funny how a piece of paper can change your life—a diploma, a ticket…a plain, white envelope.

  For as long as I could remember, I was the girl with the plan. Good college, good medical school, good career. I would save lives instead of standing by helplessly, watching while they slipped away.

  That was before my father called for the first time in fifteen years to tell me about the terminal illness stealing his life—an illness that might be stealing mine, too. It was before he gave me the name of a doctor and a plane ticket to Italy. Before I flew across an ocean. Before I realized how brilliantly bright life could be. Before I met Lucas.

  He’s everything I’ve always wanted, and the timing couldn’t be worse. I can’t do this to him—he deserves so much better. My head tells me I can’t afford to fall in love with Lucas, but my heart won’t listen. Lucas is fearless about the future, while I’m not even sure I have one. There’s only one way to know what’s ahead and it’s waiting for me at home inside a plain, white envelope.

  All I have to do, is open it…