Never Say Never (20 page)

“What is this?” He glared angrily at her and she crossed her arms.

“That file contains everything that I just told you, my so-called lies. I have never lied to you and I never planned on either.” She snapped at him. “All the things you told me about your brother, were lies.”

Lucas frowned at her and hesitantly opened the file. There were dozens of newspaper articles about Hayley and the attack, as well as a picture of Barry and Chad.

"What the…" He frowned and froze when he saw a picture of Hayley six years ago, a month after the attack. As Lucas saw the date of the attack, he felt his blood run cold in his veins and shook his head in disbelief.

"No...” Lucas looked up at Hayley and took a deep breath.

"That kind-hearted brother that you described to me was a kidnapper, a rapist and a murderer.” Hayley frowned.

“I can’t believe this…” Lucas looked at the articles again and frowned. He came across the article announcing Ric’s death and he looked at Hayley.

“I told you about the attack, even though I was not supposed to.” Hayley crossed her arms. “You know why I did? Because you made me feel safe, because I trusted you.”

"I’m...I don’t know what to say." Lucas took a step to her, but she shook her head.

"You don’t have to say anything, you can just go." She whispered and a tear ran down her cheek.

“Hayley, let me just…” Lucas frowned and Hayley pointed to the door.

“Just leave, Lucas.” She crossed her arms and looked at him.

“Please, I’m sorry…” Lucas whispered.

“It’s too late for sorry. I’m just glad that I have finally
realized exactly what you think of me. A lying, manipulative slut.” Hayley looked at him coldly and turned away.

“Hayley, please, I didn’t mean…” Lucas frowned.

“Get out of my house, Lucas.” Hayley shook her head and walked towards her bedroom. “Or I’ll call the police to remove you from my property.”

Lucas stood frozen on the spot for a few seconds, then followed her down the hallway and walked into her bedroom. There was a suitcase on the bed and Hayley was stuffing clothes into it.

Hayley looked up at him and frowned. “I thought I told you to leave.”

“Where are you running this time?” Lucas frowned and walked towards her.

“I am doing this for Owain, okay. I want my son to be safe.” She frowned.

“No, that’s not the only reason why you are doing this.” Lucas exclaimed. “You’re scared of getting close to someone…”

“Then what the fuck am I supposed to do?” She screamed. “Am I supposed to stay here because my heart tells me to? Meanwhile my son has to live in fear!”

“Hayley?” A voice said suddenly and Hayley and Lucas jumped.

They whirled around and saw Nick standing in the doorway. “Is everything okay?”

Hayley let out a tired sigh and crossed her arms. “Yes, everything is fine.”

“Hayley, Owain can’t find his…” Grace came around the corner and stopped abruptly, looking at Nick with a small tight smile. “Oh hey, Officer Nick.”

“Hey Grace.” Nick smiled at her and then noticed the open suitcase on Hayley’s bed. “What’s going on, Hayley? Are you going somewhere?”

“She’s running away…” Lucas muttered.

“I am not running away!” Hayley snapped at Lucas. “I am protecting my son!”

“I can protect you from them, Hayley!” Lucas frowned.

“How the Hell can you be so sure?” Hayley exclaimed. “They fucking shot me and left me to die on the side of the road! Do you think that you can stop them from trying that again?”

“Wait a minute!” Nick exclaimed and looked at Hayley in disbelief. “That’s not possible…”

“What?” Grace frowned.

“You’re Lee-Ann Harrington…” Nick blinked and Hayley nodded slowly. “You’ve changed.”

“I had no choice.” Hayley shrugged helplessly.

“Wait, you know her too?” Lucas crossed his arms.

“No, I was there when her dad found her.” Nick looked over at Hayley. “I was part of the
search party.”

“I wish I remembered.” She smiled sadly.

“I was really glad when we eventually found you.” Nick nodded. “Your dad was grief-stricken.”

“You knew all this time?” Lucas frowned.

“Have you not been listening to a word we’ve said?” Hayley frowned at him.

“You don’t have to go, Hayley. We can arrange protective custody…” Nick suggested, but Hayley stopped him before he could finish his sentence.

“No, I have to go. We can’t stay here.” She shook her head.

“Where will you go?” Lucas asked.

“To my dad’s. I have already spoken to him.” Hayley said, closing her suitcase.

Lucas looked at Hayley and frowned slightly. “Hayley, I can’t let you…”

“You can’t let me what?” She crossed her arms.

