Never Say Never (10 page)

“That’s crazy, Owain.” Hayley shook her head. “He’s….I’m…”

"Maybe there’s a reason why he was in the store the other night, Mom." Owain said, turned and walked down the passage to his room.

Hayley stood with her hand on her hip, and frowned to herself. She knew that there was a reason why Lucas came into their lives and she knew that everything happens for a reason. She believed in fate and destiny, but the thing she could not believe, or did not expect in the least, was the profound words that just came from her five year old son.

Lucas dropped his keys on the kitchen counter with a slight grin on his face and walked into the lounge.

“You’re home early.” Nick looked, sitting on the couch opposite the television.

“Well, hello to you too.” Lucas chuckled.

“How did it go?” Nick asked.

“It went really well. She’s amazing.” Lucas grinned.

“Did you kiss her?” Nick asked.

“With her kid there. No way.” Lucas frowned.

“Ha-ha, you’re such a gentleman.” Nick laughed. “When are you seeing them again?”

“Wednesday. I’m taking them to the game.” Lucas said.

“She likes baseball?” Nick asked.

“She used to, but when Owain was born,
she had to take care of him, so she hasn’t been to a game since he was born.” Lucas explained.

“You’ve got to admire her though. Raising a kid all by herself.” Nick said.

“Yeah, I don’t know how she does it, Nick.” Lucas frowned. “And she’s five years younger than me and I can't imagine how it would feel to raise a kid by myself.”

“She looks good for a twenty six year old mom.” Nick nodded.

“Yes, she does. That kid of hers is so smart! I can’t believe he’s only five! He speaks so well.” Lucas exclaimed.

“His mom is a teacher, that’s the way it is.” Nick frowned. “But good for you for making a friend.”

“Thanks, man.” Lucas walked to the bedroom.

Chapter 6
– Reawakened Fears

Hayley’s scream shook through the house and she sat upright in her bed. She ran her fingers through her damp hair and heard the sound of Owain’s little feet coming from his room. He came around the corner and his eyes were wide with concern.

“Mommy! Mommy!” Owain said next to her and she looked over at him. “Are you okay?”

Hayley leaned forward and rested her arms on her knees. “Yes, baby. I’m okay.”

“Did you have a bad dream?” He climbed onto the bed and hugged her.

“I did have a bad dream, baby.” She nodded and held onto him.

“It’s okay, Mommy. I’m here.” He whispered and Hayley felt her eyes well up with tears. “I’ll protect you.”

“Thank you, Owain. I feel much safer now.” Hayley kissed the top of his head and let out a sigh. “You’re the best thing in my life, baby.”

“You too, Mom.” Owain said.

“Do you mind sleeping here with me tonight?” Hayley asked and Owain pulled way.

“I don’t mind, Mom. You always let me sleep with you when I have a bad dream.” He
smiled at her.

“Thanks, baby.” She smiled at him.

He lay down next to her, she put her arms around him and he reached over to switch the light off. There was a moment of silence, until Owain whispered in her ear.

“I love you, Mom.” His soft voice was velvety and she closed her eyes for a moment.

“I love you too, my Owain.” Hayley felt a tear run down her cheek and she held him tighter.

She stared out the window while holding her sleeping son in her arms and another tear ran down her cheek. She blinked and wiped the tear from her cheek. She pressed her face against Owain’s head
and kissed the top of his head.

“That was so cool!” Owain exclaimed as he looked down at Lucas, holding a baseball mitt. Owain was sitting on Lucas’ shoulders and both of them were wearing Blue Jays caps.

“We have to come again!” Owain said.

“Absolutely! I knew you were going to love it!” Lucas laughed and adjusted his cap. He lifted Owain off his shoulders with ease and placed him on the ground in front of him.

“Mom, can I get some ice cream?” He asked.

“Sure baby.” Hayley nodded and handed him some money.

“Thanks Mom.” He smiled at her and walked over to the ice cream truck.

“Why are you so quiet?” Lucas looked at her with a slight frown. “I thought you’d have a great time, not being to a game in years.”

“I did have a great time, thank you.” Hayley smiled at him.

“Are you okay?” Lucas touched her shoulder and she looked up at him.

“I’m fine.” She looked at him. “I promise.”

“You’re sure?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Yes.” She nodded with a smile.

“Okay.” He nodded and looked over at Owain, approaching with an ice cream cone. “Hey buddy, are you all tired out yet?”

