Worth the Risk (a Matthew Gray Gubler fanfic)

Chapter Twenty Seven

AN: I'm so sorry for making you all wait so long for new chapters! Right now I am juggling writing, work, and cosmetology school. You guys are all so patient, and I appreciate it so much.

I am so grateful for all of the love! I enjoy reading all of your comments so keep them coming! Remember... it's just getting started!

All the love. ❤️

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"Yes ma'am. You ordered a breakfast plate with scrambled eggs, sausage, toast, and hash browns. Then you ordered 2 coffees and one more plate to-go. That is why your ticket is more." I am trying so hard not to roll my eyes at this difficult woman.

She raises her voice, "No! It shouldn't be that much. The menu online said that plates are $9.95 before taxes. How was my meal $30?!"

Oh. My. God. If I tell her the breakdown of her ticket this time, it will be the fourth time I have done so. Time to call in the reinforcement.

"Ma'am let me go grab my manager. Maybe he can explain it for you." I turn around and walk towards the back. She is yelling at me from her table, causing a scene. At this point, I couldn't give a fuck.

"Hey Charlie! Can you please speak to this lady? She is fussing at me because she ordered two plates and two coffees but she doesn't understand why it's $30." I roll my eyes and he does the same.

"Yeah, Haley. I got it." He walks slowly toward her table and I thank him.

Geez. These customers are getting crazier by the day.

I decide that I need a break to clear my mind for a moment. I sit down in the small office that we have and I pull out my phone. A couple of texts:

Nana: Hey doll! The party for Pops is going to be on October 2nd, which is a Friday. This means that you can stay the weekend! Of course, you are welcome at our house. Just let me know!

I text her back and tell her that I will be there, and that I will stay at her house. Another text is from Ashlyn.

Ashlyn: Hey. So I am going to go ahead and leave for Texas, tomorrow. I will be back next Sunday, September 6th. I'm sure I won't see you until then since you are working tonight, and I will be leaving right after work tomorrow morning. I just wanted to text you and tell you bye. I will see you in one week.

I text her and tell her bye and that I love her... no reply. The last text I have is from Matthew.

Matthew: We will meet at my place this evening. You don't have to wear something fancy. In fact, you don't have to wear anything at all. I will see you at 6.

Smiling at my screen, I text him back.

Haley: I will be there. ;)

I walk back to check on my tables with a huge smile on my face. This should be fun.

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As I'm leaving from what seems like the longest shift of my life, I see a familiar face sitting at one of my tables. I'm glad that I am off of the clock when I see this one...

"What's up, sweetheart?" It's Zach and his dumb ass friends.

I roll my eyes, "Don't speak to me like that."

His friends laugh at my attitude, Zach joins them, "Oh come on. I didn't mean to sound rude. How have you been?"

Cut the bullshit.

"Fine. Now if you will excuse me, I will be leaving. My shift is over and I could think of a thousand better things that I could do with my time than to be here, with you ass-hats." I walk away from the table.

A whistle breaks through the air, making the people at the other tables jump. "Hey! Your ass looks great. Have you finally been working out?" Zach says with a stupid smirk on his face.

I whip back around to the table. I loudly whisper, "We are at my place of employment. And I will be damned if I get fired because of your outbursts. Also, don't you dare embarrass me like that again, especially here. So I suggest that you shut the fuck up and leave me alone... forever!"

He stops, eyes wide. I have left him speechless. Something he has never been before. I turn to the rest of the dining room, "I'm sorry for the disruption. Enjoy your meal, everyone."

I turn on my heel and leave. I can feel eyes staring at me as I walk out. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, just as they did yesterday afternoon. Only this time, I know that someone is, in fact, watching me.

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The dorm is empty. It feels so strange. Even though I know that she will be back, it feels like she won't be. The rooms aren't filled with the joy and happiness that she always radiates.

Even when she leaves, there is always a sense of light that stays where Ashlyn has been. Maybe she isn't upset with me.

I can only hope that if she ever finds out... that she will understand,

I pack all of my things to stay at Matthew's place for the night. I'm taking something comfortable, something nice, and also something sexy. I have to cover all of my bases. As I'm finishing getting ready, I get a text from Matthew:

Matthew: Text me when you are leaving, please.

I let him know that I will, and I continue to fix my hair.

My mind starts to wander to my family. It tends to do that sometimes. Especially when I am upset.

Ethan. So young and so naive. He doesn't know what's going on and why I'm always fighting with our parents. I've never been close to him, but I love him, of course. He is my only brother. And he has never betrayed me. Or at least I'm pretty sure he hasn't...

Layla, that little shit. I don't know if I ever want to talk to her again. I get that she is young and she just wants to appease my mom and dad. But she is old enough to know that trust isn't something that is given, it's earned. She has lost any trust I ever had in her. I can only hope that one day, she will grow to understand my frustration.

Mom can be so sweet. But she doesn't know how to stick up for herself, or her children. She lets my dad step all over her. From the cheating, to the lying, she has always just rolled over and acted like it never happened. I mean, the woman walked into her home one day, and found her husband in their bed with another woman. How fucked up is that? But instead of telling him to get out, she stayed with him and had Layla and Ethan with that son of a bitch. I guess I can see where the kids get their naiveness from.

I'm brought back to reality when I look at the clock. It is 5:30 pm. Which means it is about time for me to leave.

I put on a pair of leggings and a t-shirt, and I head out of the dorm. When I get to my car, I text Matthew and drive the short trip to his apartment.

When I get there, I knock on the door. He opens it and lets me in, giving me a light kiss on the lips. "Hello, Haley. I hope you are ready for tonight."

Yes. I sure am. Bring it on.

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ps: I know that this chapter is shit lol. But, I'm trying to write fill in chapters. I promise, it's going to get really good, really soon! Thanks again for your patience!