Chapter 3: Texas
They got off the plane and went to grab their stuff from on the conveyor belt
Matthew
2 suitcases Hayley?
Ash
It's got something in it for all of us
Matthew
What?
Ash
We can't talk about it here maybe in the car?
Matthew
What are you talking about, it's not a car
There were honks outside and Ash saw a limo pull up
Driver
You coming boss?
Ash
We're going in that?
Matthew
Ma insisted
They all jumped in the limo
Hayley
I just remembered something
Hayley started laughing
Matthew looks at Hayley the Ash
What is she laughing at?
Ash
Um well here's my contacts list
Ash showed him, her phone and he started laughing
Matthew
You call you mum, Ma?
Ash
Yeah I don't know why I just do
Hayley
Are you sure you're not American?
Ash hit her
Matthew
You don't like being called American?
Ash
No I don't I used to be mocked for it in high school
Matthew
Wow that's harsh
Hayley
Yeah she was almost ready to rip peoples heads off
Matthew
Ok so what's in your special suitcase?
Ash
Hayley
Hayley opened the suitcase and inside it was a large collection of confectionery
Matthew
Wow that is alot
Ash
We have been collecting it all
Matthew
And when were you going to eat all this?
Ash
When ever we could
Matthew
Like now?
Ash
Yeah, help your self
Mathew
Ahhh I shouldn't
Ash
We gum drops 😐😲
Matthew
Ok maybe a couple, so why won't you say it around other people?
Ash
Because it has our important cases burried under it and we only bring that out in the court of law but as we soon realised lollies weren't the best cover up we never told anyone
Matthew
So should we be eating it?
Hayley
We refill it every month
Matthew
Ok
Driver
Boss we're almost there
Matthew
Well how long?
Driver
15min boss
Hayley
Look who's asking all the questions
Matthew
Very funny
15 minutes later
Matthew
Well ladies first
Ash
Such a gentleman aren't you?
Matthew
Well if I wasn't ma would clip my ears so yeah
Hayley
Don't ruin the good moment
Matthew
Well this is where I grew up, in this little small town Uvalde
Ash
Wow it's small
Matthew
Just how I like it and this is the house I grew up in
A lady walked out of the house so excited
Matthew
And here's the wonderful lady who put up with me for so long, ladies this is Mary kathlene McCabe, ma this is Ash and Hayley
Mary
Lovely to meet you
Hayley
Nice to meet you
Ash
Very nice to meet you
Mary
So which one is dating my son?
Matthew
Ma
Hayley
Her
Ash
Hayley no
Matthew
It's alright I have to apologize for my Ma's behaviour it's not every day I being anyone home
Mary
He doesn't even bring himself home, anyway lunch is on the table there's enough for all of us
Matthew
How you didn't even know that these two were coming?
Mary
Your driver texted me at the airport, 3 to come home
Matthew
Sneaky
They all went inside and had lunch but Ash was wondering were the father was but she knew better than to ask
Ash
This is really good lunch
Matthew
Yeah ma I think it's your best roast yet
Hayley
Yeah it's great
Mary
Ahh y'all just flattering
Ash
No it's really good Mrs McCabe
Mary
Please, just Mary
Matthew
Well I was thinking that once we're done we could go around town, showing them all the good places
Mary
Show them all of the places even the butcher
Matthew
I know ma I will
They finished lunch
Mary
You 3 have fun
Matthew
Will do ma
Mary
Forgetting something?
Matthew gave her a kiss on the cheek
Mary
Have fun and be safe
Matthew
Thanks ma
They all hopped in the car and went around town
Matthew
This is where I played footy with the boys which reminds me 3...2...1...now
2 Cars drove up and 5 boys hopped out of one the 6 from the other
Matthew
Hey fellas, this is Ash and Hayley, these are my boys here, the tall blonde one is rooster, the short Mexican is Frances, the really tall one is Matty, the medium sized speedy is Conner and this one right here is Jeff
Hayley
Jeff?