“I can’t let you leave!” Lucas exclaimed.

“And why is that?” She frowned.

“Because I love you, Hayley!” Lucas exclaimed. “And I will protect you and Owain, no matter what!”

“I’m not so sure about that. Why on Earth would you want to waste your time with someone like me?” She shook her head, picked up the suitcase and pushed passed them.

“Hayley, please, I didn’t mean that! You know me…" Lucas whispered.

"I thought I did.” She narrowed her eyes at him.

She disappeared into Owain’s room and called after Grace. A few seconds later, Grace carried two bags out of Owain’s room and Hayley came out with a sleeping Owain in her arms. Just as Lucas opened his mouth to say something, Nick pulled him away to let Hayley pass.

“Not in front of the kid, Luke.” Nick warned Lucas.

A few minutes later, Hayley was back in the house, and Grace was outside, waiting by the car with Owain and Nick.

Lucas walked up to Hayley and ran his fingers through his hair. “Please don’t go. I am sorry for the things I said to you, I didn’t mean any of them…”

”I have to go, I can’t be here. It’s not safe for me, and it’s not safe for Owain.” Hayley tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and shook her head at him.

“I can protect you…” Lucas frowned.

“No, you can’t, or rather you won’t, because you would rather believe your rapist
brother and his criminal friend than me.” Hayley frowned. “You say that you love me, but a few minutes ago you called me a slut, to my face. That’s not love, Lucas.”

“What do you want me to do?” Lucas asked helplessly. “I’ll do anything you want.”

“I want you to stay the Hell away from me, and my son.” She frowned.

"You don't mean that." Lucas shook his head. "You love me."

“I possibly do, but I love my son more." Hayley said firmly. "As his mother, I have to keep him safe, no matter what.”

“Hales, please…” Lucas begged and walked to her, blocking off the front door.

“Please don’t make this any harder than it already is.” She looked at him, her eyes filled with tears.

“I’m sorry, about everything.” Lucas frowned at her.

“I have to go." She shook her head.

Lucas opened his mouth, but he had no clue what he wanted to say. There was nothing he could say, so he stood to the side and watched as Hayley walked passed him and out the door. He watched her climb into her car, leaving him alone in her empty house. Lucas felt his eyes fill up with tears as he watched powerlessly as she, and Owain, the
two people he loved more than anything, sped out of his life.

Lucas stared at the newspaper articles in front of them and his jaw clenched in frustration. He glanced out the window at the house across the street and his eyes were blazing from anger, and disbelief. Suddenly he heard the screeching of tires and Jack’s black Ford came around the corner and sped onto the driveway. Lucas took a deep breath and climbed out of the car, marching towards the Ford. Barry climbed out of the driver‘s side and when he spotted Lucas coming towards him, he smiled.

“Luke…” He smirked, but before he could say anything else, Lucas flung his fist straight into his face and Barry dropped to the ground.

“Don’t you grin at me, you smug son-of-a-bitch!” Lucas glared down at him.

“What the fuck was that for?” Barry frowned, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. He looked at the blood on his hand and frowned. “Look what you did, man!”

“That is nothing compared to what I am going to do to you, Jack!” Lucas grabbed him by the throat and glared at him.

Barry let out a throaty gasp and looked at
Lucas.

“Why didn’t you ever tell me, Jack?” Lucas growled and glared at Barry. “Why didn’t you tell me what Ric did?”

“It wasn’t Ric’s idea.” Barry frowned. “It was me.”

“But why?” Lucas asked.

“Who knows why I do the things I do, Luke.” Barry smirked.

“This is not a joke, Jack! My brother is dead, because of you!” Lucas exclaimed and shoved Barry against a wall.

“I didn’t get him killed, Luke!” Barry exclaimed.

“Then who did, Jack?” Lucas growled.

“He got himself killed!” Barry muttered.

“What?” Lucas frowned.

“He got himself killed. That fucker of a brother of yours had a bigger conscience than he had balls.” Barry spat.

“He felt guilty?” Lucas asked, in disbelief.

“Yeah, he robbed the store on purpose, knowing there was a cop there, and he got himself shot.” Barry nodded and slowly looked at Lucas.

“And I am supposed to believe that? After all the lies and the cover-ups and the whole thing with Hayley…” Lucas growled in frustration.

“Redemption.” Barry said and Lucas’ head snapped up to look at him.

“What did you say?” Lucas narrowed his eyes at Barry.

