Brody's Return

Dear Reader,

Thank you for purchasing Brody’s Return.

As mentioned in the synopsis, Brody’s Return differs slightly from my previous books. If you are adverse to the occasional profanity, or you are not comfortable reading bedroom scenes, then this may not be the book for you. This aside, the language is used in context, and only where appropriate. It is part of what makes our two main protagonists attract, and bonds them together.

I you decide to continue, I hope you enjoy Brody’s Return, and that you find the characters as lovable as I did.

Thanks for reading.

Vicki.

Prologue

Meg

As I drove away from the house, I wiped the tears from my eyes for the hundredth time. My house. He wasn’t going to get the house, but I couldn't live there ever again. I knew for sure that every time I walked through the front door that I’d be assaulted by memories of what I just saw.

No. I couldn't live there anymore.

I pulled into a parking spot at the local mall and surveyed the damage in the mirror. I looked like shit. But that was to be expected. I was an ugly crier, or so my ever supportive mother always told me. I laughed when I thought about telling her that Kevin and I were over. Not that it was funny, or a laughing matter by any means. It’s just that she thought Kevin was the bee’s knees, and she constantly reminded me that I was, as she put it, lucky he chose me. I can still hear her words as she spoke to me in the little dressing room at the church. ‘I still can’t believe how lucky you are that he chose you, I mean, especially with all the curves you have, normally a man like Kevin wouldn’t look twice at a girl like you.’ I laughed at myself in the mirror as the tears began to fall again. Who knew that the old cow was right? He didn't want me. He wanted my money.

I wasn’t going to tell her in person. No way. She could find out the same way as everyone else that Kevin Arsehole Sinclair is the biggest suckiest douchbag on earth.

I wiped the last of the smeared make-up from my face, grabbed the box of thankyou cards from the passenger seat, and headed into the mall. First stop was the small printers that had printed our wedding invitations and thankyou cards. The woman that worked behind the counter and I had become firm friends over the past year, and I was sure she’d accommodate my last minute request. Half an hour later, I dropped the sealed envelopes into the mail slot and headed for my next stop, the real estate agents.

Who knew that I was a take-charge kind of girl, I certainly didn't. But then again, it was amazing to see what I had accomplished in such a few short hours. I smiled to myself as I walked back to my car, ticking the things off on my fingers as I walked.

Breaking bitch face Leah’s nose, well I was pretty sure it was broken. Check.

Smashing up arsehole Kevin’s big screen telly. Check.

Trashing every one of his golf clubs. Check.

Letting all of our wedding guests know that both Kevin and Leah are lying, cheating, arsehole sacks of shit. Check.

Putting the house on the market. Check.

Hire a removalist company, one with little scruples and big brutish tattooed men, to come throw all Kevin’s possessions out on the curb. Check.

I double checked that I had the keys to Gran’s old house at Redbill Cove, filled up with fuel, and travel snacks, which no doubt would only add to my curves, and headed off. Wollongong was the last place I wanted to be right now. No, right now I wanted to be as far away from Kevin and Leah as I could get. Who knows, maybe I might just never come back.

IT WAS ALMOST DARK by the time I pulled into the driveway at Gran’s place. As I looked up at the dilapidated house, I wondered if maybe I shouldn’t go check into a hotel for the night and come back here in the morning. I didn't even know if the power was still connected. It had been years since I’d been here, and I doubt my mother had visited in the time since Gran’s death.

The front stairs creaked beneath my feet, and they almost felt like they were going to give way. My mother said I had curves, but I didn't consider myself to be so big that I’d break the stairs. Far from it. Just because I wasn’t pencil thin like a super model, she considered me fat. Stop thinking about your mother. I shook my head as I put the key into the lock.

The house smelt musty and stale. I flicked the light switch a couple of times, but got nothing. ‘Damn it.’ Maybe I should come back in the morning.

Hi, I jumped and spun around at the sound of a man’s voice.

Fuck, my hand flew to my chest and the word was out of my mouth before I had time to think.

Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. The man had his hand outstretched and a smile on his face. Any other time I would have been coming in my pants if a man as good looking as this had offered his hand to me, but that just wasn’t happening right now, and I doubt if it ever would again.

It’s okay, and sorry about the potty mouth, I managed to get out eventually. Can I help you?

He shoved his hand back in his pocket and gave me another smile. Damn he was cute as hell. I’m Chris, I live up the road a bit, he held out his hand again, and this time I shook it. Was walking past and saw your car and the front door open, and don’t worry about the potty mouth, my wife’s the same. He laughed a little and motioned towards the power box on the side wall at the end of the porch. As far as I know the power is still connected, just need to turn it on at the fuse box, he started walking that way. You’re Meg right? he looked at me over his shoulder after he flicked all the switches. We met very briefly at your Gran’s funeral.

