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The R.L. Mathewson Chronicles: Part 1, A Neighbor from Hell Christmas

The R.L. Mathewson Chronicles:

Part 1

A Neighbor From Hell Christmas

 

            “I never thought they’d fall asleep,” Haley mumbled into her pillow, too tired to turn her head so that Jason could hear her.

            “Tell me about it,” Jason said as he fell onto the bed beside her, sounding as exhausted as she felt.

            “Are they still here?” she whispered, afraid to raise her voice any higher out of fear that-

            “What the hell are you doing in there?” Trevor, a man that she normally loved, said, making her whimper as she hugged her pillow tightly. Her only hope was that he would just go away and take the rest of the Bradford clan with him.

            “Go away!” Jason snapped, sounding ready to kill his cousin, something that she would have normally tried to stop, but not tonight.

            Tonight she was exhausted, beyond exhausted actually. For the past three days she’d been cooking non-stop while taking care of her babies, cleaning the house, finishing last minute shopping, wrapping presents, and calling up all the other Bradford wives to coordinate the massive meal as well as the food donation that they were making to the soup kitchen on Christmas Eve. Thankfully everything had worked out perfectly.

            The kids had woken them up at five this morning and had been going every since. After they cleaned up the mess the kids made opening their presents, they had to start cooking breakfast and prepping lunch. Then they cooked lunch for thirty Bradfords, managed to grab a quick bite to eat before they had to clean up the mess, take all the kids outside to play with their new sleds and then came back to set up dessert, which was promptly followed by dinner for twenty Bradfords.

            After dinner of course came a second course of desserts, playing with the kids again, catching up on everything going on in the family, getting all the kids cleaned up, reading them a story and spending a good hour trying to get the kids to calm down long enough to fall asleep and ignore the fact that they had about ten of their cousins sleeping in their room with them and an insane amount of toys that were practically begging for their attention. Once the kids had begun to pass out one by one, they’d quietly tiptoed to their room, shut the door and dropped onto their bed, praying that the rest of their family wouldn’t notice their absence. Now they just wanted to pass out and stay that way until sometime tomorrow afternoon, preferably late afternoon.

            “What the hell are you doing?” Trevor demanded again, oblivious to the fact that he was seconds away from facing her fists of fury.

            “Having sex! Now fuck off so that we can finish!” Jason snapped.

            “Liar,” Trevor said, sounding close, really close for some reason.

            Praying that she was wrong, Haley started to turn over only to find herself being pushed to the side as Trevor climbed onto the bed between them. At that point she would have loved to have been able to beat him into submission, but she barely had enough energy to whimper and mutter pathetically as she automatically shifted closer to Trevor to make room for an embarrassed Zoe.

            “I’m really sorry about this,” Zoe said, looking just as exhausted as they were, which would explain why she was climbing onto the bed next to her instead of dragging her husband out of their room by his ear.

            “Don’t worry about it,” Haley mumbled, used to the pain in the ass Bradford behavior by now. Gathering every last ounce of energy that she could find, she forced herself to sit up and crawl over the intruding bastard, making damn sure that her knees slammed into his ribs. Before she was even halfway over the bastard, Jason was reaching over and grabbing her. Within seconds, she was comfortably curled up by Jason’s side.

            “What about the rest of them?” Haley asked, struggling to keep her eyes open.

            “They’re downstairs talking about Danny,” Trevor said around a loud yawn as he settled back more comfortably against the pillow even as he pulled Zoe into his arms.

            “I feel so bad for him,” Zoe mumbled softly.

            “Me too,” Haley agreed softly, wishing that there was something that she could do for him.

            He was a really good guy, a decent guy and he hadn’t deserved the life that he’d been given. She’d agree that he’d screwed up big time, but he’d been a kid. Instead of helping him handle his mistake, his father, Jason and Trevor’s Uncle Ethan, had let his anger and disappointment in his son cloud his judgment. He’d stood by, determined to let his son face the consequences of his actions like a man, thinking that his son would figure out that he’d screwed up and try again, but he’d underestimated his son. Everyone had, otherwise they would have beaten some sense into him before he’d run away and joined the Marines.

