by Renee Swann
“Are you having a baby?” said Ruby.
I nodded. “Yes, we are.”
“That’s so awesome!” She hugged me.
* * *
“Got enough books here, Mon?” Troy pushed through the front door with an armload of bags.
“Yep. Have to fill my new book case.” I grinned.
“Remind me next time I decorate an office for you, to not build a wall-sized one.” He heaved a sigh.
I paused. “No backsies, I’ve fallen in love with it.”
“Ah-ha.”
“Speaking of, where are we going to put the baby when he-slash-she comes?”
Troy dropped the bags then fell into the couch. “Hm. Good question.”
I dragged a bag over. “Don’t suppose you have another spare bedroom hidden away?”
“Nope.”
“Big closet?”
“Might go to Narnia.”
I elbowed him. “Be serious.”
“Thought I was.”
“We need a bigger house.”
His brow arched. “How many kids you plannin’ on havin’?”
“I didn’t plan on having this one!” I pointed at my belly.
“Okay, okay.” His hands flew up in surrender.
I hauled out a stack of books and glanced at their spines. “Why did you let me buy two copies of Wuthering Heights?”
“You were in a book buyin’ craze.” He shook his head. “Plus I was afraid of losing an arm. You had that glint in your eye.”
“Hmph. My husband’s afraid of me.” I thought about that for a beat. My lips pulled into a grin. “Cool.”
“Okay, I’d better pick Ruby up from school and drop her off at Lauren’s.” He touched his lips to my forehead and stood. “You’ll be okay here by yourself?”
“I will find a way to manage.”
Five minutes later, the landline rang. I danced into the kitchen and grabbed the cordless. “Hello?” Seconds passed. “Hello?”
Beep, beep, beep.
I shrugged and replaced the phone in its cradle. Must have been a wrong number.
A few minutes later, I heard the door slam.
“Mon?” Troy marched into my office.
“Yep?”
“Lauren’s upset, said she called and you yelled at her.”
I swivelled my chair to face him. “The only call was a hang-up.”
“Are you sure?”
“Why would I yell at her?” I said, “Are you sure Ruby’s safe there?”
“If she isn’t safe with her mother, then where is she safe?” His voice raised an octave.
I stood. “Here, Troy.”
“She won’t hurt her.”
“She’s unstable.”
He spun and stalked out.
“Where are you going?” I said.
“For a drive. I need some space.”
I followed him. “Troy, this is silly.”
He whirled around. “What’s silly is that my wife isn’t supporting me.”
“Come on, let’s talk about this.”
“I’m done talking. You can do whatever you want.” The door ripped open. He disappeared through it.
My hands cupped my stomach. “Don’t leave us.”
Mum offered me tea.
I swiped at my eyes. “My marriage is doomed.”
“Oh, Honey.” She handed me a tissue. “I’m sure it’s not.”
“My husband hates me. It’s over.”
She rubbed my shoulder. “Give him time.”
“I’m sorry about the things I said to you.”
“A thing of the past.”
“Can I stay here tonight?”
Her arms wound around me. “Of course. Let’s order ice cream and watch some mindless TV show, eh?”
Me and my stupid mouth, always getting me in trouble. “I don’t deserve the special treatment.”
“Only one bowl of ice cream then.” She winked.
I heaved a sigh. “Fine.”
She picked up the phone. “Hey Jimmy. Can you send up two bowls of ice cream and two bowls of malt balls?” She listened for a moment. “Ah-ha. Okay, thanks. See you soon.” She replaced the phone in its cradle.
“Jimmy again?”
She nodded. “He’s Ann’s nephew.”
“Ah, so he’s your connection to this place.”
“I told her I’d check up on him while I’m here.”
A sigh slipped from my throat.
“Sweetheart.” She moved next to me. “You and Troy are so in love. What happened?”
“We had a fight about Lauren. I don’t think it’s okay for Ruby to be alone with her, Troy thinks it is.”
“The first arguments are the worst,” said Mum.
“What do you think? Should Ruby be alone with her?”
She traipsed over to the mini bar. “You two have to work this out on your own.”
I rolled my eyes. She chose now to mind her own business? Perfect.
Someone rapped on the door.
“I’ll get it.” She jogged over and opened it.
Jimmy ambled in, carrying a tray.
“Just put in on the table here, thank you,” said Mum. She slipped him a five dollar note. “See you later.”
The door swung closed behind him. I reached for a bowl and spoon.
“Let’s see what movies are on.” Mum flicked through the channels. “Ah, Titanic!”
“There’s only so many times a person can watch a ship sink.”
“Okay. Twilight?”
“Not really in a vampire-y romance-y mood.” I mashed up the dessert. “How about something sci-fi? Horror?”
“Hm. We could watch Saw.”
“Okay.”
An hour into the movie, my phone buzzed. I peeled my hand from my eyes and peeked at the screen. It flashed Troy. I held it to my ear. “Hello?”
Mum muted the TV.
“Mon. I’m so sorry for what I said. You were right.”
A chill ran from the base of my skull to the tips of my toes.
“Ruby called a minute ago. She sounded so scared.” His tone was thick with emotion. “Terrified.”
“Where are you?”
“Home. Mon, I need you.”
“I’m on my way. Please, don’t leave without me.”
“Hurry.”
I disconnected. How could we be so stupid? I knew something would happen.
Mum slid a canister of pepper spray from her purse. “Let’s show that bitch she’s messed with the wrong women.”
“I think it’s best if you stayed here.”
Her eyes hardened. “I’m coming.”
I matched her stare.
“She’s my granddaughter.”
I blew a sigh. “Fine. But there will be no spraying unless it’s absolutely necessary, are we clear?”
“Clear as an empty wine glass.”
“Good. Whatever that means.”