Yeah, I took another long look at the man in front of me. I remember now, your gran and mine were friends.

That they were, he walked back past me and into the house. My house. There you go, he flicked on the light switch and looked around the room. Shouldn’t be too bad in here. Pip and I open up the windows and let the place air out every now and again, and I mow the lawns when they need doing, he looked back at me. Are you just visiting or moving in for good?

Ah not sure yet, I wandered around the room. All of the furniture was covered in big sheets of cloth, protecting them from dust, which was good. It suddenly occurred to me that I should check out the bed situation before it got too late. The last thing I wanted was to be sleeping in a bed filled with dust bugs, or worse. It also occurred to me then that the only food I had was the junk food snacks that I bought for my car trip. What time does the supermarket close?

About half hour ago, he chuckled a little. It’s a small town, not much here stays open past five. Only the pub and the service station really. He went into the kitchen and pulled the fridge from its spot, reaching behind to turn on the power. When the fridge didn't hum to life, he looked at me with raised eyebrows. This fridge was old when your gran passed away, it’s been sitting here dormant for the past three years, it’s probably dead.

Given that I have no food, no bed, and no fridge, I think I might check into a motel and come back in the morning, I took one last look around my new home.

Closest motel is almost an hour away in Newcastle, or you can get a room at the pub, but you’re welcome to stay with my wife and I if you want. We have a spare room and Pip’s got dinner cooking already. He started towards the door and I followed.

Do you have beer? I flicked off the light and pulled the door closed. Or is there somewhere I can buy some beer on the way to your place?

Chris laughed at my question. Little did he know how much I wanted to get drunk right now. I have beer, and today being Saturday it’s Pip’s cocktail night. She makes a pitcher or two of her favourite cocktail and drinks the whole lot herself seeing as though she doesn't have to get up to open the café tomorrow.

I’m in love with your wife already, I took one last look at the house then turned to my car. Where’s your car?

I was out walking the dog, my car’s at home, and the dogs probably back home by now too, he looked towards my car. Shit. The front seat was littered with junk food wrappers and used tissues from wiping at my tears most of the way here.

After brushing all the rubbish to the floor, I motioned for him to get in. Sorry about the mess, today’s car ride required junk food and tissues, I tried to smile, but I don't think he bought it. But don’t worry, I'm not about to start blubbering on you.

Chris smiled at that. You and Pip are going to get along great, he pointed to a house that was literally just fifty meters down the road from Gran’s. This is us.

I followed him up a narrow path that led to the most gorgeous beachside cottage I’d ever seen. The place looked old and new at the same time, if that was possible. The weatherboard was freshly painted and while the colour scheme was new and modern, it felt old and timeless. As soon as Chris opened the door, I could smell it. Whatever Pip was cooking, it smelt divine. We were half way across the room when there was a loud bang, and the sound of a plate smashing on the floor, followed by a woman cursing. For fucks sake Scooby, get out from under my feet.

Chris stopped at the edge of the kitchen and looked at his wife as she bent to pick up the shattered plate. I’ll get it babe, you step back, you don't have any shoes on. He helped her to her feet and gave her a quick kiss. Oh, this is Meg, I found her at Mavis’s old place, she’s in town for a bit. The place isn’t fit for living in so I said she could stay here tonight. He wasn’t looking at either of us as he cleaned up the plate, but Pip didn't seem to mind.

Welcome, she stepped forward and gave me a hug. Sorry about the potty mouth, she gave me a little smile.

I think I said those same words to your husband less than thirty minutes ago, I laughed and waved her off. He scared the shit out of me when he came into the house, I think the f-bomb may have slipped out.

Why don't you two take the pitcher of daiquiri and sit out the back on the deck, I’ll bring dinner out there, he handed Pip the jug and me the glasses. Go, he waved his hands at us. I’ll be out in a bit with the food.

Thanks babe, Pip stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. I had to turn away at the sight of the happily married couple, and I wondered if Kevin and Leah were sharing a nice cosy dinner right now. Once we were settled at the table on the deck, Pip poured us a big tumbler full of mango daiquiri, passed one to me, and raised her glass. Let’s drink, Pip’s words brought me back to the present. And you can tell me why you look like you’ve just been kicked in the pussy.

I almost choked on my drink, but managed to stop the spluttering before it started. I’m not sure where to start, I put the drink down and took a plate from Chris as he started handing us dishes of food. Once Chris was seated, I looked at them both. If I was going to tell this story, I was only going to tell it once.

From the beginning babe, Pip washed back half her drink then started eating as she looked at me. I’d only just met these people, but already I felt like Pip and I were old friends, which was nice.

