My Never: a novella (6 page)

“Hey,” said Troy.

“So I was the only person
that didn’t know about Ruby, huh? Didn’t think I would understand?” I heard him
exhale.

“Mon, it’s not what you
think. I was ashamed - a single father. Like I said, I wanted her to be ours.
And I couldn’t bring myself to tell you.”

I gnawed on my lip.

“I know you would’ve
understood,” he said, “Now, who’ve you been talking to?”

“Your super best friend
Jay.”

“Oh.”

I kicked a stray pebble.
“I guess the past couple years have been hard on both of us.”

“Yeah.”

“Sorry I snapped at you.
Can we start this phone call over?”

“Sure. Ring ring.”

“Troy, guess what? I ran
into Jay,” I said, “He’s taking my furniture for Shaun. I heard he moved out.”

He chuckled. “That’s
great. I was wondering what colour you’d like your new office.”

“You don’t have to do
this, you know? I could work at the kitchen counter.”

“Too bad. I’ve already
started.”

I could hear the smirk in
his voice.

“And Ruby picked out a
wallpaper border - cupcakes.”

My lips tugged into a
grin. I expected nothing less from her. “You two have been busy.”

“It’s the only
distraction from your absence.”

“Aw. I miss you guys
too.”

“Just a few more sleeps,”
he said, “What’re you doing tonight?”

“I have a date.”

“
Excuse
me?”

“With a bowl of popcorn,
glass of wine, some truffles and a
Sex and the City
marathon.”

“Phew.”

“I’ll talk to you later?”
I said.

“Yep.”

I disconnected.

*
* *

“They’re all good, but
not amazing,” said Diane.

“Why?” I said.

“None of them are you.”

We had been interviewing
replacements all day.

“Diane, you have to make
a decision. This is my last day.”

She blew a sigh. “You choose.”

“Me?”

“I trust your instincts.”

Picking my own replacement?
Sure, that will be easy …

I selected an
application. “How about this one - Skye Ellis?”

She peered over my
shoulder. “Never worked in the publishing industry.”

“Yeah, but she’s eager to
learn.”

Diane arched an eyebrow.

“Right, no time for
that.” I picked up another. “Cleo Jenkins? Three years at our rival
Eclipse
.”
I plopped onto my swivel chair. “Before that, she worked in PR.”

Diane snatched the paper.
“Hm.” Her eyes glided over the page. “Get her in here.”

I lunged at the phone,
scattering pens in the process.

“And order us some lunch
while you’re at it.”

“Sure thing.” I located
Cleo’s business card and punched in her number.

An hour later, she was
seated in front of us. Two minutes after, she had the job.

“When do I start?” said
Cleo.

“How’s Monday?” said
Diane.

“Monday’s perfect, thank
you.” She smiled.

Diane’s eyes tracked Cleo’s
exit.

“See, wasn’t that bad,” I
said, “She’s perfect for the job.”

“Time will tell.”

I sighed, a smile playing
on my lips. “You can’t replace me, Diane. I’m just too good.”

She broke into a fit of
laughter. I joined her.

“C’mon,” she said, “Let’s
get back to work. We’ve got heaps to do.”

“You’re right. Do you
need another caffeine hit?”

“No, but you go.” She sat
at her desk.

I shouldered my handbag.
“I’ll be back in five.”

“No problem.” Her fingers
tapped on the keyboard.

My phone rang as I waited
for my order.

“Are you busy?” said
Troy.

“I have a minute. What’s
up?”

“Got a call from Ruby. I
think Lauren’s losing it.”

My brow clustered. “What
happened?”

“Ruby says she told her
you were moving in and Lauren screamed at her - something about how I’ll never
see her again. It was hard to tell through the sobs.”

“Oh?”

“Then Rubes told her we
were getting married and she shoved her.”

I’ll kill her.

“I’m worried, Mon. What
if Lauren’s becoming unstable?”

I collected my latte.
“You could file for full custody.”

“And in the meantime?”

I pushed through the
glass doors and huddled under the eave. Lashings of water washed over the
pavement and road. “Pray she doesn’t?”

He sighed. “I’d better
let you go. Bye.”

I slipped the phone into
my bag, anger surging. If Lauren hurts Ruby or Troy, she’ll have me to deal
with. And I was more formidable.

At five, Diane wandered
over. “What’re you still doing here?”

“Same as you.” I neatened
a stack of papers.

“Yes, but I still work
here. You don’t.” She nodded towards my desk. “Go on. Pack up and get outta
here. Before I make a fool of myself with a goodbye.”

I hugged her. “Thanks,
Diane. For everything.”

“You’re welcome.”

I released her.

“Don’t be a stranger,”
she said.

“I won’t.” I extended my
hand. “Friends?”

She shook it, her lips
curling into a smile. “Friends.”

“I’m going to miss this
place.” I transferred my coffee mug and wallet to my handbag.

“Sure you are.” She
winked.

“Okay, but I am going to
miss our Friday afternoon cake and coffee at
Caesar’s
.”

Her smiled drooped. “Me,
too.”

I hugged her again. “I’ll
call when I’m settled in.”

“You do that. I wanna
hear how everything goes.”

I released her and
nodded. “I will. For sure.”

“So, what’re you doing
for your second-last night in your apartment?” said Troy.

“Packing. And a movie
marathon. I was just about to pop some corn.”