“No.” Owain shook his head. “Where do you want to go?”

“I have the perfect place.” Lucas smiled at Owain and turned to Hayley. “You up for it?”

“Sure.” Hayley nodded and followed Lucas to the car.

Half an hour later, Hayley and Lucas were sitting on a wooden park bench, watching Owain and two of his friends from school, who was also there, playing at the park. It was a beautiful spring day in Dunedin; the sun was shining and there wasn’t a slight bit of a breeze.

“Tell me something, Hayley.” Lucas said and she looked over at him.

“Okay.” She said.

“Why is it that we live in the same street for almost two years and we have never bumped into each other until last week?” Lucas asked.

Hayley burst out laughing and looked at Lucas. “I have no idea.”

“Well, technically you bumped into me.” Lucas grinned at her, his hazel eyes sparkling.

“I said I was sorry. What more do you want?” She chuckled and looked at him.

“Right now, I’m good.” He smiled at her.

Hayley looked over at him and smiled slightly. Their eyes locked and Lucas leaned closer to her. She felt her heart rate accelerate and she could feel his breath on her face.

Suddenly there was a bloodcurdling scream and Hayley and Lucas’s heads snapped up in the direction of the playground. Owain was standing in front of the swings, and on the opposite side, a little boy laid on the grass, screaming.

“Oh my god.” Hayley breathed and she and Lucas jumped up from the bench.

They ran over to Owain and the boy. The boy stood up and she saw that he had an
abrasion on his knee and elbows.

“Jimmy, are you okay?” A voice said beside her.

She looked over her shoulder and saw a large man walking towards the boy.

“Oh my god! I am so sorry, my son…” Hayley started
apologizing, but the man shook his head at her.

“You should teach your kid some manners!” The guy exclaimed at her with an angry scowl.

“I don’t know what got into him, he’s…” Hayley frowned.

“Can it, lady. Come on Jimmy.” The guy said and he and his son stomped off in the opposite direction.

Hayley frowned and exchanged a puzzled glance with Lucas. She looked over at Owain and walked up to him. "Owain!”

“What?” Owain said, slightly agitated.

“What has gotten into you?" Hayley looked at him.

"Leave me alone." Owain frowned at her.

“Hey buddy, don’t talk to your mom like that.” Lucas frowned.

“Go away.” Owain scowled.

"Owain Pearce, don’t make me take you home right now!" Hayley frowned at him.

"He made me angry." Owain exclaimed.

"Since when do you get angry?" Hayley frowned.

"What did he do, buddy?" Lucas asked next to her.

"He took the swing that I like." Owain said and looked at Hayley.

Hayley let out a sigh and looked at Lucas. Lucas crossed his arms and headed back to the bench, to give her and Owain some space to talk.

"Owain, listen to me." Hayley knelt down next to him on the grass and looked at him. "This has got to stop, okay? You can’t just push other kids off of swings just because you can’t get your way. Its wrong and it’s not you."

"What do you mean?" Owain frowned.

“It’s not something that you would normally do. You’re not like that, Owain. You’re so much better than that, baby.” Hayley frowned again. “So much better.”

“You’re right. I shouldn't have pushed him." Owain nodded and looked at her. “I won’t do it again.”

Hayley frowned slightly and ran her fingers through his hair. "No more pushing, okay?”

“Okay.” He nodded and she watched as he ran over to his other two friends.

“Oh my god.” Hayley let out another sigh and stood up, walking over to Lucas. Lucas shifted over on the park bench to make room for her to sit.

"Is he okay?" Lucas asked.

"Yeah, he's fine." Hayley frowned and sat down next to him. “Just a little steamed.”

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"I think so. Sometimes I wonder if there isn't something wrong with him." Hayley sighed.

"He's just a kid." Lucas looked over at Owain, climbing up the jungle gym. "He'll grow out of it."

"He's been very short-tempered and aggressive lately." Hayley frowned and ran her hands through her blonde hair. "Maybe I'm just over-reacting. Am I over-reacting?"

"Maybe just a little." Lucas gave her a crooked smile. "He'll be fine."

Hayley nodded with a smile and looked over at Owain, playing with his two friends on the jungle gym.

"Hayley?" Lucas asked and looked at her. "Where is Owain's dad?"

Hayley raised her eyebrows and looked at him. "He's dead. He died when I was pregnant with Owain."

"I'm so sorry." Lucas frowned.

"I'm not." Hayley looked back at Owain.

