Good Girl

Chapter 5- Memory Lane

Matthew leaves and I try to wrap my head around everything that happened today. I have so many questions that I have to have answered.
I walk over to look out the window and I can see him standing on his front porch on the phone. His car is still in my driveway. I make a mental note to remind him to move it.
I don't know much about suburbia, but I know women like to talk. Shaking my head I head into the kitchen. It is only 5, but I am starving. I open my fridge and take some things out, mentally kicking myself that I didn't ask Matthew what he liked to eat.
"Hopefully he likes stir fry." I say to myself as I start cutting the meat and vegetables. About 20 minutes later there's a knock on my door.
"It's open!" I yell from the kitchen.
"Oh my God it smells good in here." Matthew says as he walks into my kitchen.
"Thanks, I hope you like stir fry."
"Love it. Need any help with anything?" He asks walking up behind me.
"No, well if you don't mind can you grab some plates?"
"Sure."
"Thanks. They're in that cabinet right there." I tell him pointing to a cabinet.
"Gotcha." He says walking up beside me to reach into the cabinet. His arm brushes against mine and my arm starts tingling from the contact. He gets 2 plates down and carries them over to the table.
"Silverware?" He asks me.
"In that drawer right there." I tell him pointing.
"Okay, anything else I can do?"
"No, this is done I just have to pour it into the bowl." I tell him grabbing the bowl and the pan.
"I'll do that." He tells me taking the hot pan from me. "I'd rather me get burnt than you."
"Well thank you." I tell him smiling. "So I have beer, wine, coke, and water. Which would you prefer." I tell him grabbing myself a beer.
"Wait, you have beer?" He asks a surprised expression on his face.
"Yes, a few different kinds actually."
"Wow, I did not picture you as a beer drinker."
"Well Mr. Mackenzie there are a lot of things you don't know about me."
"That is true." He says walking over to my fridge. He picks up one of the beers and looks at it. "Boston Brewed Brewery, wow how did you get this? Where did you get this? Was it around here?"
"Why?"
"They don't sell it around here. I tried it one time right after college at a party. Loved it have not been able to find it since."
"Oh really? I didn't know they didn't sell it nowhere around here."
"I have looked everywhere, even online."
"Hmmm, I can try to make a few calls." I tell him.
"Make a few calls? Do you know who owns it?"
"Something like that. I can find out. I have some connections in Boston." I tell him shrugging.
We both sit down and start eating. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until I tasted the good.
"Oh wow, this is really good." Matthew tells me.
"Thank you," I tell him. "So, I have a few questions for you."
"Yes, I figured you would." He tells me looking down at his plate.
"Do you mind if I ask them?" I question him silently.
"No I don't, not as long as I get to return the favor."
"Okay, I believe that's fair. First question, how much did all of that stuff cost today?"
"I don't know, I didn't look at the total." He says shrugging.
"Matthew! I have to pay you back for that. I know all of that wasn't cheap."
"No you don't. Don't worry about it."
"I have to worry about it. That's a lot of money."
"It's really not a big deal." The conversation from yesterday between me and Izzy flashes through my mind.
"So just how much money do you have?" I question him.
"Enough." He tells me smiling.
"Care to elaborate at all?"
"Did you happen to notice the name of the store we went into today?"
"Not really. I know I saw a M." I say and then pause. "Wait, is that your store?"
"Yes and no. It's my Dads. I used to help him run it, until a few years ago. I needed a break. A change of scenery."
"So instead you opened a clothing store?"
"It's less of a headache." He tells me shrugging.
"Okay second question. What did Mark mean when he said that no one calls you Matthew?"
"He means just that. Everyone has always called me Mac. Even my mom."
"Can I ask why?"
"Because Matthew was my Dads name."
"Wait, was?"
"My biological Dad. My birth father. He died when I was little. I can barely remember him, the only thing I really do remember is the night he died. My mother was at work. She was a museum curator at the time and they were preparing for a big show. It was just me and my   Dad at home. Someone broke into our home. I was scared. I wanted to run away, but my Dad wasn't afraid of anything. He had his gun. I was crying, I wanted to leave. He was paying attention to me, when the man came into the room. He aimed at me and pulled the trigger. My dad shoved me out of the way taking the bullet. He shot the man dead between the eyes though. He talked me through calling 911, and my mom. He died on the operating table."