There was a tap on my
door.

“Hang on, someone’s
here,” I said, “Better not be Kate.” I peered through the security hole. Troy.
Was I hallucinating again? I stifled a scream and ripped open the door.

He smirked. “Not Kate.”

“Oh my God.” I
constricted my arms around his neck.

“Not God, either.” His
arms wound around my waist. “Missed me?”

“Not at all.” I planted
kisses on his lips, nose and cheeks.

He kicked the door shut
and brushed his lips across mine. “I sure have.”

“You’re early.”

“I know,” he said,
“Surprise.” His eyes roamed over my apartment. “Nice place.”

“Thanks.”

He handed me a bouquet of
orange gerberas. “I also have take-away and a bottle of wine.”

“You are the perfect
man.”

“I try my best.”

“Take a seat.” I reached
for the bottle. “I’ll crack this baby open.”

He wandered into the
living room. “Uh, where?”

I peered around the
corner. The room was bare, except for a camping mattress. “Oh, yeah. Couch is
gone.”

Troy nudged
the mattress against the wall. I handed him a mug.

“Jay took your wine
glasses, also?” He smirked.

I chuckled. “No. Packed
them already.”

He gestured towards the makeshift
couch. “After you.”

I crawled onto it and
rested against the wall, crossing my legs in front of me.

“How was your day?” he
said.

I chugged some wine.
“Finally chose a replacement. Diane didn’t seem too happy, though.”

His fingers combed
through my hair. “You’re irreplaceable.”

“How is my little angel?”
I said.

“Ruby’s at Mum’s. I
convinced Lauren that she was supposed to be there, but that I’d forgotten.”
His fingers traced my jaw. “I would’ve stayed, but I already had the plane tickets.”

My head swivelled in his
direction. His smirk widened.

“When did you buy these
tickets?” I lifted an eyebrow.

“Er, a day before you
left.”

“So this whole time, you
knew you would arrive early?”

“Yup.”

“And that I would accept
your proposal?”

“Ah-ha.” His lips touched
my temple.

I shoved him. “Cheeky.”

“I prefer Mr Romantic.”

“Okay, Mr Romantic. Got
any other surprises for me?”

“Maybe, maybe not.”

“Hm.” My eyes narrowed.

He handed me a take-away
container. The scent of beef and potatoes assaulted my nose. My stomach gurgled
in anticipation.

“Are you going to eat
your burger, or just stare at it?” he said.

I ripped open the lid and
wolfed it down.

“Geez, I shoulda got you
another.” He moved his out of my reach.

I squeezed sauce onto my
fries. “Mm. There’s only a can of spaghetti and half a head of lettuce left.
Thought I was going to starve.”

“Good thing I’m here.” He
took a bite of his burger.

“So, is this new book of
yours ready?”

“Almost.”

“When do I get to have a
read?”

“Maybe I should’ve
thought more about having my fiancée as my publisher,” he joked.

I punched his arm.

“Kidding!” he said, “A
week or two.”

“Great. That will give me
time to set up the business.”

“Am I your first client?”

“Hm. I hear J.K. Rowling
has a new book.”

He pinched me.

I flinched. “Ow!”

“Sorry.” He rubbed my
tricep.

“Be nice. Or I might
reject your manuscript.” I smirked.

He arched an eyebrow then
wiggled his fingers in front of me.

“No.” I set down my mug.

Fingers grabbed at my
waist, digging into my ribs. “What’d you say?”

Between bursts of
laughter, I said, “I’ll reject your manuscript.”

His fingers dug in
further. “What?”

“I-”

Someone rapped on my
door.

“Mon, you in there?” said
Kate.

I blew a sigh.
Fantastic
.
“You answer it.” I straightened my top and stood. “Make her go away.”

Troy yanked the door open.
“She doesn’t wanna see you.”

Kate flicked her eyes
between us. “Can I come in? Please.”

My teeth gnashed. “What
do you want?”

She pushed past him, eyes
wide. “Your mum said you were leaving.”

“Ah-ha.”

“And engaged.” Kate’s
melancholic eyes flicked between us again.

“Yeah.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“We haven’t been on the
best of terms, Kate,” I said.

She pouted. “But I’m your
friend. We’re like sisters.”

Some people have more
trouble letting go than others. “Not anymore.”

Troy moved to my side.

“W-why?” Her brow
creased. “Is it because of the silly thing with the house? That was nothing.”

I strained to keep my
hands from balling. “I’m going to say this once more,” I said through gritted
teeth, “You and I? We are through. You lied - not just about the house. I don’t
know if you have ever told the truth.”

She blinked back tears.
“I’m sorry you feel that way.” She sniffled. “Excuse me.” She fled my
apartment.

I turned to Troy. “Was I
too harsh?”

“Just a little.”

I blew a sigh. “Should I
go after her?”

“That’s up to you.”

I think I would prefer
the tickling.

*
* *

Lips trailed over my bare
shoulder. “Mon, breakfast time.”

I groaned and rolled
over, into his arms. “Five more minutes.”

“Nope.”

“Two?”

“No.”

“Thirty seconds?”

“Okay.”

Twenty seconds later, he
tapped my shoulder. “Mon, breakfast.”

“Mmkay.” I waited a beat.
“Am I moving?”

“There’s pastries waiting
in the kitchen.”