“Redemption he called it. If you take someone else’s life, you don’t deserve your own.” Barry said.

Lucas stared at Barry in disbelief as he remembered the one thing his brother taught him when they were younger. Lucas was about five, Owain’s age, and he found an injured bird on the side of the road. He brought it home and even after carefully trying to nurse it back to health, it died. Lucas could remember how heartbroken he was over the little bird and cried his heart out when Ric dug a little hole in the ground to bury it.

“Life is precious, little Luke.” Ric had said to him. “If you cannot value a life, even as small as the little bird’s, then you won’t value your own life, and ultimately you don’t deserve to be alive.”

Lucas frowned and felt his eyes water up slightly. “I remember him saying that to me.” He looked at Barry and clenched his jaw. “You’re going to make this right, Jack.”

“What are you talking about, Luke?” Barry frowned,

Lucas grabbed him by the throat and Barry struggled to breath against Lucas’ tight grip.

“You are going to confess.” Lucas gritted his teeth.

“Are you crazy…?” Barry squealed.

“You are going to confess, almost killing Hayley and killing my brother!” Lucas spat.

“Alright, alright. I’ll do it.” Barry shrieked.

“That’s what I like to hear.” Lucas nodded, grabbed his phone from his pocket and dialed a number. “Officer Jenson please. Yes, I’ll hold.”

“Luke, wait…” Barry pleaded.

“Hey Nick. I got a murderer in my presence, ready to confess.” Lucas said and looked at Barry.

Chapter 10
– Home Is Where the Heart Has Always Been

The sun was starting to set when two girls, stepped out of the movie theatre just off Lincoln Drive in Atlanta, Georgia, one January evening. The air was cold outside and the streets were empty, deserted.

“That was the worst movie ever!” Lee scowled and dug her hands into her coat.

“No way! Colin Farrell is a total babe.” Jessica frowned and looked at her best friend, who was looking at her in disbelief. “Come on, he’s Irish! He’s got that Irish appeal.”

“Irish doesn’t do it for me, Jess.” Lee shook her head. “And no amount of arguing is going to convince me otherwise. The movie was bad. Definitely not four stars.”

“Next time, you can choose the movie then!” Jessica frowned and pulled a wool hat over her dark hair.

“Oh that’s a definite!” Lee nodded and Jessica playfully slapped her against the arm.

“My god, it’s freezing!” Jessica sighed.

“Let’s go get a coffee.” Lee nudged her best friend.

“Great idea. My insides are frozen!” Jessica nodded and they walked over to the Starbucks on the corner.

“Where’s Clint tonight?” Lee asked.

“He’s studying for his last exam.” Jessica frowned.

“Lucky him.” Lee pulled her face and the two girls walked up to the counter.

“Two Mocha Lattes please.” Jessica said to the guy behind the counter.

“Sure. Coming right up.” He smiled at them and turned to the large silver coffee machine.

Jessica scanned through the almost empty shop and noticed two guys sitting in a corner. The one with dark hair kept looking over at them and Jessica nudged her friend.

“We’ve got admirers.” Jessica whispered.

“You remember that you’re engaged, right?” Lee whispered back sarcastically and paid for the coffees.

“And? I’m not married yet.” Jessica frowned. “I mean look at them. They’re hot!”

Lee shook her head in annoyance and put her wallet back in her handbag.

“They definitely aren’t locals.” Jessica whispered.

“Would you stop staring at them?” Lee hissed.

“Just look.” Jessica hissed back at her.

Lee rolled her eyes with a sigh and looked over her shoulder at the two guys, who were talking amongst themselves. “They’re okay.”

“Just okay?” Jessica frowned.

“Yes.” Lee nodded and handed her a coffee cup. “Come on.”

Lee walked to the door, Jessica following closely behind. They stepped outside and Lee shivered. Whether it was the crisp winter air, or the possible threatening feeling running up her spine, she was not sure, but something was wrong. She could feel it.

“Who knew January would be this cold?” Jessica muttered.

As the girls walked down the sidewalk, Lee heard Starbucks’ door open, and instinctively she quickened her pace.

“Excuse me?” They heard a voice behind them and Jessica looked over her shoulder.

“It’s the hot guy from the shop.” Jessica whispered.

Lee grabbed hold of Jessica’s arm and frowned. “Just keep walking, Jess.”

“But…” Jessica protested.

“No buts. Keep walking.” Lee shook her head.

“Ladies, hold up a second.” The guy called out again.

