Epilogue Two
Tennessee
The bus pulls to a stop, and I watch the group of people in front of me get off, each with a bag in their hand, going their own separate way.
For a brief moment, I wonder what it feels like to be someone with a purpose. Someone with a place to go, but the “ahem” of the bus driver behind the wheel interrupts my mental imaginings.
Fuck them.
“Sir, this is your stop,” the man says from underneath the brim of his company logo’d hat. “You have to get off the bus.”
He’s right. This is as far as my ticket takes me, which, if I’m honest, isn’t that far from the base I walked off of this morning.
I’m pretty sure I’ve been reported as AWOL. Not that it matters. I’m never going back. The military is a fucking joke, risking your life so asshole politicians can play god.
No, I’m never going back. Besides, Atlanta seems like a great first city to get completely lost in. And it’s on the other side of the country and far away from the two people in my life I wish to forget.
No, Ten, don’t think about them, I tell myself, pushing back any thought of them, but a sudden tightening in my chest makes it difficult.
We hate them.
No, we don’t.
Yes, we do, I argue, feeling the tightness fade a little.
Fuck them.
With a nod, I ignore the dark thoughts stiring in my head, and I stand up from my seat to walk down the aisle. I say nothing to the driver, but why would I? The man is a stranger and no one important in my life.
Fuck them all.
I step off the bus, and like the people before me with my bag in hand, I head out on my own.
Only I have nowhere to go and noone at home waiting for me.
THE END
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I want to thank my family, my friends and my readers for always supporting me on this crazy journey. Without any of you, none of this would be possible.
To my husband, B, thank you for putting up with a messy house and late dinners. Your love and belief in me keeps me going. I love you forever and always.
To my children, C & R, remember to always dream big and work hard. I’ve loved you the moment your heart first beat, and I’ll love you until the end of time.
To Christie and Mayra, the women who kick my ass when I get whinny and start to doubt myself. how you put up with me, I’ll never know. You’re my sisters, my heart and my sanity. Thank you from the bottom of my soul. I love you bunches and bunches.
To Julia and Teeny, you always make my work shine. Thank you for making every word perfect. Your friendship means the world to me, but I will always be your #fangirl.
To you the reader, whether you love this story or hate it, thank you for taking a chance on me. Happy reading!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Surviving on caffeine most days, Tracie Douglas lives in the mountains of Southern California with her husband, two children, and one dog. She spends her days chasing children and the fur baby, all while maintaining the illusion of sanity.
Her nights are spent toiling away at the keyboard, creating a world filled with hot men and strong women. She loves to read and write all types of books but tends to lean on the darker side of the spectrum. She’s pretty handy with a crochet hook, too.
Tracie loves to hear from her readers!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authortraciedouglas
Reader’s Group: http://bit.ly/2t7iPIr
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2t7wGyl
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1RuenWm
Email: [email protected]
OTHER BOOKS BY TRACIE
The Lost Series
Lost in Silence
Lost Without You
Lost in the Shadows
STANDALONES
Travis: A Scrooged Christmas
I <3 Donuts (Coming June 1, 2018)
ANTHOLOGIES
HEARTfire in Burn Me Anthology
Lost in the Shadows (The Lost Series Book 3) Page 24