Worth the Risk (a Matthew Gray Gubler fanfic)

Chapter Ten

When I start to wake up the next morning, I feel an empty spot beside me. Matthew must have left already.

I roll over to check the time. My phone is laying on my bedside table. I pick it up, along with a note sitting underneath it.

Haley,
Sorry that I left you last night. I didn't want to get caught by your roommate or anyone else, so I left when you fell asleep.
I have written my phone number down so that we don't have to communicate through handwritten notes anymore.
I had a great time last night. Text me when you are awake so I can save your number.
-M

Okay... I kind of wish he would've stayed the whole night, but I get why he left. It shouldn't bother me like it does, this is only for sex.

It's 9 a.m. but it is Sunday, so it's my off day.

I get up because I'm starting to get hungry. I walk into the living area and Ashlyn is already up.

"Hey there sleepyhead! You finally decided to awaken from your hibernation." She laughs.

Rubbing my eyes, I ask, "What time did you get home?"

"Around 4 a.m., I have only been up for about 30 minutes though. But you didn't text me back after 9 last night so I just figured you were asleep."

I try my best to lie, "Yeah, I wasn't feeling too good so I thought I would go to bed early."

It's almost like she senses something else, but doesn't comment.

"Oh, okay then, well what are you doing today? I was thinking that we should go shopping. We haven't done that in a while."

"That sounds good. Um, let me take a shower real quick first."

Ashlyn starts to look at me weirdly, "Haley is something wrong? You seem a bit off this morning."

Shit. She's too good. I can't let it slip.

"No, I'm good. You know how I get when I sleep later than usual. Just having a hard time waking up. The shower should help though."

I didn't give her a chance to speak. I walk to the bathroom and turn on the shower. The steam covers me and I stare at myself in the mirror. What am I doing? I hate lying to Ashlyn, but I can't tell her. Knowing her, she might tell someone. Then Matthew would get fired and I would lose my scholarships. This has to stay between the two of us, no exceptions.

I grab my phone and enter his number. I start a new text message:

Hey. It's Haley. Thank you for last night. I had a good time. Let's do it again soon, literally ;)

I press send and hop in the shower.

30 minutes go by and I hear the bathroom door slightly open. Ashlyn is checking on me.

"Hey, you good in here?"

I clear my throat, "Yes I'm fine. Just enjoying the warm water. I will be out in a minute."

She shuts the door behind her.

I step out of the shower and dry myself off. Checking my phone I see one text message, from Matthew.

How about tonight? If not, that's okay. Just thought I would extend the offer.

Okay. I need to think of an answer that doesn't sound super needy. So I come up with this:

Hmm... tempting. I am shopping with my roommate today, I can see what time we get back then text you. How is that?

I wrap myself in my towel and head to my room. I turn on my hair dryer and start to style my hair. Not putting any makeup on today, there is no use. I grab my jeans, a T-shirt and throw them on. I'm putting on my shoes when I hear my phone buzz. Matthew, again.

Perfect.

A smile spreads on my face and I continue getting ready. I meet Ashlyn in the living area.

Damn it! I forgot to eat.

"Ash, before we leave, let me grab a granola bar. I forgot to eat breakfast."

She gives me a thumbs up. I grab my granola bar and we head out the door.

•••••••••••••••

We have been in the mall for a couple of hours. Ashlyn is super indecisive so she has to try everything on twice. Me? I grab and go. No sense in wasting time.

It's now 2 p.m. as we are passing Victoria's Secret. We stop and Ashlyn says, "Oh! Let's go in here!"

Well, I guess I need some of this now.

We walk around the store, grabbing random things for each other to try on. Once we have our pile of things, we head to the fitting rooms.

I picked some beautiful lacy pajamas, cute lounge wear, and some bras for Ashlyn. She picked out lacy lingerie, bras and matching panties for me. She starts to laugh when I say something about the lingerie.

"Ash, why did you pick this out for me?"

"You might need it! Who knows? One day you might have another sexy rendezvous with your professor."

My eyes widen, "Don't say that too loud. I cut that off, Ashlyn. It's not happening again."

I try my best to lie. Again.

"I could use it though. I have this guy at Benny's that keeps checking me out. Maybe I should talk to him." I laugh it off, but only I know who that guy is.

She shakes off whatever vibe she is getting from me, and we go to try on our things.

I chose a red lacy bra with matching bikini cut panties, also lace. Then I picked out this light pink lingerie set. It's a lacy slip top with no padding, and it falls perfectly on my curves, paired with cheeky lace panties.

Not usually what I would pick, but I love it.

When we check out, it is time to go back home. I can't spend anymore money today.

I decide that I will text Matthew on the drive back.

Just got done shopping. You still free tonight?

Ashlyn and I sing along to whatever is on the radio. Even though we don't know all the lyrics, we try the best we can. We are just having a good time together.

I haven't heard from Matthew yet. So, I go to my room and set my things down on my bed. I change into some comfy clothes and settle in on the couch. Ash and I are in deep conversation about random topics, when I hear my phone buzz. I nonchalantly pick up my phone to read the text.

Yes. Let's do it. Literally ;)