Matthew
Yeah Jeff is a good name
Ash
And who are they?
Matthew
The neighbulls, oldest rivalry we have and they always played against us, neighbulls actually stand for the neighbourhood bullies
Ash
Wow scary name, not (started laughing)
Matthew laughing too
Ash
So what's your name?
Matthew backed up to the group
We are the night crawlers!
Matt
Ok neighbulls, are we going to get this match started?
Matthew
Hang on what? I can't play?
Matt
Lost your touch or embarrassed?
Matthew
Both
Ash
Oh come on, for us we don't see many Texas footy matches
Matthew
Ok one game then we hit the pub
So they played a game and the night crawlers one of course but Ash realised she was staring at Mathew alot and he noticed it too and gave her a sexy smile while getting his bottle of water
Ash
That was amazing
Matthew
The game or me?
Ash
Both
Matthew
You were looking at me the whole time
Ash
I was looking at the game you had the ball most of the time, cause your awesome
Rooster came behind Matthew with his bottle of water
Rooster
Ditto that, have you been practicing Mathy?
Ash
Mathy?
Matthew
Hehe we have to Mathews in the nightcrawlers so I'm Mathy cause I was good at school work especially maths and that's Matty over there cause well he already had the nick name
Rooster
I think we deserve a drink at the club hey?
Matthew
Sounds good, ladies?
Hayley
Yeah I could go for a scotch whisky
Ash
Scotch?
Hayley
Yeah
Ash
Oh right Cameron introduced you to that
Matthew
What do you like Ash?
Ash
I guess your gonna find out
So the got to the pub and sat around a table and Ash pulled out some playing cards
Matthew
Guess you got some in hand
Ash
You know what let's get drinks
Matthew
What will the lady have?
Ash
Guess
Matthew
Hmm not beer, um something sweet but not week, Tennessee whiskey
Ash
Jackpot
Matthew
Ok waiter,
Waiter
Yes what can I get you guys?
Matthew
Um 5 extra drys, 2 Tennessee whiskeys, 1 scotch whisky and a small basket of garlic bread
Waiter
Ok that'll be $54
Matthew
Here you go
Ash went up to the guy that sorts out the poker chips
Ash
Um can i get 20,000 dollars worth of chips
Guy
Sure (looks over at her table) your not going to win against the great Matthew McConaughey
Ash
Why not?
Guy
Miss, look at the scoreboard
Ash
Ok so he is ranked one in this joint
Guy
Not just here, all around Texas
Ash
Ok maybe tonight I'll change that
Guy
Good luck no one beats the Unbeaten without serious practice
Ash
Thanks for the tip
Ash went down to the table
Matthew
20,000?
Ash
5,000 for you, Hayley, me and rooster, Frances, Matty and Conner are paying for themselves and not Jeff
Mathew
Why not Jeff?
Ash
He told me he doesn't do poker
Matthew
Poker? Are you sure you want to do this?
Ash
What is the king afraid?
Matthew
Afraid of losing? No, afraid of taking a sad lady home? Yes
Ash
Tonight you are going to be put off your throne
Matthew
Ok ladies dealer first
Ash
Ok
20minutes later
Ash
So it's just down to me Mathy and Daniel
Hayley
Can't believe I got out first
Ash
You'll get there some day
Matthew
Hayley?
Hayley
Yeah what?
Matthew
Not interested in you but you don't have a boyfriend do you?
Hayle
How can you tell?
Matthew
He would've came with you and also you would've mentioned him by now or at least texted him
Hayley
You know everything about person just by looking at them
Ash
Outrageously attractive
Matthew
Herd that
Ash
Heard, understood, acknowledged
Matthew
Nice
Rooster
Two of kind
Matthew
Three of a kind
Ash
Full house
Matthew
That is not right
Ash
Look
Rooster
Loosing your touch here Mathy
Matthew
Shut up rooster you just got out
Ash
Which means it's between me and you so rooster deal us in please
Rooster
Let's make it interesting, both if go all in and who ever wins buys dinner
Matthew
I'm down with that
Ash
Ok let's do this
Rooster
So all in?
