Free My Never: a novella by Renee Swann Page A

Rubes?”
    She
nodded, swiped at her tears, and stood.
    Lauren’s
eyes were ice cold. “You’ll regret this.”
    I
slid Ruby behind me. “Bring it on. We can handle whatever you throw at us.”
    She
spun and stomped back into the house. A moment later, the door slammed.
    I
felt a hand rest on my shoulder. I exhaled.
    “Let’s
take five everyone,” said Pat, “Then re-group, ka- peesh ?”
    “You
okay?” said Troy.
    I
nodded. “But she’s not.” Lauren’s behaviour could only worsen. “She needs help,
Troy.”
    “I
know. But she’s gotta want it first.”
    Julie
reached for Ruby’s hand. “Come on, Sweetheart. Let’s get you a cookie.” She led
her into the house.
    Troy
touched his lips to my cheek. “You still wanna get married today?”
    “Nothing
can stop me from marrying you – not Lauren nor rain nor the plague.”
    “Good
to hear.”
    I
shrugged a shoulder. “I just want cake.”
    He
chuckled and towed me towards the kitchen. “Will a cupcake do for now?”
    I
grinned. “Yeah.”
    He
flicked open the lid on the bakery box and handed me one.
    “Butterflies?”
I said.
    “Figured
you wouldn’t want real ones released.”
    Ruby
hopped into the room. Her eyes bulged. “Cupcakes!”
    “She
bounces back quick,” I said.
    “Takes
after her step-mum.” He winked.
    * * *
    Memories of the previous
evening flashed through my brain. I sat up, dispersing Troy’s arm in the
process.
    His
eyes fluttered open. “Mon?”
    Had
I dreamt it? “Did we really, you know, dum-dum-da-dum?”
    “Get
married? Not legally until Monday, when we file the licence.” His eyes searched
my features. “Are you freaked?”
    I
shook my head and lowered into his waiting arms.
    “Good,
Mrs DeGaris.”
    A
surge of heat swept through my body. “Say that again.”
    His
lips brushed against my forehead. “Mrs DeGaris.”
    I
giggled and kissed him.
    “Ruby’s
with your Mum, right?” His arms curled around me.
    “Yep.”
    “Just
checking.” He kissed down my neck, his fingers gliding across my stomach.
    “We
have the whole day to ourselves. What will we do?” I smirked.
    “I
know a couple things.”
    “We
could eat some of our wedding cake.”
    “Not
exactly what I was thinking ...”
    “What were you thinking?” I heard the front door open. “Were we expecting
someone?”
    “Nope.”
    A
moment later, the bedroom door crashed against the wall. Lauren stormed in. “I
want my daughter. Now.”
    I
fumbled for the sheet. Troy jerked it up.
    “We
aren’t sending her home with a paranoid lunatic,” I said.
    She
yanked the covers away.
    I
matched her glare. “What’s your damage?” I scrambled to cover my bits.
    “Where
is she?”
    “You
want some cake, Lauren?” I shrugged into my robe. “I think that’s your problem
– not enough sugar in your diet.”
    “Tell
me where my daughter is.”
    “She’s
with my mother-in-law,” said Troy, “Also, I’m filing for custody on Monday.”
    “You
can’t do this,” she said.
    He
tugged on a pair of shorts. “I have five witnesses of you assaulting our
daughter.”
    “Ruby
doesn’t feel safe with you anymore,” I said.
    “No.
This can’t be happening.” Her fingers weaved into her blonde roots. “You can’t
do this to me. This can’t be happening.”
    Troy
and I exchanged furtive glances.
    “Have
a seat, Laur,” he said.
    “I’ll
get you a glass of water.” I slipped out of the room. Is it too early for
whiskey?
    A
moment later, Troy jogged into the kitchen. “She kissed me, I’m sorry.”
    “What?”
That bitch dare kiss my husband?
    “She’s
unbalanced.”
    My
eyes clenched shut. One-thousand-and-one, one-thousand-and-two. “Thanks for
telling me.” They flashed open. “Is she always this paranoid?”
    “No.”
He dropped his eyes. “But when she and I were engaged, any tiny thing would set
her off.”
    “She
needs help.”
    “Mon.”
    I
threw my hands in the air. “What else do you want me to say?” I cut a wedge of
cake.