Author's Note: Thank you so much for the amazing reviews! As always, they all made me smile. I'm so glad you all like this story! For this chapter, it won't be as long as the others, but I am posting two right now. Please, post a review on both chapters so I know what you think about each of them! Alright lets get into the story!


"Sometimes she wondered what life would have been like if she hadn't met him. Yes, her life would have been easier, but that doesn't mean she'd ever regret loving Toby Cavanaugh."


Chapter 8: The Wolf Pack

Caleb could tell Toby was upset. He wasn't his usual self. He was sure it all had to do with Spencer. Toby was his best friend and he could easily tell he still had feelings for her. He also knew he wouldn't say anything because Spencer doesn't reciprocate his feelings anymore and because she has moved on. Though everyone could pretty much tell she felt the exact same way. Sometimes Caleb hated how impulsive Toby was to ask Hallie to marry him as soon as he arrived back in Pennsylvania. If he had just waited for the dinner that they would attend the next night, where Hallie was going to introduce them to her friends, maybe Spencer and Toby would be together now. But, of course not. Toby thought that he would never see Spencer again. Toby thought that he would never meet another girl who felt that way about him. Caleb has thought about his many times before. He knows Toby thinks about this too, and that he regrets it himself. But there was nothing neither of them could do. All Caleb wanted was for Toby to cheer up. He didn't like the situation anymore than Toby did, but he wanted him to at least act happy or Hallie would know something's up, even though Caleb was sure Hallie was completely oblivious to the whole situation. So, as a way to get Toby to smile again, he offered a suggestion. He, Toby, along with Ezra would be going to a bar to have a guys night. Just the three of them, like they did in high school. They invited Ryan to attend, but he insisted on staying behind so the three of them could catch up.

They arrived at the bar at precisely five 'o' clock, just in time for happy hour. They planned on spending the rest of the evening there, having a few drinks and appetizers and watching the game on TV. The three of them sat down on barstools at a tall table in the middle of the bar. It was a perfect angle to see many of the baseball games going on at the moment. A waitress came over and took their order. Each of them ordered a beer, plus soft pretzels and nachos. After the waitress left, Toby excused himself to the bathroom, giving Caleb and Ezra time to talk.

"What has been going on with him lately?" Ezra questioned, turning to Caleb.

He sighed, "Spencer. He's still in love with her, but he has to hide his feelings for her sake and Hallie's."

"What makes it even harder is that he's around her daily." Ezra added.

Caleb nodded. "If it wasn't for Drew and Hallie, they'd be together right now."

"I don't really think Spencer has any real feelings for Drew. The reason she's with him in the first place was to get over Toby, and she still hasn't." Ezra told his friend, knowing this from being Spencer's friend for five years.

"Yeah same with Toby with Hallie. He met her the following summer. He was still hung up over Spencer and Ryan and I convinced him to go out. We saw Hallie at a restaurant in California. Then every summer they'd see each other when she came to visit her family. Hallie fell in love with him, which he convinced himself, would never happen again. Toby took that for granted and married her." Caleb explained.

Ezra nodded. "So does he actually love Hallie?"

Caleb shrugged, "I've never heard him say to her, doesn't mean he hasn't. If he hasn't, maybe Hallie assumes it's implied."

"Yeah, I've never heard Spencer say it to Drew. He probably thinks it's implied as well." Ezra adds.

Caleb rolls his eyes, "I just wish the two of them will realize they still love each other."

Ezra nods, just as they see Toby coming back from the restroom. Toby sits down, just as the waitress brings their food and beers.

Toby clears his throat. "So, what'd I miss?"

Ezra and Caleb exchange glances. "The Yankees hit a home run." Caleb said, even though neither he nor Ezra had been paying attention to the game what so ever. Who knew if they were even playing today?

Toby just nodded, taking a sip of his beer.

"So, how's the wedding plans coming?" Ezra asks, biting into a pretzel.

Toby sets down his beer, shrugging. "Okay, I guess. We have most of it planned. The dates are set, invitations are out, and the food and cake is all figured out. We just have to book a DJ, a room for the rehearsal dinner, and I have to buy a suit. The girls are dress shopping right now."

Caleb nods, taking a nacho and dipping it into the cheese. "Sounds good."

"Yeah, seems like Spencer has been doing a good job." Ezra comments, seeing how his friend would react.

Toby was in the middle of bring a chip to his mouth, but froze mid way upon hearing Spencer's name. He nods slowly after a while, biting and swallowing the chip. "She's been going a great job," he says, wiping his fingers on a napkin.

Ezra raises his eyebrows. "You've been spending a lot of time with her. Are you okay with that?"

Toby sighs, "To be honest, I'm not sure if I'm really happy to be seeing her every day, or if I hate the fact that while I see her, I know we can't be together."

Caleb feels for his friend. He feels the same way with Hanna. Even though they are both single, and there still is a possibility, its killing him to see her all time and being on edge to see when she is ready.

As if reading his mind, Toby clears his throat, ready to change the subject. "So Caleb what about you and Hanna?"

But Ezra still wasn't satisfied. "If you still have feelings for Spencer, why are you still with Hallie?"

Toby mentally cursed his friend for being so persistent. "It's just," he pauses, "she's already moved on. All she's see's me is as a friend now. I had my chance to be with her and I blew it. There's nothing I can do now, and I'm with Hallie."

