Never Say Never (4 page)

"Well, just call him and ask him to help again.” Owain said.

Hayley felt a chill run down her spine at the thought of that and shook her head. “I don’t know where he is.”

“Can’t you find out?” Owain asked.

"How am I supposed to do that, Owain?” Hayley asked.

“I don't know, you’re the grown-up. You’re the one that knows everything." Owain said and Hayley grinned slightly. “Don’t worry, Mom, I’ll find someone else for you."

Hayley's jaw dropped and she let out a laugh. "As easy as that?"

"Yes." Owain nodded.

Hayley shook her head at her son and continued driving to the convenience store.

"Mom?" He looked at her.

"What is it, Owain?" She asked.

"Can I wear my Spiderman suit to school tomorrow?" He asked.

"No, I threw it in the wash. You wore it yesterday." Hayley shook her head.

"But Mom..." He whined next to her.

"Not buts, Owain." She shook her head. "Do you want people to think that I don't love you enough to buy you decent clothes?"

"No." Owain frowned. "They will be wrong if they think that."

"Exactly." Hayley smiled slightly and patted his head. "Okay, we're here."

"Sprinkles! Sprinkles!" Owain chanted as Hayley parked the car.

"Okay, okay. Calm down." Hayley frowned as she undid his seatbelt and he reached over to open the door. "Wait for me, Owain."

"Yes, I know. Someone might steal me." Owain got out the car and waited next to it.

Hayley climbed out and locked the car. She walked over to him and held out her hand. He took it and walked with his mom into the
store.

"Who would want to steal me anyway, Mom?" He looked up at her.

"Bad people, baby." Hayley frowned.

"Well, if they ever steal me, I'll be so bad, they'll bring me right back." Owain said.

"Let's hope that never happens." Hayley smiled and walked towards the baking aisle.

"Mom, can I go look at the toys?" Owain asked. Hayley hesitated a second and he picked up on that immediately. "I'll be careful."

"Okay, I'll be quick." She let go of Owain's hand and watched as he ran to the other side of the store towards the toys. She stood there for a few seconds and sighed to herself. She walked into the baking aisle, grabbed two containers of sprinkles and headed towards the toys. She turned into Owain's regular aisle, but he was not there. "Owain?" She called but here was no answer. She felt a shiver run up her spine and her blood froze in her veins.

"Owain?" She called out again and walked a little faster, checking all the aisles. Panic consumed her body and she ran through the aisles. She came to a stop, as she felt tears in her eyes and ran her fingers through her hair. She heard voices and she walked towards them. As she rounded the corner, she saw
Owain, talking to a dark haired man at the end of the aisle.

"Owain!" She called and he looked at her, with a look that showed he knew he was in trouble. The man looked over his shoulder at her and she froze momentarily. The guy looked really familiar but she could not place him at all. She took a deep
breath and walked over to them.

Lucas stared at the beautiful, yet frantic, blonde woman heading their way and he instantly knew it was the little boy's mother. Even though the little boy had no resemblance to her whatsoever, he knew it was his mother by the way the little boy was looking at her. She was beautiful, with long blonde hair and bright blue-green eyes, unlike the little boy, with his dark brown hair and chocolate eyes. She had an air around her, even though she was panicked and clearly fuming. Her hips swayed in her jeans and her fitted white shirt created curves in all the right places. She was carrying two containers of sprinkles and Lucas grinned at the little boy.

"Your mom?" Lucas looked at the little boy.

"Yes." The boy said.

"I figured." Lucas grinned and they looked over at her.

"Owain, oh my god!" She exclaimed as she got to them. "I told you..."

"Mom, it's okay." Owain rolled his eyes at her. "I was talking to this man about..."

"You know I don’t like it when you wander off, or talk to strangers." She frowned.

"He said he doesn't want to steal me, Mom." Owain said and Lucas chuckled.

"That's what they all say, baby." She raised her head and looked at Lucas. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean..."

"It's okay. He's quite a kid." Lucas smiled at her.

"Yeah, he knows it." She nodded and held out her hand to him. "Hayley."