Ash and Matthew
All in
Rooster layed down the cards
A256KK
Matthew
Two of a kind
Ash
Is there a such thing as really good luck? Cause I have 2 king's
Matthew jumped up in a funny angry way it was laughable, which is what ash, and the rest of the "gang was doing"
Matthew
You cheated, tell me you cheated
Ash (still laughing)
Dose this look like a dress that I can hide cards in?
Mathew
Fair point, so dinner?
Ash
Let me cash this in and I'll order dinner, I'm gonna need your help Mathy, and put your timer on
Matthew
How?
Ash
Your watch Mathy
Matthew
Really?
Ash
Come on
Hayley
Do you want me come with you?
Ash (winked)
No
Matthew
My brother can look after you
Ash and Matthew walked away
Ash
Brother?
Matthew
Rooster, he's my older brother
Ash
Oh that's right your the youngest
Guy
So Mathew how did it go?
Matthew
Your going to have to change the board
Guy
Who beat you?
Matthew
This gorgeouse lady right here
Ash
And you thought I couldn't do it, 20,000 grand please
Mathew and Ash went to the bar
Matthew
So why is it that you need my help?
Ash
Well what is the best meal to get?
Matthew
Well us fellas usually get 2 of the monthly pizza
Ash
Ok, (turns to the bar person) can we have 3 of the monthly pizzas please?
Bar tender
Yes they will be ready in 20 minutes, wait here please
Matthew
You could've ordered them yourself and brought Hayley why?
Ash
Look over at the table
Matthew
Yeah there talking
Ash
Keep looking in 5..4..3..2..1
Hayley and rooster kissed
Ash
How long has it been?
Matthew
10minutes, 15 minutes
Ash
Hell yeah $10 to me
Matthew
Ok I'm confused
Ash
Your not the only one who knows these kind of things
Matthew
Should I stop this clock?
Ash
No give it a few minutes
Matthew
So what do you like?
Ash
It depends on topic
Mathew
Well let's start with colour
Ash
Yellow
Matthew
Hair style
Ash
Pixie cut
Matthew
Pixie cut?
Ash
Yeah I look good with it
Matthew
So your a lawyer who loves yellow and has had a pixie cut and looks good? Wow that's unexpected (laughing)
Ash
Shut up oh here's our pizza
They took the pizza back to the table and they all shared it
Ash
I have to go to the bathroom
Ash got up and went to the bathroom when she came out Matthew was at the bar
Ash
What you doing?
Matthew
Buying you and me a drink
Ash
Just you and me?
Matthew
Yeah those two love birds are buying themselves drinks everyone else has gone home
Ash
Oh ok we'll I guess I'll sit right next to you and have this drink
Matthew and Ash talked for a bit
Ash and Matthew laughing
Matthew
You actually tripped over this totally random girl in drama?
Ash
Yeah it was so dramatic
Matthew and Ash laughed harder
Ash
I don't remember the last time when I laughed so hard
Matthew
Me either
They both calmed down
Ash
You are better than I thought you would be
Matthew
Really?
Ash
Yeah, 3..2.
Matthew
Just kiss me already
So they kissed and everyone in the club cheered and Matthew and Ash started looking around
Matthew
Seriously?
Ash
So you wanna go somewhere private?
Matthew
Yeah, rooster come on
Ash
Hayley let's go
So they went back to Mathews house
Matthew
Ma, you home?
Ash
She's probably out
Matthew
Yeah maybe, ma I brought rooster home?
Mary
Rooster?
Rooster
Ma it's me
Mary
No it can't the fire?
Rooster
Ma, it barely touched me, I'm fine
Ash and Matthew
WHAT?