"Matthew I'm so sorry." I tell him, fighting back tears.
"I've never told anyone that story before."
"Then why did you tell me?"
"I really don't know. It just felt right telling you."
"I'll start calling you Mac if you want me to." I tell him quietly.
"That's the thing don't. The reason I wasn't going to tell you. I don't want you to stop."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know. Every time my mother or my dad, we'll step dad would call me Matthew I could tell it was painful. Especially to my mom. My Dad was her soulmate. They had been together since they were 15. When you say it though. I can't explain it, it's like it's bringing a small part of my dad back."
"I can understand that. My middle name was my Grandmother's name. After she died I wouldn't allow anyone to say it. She was my best friend. Now though I am proud of it. If I ever have a daughter that's what I will name her."
"You mean when you have a daughter."
"No. I don't know if I'll ever get married."
"Why?" He asks me a confused expression on his face.
"Because men are assholes. Besides it's not like I have men beating down my door." I tell him getting up to take my plate to the sink. I head to the fridge to get another beer. "Want another?" I ask Matthew holding it up.
"Sure, thanks." He says when I hand him the beer and sit back down at the table. "You do know you're utterly ridiculous though don't you."
"What are you talking about?"
"You've been here like what a month and I know at least 3 men who you have managed to enthrall."
"What?! What are you talking about? Don't be ridiculous."
"Oh you want proof hold on." He says standing and pulling out his phone. I stand up too to walk closer to him. I had to see this. "Hey man who is the new girl you hired? She's amazing. Can I get her phone number? Will you give her mine and tell her to call or text me?"
"Who is that from?"
"That was from Cale."
"You're kidding?! He actually texted you that?"
"Yeah because apparently you never called him."
"Did you give him my number?" I watch as Matthew looks down at the floor. "Matthew?"
"No I didn't. I told him that he couldn't have it."
"Are you serious?" I ask walking over to my island and looking through my drawers.
"Yes I am, what are you doing?"
"I'm looking for the card he gave me. Oh here it is." I say holding it up before Matthew snatches it out of my hand.
"I'll take that, thank you."
"What? Why?"
"No fraternizing with the shoppers. It's a rule."
"Yeah that you just made up." I tell him crossing my arms.
"So what if I did?" He tells me putting the card in his back pocket.
"Jerk."
"Yes I know."
"So who is the second person?"
"That would be Mark."
"Really?"
"Yes he text me after he left and asked if you really were single and if you really were already spoken for."
"Spoken for? What does that even me? Is that like calling dibs?"
"In a way yes. So someone called dibs on me? Like I don't have a choice in the matter. Men are Neanderthals."
"You could say that. So have you been up to look at your room yet?"
"Not yet."
"Well come on let's go. So you can tell me if you like it or if you want to move something around." He tells me reaching over and taking my hand and leading me up the stairs.
"Alright, alright I'm coming." I watch at Matthew opens his mouth. "Shut up Matthew."
"You're no fun." He pushes open my bedroom door when we reach it. I walk in and my mouth drops open.
"Oh my God!"
"Do you like it?" Matthew asks me quietly.
"I love it!" I tell him throwing my arms around Matthew. "Thank you." I tell him quietly.
"It's no problem at all." He tells me returning my hug. "So do you want to start tiling the bathroom tomorrow?"
"I don't even want to think about that, ugh." I tell him going to look inside the bathroom. Besides the paint it was essentially bare.
"You don't have to do it alone. I will help you."
"Are you sure you want to do all that work?"
"It's really not that big of a deal. It'll only take like a few days. Let me help you Chloe, please."
"Okay." I say quietly. I look around my bedroom excited to sleep in here for the first time tonight. My gaze falls onto my unmade bed and I groan. "Ugh, I forgot sheets!" I say rubbing my forehead.
"Do what?"
"Sheets for the bed. I don't have any."
"Hold that thought." Matthew says before he runs down the stairs. I hear him open the front door. A few minutes later he's running back up the stairs. "Will this work?" He asks handing me a bag.