Lucas shook her hand and smiled at her. "Lucas."

"And I'm Owain." Owain said.

Lucas, still holding on to Hayley's hand, looked down at Owain and grinned at him. "Nice to meet you, Owain." Lucas nodded and looked back at Hayley. "Hayley."

"You too." Hayley gave him a small smile and waited for him to let go of her hand.

"Oh, sorry." Lucas smiled apologetically and let go of her hand.

"Come on, Owain, we need to go." Hayley grabbed hold of Owain's hand.

"But Mom...." Owain whined.

"Now, Owain." Hayley said firmly and he simply nodded. She looked at Lucas and gave him a small smile. "Nice to meet you, Lucas."

“Likewise." Lucas nodded. "See you around."

Hayley gave him a slight nod and Lucas watched as they walked away from him.

"Hey, where did you disappear to?" A voice said behind him and he turned around.

Nick was beside him with a carton of cigarettes and he looked at Lucas. He looked at Hayley and Owain and grinned at Lucas.

"Were you hitting on the mom?" Nick asked with a laugh.

"No, I was talking to the kid actually." Lucas said and looked back at Owain, standing by the cash point with his mom, looking at Lucas. The little boy's face lit up and he waved at Lucas. Lucas grinned and waved back at him.

"Look who made a friend." Nick laughed and Lucas lightly shoved him. “Plus, we found your blonde.”

"Do you have everything?" Lucas frowned and ignored Nick’s comment. Nick nodded to him with a laugh and Lucas started walking to the cash point. "Let's go then, I double parked."

"Please don't ever do that again." Hayley frowned at Owain as she was buckling him up in the backseat.

"I didn't do anything!" Owain protested and pushed her hands away.

"Don't fight me, Owain." Hayley said calmly and looked at him.

"I was just talking to the man!" He said.

"You know how I feel about you talking to people you don't know." She frowned and closed the door.

"But Mom..." He whined.

"But nothing, Owain!" Hayley exclaimed and got into the driver's seat.

"I wanted to help you." Owain crossed his arms and she looked at him in the rear-view mirror.

"Help me with what?" She asked, but there was no answer. "Fine, don't talk to me." She started the car and opened her window.

"I was trying to find someone who can help you get a baby." Owain called out and Hayley turned to look at him.

"What?" Hayley frowned and switched the car off. "Why?"

"Because you're alone." Owain said.

"I'm not alone, Owain, I have you." Hayley reached over and touched his knee.

"We both know that's not the same." Owain looked at her. "You need a friend, Mom."

"I have friends, baby." Hayley laughed.

"I meant men friends, Mom." Owain rolled his eyes.

Hayley opened her mouth to say something, but she had no words. She looked at Owain's face and took a deep breath.

"I was just trying to help, I swear." Owain said. "I didn't mean to make you angry."

"I'm not angry at you." Hayley frowned.

"Then why were you yelling?" He asked.

"I wasn't yelling..." Hayley shook her head.

"Yes, you were." Owain argued.

"Okay, I was yelling, but you gave me a fright." She admitted. "I thought I lost you."

"You'll never lose me, Mom." Owain put his hand over hers and she felt all her anger melt away.

She smiled at him and took her hand away. "Thanks, baby."

"Can we go now?" Owain asked and Hayley nodded at him.

"Of course." Hayley turned around in her seat and started the car again. She looked at Owain in the rear-view mirror and grinned to herself. Even though she was still a bit upset and her heart was still racing from panic, she knew she could not stay angry at her son for
very long. He was the most important thing in her life and even though the first year was the hardest, she would not trade him for anything in the world. She put the car into gear and reversed out of the parking.

Across the road, a black car was parked in the shadows. Two men were sitting in the two front seats and looked at each other.

“That can’t be her.” The dark one said.

“I’m telling you, it’s her.” The bald one handed him a photograph and nodded confidently. “Definitely.”

“What would she be doing here?” The dark one asked.

“Probably hiding the kid.” The bald one frowned.

“Here?” The dark one asked.

