Worth the Risk (a Matthew Gray Gubler fanfic)

Chapter Eight

"I hope you know that I love you dearly. I didn't mean what I said. I would never use you and I hope you understand that. Please come back to me. I can't live without you.
-M"

"THAT BASTARD" I scream.

Who the fuck does he think he is?! Texting that? He knows what it's going to do! She will crawl back to him because she thinks she can't find anyone else.

That son of a bitch, Michael.

He's trying to get Ashlyn back! No way. I will grab him by the testicles and throw him to China!

"Ash, please tell me you won't go back to him. He's no good! You could do so much better."

"I promise, pinky promise." She holds out her pinky like we always do. We keep our promises to each other this way. Our promises are never to be broken.

It's Friday morning and I have to get to work. So I hug Ashlyn and tell her bye as I walk out the door.

•••••••••••••••••

My shift goes as usual. Just a lot of older people coming in. We used to be filled with a younger crowd as well but our clientele has aged quite a bit. I'm not sure what turned them away from this place. It's so lovely.

I'm standing at the counter waiting for my food to come up for a sweet older lady. When I turn around, I'm met with the eyes of a man I hoped I wouldn't see. And, of course, he is at one of my tables.

I take the food to the sweet woman, and slowly walk toward his table.

He looks up when he sees me approach his table. "Hello Haley. I don't mean to bother you. I just needed somewhere quiet to work a little bit. My neighbors have been having a screaming match all morning."

I lightly smile, "Oh that's okay. It's pretty quiet here. What can I get for you, Dr. Gray."

"Black coffee please."

I nod and head to grab his coffee. When I return he has some papers out. He must be grading.

I set his cup down and turn to walk away.

Before I turn he looks up and quietly says, "Thank you."

I continue to go about my day. Surprisingly everyone was really nice today. That doesn't always happen. Dr. Gray stayed for an hour or two. I didn't mind though.

When he finally leaves, I clean up the table. Another $20 tip. No note this time.

•••••••••••••

By the time my shift is over, I am exhausted. I worked through lunch and I can't wait to get home and eat.

Ashlyn and I are having a movie night tonight. We haven't done that in a while so we thought tonight was the night.

When I get home, I shower to get the smell of grease off of my skin. I get to thinking, my 20th birthday is in a week. I need to take off of work so that I can go visit my family. They live around five hours away in Santa Barbara. Obviously that's a far drive but I don't mind. It is about an hour and a half away from Los Angeles.

I get out of the shower and Ashlyn is home.

"Haley! Get your ass out of that damn shower and hurry! It's movie night! I ordered pizza too!"

I roll my eyes at her even though she can't see me.

"Give me one second! I'm changing!"

We both have a fun night of laughing and crying. I needed some girl time so this was so good for both of us.

I look over at Ashlyn, "What time does your shift start tomorrow?"

"7 pm. So you know I will be there all fucking night. I didn't want to go back there but hey, more money!"

You're probably wondering, isn't she too young to work at a bar? She isn't. Ashlyn turned 21 over the summer so it is perfectly legal.

I look at the clock and it's 1 a.m.

"Ash, I hate to tell you but I have to go to bed. My shift starts at 8 a.m. and you know how I like my rest."

"That's okay. Sweet dreams."

I smile. "Goodnight."

•••••••••••••••

It's 10 a.m and he's here, again.

Is he trying to torture me? I'm not going to assume anything but damn. He must really like this place.

"Hello again, Dr. Gray. Just a black coffee this morning?"

He looks up from his work and smiles.

"Actually, I think I'm going to try the blueberry pancakes along with my coffee. Someone suggested them to me and I thought I would try them for myself." He winked.

Oh okay. He remembered.

"Really? Huh, I wonder who that would be?"

He laughs lightly.

"I've got those coming right up."

•••••••••••••••

As usual, it was a slow Saturday morning. You would think they would be super busy. But not really.

Dr. Gray left after a little while. He was there again for about an hour and a half. This time when I went to clean up, there was a $30 tip, and a note.

Haley,
Thank you for the pancake suggestion, they were delicious. Thanks for your continued kindness even in this uncertain spot we are in.
I hope this note finds you.

-Matthew

I fold the note up, along with the money, and put it in my pocket. That actually made me smile.

As my shift comes to a close, I am so ready to get home and change into my pajamas. Crime tv here I come!

I shower and change.

Ashlyn just left for work. Of course I told her about Matthew's note and tip. She seems to think that he wants some more ass. I don't think that would be a good idea though. Considering I probably couldn't say no.

I mean this man is gorgeous. Where do men like him come from? I have never seen anyone that looks like that. His hair? Luscious. His skin? Smooth. Eyes?—

My thoughts are cut short when I hear a knock at my dorm room door.

I look out of the little peep hole to see who it could possibly be at 8:30 p.m. And I am surprised by who I see. I quickly swing open the door, before anyone sees.

"Matthew?"