Jessica stopped abruptly which brought Lee to a sudden halt as well and Lee narrowed her eyes at her friend.

“Boy, you’re paranoid today.” Jessica rolled her eyes and turned to the guy behind them.

“Jess, what are you doing?” Lee asked.

“He looks harmless.” She shrugged. “And yummy.”

“Most serial killers do as well.” Lee muttered.

“Don’t be silly.” Jessica rolled her eyes and looked over at the guy. “Serial killers are never that hot.”

Lee frowned in disapproval and turned around slowly, reluctantly, as she was not going to leave Jessica alone with the strange guys. She looked over at the guy approaching then and felt an air of uneasiness around her.

“I’m sorry if this seems too forward, but my friend and I couldn’t help but notice you two in the Starbucks.” He smiled at them. “Are you from around here?”

“Yeah, we’re…” Jessica blurted out.

“We’re engaged.” Lee interrupted Jessica abruptly. “Sorry.”

The guy’s eyebrows shot up and looked at Lee. “To each other?”

Jessica let out a laugh and shook her head. “No, our fiancés are best friends.”

Lee glared at Jessica and shook her head again. “Oh my god.” She let out an exasperated sigh.

“Well, they are very lucky guys.” The guy smiled at them.

“They sure are.” Lee narrowed her eyes at him slightly.

“My friend thinks that I don’t have the balls to come talk to you two.” He said.

“And why is that?” Jessica asked.

“Well you are two very beautiful girls.” He smirked at them.

“Ah thank you. You’re so sweet.” Jessica sighed dreamily.

“Would it be inappropriate if I asked to take a picture with each of you?” The guy asked, smiling cockily. “Just for proof, for my friend.”

Lee and Jessica exchanged glances and Jessica smiled. “Sure…”

“No!” Lee frowned. “We have to get going. We’re late.”

“Late for what?” Jessica fobbed her off.

Lee sighed and looked over at the entrance of the Starbuck. There were two other guys, standing beside a Chevy van, looking at them. They were both tall with dark features and the one kept tapping his foot, as if he was waiting for something to happen at any moment.

“Jess…” She glared at her friend.

“Oh come on, Lee, it’s just a photo.” Jessica exclaimed. “An innocent photo. What harm can it do?”

Lee looked at Jessica for a few seconds and sighed. Jessica stood next to the guy and he quickly snapped a photo of the two of them and he looked over at Lee.

“You know, I don’t think it’s a good idea.” Lee shook her head and crossed her arms.

“Just one?” The guy frowned.

“Come on, Lee. Don’t be a chicken.” Jessica whined. “Besides, you’re getting married soon, you can’t be camera shy then, can you?”

Lee looked at the guy with a sigh and studied his facial expression. He was quite attractive, with dark brown eyes and a strong jawline. The hood of his jacket covered his head, and Lee could not make out the color of his hair. When she narrowed her eyes at him, he smirked at her and she noticed the two dimples on either side of his face. His dark eyes were dancing with mischief, but there was something about him that made her skin crawl. She looked over at Jessica and Jessica raised an impatient eyebrow at her.

“It’s just a picture, Lee.” Her name rolled off his tongue and he gave her a crooked smile.

Hayley frowned as she glared at the cinema while waiting for the light to turn green. She had a million things running through her mind and she let out a miserable sigh. She never
thought that she would ever be driving down Lincoln Avenue again. A shiver ran down her spine and she frowned to herself. She looked over at Owain, sleeping on the passenger seat next to her and smiled slightly. He looked exhausted after the long drive, and so was she. She drove the familiar roads to her father’s house and stopped in the driveway. Resting her hands on the steering wheel, she inhaled slowly and unbuckled her seatbelt, still staring into space. Owain’s soft moan snapped her out of her trance-like state and she looked over at him.

“Why did we stop?” He asked sleepily and rubbed his eyes.

“We’re here, baby.” She whispered and ran her fingers through his hair.

“Where is here?” He sat up slowly and looked out the window. He frowned and pressed his face up against the window.

“We’re at Grandpa’s house.” She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair.

“We’ve never been to Grandpa’s house.” Owain frowned.

“I know baby.” Hayley nodded. “I thought it was about time we visited them.”

The look in Steve’s eyes as he walked over to Hayley and Owain was a priceless as the moment Hayley was found on the outskirts of
Atlanta. Hayley could see the tears in his eyes as he opened his arms towards her and she felt safe when she fell into them.