Rooster
Earlier today a bush fire started near work and all the gas caused an explosion and us workers were still in the building only 3 of us made it look ma I'm home I've just been at hospital getting checked then I got a text from Mathy here and we'll stayed with home for the rest of the night where I met Hayley
Mary
Well I'm glad we have everyone home now I'm going to bed, don't make too much noise you 4
Matthew
Night ma
Rooster
We won't make too much noise ma
Mary went to bed
Ash
I'm going to lay down
Matthew
Do you want me to go with you?
Ash
I'll be fine besides I think you two need to catch up
Matthew
You can sleep in my room it should have a queen size bed
Ash
Ok thankyou Hayley leave them come on you look tired anyway
Rooster
Yeah go in Hayley I'll be there in a moment considering it is my room you two were going to sleep in
Hayley
Ok you'll be up in a minute won't you?
Rooster
Yes dearest go
Ash and Hayley went and laid down and Mathew and rooster sat down in the dining room
Matthew
Why didn't you call me?
Rooster
And Rob you if meeting the girl of your dreams no anyway I'm fine
Matthew
But what if you weren't? What if you were Cinders and Ash like the other unfortunate people?
Rooster
But I'm not
Matthew
Ma would've been destroyed, you should've came straight home and told ma then called me
Rooster
I'm the older brother
Matthew
Doesn't mean you treat your self like you can handle death situations like an everyday thing
Rooster
I don't, I just accept that it could be the end, why can't you?
Matthew
Don't talk to me about accepting death when you couldn't accept dad's
Rooster
Don't
Matthew (yelling)
A fire took our father rooster
They sat there for 5minutes in silence
Rooster
Do you think about him?
Matthew
Not a day that goes bye i not think of him
Rooster
Remember when we went camping?
Matthew
He melted the tarp
Ash
My daddy did that once
Matthew jumped
Rooster
You understand don't you?
Matthew
How did you?
Ash
Yes I do rooster
Matthew
I don't understand
Rooster
You two need to talk I'm going to see Hayley
Ash
Let's go for a walk
They started walking
Ash
I knew when I stepped in your house like something or someone was missing I Knew better than to ask
Matthew
A fire roared one hot summer day and my daddy was a Texas fire fighter best if the best but this blaze was at least 50 feet high, to high his mates ran to get back up while he stayed but the fire got home and by the time they got the fire controlled and burnt down to Ash and coals my father was a burnt, barely any flesh statue
Ash
My dad was killed by an accedent as well
Matthew
Really?
Ash
I was 13, it was a regular day and we were taking fae to work and then going to Canberra but the fan belt slipped off so we decided to get help from neighbours no one home we lived in the middle of nowhere so it was a long walk then dad said that he'll go get the ford while we wait at a tree, so we did but didn't come and we walked home and we saw blood, daddy got cut by something and he and my brother went to fix car and my brother came back by himself and my step mum went with my brother and they couldn't find him, they came back for me worried then told me to stay behind, about an hour later, brother came back and said dad's gone, I screamed what? And he said dad's dead and started crying I screamed even more than went to neighbours house
Matthew
Wow that is really hard
Ash
That's how I know what your going through and why you can trust me when I say I am here for you
Matthew
I know I thank you for that, aren't you cold?
Ash
Not when I'm with you
Matthew put his jacket around her and she rested against him and fell asleep, Mathew carried her back inside and put her on his bed and put the blanket over her and took off his shirt and laid next to her.
A month went by and Ash, Hayley, Mathew and rooster grew together as friends and as family and on there last morning in Texas
Ash
Thankyou Mary for letting us stay now we have to steal your boys and get back on the plane and head to our next stop
Hayley
Yes thankyou very much and to express our gratitude here is a bad of licorice chocolate chicos
Mary
My favourite thankyou
Matthew
See you ma
Rooster
Yeah see you
They arrived at the airport and went on the plane and left Texas