5
SAFE
When we arrived, Troy was pacing on the porch. His head snapped up when he saw us pull in and he sprinted over. “What took you so long?”
“We stopped for doughnuts,” I said.
Mum cut her eyes to me. “This is no time for your cynicism, Monique.”
Troy slid into the back. “You know the address?”
“Yep.” I reversed out of the driveway.
Hope – a powerful emotion, one that is built on desire and trust. Trusting that certain events will turn out for the best - winning that football game or acing that test. It can have us cry out in joy, bring us to our knees. We all need a little hope. God knows, I do. But I can’t help wondering – have I already lost it all? Has Lauren’s ignorance killed that little girl?
My eyes darted to the rear vision mirror. Troy was staring out the side window, fingers tapping on his thigh.
“We’re here,” I said.
He jumped out and sprinted across the grass.
“Wait up.” I cut the engine and followed.
What happened ne
xt shattered my heart. I heard Ruby scream, followed by frantic sobs.
“Ow! Mummy stop!” said Ruby.
“Ruby?” Troy ripped open the door and slipped inside. There was a moment of terrifying silence. Then more screams. “Lauren, put down the belt!”
Oh, God. I spun to face Mum. “Stay here. Please.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but shut it and nodded.
My heart beat accelerated as I searched for them. I sprinted past the living room and kitchen then skidded to a stop. I wasn’t prepared for what I was seeing - Ruby limp in the corner, Lauren whipping the belt at Troy.
Move. You have to do something. Save your family. I took a step, then another. I slumped to my knees at Ruby’s side.
“You brought her here?” Lauren said through gritted teeth.
I brushed hair from Ruby’s forehead. “Sweetheart?”
Her eyes fluttered open. “Moni, it hurts.”
“Where?” My fingers wandered over her side. I heard a crack. My head spun.
Troy cupped his nose. Crimson trickled through his fingers. “Laur. Calm down, please.”
“You let that slut into my house.” She gestured to me. “And you expect me to be calm?” She snapped the belt at him.
He danced away. The buckle caught his ribs. He winced and clutched his side.
I retracted my hand from Ruby’s back, blood smeared over my fingers. “Oh, God. Troy.”
“Kinda busy here.” He dodged the belt again.
I turned Ruby over. Five welts sliced across her back. I blinked back tears. “Troy. We need to get Ruby to a hospital. NOW.”
He lunged at Lauren. He pinned her against the wall. “Go.”
“But-” I can’t lose him.
Lauren struggled against him, fury bleeding into her features. “She deserved it. Always yammering on about the ever-perfect Moni Cullen, her new best friend.”
He shoved her back. “Go, Mon.”
Sirens whistled through the air. I met his eyes.
“Take care of our girl,” he said.
I breathed deep and rolled Ruby into my arms. Whimpers escaped her lips. Tears spurted from her eyes.
“She’ll never be yours, you hear me?”
If I wasn’t so concerned about her daughter’s welfare, Lauren’s vindictive tone might have paralysed me.
I stumbled outside, trying not to see Ruby’s blood-stained clothes. Where was Mum? “It’s okay, Sweetie.” I slid her into the back seat. “I’ll keep you safe.” I heard footsteps behind me and I whirled. Something solid cracked against my skull. My head swam. I slumped into the grass. The scent of rust and salt hit my nose. Drops of crimson slithered across my cheek.
The baseball bat landed an inch from my head. “She’ll never be yours.”
I felt a boot connect to my ribs. I winced. Darkness threatened to overcome me. “Ruby …” Please, God. Save Ruby.
Someone screamed. I heard a hard smack, tailed by a deafening thump.
“Mon?”
The angel’s voice was muffled. I felt a weight on my shoulders and was lifted into a pair of arms. “Ruby.” My vision clouded over. “Rubes.”
The dark consumed me.
End of volume one.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Renée lives in Sydney, Australia, with a crazy pooch called Abbey and a boisterous, somersaulting, rescue budgie named Kaleb. Her writing obsession began when struck with an idea of a ninja cupcake baker who falls in love with her rival.
Besides writing, Renée is passionate about animal rights and cupcakes. In her spare time, she likes to read, paint, watch crime shows and write articles for Squidoo.
For more information on the series, visit www.reneeshearer.com/my-never
Follow Renée on twitter: @Renee_Shearer
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I’d like to thank the person who has changed my life significantly since we met - a little over four years ago. Troy, you mean more to me than you know. Hope I did your name justice. And thanks for your advice on all things automotive.
Second, my amazing mentor, Ann. Thanks for showing me the ropes and sharing your passion for writing.
I probably also should thank the people that helped get this book out to the world: my personal cheerleaders, Caiti and Mel. You two have gone beyond the call of duty, and for that, I am very, very grateful. Also, Kiera, I know you’ve always got my back. And I got yours, Bestie. No amount of cupcakes or chocolate can express how blessed I feel to have you three in my life.
A special thank-you to Mum, for igniting my literary obsession long ago. And as always, your advice and input is appreciated. Love you.
Thanks to the talented musicians who inspire me - in particular, Justin from Blue October. This book may not have existed if I hadn’t discovered your song My Never. There are emotions in this story that were born from Blue October songs.
And, last of all, my Goddaughter, Cleo. Your smiles and giggles always cheer me up. Thanks for being so damn gorgeous.
Volume Two of the
MY NEVER series
available March 2014.
THE WORRY LIST
Life just got a lot more complicated for
Moni and Troy. Ruby is safe. The baby is healthy.
But their houseguest is getting on Moni’s nerves.
And Troy’s patience is stretched to snapping point.
Can they figure out a way to get along?
Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
August, 2010
May, 2013
1My Never
2Home
3Memories
4Beginnings
5Safe
About the Author
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Volume Two of theMY NEVER
THE WORRY LIST