            From everything that she’d heard about Danny at the time, he’d been cocky and too damn arrogant even for a Bradford. The ten years that he’d spent in the Marines had straightened him out, knocked some sense into him and made him into an admirable man. It had also come damn close to costing him his life.

            A few months after Trevor and Zoe got married, Danny had been shipped home and placed in a VA Hospital where he’d been expected to die within a week. His father had brought down the wrath of God on the hospital and forced them to release Danny into his care. Within hours of arriving back in the States, Danny had been transferred to the hospital that his father worked in and placed in Intensive Care.

            His father watched over him day and night, making sure that his son got the best care, the surgeries that he needed without wait and did whatever it took to make sure that his son not only survived, but walked again. Then he’d made the second biggest mistake of his life and stepped back once Danny had regained consciousness. No matter what anyone did or said, Uncle Ethan hadn’t approached his son since.

            He’d made damn sure that Danny had everything that he needed while he recovered, food, money, medicine, rehabilitation services so that Danny could learn to walk again, but he hadn’t been able to give him what Danny really needed, his father. She could still remember the look on Danny’s face when he’d realized that his father wasn’t coming. It had been the saddest thing that she’d ever seen. It had been too much for her to handle and she’d been forced to leave his room and go find a ladies room before she did something foolish that would make it worse.

            “Uncle Ethan is a fucking idiot,” Jason bit out, sounding just as pissed as he had that night when Uncle Ethan had walked away from his own son.

            “No, he’s not,” Haley reminded him, pressing a kiss to his neck. “He’s terrified.”

            “Of what?” Trevor demanded.

            “Of saying or doing something to make Danny run away again,” Zoe answered and just like that, all of their anger evaporated.

            Haley didn’t agree with the way that Uncle Ethan was handling this, but she could certainly understand it. She’d be terrified of losing her child again if she was in his shoes. It wasn’t an easy situation for anyone, but especially not Danny.

            “He needs to stop hiding,” Trevor said with a tired sigh that she felt more than heard.

            “Dad wants to make him a foreman, but Danny’s fighting it. He doesn’t want to do anything more than show up, do his job and go home to that empty apartment every night,” Jason added as he pulled her closer.

            “We’ve been getting him to come to dinner twice a week,” Trevor said.

            “It’s something,” she agreed, but-

            “It isn’t much,” Zoe said, finishing her thought for her.

            “It’s fucking pathetic,” Jason said and as much as she wanted to argue with him, she couldn’t. It was-

            “What the hell are you doing?” Jared, her father-in-law suddenly demanded.

            As one, they all raised their heads so that they could see the intimidating man glaring down at them from where he stood at the foot of their bed. She opened her mouth to answer him, but of course, Jason couldn’t pass up a chance to aggravate his father.

            “Having an orgy.”

            With a shake of his head and a sound of disgust, Jared headed for the door, only pausing long enough to say, “Well, hurry the hell up! Your mother’s refusing to let any of us have any brownies until you come back down.”

            Zoe’s startled squeal matched her own as she suddenly found herself shoved aside and her large comfortable pillow shoving his cousin out of the way as he chased after his father.

            “Those are my brownies, you bastard!” Jason yelled seconds before the bedroom door was slammed shut and the room was once again enveloped in darkness. Her mind raced to grasp the fact that she’d once again been ditched for food and after a moment, she decided that she was okay with that.

            “Goodnight, Zoe,” she said, shifting onto her side and closing her eyes, already knowing that she wouldn’t sleep well without Jason in bed with her, but right now she’d take whatever she could get.

             

           

           

 

           

 

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75 Responses to The R.L. Mathewson Chronicles: Part 1, A Neighbor from Hell Christmas

  1. Lara December 25, 2013 at 7:06 am

    Oh how I have missed the Bradford’s, an extra christmas gift form u to us.
    Thank you and merry Xmas x

    Reply
    • Leslie Rowberry December 25, 2013 at 10:21 am

      Love those Bradfords!!

