The Harper Series

Chapter 7

Book 1 Chapter 7

Waiting is the most challenging part

Nora

I felt good after that night. It excited me to have a date for once. The next day, I worked and came home. I checked for Matthew’s car and figured I would act casual, visiting him. His car wasn’t home.

I checked periodically and waited for Matthew to knock on my door. I played on my phone as the hours passed. Then I noticed headlights through my window. I peeked to see Matthew’s car pull into his driveway.

I strolled over to his house. Matthew got out of the car.

“Hey, Matthew.”

“Nora, if you need help, it’ll have to wait. I’m beat.”

I furrowed my brows. “Uh, I don’t need any help.”

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Matthew went into his house.

I sighed and furrowed my brows as I walked back to my house. I decided not to ask Matthew for any more help. That was not my intention. Maybe he thinks that’s all I want from him.

I got ready for bed, checked my phone, rolled over, and fell asleep. Tomorrow is a new day.

The next day, I prepared for work. I stopped to grab a coffee. I stood in line and waited. I got my coffee, then headed to work. I kept myself busy, trying to keep my mind off things.

After my shift, I stopped by the hardware store. Clarence greeted me as I looked for paint. I found some paint samples with ugly colors, settling on a baby blue. I made my way to Clarence to have paint mixed and saw Matthew talking to Markus.

Maybe if I hide, Matthew won’t see me. I ducked behind a shelf. I didn’t want to ask Matthew for help but paint my room.

*****

Matt

“Well, you surprised me,” Markus said.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because I didn’t think you would have the balls to ask Nora out, you chickenshit.”

Clarence chuckled.

“You’re an ass,” I told Markus.

“Yes, I know I have a delicious ass. Hayden tells me all the time.”

I shook my head. My cousin was something else.

“So, where are you planning on taking Nora?” Markus asked me.

“I figure something casual, like dinner and a movie. It’s less pressure,” I said, discussing my plans with Nora.

“Make sure you give Nora flowers. Every woman deserves flowers,” Clarence said.

“Why flowers?” I asked.

“Flowers are beautiful, delicate, and have an amazing scent. It reminds us women hold these qualities. I bring my wife flowers every week to remind her how precious she is to me. Most people wait for special occasions. Why not tell your wife how special she is daily?” Clarence asked.

“Our grandparents are like that, especially Grammy Pat and Grampa Nate,” I said.

“Smart man,” Clarence said. “When you get a woman, keep chasing her after you get her. Never stop chasing her, and you won’t have to worry about someone else taking her.”

“How long have you been married?” Markus asked Clarence.

“Over thirty years, and I’m always chasing my wife. I chase her around the house, the furniture, the store,” Clarence said, making us laugh.

“That’s a lot of chasing,” Markus said.

“It keeps me fit since my wife cooks a lot,” Clarence said, making me chuckle.

You learn a lot about people when you listen. Then something hit the floor.

*****

Nora

I was doing great at hiding from Matthew until I knocked over a container, making a noise. I put the can back on the shelf, hoping no one noticed me.

“Nora?” Matthew asked.

I closed my eyes and cursed to myself. I glanced at Matthew, Markus, and Clarence looking at me, kneeling on the floor.

“What are you doing?” Matthew asked me.

“I was checking out the beautiful items displayed on the shelves,” I said, gesturing to the paintbrushes and rollers.

“You think paintbrushes are beautiful?” Markus asked, arching an eyebrow.

I stood up. “Paintbrushes can be beautiful. Look at the bristles,” I said, earning looks from everyone. I grabbed a brush off a post. “This brush will work nicely.”

“That’s a staining brush,” Clarence told me.

“Oh.” I put it back and grabbed a different brush. “Then this brush is what I need.”

“That’s a cutting brush, so you don’t have to tape anything,” Clarence told me.

“Uh, okay,” I said, feeling like an i***t.

“Here,” Clarence said, pulling off a paintbrush. He handed it to me along with other paint supplies. “That should help you. What are you painting?”

“I’m painting my bedroom a baby blue color,” I said.

“Did you want some help?” Matthew asked me.

“No, I’m good.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, you did a lot for me. Plus, I don’t want to take you away from anything important. I appreciate the offer. I’ll take my paint supplies and be on my way.” I grabbed everything and walked to the counter. I didn’t want to ask Matthew for help and make him feel obligated.

Clarence rang me up. I paid as Matthew and Markus watched me. I grabbed the bag and paint can, leaving the store. I put everything in the car and went home. I don’t want Matthew to think I only talk to him when I need his help. He made himself loud and clear. Plus, I’m used to relying on myself.

*****

Matt

“Okay, what was that? Nora couldn’t wait to leave,” Markus said.

“I know,” I said.

Clarence and Markus exchanged glances.

“Nora stopped by last night. I told her if she needed help, it would have to wait. I had finished a trans job which took longer than usual,” I said.

“So, you assumed Nora came to ask you for help. That sounds reasonable,” Markus said.