“This place is as good as any.” The bald one nodded and took out his phone. He
dialed a number and held the phone next to his ear.

“Hey, it’s me. Guess who I just saw?” He said.

“Who?” A deep voice asked over the speaker.

“Lee-Ann Harrington.” He answered.

“Are you sure?” The voice asked.

“Positive.” The bald one said. “There’s something else.”

“What?” The voice asked.

“There’s a kid.” The bald one said. “He’s about six or so, looks just like him.”

“Call the boss, and let him know.” The voice said. “Don’t let her out of your sights.”

“No problem.” He heard the call disconnect and looked over at Hayley’s black Cadillac pull away.

“So what do we do now?” The dark one asked.

“We tail her.” The bald one frowned and started the car. “For now.”

Chapter 3 – Collisions

After her last period the next day, Hayley walked down the passage towards Grace's class, to pick up Owain. She was thankful that it was Friday, it had been one very long week. Grace mentioned at lunch that they should go out tonight, but Hayley politely declined, as she usually does. She opened the door and walked inside.

"Hey." Grace smiled at her. "He's been waiting since twelve."

"I never pick him up at twelve." Hayley looked over at Owain's seat and saw him sitting quietly, his backpack on his back.  “What happened?”

"He's a little upset with me." Grace pulled a face.

"Why?" She asked and looked at Grace.

"I asked the class to make paper Mache paperweights for their dad’s. Owain didn't want to participate. He threw a bit of a fit and said that he didn't have a dad to give it to. He packed his stuff and has been waiting since." Grace said apologetically and crossed her arms. "I'm so sorry, Hayley."

"Grace, it's okay." Hayley looked at her and gently touched her shoulder.

"I feel so bad about it...” Grace shook her head.

"Well, don't. Really, it's fine. I'll talk to him about it." Hayley nodded.

Grace nodded and Hayley walked over to Owain. She knelt down next to his and kissed the top of his head.

"I've been waiting for you. What took you so long?" He looked at her.

"I'm sorry, baby. I had to finish with my class." She sighed slightly and looked at him. "Let's get you home."

“Okay.” Owain stood up slowly and looked at Grace.

"Say good-bye to Miss Oliver, Owain." Hayley said.

"Bye Miss Oliver." Owain dropped his gaze and headed for the door.

Hayley could see Grace's eyes started to water and she gave her a reassuring nod. "Its fine, Grace."

Grace nodded and dropped her hands to her sides. "Bye guys."

"Owain, wait." Hayley ran her fingers through her hair with a sigh, catching up to Owain walking towards the exit. “Whatever happened in there, it can’t be that bad!”

“I don’t want to talk about it right now.” Owain shrugged his shoulders and kept
walking.

Hayley decided to give him some space and they walked through the hallways towards the parking lot. The short drive home felt like hours and when Hayley stopped the Cadillac in front of the garage, she decided she needed to talk to Owain about the whole “no daddy” situation. She switched the car off, climbed out and walked to the back door, where Owain was sitting quietly, staring at his lap.

"I want to ask you something, Owain." Hayley said as she opened the back door and unbuckled Owain's seatbelt.

"I don't feel like talking." Owain said simply as he climbed out of the car.

"And why is that?" Hayley frowned.

"Because I don't want to!" Owain exclaimed and walked passed her and onto the steps of the house.

"Owain..." Hayley closed the door and walked to him. "You can talk to me about anything."

"I know, but I don't feel like talking now." He answered.

Hayley ran her fingers through his dark hair and nodded. "Okay. Whenever you're ready." She unlocked the front door and he walked inside.

Hayley heard the phone ring and walked
into the house. She grabbed the receiver and held it against her ear. “Pearce residence.”

“You know I hate it when you answer the phone like that. It makes me think I have the wrong number.” Her father, Steve, said over the phone.

“Hey Dad.” Hayley laughed and put her bag and keys down on the kitchen counter.

“How are my
favorite two people in the world?” Steve asked.

“Joan wouldn’t be too happy if she heard that.” Hayley laughed.