"What do you mean?" I ask as I open the bag. "Matthew! When did you get these?" I ask as I pull out sheets.
"I told Mark to pick up a few things. I didn't know what color you wanted so I just went with white. You can always replace them."
"Matthew these are perfect!" I tell him. "Thank you!"
"It's no problem. Let me help you put them on." We work quietly for a little while putting on the sheets. Then I look around the room and walk out down the hallway. "Chloe where are you going?"
"To get something." I tell him. I walk down to one of my spare bedrooms. I walk in and go grab the box that has all my pictures and things in it. I lug it back into my bedroom and sit it on the floor.
I go through the box finding the pictures I want to put up. I grab the one of me and my mom and dad from my college graduation, one of me and my best friend and a few others.
"Oh wow, is this your parents?" He asks looking at the picture.
"Yes it is."
"So you went to Northeastern?"
"Yep."
"Hmm. Who's this?" I glance up at the picture he's pointing to.
"That's me and my best friend Ember."
"Looks like you're close."
"We are. She's supposed to come visit me soon."
"So who is this?" Matthew asks holding up a picture. I turn to look and I feel the blood drain from my face.
"That would be me and my ex. God I thought I burnt all of those." I tell him looking away.
"I'm sorry, do you want to talk about it?"
"Not really. That's old news anyway. I mean damn it's been almost three years."
"How long were y'all together?" Matthew asks me, putting the picture down.
"Oh God," I say having to think. "I think we got together maybe our senior year of High School? He was my prom date. We stayed together until sophomore year of college."
"Wow, that's a pretty long time. What happened?"
"Well, I walked in and caught him in bed with someone else."
"Seriously? Damn." He says looking shocked.
"Yeah."
"What a damn idiot." He says shaking his head and I look over at him.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Why would anyone cheat on you? I know she had to be a downgrade." I look away as I feel my face heat up.
"She was there for him is what he told me. I was too busy with school, work, family things."
"So what happened when you found them?" I feel myself start to smile as the memory resurfaces.
"I beat the shit out of both of them. I almost got kicked out of school, but since I was such a good student, and because of the circumstances they kicked it under the rug. Plus his parents didn't want their precious sons reputation tarnished."
"Wow."
"Yeah, so I then went and printed out the pictures I took of them together and plastered them everywhere. Reputation be damned."
"Oh God you're savage!" He tells me and I just shrug. "Remind me to stay on your good side."
"I've mellowed a little. Also helps I've pretty much tried to swear off relationships."
"Why?"
"Can't get hurt if you keep things casual."
"True, but you don't miss it?"
"Maybe a little, but I really haven't gave myself time to think about it. I was busy with school, then this house."
"So what did you go to school for?" I glance away as he asks that question.
"That's not important. So what time is the landscaper supposed to be here tomorrow?" I ask changing the subject. Matthew narrows his eyes at me slightly, before glancing down at his watch.
"He said 9. A truck is coming in the morning, so I'll go deal with that in the morning then stop by here after. Then we can start on the bathroom."
"Okay, that's fine. Some time tomorrow I do have to go get my car from work."
"Oh yeah I forgot about that." He tells me laughing.
"Oh and you probably need to get your car out of my driveway before the neighbors start talking."
"Oh God." He tells me rolling his eyes. "They have to have something to talk about. Well I better get going so you can get some rest."
"Okay," I tell him bending down to pick up the box I had brought in the room. "Let me go out this back in the room and I'll walk you downstairs."
"Here let me do that, it looks a little heavy." He says taking the box from me before I can protest.
"Okay, thank you." I tell him. I watch him walk down the hallway. A few minutes later he walks  back into the room. He smiles at me and I give him a wary look. "What's that smile for?"
"Nothing I can't smile?"
"Sure... You can." I tell him as we walk down the stairs to the front door. "Thank you for everything you did today Matthew."
"Really it was nothing." He tells me running his hand through his brown hair.
"Maybe to you it was nothing. To me it was a lot." I tell him, placing my hand on his arm. "So thank you." He gives me a look and I feel chills run down my spine. I glance down at the floor, fighting to keep a blush from my face.
