Free Coming Home (Homeward Bound Series Book 1) by Rebecca Barber Page B

glass was empty.
    “Another?”
    “Nah.”
    “So, how’s your day going, Spencer?”
    “You know…Zoe,” I deflected, not in the mood to answer questions. Today had been a long ass day and an interrogation wasn’t going to make it any better.
    “Yeah I do.” She shrugged. “Spence, you’re doing a good thing and I’m here for you if you need any help at all. The one thing you need to remember, son…you’re not the bad guy here. You’re not the one responsible for what happened. You didn’t do it.”
    “Thanks, Mum,” I told her as I leant over the bar a dropped a kiss on her cheek.
    I knew Mum was right. She knew me. She knew I was blaming myself for what had happened to Zoe and she knew I’d beat myself up about it because that’s who it was. But Mum also knew Zoe. She knew how stubborn and pigheaded my girl could be, especially when she set her mind to something.
    “Want another drink, honey?”
    “More than you know,” I admitted, stealing a glance at Zoe. She was surrounded by a group of giggling girls and she was smiling. Nothing to worry about.
    “Rum and Coke?”
    “Just Coke. I’m driving.”
    “I can take you home. Or call a taxi,” she suggested, trying to be helpful.
    “Zoe…”
    “Okay then. Say no more. Coke it is.”
    “Well then, if he’s going to be a girl about it, I’ll take his if you’re pouring, Mum.” Kane grinned wickedly as he slid onto the stool beside me. “Big brother…how’s our girl doing?” Kane asked gulping down a large swig.
    “Our girl?” Zoe smirked as she slipped in between us, her eyes never leaving Mum’s. “Jenna, can I get another?”
    “Sure thing.” Mum smiled, sliding another vodka and orange juice across the bar. “How are these two boof headed sons of mine treating you, Zoe?”
    “You know them.”
    “Yes, I do.” Mum grinned widely. “That’s why I’m worried!”
    Bloody women and their secret codes. It was something I would never understand and gave up trying a long time ago.
    “Hey…we’re not that bad!” Kane objected.
    Zoe finished her drink and turned to face me. She was beautiful. She always had been. Even through that awkward dorky tomboy phase she went through, in my eyes she’d always been something special, even if she never knew it.
    “So, Spencer McLaren,” she slurred. Her eyes were glassy and her cheeks rosy. I knew she was well on her way to drunk, and when her hand landed in the centre of my chest, I could only pray she was tipsy enough that she didn’t feel my heart beating out of control beneath her touch. “Are you just going to sit here and stare at me all night or are you going to come and take me for a twirl around the dance floor?”
    Shit! I hated to dance. I had absolutely no rhythm and Zoe knew it. What’s worse is when I did dance, which only ever happened after I’d downed more than my fair share of shots, I cleared the dance floor with my wild dance moves faster than calling last drinks.
    “Zoe!” I growled out my warning.
    She didn’t flinch. It was just another thing I loved about her. She wasn’t afraid. Never had been. She was a witch and she knew exactly which buttons to press to get me to do whatever her heart desired. As soon as she fluttered her long, black lashes and pouted her perfect, completely kissable lips, I was screwed. I knew it. She knew it. Fuck, everyone in the bar knew it.
    “But Spencer…” she whined.
    Over her shoulder I watched as Kane tossed his head back and laughed loudly. He’d always found it funny how whipped I was by the tiny firecracker that was Zoe. I was just waiting for the day when some woman wormed their way under his skin and he knew exactly what it was like.
    “Hey Zoe!” he called out, stealing her attention.
    She wobbled on her feet and instinctively I grabbed her hips to steady her. She sobered instantly. It took a second and a few deep breaths, but the moment Mum slid a glass of ice water onto the bar in front of her, Zoe gulped it down