So I told them everything, from meeting Kevin, to my mother and her cruel tongue, to my wedding and the honeymoon, to walking in finding Kevin and Leah this morning, what I did after finding them naked on my couch and hearing their conversation about me, to driving here. I told them most of it and when I was done, Pip wiped away her tears, stood and pulled me into a fierce hug. The only part of the story I left out was the worst part. The most humiliating part. I wasn’t ready to tell that yet.

That fucking bastard, she was furious on my behalf, and the fact that we’d only just met, made the tears flow again. She was so sweet. And that slutty whore cow that was supposed to be your friend, who the fuck does that to their best friend?

Both Chris and Pip laughed when I told them I put the house on the market and hired some beefy guys to go round and empty the place out. That should have all happened by now, and as if on cue, my phone started ringing and Kevin’s face was on the screen. I held up my phone to show Chris and Pip who was calling, and then I swiped to answer. What the fuck makes you think it’s okay to call me?

Baby please, it was all a miss-understanding, we can work this out, he sounded so pathetic.

Oh, so you fucking my ex-best friend on the couch the day after we get back from our honeymoon is a misunderstanding? I shook my head at him, Pip gave me a thumbs up and whispered something about giving it to him. Go fuck yourself Kevin, or go fuck Leah, you seem to be good at that. Goodbye.

Wait, wait, he pleaded with me not to hang up.

We’re not getting back together Kevin, don't ask again, you sound so fucking pathetic.

The rings, can I have the rings back, I paid thousands for them, I need the cash seeing as though you threw me out of the house.

I sucked in a deep breath as I pulled the rings from my finger and handed them to Pip. I know how much they're worth, you made a point of telling me remember, but I don't have the rings anymore, I already used them to pay a debt, and another thing Kevin, don't ever fucking call me again. I ended the call and smiled at Pip. Those are worth thousands, consider it payment for looking after Gran’s house and mowing the lawn for the past few years.

Pip looked at the rings in her hand and started to shake her head so I held up my hand. I don't want them, either you take them and sell them or I’m going to walk down there and throw them into the water. I skulled back the rest of my drink and pushed my glass forward for a refill.

Well, the café does need a new cooker and grill, she looked at Chris, who shrugged his shoulders at her.

Done, I smiled at them both. Seriously, I don't want them and he sure as hell isn’t getting them back.

Pip hugged me again and when we started talking about men in general and sex, Chris stood and started clearing away the dishes. I’m out of here ladies, there’s some sports on the telly that are calling my name, he grinned at both of us. Give me a yell when you run out of daiquiri and I’ll bring you another jug. He kissed the top of Pip’s head and disappeared into the house.

I can help you at the house tomorrow, I don't open the café on Sundays or Monday’s, they’re my days off, Pip looked over at me as we settled into the two sun lounges that faced the ocean. It was dark now, well after eight o’clock, and while I couldn't see the waves crashing onto the shore, I could hear them. The moonlight on the water looked picturesque, just like the view from Gran’s place. Which was now my place. I hope you stay forever, she reached over and clinked her glass with mine. I’ve been here for almost three years now and I don't have a single friend in town. The women here are either old and retired, or they all grew up here and are so clicky. Even though I married a local, I'm still considered an outsider, probably always will be. Pip grinned at me again. Plus they all think I have a potty mouth and no filter.

I raised my glass and smiled at Pip. Fuck them, we clinked glasses. To new friends, we clinked again then skulled back the remaining daiquiri. Pip laughed at my toast, then poured us another.

We sat up for hours talking about the town, Pip’s café, Chris and his work. She told me that he was a local, and his parents still lived in town but his brother had signed up to the army and was now overseas somewhere. They didn't hear from him often, and she knew Chris worried about him.

We talked about my work, and what I was going to do now. Pip said that she came here after losing her parents, she used to come here with them for holidays, and she thought the town had a certain healing quality about it. It made me think back to this morning, when I was in my car driving away from the house all I could think about was coming to Redbill Cove and hiding away in Gran’s house. I always liked it here when I was a kid. Being the class geek, I tended to be the target of a few bullies, or the cool kids, as they liked to think of themselves. Leah was pretty much my only friend all through school, we’d been friends since the first grade, and her betrayal hurt more than Kevin’s did.

Chris walking into the house and bringing me here had been just what I needed. Meeting Pip had been just what I needed. The coming days, months, and possibly years were going to be hard, but I had a feeling that tonight I’d met my new best friend.

SUNDAY HAD FLOWN BY, with both Pip and I laughing our way through most of it as we dreamt up various scenarios in which both Kevin and Leah contracted multiple STD’s and died slow painful deaths while their genital areas festered away and became nothing but rotting flesh. By the time Sunday evening rolled around, Pip and I had the house dust free and smelling fresh as a daisy. We’d shopped online and ordered a bed for each bedroom, some new bed linen, and a new fridge, which would all be delivered tomorrow.