"Did you two part on bad terms?" Lucas asked.

"You could say that." Hayley nodded and kept looking at Owain.

"I don't mean to pry." Lucas
apologized.

"It's okay." Hayley looked at him and he smiled at her.

"I take it you don’t talk about him with Owain.” Lucas said.

"No, I don’t. As far as I am concerned, he wasn’t the kind of father worth mentioning." Hayley's jaw clenched and Lucas nodded. “But Owain’s been asking a lot about him, and I don’t know what to tell him.”

“Why, was he a bad guy?” Lucas asked.

“He was, yes.” She nodded.

“I’m sorry.” Lucas frowned.

“Like I said, we’re much better off.” Hayley looked at him.

"Were you married?" Lucas asked.

“No, we weren’t. I barely knew him.” Hayley admitted.

“What happened?” Lucas frowned.

"Can we please not talk about this anymore?" Hayley frowned and looked at him.

"Sure, of course." Lucas nodded. “I’m sorry.”

"We should get home, actually." Hayley looked at her watch and reached for Owain's backpack. “He still has some homework to do.”

"Sure. I’ll go get him." Lucas offered and stood up. “If that’s okay with you.”

"Of course. Thank you, Lucas." Hayley nodded and watched as Lucas walked over to Owain on the jungle gym.

“Come on, buddy! It’s time to go.” Lucas said to Owain.

He held out his arms at Owain and Owain jumped into them. Lucas put him on his shoulders and they walked back to where Hayley was sitting.

"We're ready to go, Mom!" Owain announced.

Hayley smiled at him and gave Lucas an appreciative nod. He winked at her as she stood up and together, they walked over to her car. After Lucas buckled Owain into his seat, he closed the door and walked over to Hayley, standing by the driver's seat door.

"Thank you for today. He really had fun." Hayley looked at him. “We really had fun.”

"It's my pleasure. He's a great kid." Lucas smiled at her.

"Yeah, he is, when he’s not pushing other kids off swings." Hayley nodded and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Don’t worry about it too much, Hayley. Growing up is tough, regardless if you have two parents or not.” Lucas gave her a
reassuring smile.

“Thanks, Lucas.” She smiled at him and crossed her arms. “You’re a great guy.”

"You’re great too.” He smiled at her.

“Okay.” She giggled and her cheeks burned.

“Look, I don't want to sound too forward or anything, but what are you doing tomorrow night?" Lucas asked.

"Well, Thursday nights are usually cupcake night." Hayley laughed.

"Cupcake night?" Lucas laughed.

"Yeah, it's sort of a tradition." Hayley tilted her head at him with a smile. "You're welcome to join us."

"I wouldn't want to impose on your tradition." Lucas frowned.

"I’m willing to make an exception for you.” Hayley tilted her head at him. “We’d love to have you.”

“Well, when you put it that way. Sure.” Lucas gave her a crooked smile. “Should I bring anything?"

"Whatever you want." Hayley said. "A spare set of clothes should also help."

"Why?" Lucas frowned.

"It gets kind of messy." Hayley admits with a giggle.

"Sounds like fun." Lucas nodded.

"Come by at around four. That's when we
usually start." Hayley smiled.

"Perfect. I'll see you then." Lucas nodded and leaned against the car.

Hayley felt her cheeks flush slightly and she fiddled with her keys.

"Mom! Are we going or what?" Owain called out from inside the car.

Hayley and Lucas let out a laugh and Hayley opened the door. "We're going."

Hayley looked at Owain in the car, he was enthralled by his baseball mitt, unaware of anything going on around him. She smiled to herself and walked up to Lucas. She moved closer to him, lifted her chin and pressed her lips against his. She knew she had caught him by
surprise, but she did not care. She felt his hands cradled her face and he kissed her back. She pulled away slowly and looked up at him.

“See you tomorrow?” She asked, a little breathless and lightheaded.

“Absolutely.” He whispered and tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear.

She smiled at him, turned around and headed back to her car. Lucas watched her walk away and dug his hands into his front pockets. He watched her drive away and smiled to himself,
still tasting her on his lips.

Thursday morning, as Hayley was wiping the counter with a wet cloth, she accidentally
bumped a glass and it fell onto the floor, breaking into a million pieces.

“Shit.” She cursed under her breath and went to the cupboard to get the broom.

“Mom?” Owain called.

“Be careful, Owain. There’s glass on the floor.” She sighed and irately swept up the glass.