Never Say Never (9 page)

Hayley tilted her head and studied Lucas' amused expression. It seemed familiar somehow, but she did not know why. She looked at Owain, then at Lucas, and frowned.

"What?" Lucas raised his eyebrows at her.

"He's right, you know." Hayley said. "You do look similar."

"Like I said, not something I would forget." Lucas whispered to her.

"Lucas..." Hayley whispered and rested her chin on her palm.

“Why are you guys whispering?” Owain asked and they looked at him. “Are you having
a grown-up conversation?”

“No, baby, Lucas was just telling me…” Hayley smiled at him.

"How good looking people always look alike. Don’t you agree, Owain?" Lucas looked at Owain.

“Absolutely.” Owain had his mouth full of mashed potatoes and he nodded. “Mom?”

“Yes, baby.” Hayley looked at him, grabbed a napkin and wiped the side of his mouth.

“Can I go play now?” He asked.

“Of course.” Hayley nodded and placed the napkin in his plate.

“Have fun.” Lucas grinned at him and rested his elbows on the table.

“I always do.” Owain nodded and ran to the play area at the back of the restaurant. Hayley smiled at Lucas and let out a little laugh.

“You have a great kid.” Lucas looked back at Hayley.

“Thank you.” Hayley nodded.

“I’m really glad you let me take you two out to dinner.” Lucas said. “I haven’t had this much fun in ages.”

“You’re welcome.” She gave him a cocky smile. “Sounds like you don’t get out much either.”

“I don’t actually. Work is demanding at the moment.” Lucas nodded.

“Are there that many accidents?” Hayley asked.

“Unfortunately yes. People are reckless and stupid. They don’t think about the repercussions of their actions.” He said.

“You’re right, they don’t. They do whatever they want, and never take any responsibility for their actions.” Hayley nodded.

“Exactly.” Lucas nodded.

“So when you do get time off, do you always come here to Fat Harry’s?” She asked.

“Only sometimes. Nick and I go to Knology…” He frowned.

“You play baseball?” Hayley smiled.

“Not very well. We just go hit a few balls. Male bonding type of thing.” Lucas laughed.

“I used to love baseball.” Hayley smiled.

“You used to?” Lucas frowned. “What happened?”

“Owain happened. There wasn’t time to go to baseball games.” Hayley admitted with a sigh. “And when I went back to work, there was never any time. We haven’t been on vacation, because every time we plan a trip, something just comes up.”

“It must be hard doing this all by yourself.” Lucas leaned a little closer to her.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love him to death, he’s everything to me, but sometimes it is really hard. It would be much easier if I had some help, but usually Owain has that ability to make them run for the hills. Melody and Grace are about the only two other people that he trusts…” Hayley blurted out and Lucas raised his eyebrows at her. She shrugged apologetically and shook her head. “Sorry, I was just…”

“Being honest.” Lucas smiled at her.

“I don’t want to burden you with my problems.” She shook her head.

“Don’t worry, Hayley.” Lucas said softly and covered her hands with his. “If you need anything, I’m here. Even if it’s just to talk.”

Hayley looked at his hands over hers, then looked at him. “Thank you.”

Lucas smiled slightly and abruptly let go of her hands. “Hey little man.”

Hayley sucked in a deep breath and looked over her shoulder at Owain.

“Am I interrupting another grown-up moment?” Owain asked.

“No, of course not.” She shook her head.

“Okay.” Owain shrugged and sat back down again. “Where’s your family, Lucas?”

“My parents are in Jacksonville, that’s where I grew up.” Lucas looked at Owain.

“Do you have any brothers or sisters?” Owain asked and Hayley looked at Lucas.

“I did have a brother, but he died a few years ago.” Lucas said and looked at Hayley.

“I’m so sorry.” Hayley said and he gave her a nod.

“So it’s just you?” Owain asked.

“Yes, it’s just me.” Lucas smiled at him.