“Oh, she’ll get over it.” Steve laughed.

“We’re good. Well, I’m good. Owain is being a real guy today.” Hayley said and sat down on the kitchen stool.

“He’ll be okay, he is your child after all.” Steve said. “Listen, Joan and I will be coming down for Owain’s birthday and I want to know what I can bring along? Is there anything he needs?”

“He’s in a kind of a Spiderman phase, so anything in that line.” Hayley sighed.

“You sound tired.” Steve said. “And upset.”

“Not really, Owain is just a bit upset, that’s all.” Hayley said. “But he’s fine and I’m fine.”

“What is he upset about?” Steve asked.

“He’s been asking me about his dad. I don’t really know what to say to him.” Hayley sighed,
and she subconsciously ran her finger across a feint silver scar running from the bottom of her jawline up to her ear that made her shiver. She realized suddenly what she was doing and abruptly dropped her hand onto the counter. “I can’t tell him the truth.”

“You’re right, it’s a very difficult and delicate situation.” Steve said. “Just be patient, he’s too young to understand.”

“Easy for you to say, Dad. You’re not the one that has to change the subject the whole time.” Hayley said. “I just don’t know…”

“He’s going to be okay.” Steve said. “And you’re going to be okay.”

“I know, Daddy. I’m just so scared. He’s my son, and he deserves to know the truth, but I don’t want him to know about that.” Hayley frowned and rubbed her temple with her free hand.

“Whatever you decide to do, you know I fully support you, my baby.” Steve said.

“I know. You always have.” She nodded.

Hayley’s smiled faded slightly as she recalled her father’s support through the years, even when she made the wrong choices.

She walked up the steps of her father’s house and stared down at her six months
pregnant belly. She wrapped her arms around herself and a tear ran down her cheek. Her heart was broken into a million little pieces and she had no words to describe how she was feeling. She looked down at her empty ring finger and let out a soft cry. She walked up to the front door and went into the house.

Her father turned to her and stood up slowly. He could see the hurt on her face and walked over to her.

“What happened?” He asked.

“I decided to keep him and Danny wasn’t too happy about it.” She whispered. “He asked me how I could even consider keeping it, and told me that I had changed. That I wasn’t the girl he fell in love with three years ago.”

“Oh, baby…” He frowned.

“He asked me to leave and I did.” She sniffed.

“Are you sure that this is what you want, Lee?” He asked.

“Daddy, please. I have made up my mind, and nothing you, or anyone else says, is going to change my mind.” She crossed her arms.

“You’re an adult, Lee. I respect your choices.” He pulled her close and held her as she cried. “I never wanted this for you, I am sorry that I couldn’t protect you.”

“Everything happens for a reason, right?”
She frowned and looked at him.

“So they say.” He nodded, tears in his eyes.

“Lee? Are you there?” He asked.

“Yes, I was just dormant for a second.” She shrugged.

“I figured as much.” He said.

“What did you say, Daddy?” She asked.

“So he’s into Spiderman now? What happened to the little blue men?” Steve asked and she chuckled. “What are they called?”

“The Smurfs.” She laughed.

“Yes, those peculiar things.” Steve also laughed.

“Well, apparently, according to Owain, they are for babies and he is not a baby anymore.” She said. “He’s growing up faster than I hoped he would.”

“Now you know how I felt.” Steve laughed.

“Daddy?” Hayley asked.

“Yes, Baby girl?” Steve answered.

“I love you.” She frowned and felt tears in her eyes. “I hope you know that.”

“I do know that, baby. I love you too.” Steve said, his voice a little hoarse. He cleared his throat and Hayley knew he was wiping his tears. She cocked her head and smiled slightly.

“I’ll let you get back to Owain. Have a good day.” Steve said.

“Thanks Dad, you too. Say hi to Joan from us.” Hayley said.

“Will do. Bye baby.” Steve answered.

“Bye.” Hayley frowned as she put the phone on the counter and sighed.

“Mom?” Owain said at the end of the passage and Hayley looked over at him. “I’m ready to talk now.”

