Page 13 of Ruby’s Outback Love

When they arrived, I visited them at their hotel, sat them down, opened up and told them everything. I was desperate for a solution. They gave me one, but not one I wanted or could easily accept.

Dad had lectured me about doing the right thing by Francine and our child. He told me in no uncertain terms, no son of his was going to shirk his responsibilities.

I’d argued that I was in love with Ruby and wanted a life with her. Told him I’d always been in love with her and didn’t want anyone else. Dad had smirked and said, “If you love her so damn much, what the fuck were you doing stuffing your dick into another woman?”

Yeah, I’d asked myself that very question about a million fucking times. It was one I didn’t have an answer for.

After I left the hotel, I returned to my apartment and crashed on the bed fully clothed. Tears slid down my cheeks. I ignored Ruby’s texts and attempts to call me. I didn’t sleep, sobbing into my pillow for the rest of the night. I had no choice, thanks to my stupidity, I knew what had to be done.

***

The following day, I called in and asked for a few days off work. My request was approved. Then, I called Francine and asked her to come to my apartment. Her face held hope when I opened the door, invited her in and asked her to join me on the couch.

I asked her to marry me, telling her I cared too much about her and the baby to walk away. She squealed, threw her arms around my neck, said yes and kissed me.

Our ‘engagement’ party had been organised for the following Saturday, before mum and dad returned to Bourke to pack up their house. They had decided to move to Brisbane to be closer to us.

I ignored Ruby’s texts and calls for three days, then, I’d received the text which told me she was well aware of what had happened. I wondered how she had found out but it was pretty obvious – gossip spread like a wildfire in Bourke and I guessed Ruby’s mother had told her about Francine and me.

Fuck. Why hadn’t I manned up and told her myself? Explained it had happened the month before we’d made love. I knew she’d be devastated and having her break down when I told her we were over, scared the fuck out of me. So, I’d avoided her all together.

I’d tried to call her a few times after she’d texted me, but as expected, my calls went to voicemail. Knowing what I had done to her broke my heart, but there was no way I could undo it. I was suffering and deserved to be. Ruby shouldn’t have been, she was the innocent caught up in my mess.

Francine’s parents drove up to the city, thrilled we’d finally seen sense and were back together. She hadn’t mentioned the baby, afraid of how they would react. Her parents were strict Christians and knowing their daughter wasn’t ‘pure’ before marriage would have devastated them. I didn’t know why it made a difference, sooner or later they’d do the math and figure it out. Her father shook my hand and her mother kissed my cheek and squeezed my arm.

So, now I was here, toasting my wife to be – me with champagne, her with water, due to her pregnancy.

CHAPTER SIX

Brisbane QLD

PHIL

“Sweetheart, you look like you’re at a funeral instead of our engagement. Come on, show our friends how happy we are.” Francine rubbed her fingertips along my arm.

I grumbled; I was a fucking long way from being happy. I took a large gulp of the champagne. Pushing my chair back from the table, I stood and excused myself. I didn’t hang around to be questioned. I strode to the door of the restaurant and pushed outside. I needed air. Fuck, I needed a new life.

The streets were lively and loud. Music floated from well patronised clubs along with shouting and squealing. Men and women, their arms around each other, strolled along the street. Being a Saturday night, the weather warm and balmy, many people were out and about. Drawing my phone from a pocket, I dialled Ruby’s number again. I knew it was fruitless, she wouldn’t answer. Sure enough, the call went to voicemail. Tears welled in my eyes; my voice cracked as I spoke.

“Ruby, sweetheart. Please, I need to talk to you.”

Disconnecting the call, I slumped against the brick wall of the restaurant. When my phone buzzed with an incoming call and I glanced down to find Ruby’s name lighting up the screen, my pulse rate sped up.

“Ruby, sweetheart….”

“Get fucked, Phil. Don’t call me again. I never want to see or speak to you – ever! Leave me the fuck alone, I’m nobody’s whore of convenience.”

The call disconnected. I slid down the wall to the ground, dropped my head to my knees and sobbed. I’d destroyed my chance at happiness and shattered the heart of the only woman I’d ever love.

***

Bourke NSW

Six Months Later

RUBY

Phil had finally gotten the message and stopped attempting to contact me. Six months had passed since I’d had my heart shattered by his treachery and deception and I was no closer to putting it in the past where it belonged.