      Reply
  2. Teresa Sullivan December 25, 2013 at 7:07 am

    Love it but I love the Bradford’s. Are you going to do a book about Danny? Please!

    Reply
  3. Shanny Dawes December 25, 2013 at 7:07 am

    Love it! Merry Christmas

    Reply
  4. Sherry Howard December 25, 2013 at 7:11 am

    I loved this little story!! I wish there was more!

    Reply
  5. jessica December 25, 2013 at 7:30 am

    Omg I want more!!! I think this might be a bad thing lol

    Reply
  6. Gina Crowther December 25, 2013 at 7:31 am

    Love it, love the Bradfords x

    Reply
  7. Tracey Sands December 25, 2013 at 7:31 am

    I’ve missed these guys xx thank you xx Merry Christmas xx

    Reply
  8. Jackie Begley December 25, 2013 at 7:34 am

    Love it! Merry Christmas to you & yours! Love the Bradfords! Always my go to for re reads!

    Reply
  9. Amber December 25, 2013 at 7:43 am

    Nice surprise waking up on Christmas morning to read about the Bradford 🙂

    Reply
  10. Kelley December 25, 2013 at 7:51 am

    Thank you for that sweet holiday treat. Can’t wait for Danny’s story now. Merry Christmas RL Matthewson.

    Reply
  11. Lorraine Neely December 25, 2013 at 7:52 am

    Love love love the Bradford’s x

    Reply
  12. Tammie December 25, 2013 at 7:58 am

    Thank you! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

    Reply
  13. Amber Anderson December 25, 2013 at 8:03 am

    I love the Bradfords! Hope to see many more NFH books

    Reply
  14. Peggy Bryan December 25, 2013 at 8:03 am

    Love the Bradford men

    Reply
  15. Yana December 25, 2013 at 8:08 am

    Thank you!!
    Marry Christmas…. When is NFH Danny’s book coming out? 😉

    Reply
  16. Jena December 25, 2013 at 8:12 am

    Love it! Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  17. Lucy Koegeboehn December 25, 2013 at 8:14 am

    Love it! Thank you and Merry Christmas!!

    Reply
  18. Laura Podrasky December 25, 2013 at 8:21 am

    I have missed them. I just recently reread all three neighbor books. I do love those Bradfords. They make me laugh so hard!!! I hope another book is coming out!

    Reply
  19. Sue Miller December 25, 2013 at 8:37 am

    Loved it!!! I do love all those Bradfords:)

    Reply
  20. Chasity December 25, 2013 at 8:59 am

    Loved it!!! Hope you have a Magical Christmas!!!

    Reply
  21. Laura Rose December 25, 2013 at 9:08 am

    Ah love it xx my favourite couples xx miss the Bradford’s and can’t wait for next installment xxx merry Christmas x

    Reply
  22. Darcie December 25, 2013 at 9:17 am

    Love it! I can’t get enough of those Bradfords.

    Reply
  23. Phyllis Lopez December 25, 2013 at 9:23 am

    Thank you! You made my Christmas. I was sitting here ready to eat my eggo waffles and feel sorry for myself. But your chronical made me laugh. I was in the Marines in 1975. Can’t wait to read more MERRY CHRISTMAS

    Reply
  24. Nesbi Maret December 25, 2013 at 9:46 am

    Merry Christmas and thank you.

    Reply
  25. deborah richardson-rice December 25, 2013 at 9:59 am

    I loved it, it was great. Is this going to be a new book about the Bradford clan? I really hope that it is because I could use another story about them. Please let this be another Neighbor From Hell Book!!

    Reply
  26. Michelle December 25, 2013 at 10:00 am

    Loved it. I could use another book from this family. Merry Christmas

    Reply
  27. Tiffany December 25, 2013 at 10:17 am

    I love those Bradford’s! I’ve missed them! I can’t wait for more NFH books!!! Merry Christmas 🙂

    Reply
  28. Leslie Rowberry December 25, 2013 at 10:23 am

    Merry Christmas!!!!!

