Worth the Risk (a Matthew Gray Gubler fanfic)

Chapter Twenty

Damn, I slept so good last night. I almost forgot where I was when I woke up this morning. But now I realize that I am at home, and it's my 20th birthday.

It feels so weird to say that I am now 20. I feel like just yesterday, I was 12. I was so naive back then, not know what life was really like. At 12, I thought I would have found the love of my life by now, working an easy job, and having babies.

Man, was I wrong...

I realize that I would be too young to have all of that, but back then I had no idea.

Even though I have nowhere to be today, I get out of bed and take a shower. I get out and out on some clothes for the day, aka sweatpants.

Before I leave my room to go downstairs, I hear my phone ring. I pick it up and see a text from Matthew.

Matthew: Happy Birthday! I was going to tell you last night but you had to hang up so I didn't get the chance to. I hope you have a good day. Have fun. Celebrate 20. It's a good age, enjoy it.

I can't stop the cheesy grin from spreading across my face. It says he sent it last night around 1:30 am, so right after I hung up. Ashlyn hasn't even called me yet! To be fair, she is most likely still asleep. I'm not mad at her. I just think it's sweet that he remembered. I reply with a simple 'thank you' and head downstairs.

Am I the only one awake? It's 11 am.

I look out the window, the cars are gone.

Shit, I forgot it is Friday. Mom and dad are at work, kids are at school. Guess I'm spending the day alone.

Tucker runs to the back door when he sees me in the kitchen. I open the door and let him in. He's so fucking cute, I have to give him a treat! I give him his bone and look around for something that I can eat for breakfast... well more like lunch I guess.

I grab the pizza from the fridge that mom told me about last night. It's probably like 3 days old but at this point, I don't care. I don't bother heating it up, sometimes pizza is just better when it's cold.

My phone starts ringing as soon as I settle on the couch. It's Ashlyn!

"Hey Ash!"

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY BITCH! How's it going? You having a good day?" She screams in my ear.

"Considering I just woke up about 30 minutes ago, it's pretty damn good so far. No one is home, I'm all by myself and I get to watch whatever I want on Netflix."

"Well, I wish I could be there with you to celebrate. And I'm sorry I didn't call earlier, I wanted to give you time to sleep in." I can tell that she is upset that she isn't here, but it's okay.

She asks, "Are you going to see any of your old friends while you are home?"

Ha, that's funny. "Ash, you are the only friend I have left. I didn't have many friends in school and the ones I did have, dropped me when I moved away. So... no."

"What about your mom? Is she planning anything?"

"Honestly, I have no fucking idea. She tells me to come home to celebrate my 20th but yet she barely talked to me last night. And the worst part is, they took Layla and Ethan to dinner last night to celebrate the new school year... THE NEW FUCKING SCHOOL YEAR!"

Ashlyn sighs in frustration, "Really? Did she tell you happy birthday today?"

I laugh, "Nope. And last night, Dad didn't even look at me. I heard him grab the liquor bottle after he saw that I was there. I don't get why my dad can't be around me unless he is shit-faced but whatever."

"Haley, I'm so sorry it's like this. When you get home, I will take you out to dinner. My treat. How does that sound?"

"That sounds great. Thank you, Ash." I smile.

She giggles, "It is my pleasure. Listen, I gotta go to class. I will see you Sunday evening?"

"Yes, I will be back then."

"Good, can't wait! I love you girl. And a happy birthday to you!"

My smile grows larger, she's the best. "Thanks, love you too. Bye."

•••••••••••••••

After I have spent the last 4 hours watching tv, it's now 3:30. No one is home yet, and I haven't heard from them either. I text my mom and ask her what we are having for dinner. And of course she replies with 'I'm not sure.'

Well shit, I'm already hungry again.

I go to the kitchen to look for some snacks... nothing. Or at least nothing that I want. It's all cookies and crackers. I would like some fruit or yogurt, some shit like that. Is it that fucking hard to get some good snacks around here?

While I'm looking through the fridge, the front door swings open. Dad is home.

I hear him speak up, "What are you doing?"

"Um I'm looking for a snack?"

"You don't need anymore food. You're too big as it is." He laughs lowly.

My eyes widen and my jaw drops. Who the fuck does he think he is?! "Excuse me? You are the one to talk, with that big ass beer belly. Maybe you should stop drinking so damn much."

Before I know it, he hurdles toward me. He grabs my wrist and twists it. The devil is in his eyes... if looks could kill.

Through gritted teeth he says, "Don't you fucking talk to me like that! Do you hear me?! I am your father, you will respect me."

"Let go of me!" I yank my hand away. It was starting to go numb from the pressure.

I run up the stairs to my room. I have to get far away from him before he literally kills me. Luckily, Tucker is there to comfort me.

Dogs are the best. They are the only living thing on earth that loves you more than they love themselves. It's amazing how just one look at your dog can make your bad day, become a good one. That's what Tucker is doing for me right now. He jumps on my bed, kisses my face, and lays down right next to me to make sure that I am okay.

With him, everything is alright.

This kind of thing has happened a lot with my dad, but I still cry every time. Why must he always put me down? Whenever he is around me, he always has some smart ass shit to say to me. Like, 'why are you so big, you need to lose weight,' or 'you're stupid,' and 'no man is going to want you, especially with that attitude.'

I'm just gonna start calling him by his first name because, he is not my dad. He is Tom.

At least he doesn't act like my dad...

About an hour goes by before anyone else comes home. My mom is home, both of the kids are with her too.

I hear my mom, "Hello! Where is everybody?!"

I open my door and go downstairs. Layla passes by me while I walk down the stairs. Mom is sitting on the couch, removing her shoes just like she does every day. Ethan is playing a game on his tablet. Nothing new here.

••••••••••••••

Mom decides to cook spaghetti for dinner. It's really good, but she doesn't do it every night like some moms.

When we are all about halfway done with our meal, my dad decides to speak, "Haley, who were you talking to last night?"