“I know how that feels.” Owain rolled his eyes.

“It’s not just you, little man, you have your mom.” Lucas frowned at Owain.

“I suppose, but it’s not the same.” Owain sighed. Hayley and Lucas exchanged glances and suddenly Owain’s head snapped upward.

“Owain…” Hayley breathed when she noticed the sly smile on her son’s face.

“I have an idea.” Owain smiled.

“Owain, don’t even think about it.” Hayley warned.

“What?” Lucas asked.

“It’s nothing.” Hayley shook her head and looked at Lucas.

Lucas raised his finger and pressed it against his mouth, and looked at Owain. “Tell me, little man.”

“I know how I can’t be all by myself.” Owain announced proudly.

“And how is that?” Lucas asked.

“Owain…”  Hayley sighed.

“You can help Mom to have a baby.” Owain said. “Therefore, helping me.”

Lucas opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. He looked over at Hayley, who was shaking her head in disapproval, her cheeks flushed. Lucas looked back at Owain and he let out a very amused laugh.

“You are one of the smartest kids I have ever met.” Lucas laughed.

“Don’t try to change the subject.” Owain narrowed his eyes. “Will you help me, or not?”

“Don’t I get any say in this?” Hayley frowned.

“Not really, Mom.” Owain shook his head.

“I’ll think about it, buddy.” Lucas smiled and looked at Hayley.

“You’ll think about it.” Owain repeated.

“Is that okay?” Lucas looked at Owain.

“I guess so. At least you didn’t say no.” Owain shrugged.

“I’m so sorry.” Hayley whispered and looked at Lucas.

Lucas shook his head and chuckled softly. “Your kid is awesome!”

“Am I really one of the smartest kids you’ve ever met?” Owain asked after a slight pause.

“Yes, absolutely.” Lucas nodded at him.

“It’s probably because Mom is a teacher.” Owain said.

“Then she must be a really good teacher.” Lucas looked at Hayley.

“She is. She teaches me a lot of things.” Owain nodded. “She taught me not to talk with my mouth open, and to eat all my vegetables, and to always put the toilet seat down when I am done.”

“That’s impressive.” Lucas smiled at him. “Most guys can’t even get two of those right.”

Hayley let out a soft laugh and Lucas looked at her.

“Mom, I need to go to the bathroom.” Owain said.

“Do you want me to take him?” Lucas offered.

“No, I can do it myself. I’m five, not three.” Owain rolled his eyes and stood up.

“Hurry back.” Hayley grinned and they watched Owain walk towards the restrooms.

“He likes you.” Hayley looked at Lucas.

“What’s not to like?” Lucas grinned and Hayley burst out laughing.

“Wow, you aren’t modest at all.” She laughed and Lucas grinned proudly.

“But seriously, how can you tell?” Lucas asked.

“Because if he didn’t like you, he wouldn’t be talking to you.” Hayley said. “That’s the way he is.”

“That’s good to know. I like him too.” Lucas smiled at her.

“He’ll be happy to hear that.” Hayley smiled.

“But you’re right, you know. About us looking alike.” Lucas frowned. “It’s weird. When he came up to me in the store, it was as if I knew him.”

“Why do you say that?” Hayley asked.

“He reminds me of my brother actually.” Lucas frowned. “And I have no idea why.”

“That doesn’t make sense at all.” Hayley chuckled.

“How old were you when you had him?” Lucas asked.

“Twenty one.” Hayley answered after a slight pause.

“That would make you twenty six now, right.” He asked.

“Correct.” Hayley nodded.

“I wouldn’t have thought you were a mother of a five year old.” Lucas said. “You look really good.”

“Thank you. Good genes probably.” Hayley smiled slightly and noticed Owain approaching the table. “Did you manage?”

“Yes, Mom. I’m not a baby.” Owain rolled his eyes and sat down.