    Reply
  29. Autumn December 25, 2013 at 10:39 am

    Thanks for that little piece of Bradford Christmas.

    Reply
  30. Tracey December 25, 2013 at 11:09 am

    Loved it. I miss the Bradford’s

    Reply
  31. Melissa Ann December 25, 2013 at 11:24 am

    thank you..im addicted the ur NBH series and loved this little fix…hope to here more on “Danny’s Story” soon.

    Reply
  32. Kim ML December 25, 2013 at 11:36 am

    I love it, and miss these guys!

    Reply
  33. tiffany December 25, 2013 at 11:55 am

    Love it now I want another Bradford story your teasing

    Reply
  34. TiWi December 25, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    I could read about the Bradfords everyday all day..of course my favorite is Jason & Haley!!!

    Reply
  35. Lori Gonzales December 25, 2013 at 12:19 pm

    Oh my how I love them!!!! Thank you for the Christmas bonus! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    Reply
  36. Debbie December 25, 2013 at 12:19 pm

    I love every doggone one of the Bradfords and have read their stories over and over , oooohh I can’t wait for the next one!

    Reply
  37. Ashley December 25, 2013 at 12:26 pm

    I love The Bradford’s! Super funny and sexy all in one…please write more books about them!!!

    Reply
  38. Zofia December 25, 2013 at 12:34 pm

    To sum up in the Bradford men style, ‘you bastard…. where’s the rest? !’

    Reply
  39. Ieva December 25, 2013 at 1:23 pm

    Thank you. Best Christmas present so far 🙂 Marry Christmas…

    Reply
  40. sarah m December 25, 2013 at 1:40 pm

    I can’t get enough of the Bradfords. Love Jason and Trevor. Thanks for the Christmas treat.

    Reply
  41. Sarah December 25, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    So fun love the Bradford specially Jason 🙂

    Reply
  42. Debbie December 25, 2013 at 5:07 pm

    I loved it. Now if you can just add a lot more we’ll all be happier. Thank you for Christmas gift

    Reply
  43. Mel Schneider December 25, 2013 at 5:13 pm

    Thank you thank you thank you!!! What an awesome Chritmas pressie!!! I can’t wait to read the rest!!! Merry Christmas!!! May your day be filled with love laughter and happiness!!! xxxooo

    Reply
  44. Liz Marshall December 25, 2013 at 5:18 pm

    An injection of Bradfords – just what I needed over the holiday 😀
    Merry Christmas and have a Great New Year! 😉

    Reply
  45. Jenn December 25, 2013 at 6:42 pm

    Missed that Bradford family! Loving the side story and there addiction to food

    Reply
  46. sieera_kive December 25, 2013 at 6:48 pm

    I love it!!
    Starting from exhausted Haley, then feeling sad to Danny and Uncle Ethan and finally hilarious with Jason and Trevor fighting for food.
    Thank you sooo much for this chronicles R.L.Mathewson!!!! Love you.

    Reply
  47. Denise Navone December 25, 2013 at 11:56 pm

    Thank you sooo much, I just love those Bradford men. They are the greatest. And a very Merry Chritmas & a happy New Year to you. I look so forward to the new books coming out from you in the new year.

    Reply
  48. Barb Kiser December 26, 2013 at 2:27 am

    Loved it….can’t wait to read the next Bradford story

    Reply
  49. Kristina Hohrman December 26, 2013 at 3:49 am

    I absolutely love love this. I love all the Bradford men and can’t wait for more. Now I want to go and re-read the series for like the 10th time!

    Reply
  50. De De December 26, 2013 at 4:30 am

    Thanks for the holiday Bradford treat- for remembering our troops and the need to share with those less fortunate.

    Reply
  51. Sandi December 26, 2013 at 5:10 am

    Thank you for this. This was wonderful. I really have missed The Bradford’s.