“Are you okay?” Steve whispered in her ear and she pulled away slowly.

“I’m okay, Daddy.” She nodded at him.

“Grandpa?” Owain called out to him.

“Yes, Owain.” Steve looked at him.

“I have the best news!” He smiled. “I am turning six next week!!”

“Six? Already?” Steve gasped. “Feels like just the other day that you turned three.”

“That was ages ago, Grandpa!” Owain rolled his eyes.

“There’s someone to see you, Lee.” Steve said to her and she frowned at him. He motioned to the front door.

Hayley looke
d over and she let out a cry of happiness and surprise. “Jess.”

Her friend, Jessica, from many years before, stood on the porch, holding her arms out at Hayley, tears in her eyes.

“Jess, it’s so good to see you.” Hayley hugged her, her voice already cracking.

“It’s been too long.” Jessica pulled away and looked at her. “I like the blonde.” She flicked a piece of Hayley’s blonde hair off her shoulder.

“Thank you.” Hayley hugged her again.

“Mom!” Owain exclaimed and the two women turned to him.

“He’s so big.” Jess smiled and looked at Hayley. “You should be really proud of yourself, Lee. I don’t know a lot of girls that could do what you did.”

Hayley smiled and looked at Owain. “He’s my baby, Jess.”

“I’m not a baby, Mom!” Owain frowned and crossed his arms.

“We know.” Jessica nodded at him.

“Come on, little baby. Let’s go inside.” Steve joked with Owain.

“Grandpa!” Owain whined and dragged his feet up the steps of the porch and into the house.

“He looks just like him.” Jessica whispered as the girls followed them into the house.

“I know.” Hayley nodded.

“It must be so hard.” Jessica frowned.

“You haven’t even heard the worst part.” Hayley looked at Jess and closed the front door behind her.

“Mom, Dad, there’s something I need to tell you.” Lucas sat down opposite his parents in their lounge. “It’s really important.”

Patrick and Heather looked at each other nervously and Heather looked at Lucas. “Is Hayley pregnant?”

“No, Mom…” Lucas shook his head and frowned.

“Are you two getting married?” Patrick asked.

“That would be wonderful news, Luke!” Heather smiled.

“It’s not either of those things.” Lucas frowned. “This is serious stuff.”

“Alright, tell us.”

“Do you remember about six years ago, a girl went missing in Atlanta for eleven days and was eventually found next to the road?” Lucas asked.

“Yes, I do remember that. It was terrible. The poor girl’s father was devastated.” Heather nodded.

“That girl was Hayley.” Lucas said.

Lucas saw the
color instantly drain from his parents’ faces and he sat back in the couch.

“Oh my god!” Heather gasped.

“Are you serious, Luke?” Patrick asked and leaned forward.

“Yes, she showed me the articles.” Lucas nodded. “Her name was Lee-Ann Harrington back then. She had to change her name for protection.”

“Oh my Lord.” Patrick frowned.

There was an uncomfortable silence in the
room and Lucas fiddled nervously with his keys.

“Lucas, there’s something we need to tell you.” Heather said softly.

“Mom, I need to get this out. It’s been eating at me this whole time.” Lucas shook his head.

“Alright.” Heather nodded.

“The guys that kidnapped her, were…” Lucas’s voice cracked and he looked at his parents. “It was Jack and Ric.”

Patrick and Heather exchanged uncomfortable glances and Heather looked at Lucas, her light eyes sad. “Please do not be angry with us, Luke, but we know.”

“What?” Lucas gasped. “You knew?”

“Everyone knew that boy was a criminal!” Patrick bellowed and stood up from the couch. “That bastard is no child of mine!”

“Hush, Patrick.” Heather frowned as she watched her husband disappear down the corridor and looked at Lucas. “I am sorry, honey.”

“How could you not tell me? How could you make me think that my brother was the best person alive, when clearly he wasn’t?” Lucas felt the moisture in his eyes blur his vision and he swiftly rubbed his eyes.

“Luke, the police found this in one of his pockets.” Heather pulled a folded up letter out of her side pocket and held it out at Lucas. “Read it.”

Lucas looked at it hesitantly and frowned.

“Please, Luke. Just read it.” Heather said softly.

Lucas slowly took the letter from her and opened it. Inside he
recognized his brother’s handwriting and he took a deep breath. As he read through the letter, he could hear Ric’s voice in his mind, saying the words to him. Ric signed the letter at the bottom in his usual formal way, as he always did since they were in middle school.