Ezra could see the small tears forming in the corners of Toby's eyes. Ezra has known Toby for a while. Despite not seeing him for four years, he knew well enough Toby was strong and never showed weakness, much like Spencer. So seeing him like this, he knew Toby was really hurting and conflicted and confused. So he decided, just his once, to let it go. "So Caleb, you and Hanna?"


Spencer, Hallie, Hanna, Aria, and Emily were in a large dressing room at the bridal shop down town. They had been there for an hour and a half watching Hallie try on wedding dresses. The four of them often questioned their need to be there. Hallie continued to tell them she wanted their opinions, though with every dress, Hallie would go over the pros and cons and quickly dismiss it without consulting with them. Each of the girls kept in mind that they were also there to try on bridesmaids dresses, but only after Hallie selected the perfect wedding dress. After several "Okay, now this is definitely the one!" 's, the girls were starting to wonder if Hallie's idea of the perfect dress even existed and if they ever would make it to a bridesmaids fitting.

Hallie had been changing into lucky dress number fifty-four for a few minutes while the four girls quietly conversed. They were sitting on a three-seat couch, with Spencer on the arm rest, leaning on Hanna's shoulder. When Hallie had reentered the changing room only moments ago, Spencer had stood up and let out an exasperated sigh.

"Spence, what wrong?" Aria quickly asked, her Sparia mode coming quickly into play.

Spencer was massaging her temples with her right hand, while her left was resting on her hip. "It's hard, you know?" Spencer whispered, careful not to speak to loud for Hallie to hear. They were only separated by a small door. "She's picking out a wedding dress because she's going to be the future Mrs. Toby Cavanaugh. That's supposed to be me." Spencer was tearing up. Emily and Hanna were staring at her in sympathy and Aria stood and walked over to her friend, engulfing her in a hug.

"Spence, it's okay." She soothed. "You'll get through this like you always do. And you have Drew."

"But I'm not in love with Drew. I'm in love with Toby." Spencer's voice was muffled, as she was speaking into Aria's shoulder, but Aria heard her loud and clear.

Aria pulled apart from Spencer abruptly. "What?" Aria asked astounded. She knew Spencer still had some feeling for Toby and that she was upset seeing him with someone else. But who wouldn't be? He was her first love. But Aria had no idea she was still in love with him. She had been thinking she was ok with everything because both her and Toby were happy and moved on. How come Spencer hadn't informed her she was hurting so badly. Why was she just now hearing that her best friend had been putting up a façade the past few weeks?

Hanna and Emily were both standing up now, Emily was confused since she hadn't heard what Spencer said and what Aria was surprised about. Hanna didn't need to hear it because she was already full aware of what had been said. Spencer was about to say something, when Hallie's perky voice interrupted.

"I'm ready! I have a really good feeling about this one." She said from the other side of the changing section.

"I'm going to get some air. Hallie can't see me like this." Spencer spoke quickly. Before her friends could object, she was out the door.

Hallie pushed open the door and walked back into the room. "Where'd Spencer go?"

"She needed some air." Aria said softly, still staring at the space Spencer had previously stood.

Hallie just shrugged it off, turning to face the triple mirror. She smiled at her reflection before frowning. "No, this is terrible, hand me the next one."

Emily handed her the next dress that was waiting on the rack. Hallie smiled, taking it and looking it up and down. "I'm positive this is it." She stated, walking into the changing room.

Aria turned back to face her two friends. "What just happened?"

Emily shrugged. "I have no idea. What did she even say?" Emily questioned.

Aria sighed, "Something about still loving Toby." She whispered.

Emily's mouth fell open, then she turned to Hanna, who didn't look remotely surprised. "Did you know about this?"

Hanna uncrossed her arms. "Well I…."

"You did know about this?" Aria accused, gasping softly.

"Shhh!" Hanna hushed, making sure Hallie couldn't hear anything. Hanna had cornered Spencer last night, after Spencer arrived back from Jenna's with Toby. She hadn't told Aria and Emily about their trip to Rosewood, and had waited to they were both asleep before questioning Spencer. Spencer had also previously told Hanna about what she remembered from the engagement party from when she was drunk. She knew everything from the kiss and to Spencer going to Toby's to apologize. Spencer told her to keep it between them, in fear that Hallie would find out. But now, Aria and Emily already knew a lot, so both her and Spencer had a lot of explaining to do. Hanna continued, "Now is not the time." She nodded toward the changing room with Hallie inside, "Spence and I will tell you more at home, okay?"

Emily and Aria nodded, and the three of them plopped down on the couch.

Outside, Spencer had calmed herself down and touched up her make up in the car. She took a deep breath as she walked back into the store. Sometimes she wondered what life would have been like if she hadn't met Toby Cavanaugh. What it would have been like if she didn't take the tutoring job, if she didn't stay the night with him in the motel, if he didn't kiss her the next morning, if she didn't kiss back, and if she didn't let herself fall for the blue eyed boy. Yes, her life would have been easier, but that doesn't mean she'd ever regret loving Toby Cavanaugh.


Author's Note: So, what did you think of this chapter. Was it horrible? Also, don't ask about the title. That is what happens when my best friend and I are hanging out at two in the morning and we were coming up with chapter titles. So, be sure to leave and review! I am posting chapter nine here shortly so be on the look out for that! Make sure to comment on BOTH chapters separately! Thank you and see you soon! xxxMelody