As they were driving home, Hayley glanced
back at Owain, sleeping on the back seat. She smiled at herself, sat back in the seat and glanced over at Lucas and noticed a small smile on his lips.

“What?” He asked, his voice soft and low.

“I had a really good time.” She whispered.

“So did I.” He nodded.

“I want to apologize for Owain, about the baby thing. It was completely inappropriate…” Hayley frowned.

“Don’t worry about it. He’s a smart kid, he knows what he wants and how to get it.” Lucas smiled at her.

“That’s what worries me.” Hayley sighed.

“Why?” Lucas asked.

“I don’t want him to use that to his advantage, in the wrong way.” Hayley said.

“As long as he has you, he won’t. You’re doing an amazing job with him.” Lucas said.

“Thank you.” Hayley smiled at him. “And thank you for tonight. Not any guy would give up a night to put up with all of this.”

“It was my pleasure.” Lucas smiled.

He drove up the driveway of her house and switched off the car. He looked over at her and gave her a slight smile. “We should do this again sometime.”

“Yes, we should.” Hayley nodded.

“How about Wednesday?” Lucas asked.

“Wednesday is good.” She whispered.

Lucas and Hayley glanced at each other for another few seconds. Hayley frowned slightly when she heard Owain move around on the backseat and both she and Lucas looked over at him.

“Are we home yet?” He asked, sleepily.

“Yes, baby. We are.” Hayley nodded.

“Then why are we still in the car?” Owain asked, rubbing his eyes.

“I was just asking your mom if you two are free on Wednesday.” Lucas said to him.

“What’s happening on Wednesday?” Owain asked.

“Do you like baseball, Owain?” Lucas asked.

“Baseball?” Hayley asked.

“There’s a game on Wednesday afternoon, if you want to go.” Lucas looked at her.

“Sounds like fun.” Hayley nodded. “Who’s playing?” 

“The Blue Jays, against the Sand Gnats.” Lucas said with a smile.

“Okay, I’ll go.” Owain nodded.

“Fantastic!” Lucas turned back to Hayley. “Do you want me to pick you up at school?”

“No, we’ll meet you there. If that’s okay.” Hayley said.

“Yeah, absolutely!” Lucas nodded with a smile.

Hayley opened her door and climbed out. Lucas climbed out of the car as well and ran over to Owain’s door. He opened it for her and she helped Owain out.

“Mom, can I have the keys?” He asked.

“Sure baby.” She handed him the house keys.

“Bye Luke. I had fun!” Owain ran up to him and gave him a hug.

“You’re welcome, buddy. I’ll see you on Wednesday, okay.” Lucas messed up his hair and watched as Owain ran up the steps and unlocked the front door.

“He definitely likes you.” Hayley turned back to Lucas.

“I like him too, he’s a great kid. You’re doing a great job with him.” Lucas smiled at her.

“Thank you.” She nodded and looked at him.

“I’ll see you guys on Wednesday.” Lucas said after a slight pause.

“Yes, absolutely.” Hayley nodded. “Thanks again for a great dinner.”

“You’re welcome.” Lucas smiled at her.

Hayley walked down the path leading to the house and stopped in front of the steps. She looked at him over her shoulder and smiled. “Bye Lucas.”

“Bye Hayley.” Lucas gave her a nod and climbed back into his car.

Hayley watched as he backed out of the driveway and drove down the road. She entered the house and closed the door behind her.

“Owain?” Hayley called out to him as she put her handbag down on the counter.

“Yes, Mom?” He called out from his room.

“Can you come here for a second?” She asked.

Owain came out of his room and looked at her.

“Did you have fun?” She walked over to him.

“Fat Harry’s is always fun.” He shrugged.

“Did you have fun with Lucas?” She rephrased her question.

“Not as much fun as you had with him, Mom.” Owain said. “You like him.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Owain.” Hayley crossed her arms. “I don’t even know him that well.”

“You do, I can see it.” He said. “And he likes you too.”