The bald guy was on the phone again and looked over at Hayley’s house.

“She changed her last name to her mother’s maiden name, but it’s her alright.” He said. “I checked the social security number from her file, so I am sure.”

“Where are they now?” The voice asked.

“She left about an hour ago, Al and Smitty are tailing her.” He answered.

“Where is the kid?” The voice asked.

“The kid is still in the house, with the babysitter.” The bald one said. “What do you want me to do?”

“Nothing yet. We wait for Barry.” The voice said.

“Okay.” The bald one said.

The call disconnected and the bald guy walked over to the house. Through the window he could see the little dark-haired boy sitting on the carpet in front of the television, watching Spiderman.

“I don’t know if this was such a good idea, Grace.” Hayley looked at herself in the mirror and sighed.

She was standing in Grace’s house, two streets away from her house and frowning at herself in the mirror. She was dressed up in a pair of light blue denims, black ankle boots and a strapless plum cultured top, and her blonde hair curled in waves.

“You look hot, okay.” Grace was standing in front of the mirror, fixing her fringe. “Not many moms can pull off that top, honey. You’re lucky you kept your figure after having a baby.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Hayley turned around and frowned. “The last time I went out…” Her voice trailed and a shiver ran up her spine. She shrugged it off, rubbing her arm and looked at Grace.

Grace had a strapless black top on, with a pair of white capris and black heels.

“You’re not bailing on me!” Grace pointed at her.

“But Owain…” Hayley frowned.

“Owain is at your house, with Melody, and he’s going to be fine!” Grace whirled around and put her hands on her hips. “You need this.”

“I’m not twenty anymore, Grace.” Hayley frowned.

“God, you’re not dead either!” Grace rolled her eyes. “Are you ready?”

“Yeah, I guess so.” Hayley nodded and followed Grace into the kitchen.

Grace held up her car key in one hand and Hayley’s car keys in the other. “Yours or mine?”

“Mine, definitely!” Hayley grabbed her keys and Grace laughed. “I just need to stop for gas.”

“Okay.” Grace and Hayley left the house and got into her Cadillac.

“This is going to be fun.” Grace smiled at Hayley.

“I have not been out in ages.” Hayley admitted as she started the car and drove off to the nearest gas station.

“I know, that’s why I am glad you decided to come.” Grace said.

“I was kind of forced into it, so I didn’t actually decide anything.” Hayley tilted her head at Grace.

“Whatever. You were totally overdue for a girls’ night, I just made it happen sooner.” Grace grinned as Hayley pulled into the gas station.

“I’ll be back.” Grace climbed out the car before Hayley could say anything.

“This is going to be a long night.” She sighed and climbed out.

After she filled up the tank and paid at the cashier’s window, Grace came running back to the car, tightly clutching a bottle of tequila.

“What the hell is that for?” Hayley frowned.

“Refreshments.” Grace said and looked at Hayley’s stunned expression. “Come on, I know you want to.”

“Just one.” Hayley looked around her and nodded.

“Make it a big one.” Grace unscrewed the cap and handed the bottle to Hayley.

Hayley took a deep breath and took the bottle from her.

“It’s tequila, Hayley, not a pregnancy test.” Grace laughed.

“Of course.” Hayley shook her head and took a large gulp, while Grace softly cheered.

“Well done.” Grace took the bottle and also took a gulp. “Right, now we’re ready to party.”

“Right. Where to?” Hayley switched on the car.

“Flanagan’s is right around the corner.” Grace said and Hayley nodded.

“Okay then. “Hayley nodded and started reversing the car.

Suddenly there was a loud crash and Hayley let out a shriek. She looked in her mirror and saw that she had backed straight into another car.

"Shit." She muttered to herself and looked over at Grace, looking at her with wide eyes.

"I think you hit something." Grace whispered.

"Yes, thanks for pointing that out." Hayley rolled her eyes and switched off the car again. Hayley and Grace looked at each other and Hayley sighed. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, Mom." Grace rolled her eyes and undid her seatbelt.