"You're welcome, Chloe." I glance back up at him. I watch as he brings one of his hands up to move a stray piece of hair away from my face. He takes a step closer to me, I fight to keep my eyes locked onto his.
He brings his face down to mine, I watch as his eyes dart from mine down to my lips. My breath catches in my throat, my heart thunders in my chest.
His lips are right there. My eyes close, I lean up to close the distance. I can almost feel his lips on mine, when a shrill ring fills the air.
My eyes fly open in surprise and I look up to see his face barely an inch away the same surprised look on his face. He mutters a curse before reaching in his pocket for his phone. His eyes still locked onto mine.
"What?" He barks into phone. I can't make out the voice on the other side of the phone, but I watch as Matthews face scrunches in a look of irritation. "Mark why in the hell are you calling me? No I don't want to go out for drinks. Do you know what time it is? I have work in the morning. No Chloe doesn't work tomorrow. No that doesn't mean you can go to her house. No I don't think she would go get drinks with you. Why not? Because she's already had drinks with me." He looks down at me smiling. "And? I don't care. That's none of your business. I'm not telling you that. Goodbye Mark." He says before hanging up the phone. "I told you that you have admirers."
"Oh whatever." I tell him rolling my eyes.
"How do you do it?" I look at him confused.
"How do I do what?" Matthew leans into me and I feel his hot breath on my neck.
"Bewitch everyone so easily." He whispers his lips brushing against my ear. I feel myself shudder. "Goodnight Chloe" he says brushing a kiss onto my cheek.
"Goodnight Matthew." I tell him my voice shaky.   "I'll see you tomorrow." I say as he opens my front door.
"Oh no, I'll see you in my dreams." He says before giving me a wink and walking out my door. I shut the door and lean against it.
"This man is going to be the death of me." I say to myself as I put my hand to my racing heart. I try to shake the thoughts from my mind as I walk into my kitchen. I load the dishwasher before I turn the lights off and head upstairs into my bedroom.
I can't fight the smile that makes its way onto my face as I walk into the room. I can't believe Matthew did all this for me.
I change into a tank top and crawl into my bed. I hear my phone go off. I reach onto the nightstand and pick it up. My heart stops when I see the message on it.
             I hope you dream of me Chloe.
I feel my face heat up at his words. I start to not send him anything back, but I change my mind.
        Only if you dream of me too Matthew.
I hit send before I chicken out. This isn't like me. A moment later my phone goes off again.
          Every night since I met you.
I don't send him anything back. Too scared of where it would go. I sigh and fall back onto my pillow. Knowing I am not going to be able to fall asleep right now I grab my phone and call Ember.
"Chloe! Oh my God!" She screams when she answers and I find myself laughing.
"Hey Ember."
"Oh no what is it?" She asks and I shake my head. How does she always know?
"How do you know something is wrong?"
"Well I've only known you for like 23 years." I roll my eyes as I begin to tell her what has been going on for the past month. "It sounds like he is totally into you."
"But he has a girlfriend, who is gorgeous."
"Umm, so are you Chloe."
"You're also biased Ember."
"Okay hold on." She tells me before I hear her yelling for her boyfriend. "Hey Babe, so if you had to pick between a Megan Fox want to be or Chloe who would you pick?"
"Chloe, hands down." I hear Jack say.
"Well there you go Chloe an unbiased opinion."
"Jack is a little biased."
"Maybe a little, but he'd still pick you even after you stampeded on his heart."
"I did not," I tell her laughing. "Besides if I didn't you wouldn't be together right now."
"True."
"So what do I do Em?"
"I can't tell you that, but if I were you and I had the chance I would take it. You don't have to always be good Chloe. Live a little."
"You're right, but he is also my boss."
"So? You act like you couldn't find another job literally anywhere."
"I like my job though."
"You don't even have to work!"
"I like working though."
"Yeah, but if it doesn't work out and you quit or got fired would it be the end of the world? Honestly?"
"No it wouldn't."
"Alright then take a few chances."
"I love you Ember."
"I love you too Chloe. Now get some sleep."
I laugh and say goodnight to Ember. She's right. It won't hurt to test the waters just a little, right? I smile as I fall asleep a certain man with mocha eyes haunting my dreams.