The Harper Brothers: You Can't Hurry Love (Wattpad Version)

Surprise

Marty

After an hour and a half of driving, I stopped to fill the gas tank, take a leak, and grab some snacks since I didn't eat before leaving home. I grabbed a bag of Doritos, Reese Cups, Sweetarts, Pizza Combos, two bottles of Coke, and a slice of pizza. I piled my food and beverages onto the counter.

The gas station attendant stared at me with mouth agape. I tossed a pack of mint gum to the pile.

A plump middle-aged woman with gray-brownish hair rolled her eyes and moved the girl from the register, and rang up my order. "Excuse, Callie. She's not used to attractive men coming into the gas station."

"Um, okay?"

"That will be thirty-five dollars and fifty cents."

I dug my wallet from my back pocket and handed the woman two twenty-dollar bills. She gave me my change and bagged my items. I grabbed my bags and headed to the car. After getting situated, my phone rang.

I answered it. "Hello?"

Where are you? Dad asked.

"I stopped to fill Val's tank, took a leak, and grabbed snacks and pop. Why?"

Damn, son, you're slow.

I rolled my eyes. "I didn't eat before I left."

I told your father to feed you! He didn't listen to me! Ma yelled in the background.

I chuckled.

Will you stop? You're not helping.

Then it would be best if you had let Marty eat before tossing him out of the house.

I didn't toss him out. Get your facts straight, woman!

"Uh, I need to get off the phone, so I can drive," I told my dad.

That's fine. I need to deal with your mother.

The other end clicked. I shook my head, tossed my phone onto the car seat, and started the car. Within a few minutes, I merged onto the expressway and headed to campus.

*******
Bailey

After talking to Reese, I showered. I can't believe I gave up summer with Marty to study at a summer dance program with Adam Burris. My face contorted in disgust.

The water sprayed from the showerhead as I washed my hair and scrubbed my body. I had lost body fat and gained muscle throughout my body thanks to my diet and dance practice.

After washing the slimy residue from my skin, I toweled off and dressed in a tank top and a pair of jean shorts. I'm sure Adam requested a new partner, screwing me over. Dick.

I detangled my wet hair and pulled it into a ponytail before going downstairs to fix grilled chicken and brown rice. I miss eating bacon cheeseburgers. Sigh.

I padded downstairs in my bare feet and shuffled into the kitchen. I placed a skillet on the stovetop, clicked the burner, and tossed in a single chicken breast. While it cooked, I boiled water for the rice. Once the water started burning, I inserted a bag of brown rice. Thank God for ten-minute rice. I didn't have the patience to wait for my food to cook.

Thanks to Reese, I didn't get food poisoning or salmonella poisoning from undercooked food. That would suck ass.

Once the food finished cooking, I plated the food and grabbed bottled water from the fridge. A rustling came from the front door as my head popped up behind the fridge door. What the hell?

I closed the fridge door, tiptoed to the kitchen door, pushed it to a crack, and saw the door handle rustle. My eyes widened as I retreated to the kitchen to grab something to defend myself.

*******
Marty

I arrived at the house, stepped out of the car with my bags of goodies and duffle bag, and jogged to the front door. I dug into my short pocket for my key and fumbled with the lock while trying to juggle my bags. As I tried to unlock the door, the key kept sticking. Val will need to check the locks when he returns.

The key finally turned as I repositioned the bags and twisted the door handle. Once the door opened, something came flying at my head. I ducked and dropped my bags as something unbreakable crashed to the floor. I stood up as a broom flew at me again as I stumbled backward, tripped over a living room chair, fell over it, and landed on the floor with a thud.

I lay on my back with my legs over the chair's arm.

Bailey leaned over the chair and scrunched her nose. "Marty?"

I wrinkled my forehead. "Hey, Bailey."

"What are you doing here?"

"Getting attacked by a broom."

Bailey looked at the broom in her hands. "Oh, sorry." She lay the broom against the wall, walked back to me, and held out her hand.

I moved my legs from the chair and took her hand as she helped me to my feet.

Bailey's eyes roamed from my face down my body as her brows lifted and her jaw slack. "Whoa."

A smile curled upon my lips.

"You look different." Bailey pointed at me.

"So do you. You lost weight."

Bailey blew air past her lips. "It's my diet and dance practices." She shrugged.

I checked out Bailey's physique. "I can't say it didn't work."

Bailey stared at me with raised brows, then walked over to the front door. I followed her and grabbed my bags as she closed the front door. I set the plastic bags on the kitchen table.

"I was getting ready to eat. Did you want me to make you something?" Bailey asked me.

I arched my brow.

"I promise I've gotten better at cooking."

I chuckled. "Let me set my bag in my bedroom, and I'll check out what you made."

"Okay."

I carried my duffle bag to my bedroom as my lips curved upward. I loved how Bailey looked when I looked, but holy hell. I needed to keep myself in check until I could figure out what was happening with her.

*******
Bailey

I glanced at Marty as he climbed the steps. I can't believe how much he has changed these past few months. His six-foot frame had muscle definition and a tan. Wow.

A few minutes later, Marty came downstairs and followed me into the kitchen. He checked out my food. "Is that what you made?" He pointed at my grilled chicken and brown rice.

"Unfortunately." I sighed.

"Yeah, I don't think so. We need a bacon cheeseburger."

"But."

"No buts. I prefer my food with flavor."

I scrunched my nose.

"Come on. We need a juicy burger with the juices dripping down our chins."

"Fine." I groaned.

We left the kitchen and headed to the front door. I slipped my feet into a pair of sandals as we went to get real food. Thank God.