“What? I got home from work and went straight to bed. I didn’t even eat dinner,” I said.

“Son, let me explain a few details to you. You’re an i***t,” Clarence said.

I gave Clarence a skeptical look. Markus nodded, agreeing with Clarence.

“First, you don’t assume. Second, don’t stand here. Third, well, there is no third. Go after the girl,” Clarence said.

“Okay, I’ll talk to Nora,” I said, leaving the hardware store.

“That boy needs to get it together,” Clarence told Markus, making Markus laugh.

*****

Nora

I got home, made a sandwich, then ate. After I finished, I changed my clothes and set up my paint supplies. I opened the lid to the paint can and stirred it, then poured some into the roller pan.

I got ready to dip the brush when I heard pounding coming from downstairs. I need to hang pictures on my walls so the noise doesn’t echo. I set the paintbrush down and went downstairs to hear more pounding. What in the world?

I followed the noise into the kitchen, finding Matthew standing at the side door. I walked over and stood at the screen.

“I yelled, but no one answered.”

“So, you pounded on my door like Tarzan?”

“I found it effective.” Matthew grinned.

“Did you need something? I’m getting ready to paint.”

“I thought I would help you.”

“I don’t want to interfere with your plans.”

“I changed my clothes, so I wouldn’t get paint on my good clothes.”

I glanced at Matthew’s old clothes. I gave him a hesitant look.

“Yesterday, I finished a transmission job that took longer than expected. I wanted to go home and sleep. When you stopped by, I let my tiredness get the best of me, making assumptions.”

“I thought I would say hi.”

“Yeah, I have a habit of misunderstanding things. I blame my Grampa Nate.”

I couldn’t help but smile and laugh. I opened the door, and Matthew came into the kitchen.

“I don’t want any miscommunication between us. People assume things without talking to someone. I don’t want that with you.”

“I didn’t want you to think I only talk to you when I need help. You lose trust in people when they give you a reason.”

Matthew stepped closer to me and pulled me close to him. “I’ll tell you what. I won’t give you a reason to lose trust in me.”

Matthew took my breath away as my heart raced. Most guys didn’t make me feel this way, but Matthew did.

“Now, how about we paint your bedroom?” Matthew released me, and I showed him to my bedroom. Matthew showed me how to cut with the paint. I worked on cutting while he rolled.

Everything was working out until Matthew rolled over my hand with the paint roller. He covered my hand in blue.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Matthew tried not to laugh.

“It’s okay.” I grabbed a rag, wiping off my hand. Then Matthew snickered. I glance at him. “Did you snicker?”

“Who? Me? No.”

I walked towards Matthew, holding my paintbrush with blue paint at him. “Yes, you did.”

Matthew backed up. “No, I didn’t.”

“You did.”

“It was an accident.”

I didn’t believe Matthew. “Oh, okay.” I turned my back to him and heard a snicker. I spun around and smacked him in the face with my brush, surprising both of us. My eyes widened.

“Did you smack me with a paintbrush?” Matthew stepped towards me.

“Who? Me? I don’t know what you mean.” I backed up.

“You hit me.” Matthew stepped towards me.

I stepped on paint items, tripped, and fell into the paint.

“Hahahahaha.”

I lost control of my temper and dipped my hands into the paint. I rushed towards Matthew, putting my hands on his face and smearing the paint.

“Nora!” Matthew smacked my hands. He glared at me with his face covered in paint. “What was that for?”

“You shouldn’t have laughed!”

“That was an accident!”

“Yeah, and so was that!” I pointed at his face.

“Oh, you’re going to get it.”

My eyes widened as Matthew chased me around the room. He tackled me as I landed face-first into the paint. I shoved him off, and the gloves came off. We got into a paint fight, getting paint all over us. I squealed as we fought.

“What the hell?” Someone asked.

We stopped to find two guys standing there. I recognized Nash Gray from Christmas.

“He/she started it!” Matthew and I said, pointing at each other.

One guy roared with laughter. “They look like a Smurf! That reminds me of when Noah had blue balls!”

Nash laughed. “Why do you resemble Smurfs?”

We stood up.

“We were painting. Why are you here?” Matthew asked.

“We stopped by to see you. Markus speculated that you might be here,” Nash said.

“Nora, this is my Grandpa Nash and Uncle Nixon,” Matthew said, introducing us.

“I met your grandpa at Christmas, but I left before meeting anyone else,” I said. “I would shake your hands, but I don’t think you want paint on you.”

“Yeah, no,” Nixon said.

“I’m going to get cleaned up,” Matthew said, leaving.

Nash and Nixon gave me a sideways glance. I stood there, feeling awkward.

“So, you’re the girl young Matthew fancies,” Nixon said.

“Who says, fancy?” I asked.

Nixon arched an eyebrow, and Nash placed his palm on his face.

“It’s time we school you in all things, Gray,” Nixon told me.

Why was I in for one hell of a ride?