Dinner at the pub, my treat, I looked at Pip when Chris walked in. He’d been fixing the rickety stairs, replacing the old boards with new. And I need the receipts for what you spent today so I can pay you back.

We settled into a booth at the pub, and my new friends started telling me the story behind the old place. It had been a popular fixture in the town for the past hundred years, but the owner was struggling to keep things afloat. The building was run down and in bad need of repair, the kitchen needed a complete over-hall and the cellar had seen better days too. The owner had inherited the pub from his father, who had inherited it from his grandfather. He’d been trying to find an investor who would be willing to buy into the pub so that he’d have the money to fix the place up, but so far, he hadn't had any luck with that.

While we ate, I asked more questions about the town and the people who made up the community. Both Pip and Chris talked fondly of their town, and it made me think that I might just end up here for longer than I originally thought. My work was portable, the single men were few and far between, which suited me just fine, and I was nowhere near Kevin or Leah which meant the chance of running into either of them at the supermarket was slim to none. Yep, maybe Redbill Cove was the place I was meant to be. Time would tell I guess. Time would tell.

Chapter 1

Two Years Later

Meg

I looked at the lump forming on my head, and then headed for the kitchen. My head was throbbing like a son of a bitch, but I didn't have time to deal with pain now. I washed back three painkillers, grabbed my bag and headed for the door. There was no way I was going to be late. I promised Pip that I’d open up the café and work for the day, giving her the day off to go into the city and get supplies for Chris’s birthday party tomorrow night. The big three zero. The man was in denial of course. He said he didn't feel that old, but like I kept reminding him, once the baby was born, and he wasn’t getting any sleep, he’d probably feel a lot older than thirty.

As I drove the short distance into town, I dialled up Chris’s number. Hey Megless, what can I do for you? he sounded his usual happy self. I liked that about Chris, no matter what was going on in his world, it was always twenty-five degrees and sunny. And the name Megless, he’d nicknamed me that the first night we met, because according to him, I got legless on a few pitchers of mango daiquiri.

I need a bathroom reno done, how soon can you fit me in? I flicked on my blinker and headed down the main street. Damn shower screen fell off the tracks this morning and I broke its fall with my head.

Shit, are you okay? now he sounded concerned. I liked that about him too. He was a good friend who genuinely cared.

Yeah, I'm fine, have an attractive lump on my forehead, but that only adds to my supermodel look really, he laughed at that. You did an awesome job on the kitchen, and the bathroom really needs an over-hall now. Everything about the room screams nineteen sixties and it’s falling apart around me, plus, with the baby being close to due I know Pip would love to have you working closer to home.

There was silence on the other end of the line, and I wasn’t sure if he was still there. Chris?

Yeah, I'm here, how about I come round one evening through the week and you can tell me what you want done, then I can do up a quote, will that work for you?

Sure, I pulled into a parking spot at the front of the café. I’m home every night, just come round whenever it suits you.

JUST ABOUT EVERYONE who came through the café asked me what happened to my head. Everyone except the King brother’s that is. Those two were pests of the worst kind, and if I could go a day without seeing them, I considered it a good day. They’d been in this morning, caused a big scene then left without paying for the drinks they took from the fridge. I took some money from my wallet and put it in the till so Pip didn't have to cover the loss. I hated the way those two thugs strutted around this town like they owned the place. The local cop was a spineless wiener that wouldn’t stand up to them at all. They needed someone to put them in their place. I especially hated the way they tormented Mr Richards who lived in the same street as them. He was in his seventies and used a walking frame, but that didn't stop them from harassing him. The poor man lived in his home like it was a prison. It wasn’t right.

At ten minutes to five, I started stacking the chairs up on the tables so I could mop the floor. Pip told me to leave the cleaning and she’d do it before she opened up on Tuesday, but that wasn’t going to happen. She was six months pregnant with her first baby, the last thing she needed to be doing was mopping floors. I was about to start cleaning the coffee machine when the little bell dinged as the door opened. Be careful, the floor’s, I spun around to see who had come in, but stopped speaking when I saw the man who had taken one step into the café. Wet, the last word came out as a whisper, and I swear his lips turned up in a tiny smile when he looked at me. I literally came in my pants at the sight of him. I mean, holy effing shit, who looks like that? Wet was an understatement, my damn knickers were drenched, and I swear things started to tingle down below when I thought of what it would be like to have sex with this man. Jesus, I hadn't thought of sex with a real man for a little over two years. Not since the day after my honeymoon. That thought sobered me up pretty quickly.

Sorry, I got out eventually. We’re closed, for food that is, damn this man making me all muddled in the head. But I can make you a coffee if you like.

Coffee to go would be good, he came further into the café, letting the door close behind him. Cappuccino, double shot would hit the spot, he stepped over to the counter and smiled at me. I swear, in that