    Reply
  52. Ranyia December 26, 2013 at 5:48 am

    More please. Love NFH. Love Jason, Trevor and Jared. Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  53. Carrie Egtvet December 26, 2013 at 8:38 am

    I loved this! Would really love to get a digital copy so I can have it on my Kindle and add it to my NFH collection. 🙂

    Reply
  54. susan hebblethwaite December 26, 2013 at 9:01 am

    Those Bradford men are soooo wickedly funny, love them to bits > More please.

    Reply
  55. Terry Dixon December 26, 2013 at 9:32 am

    That was great. A wonderful gift, too generous. You should be spending time with your family. Merry Christmas.

    Reply
  56. Marisa Maneiro December 26, 2013 at 9:59 am

    Love it. All your books are great

    Reply
  57. Keysha Trout December 26, 2013 at 10:49 am

    I just loved that. Can’t wait for the next installment. I just love Jason and Trevor.

    Reply
  58. Nancy December 26, 2013 at 11:03 am

    Oh how I love the Bradfords!!! Thank you for the tidbit 🙂

    Reply
  59. Dali December 26, 2013 at 4:29 pm

    Love it. Can’t wait for more. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year!

    Reply
  60. Lori December 26, 2013 at 4:36 pm

    I’ve missed those Bradford. That was awesome!

    Reply
  61. Tonya December 27, 2013 at 12:39 pm

    I absolutely love the Bradfords! Please tell me there is more coming????

    Reply
  62. Norma Edel December 27, 2013 at 3:04 pm

    Thank You! What a lovely Christmas present! Merry Christmas 🙂

    Reply
  63. USAGIBUNNY26 December 27, 2013 at 10:44 pm

    Ok, you are absolutely my most favorite author of all time. Love you and thank you so much for just being brilliant and funny.

    Reply
  64. Sandy December 29, 2013 at 8:23 am

    Can’t get enough if those Bradfords!! I hope there is more to come

    Reply
  65. Alexis December 29, 2013 at 9:09 pm

    Haha! Oh my gosh just can’t get enough of these freaking Bradfords

    Reply
  66. Kimmy December 29, 2013 at 9:57 pm

    my favourite part…
    ‘What are you doing?!’
    ‘Having an orgy.”
    “Well hurry up! your mother refuses to let us have any cookies until you come down!’
    Gotta love those Bradford men!

    Reply
  67. Benilda December 31, 2013 at 5:22 pm

    This is really really good omg I love your books ilove the Bradford’s I missed them ,I love the chronicle is really good

    Reply
  68. Mrs. Bell January 1, 2014 at 5:56 pm

    I LOVED THIS!!! OMG, The Bradfords are the best. Thanks for this.

    Reply
  69. Trish January 2, 2014 at 8:54 am

    I have to stop reading these when I’m around other people because the sporadic laughing fits that I can’t properly explain without them reading the books is close to getting me committed 🙂 LOVE and thank you

    Reply
  70. Artis January 3, 2014 at 10:47 am

    I just love those Bradfords. I read their books over and over again. Please tell me there is going to be a book for Danny…

    Reply
  71. elaine mccrory January 7, 2014 at 1:38 pm

    Just discovered(and read) the christmas and new year chronicles, lov ed them, now I can’t wait for the next nfh and hollywood hearts books. I know what it feels like to cook dinner for the bradfords, I have just cooked christmas dinner for 25 of my clan and new years dinner for 21, I am still recovering, but I love it really! I hope you have a very prosperous and productive 2014 and that your mini me is feeling better.

    Reply
  72. Chanpreet January 15, 2014 at 10:33 am

    Ditched brownies. Typical Bradfords. Thanks for the lovely Christmas scene!

    Reply
  73. Paula+Smith January 25, 2014 at 2:36 am

    So Wonderful! Just going over old unanswered Emails and saw this. What a pleasant surprise. Love those Bradford men.

    Reply
  74. Cynthia July 6, 2014 at 6:45 am

    Omg! So flipping funny!

    Reply

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  • Books
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