Chapter 7

Not Alone

It's been about a week since the incident in the park. Spencer's bruises faded away. Andrew was expected to make a full recovery. Unfortunately, he would be on crunches for a few weeks which meant Spencer would have to help him a lot. She hasn't seen Toby during the rest of the week and she was glad he was finally listening to her advice. It was a little tiny piece of her that kind of missed his presence.

It was finally the weekend and Spencer couldn't be more happy. Her friends had been breathing down her neck all week even since she told them that lie. The lie was that she'd been in a car accident with Andrew, but she didn't want to tell anyone because they'd pity her. She told that lie because then they wouldn't question about what happened to Andrew.

Her friends seemed to buy it after she persuaded them into believing it. But ever since then they'd been watching over her more closely and it was making it harder for Spencer to hide her secret. That's why when the girls asked her to spend the weekend with them at Hanna's, she declined and said her family was supposed to be spending quality time together this weekend.

Quality time for the Hastings house usually was just being in the same house, but doing there own thing. Melissa was in the barn with Wren watching movies. Mrs. Hastings was in her office working on her latest case. Mr. Hastings was in out in the backyard working on his tennis swing. And Spencer was in her room reading a book and catching up on some homework.

Spencer was interrupted by a knock at her door. She looked up to see her dad, standing in the doorway.

"Spencer, what are you doing?" Peter asked as he stepped more into her room.

"Ummm, I'm doing some homework." She said as she gestured down to all of the work in front of her.

"I can see that." He said in a disapproving voice."This work should have been done hours ago."

"But-"

"No, buts, Spencer. A Hastings knows how to get the job done and obviously you're not living up to your family name." He picked up the papers and put them on her desk."If you're not gonna do it right, then don't do it at all."

Spencer sucked in a deep breath and nodded her head."I'm sorry, dad."

"Just do better. Now, why aren't you spending this Saturday with Andrew?"

"He has a Decathlon competition today in Yardley." She explained and she knew where this was headed.

"Well, you need to get down there to support him, Spencer. He needs you." Peter instructed.

"Dad, he didn't even ask me to come and besides I have work to do."

"You can do the work after you get back from supporting Andrew." He said and patted Spencer on the shoulder."Hop to it, Spence. You don't want to keep Andrew waiting."

She watched as her dad left out of her room with a goofy grin on his face. She let out a frustrated sigh before she stood up from her bed to get dressed.

Yardley wasn't that far away from Rosewood maybe about two drive. After, Spencer finished getting dressed, she made that two hour drive just like her father instructed. She didn't know whether or not Andrew wanted her there in the first place. She didn't even want to be here, but she knew her parents would be upset of she didn't at least show up.

Finally, she pulled up outside of the building where the competition was being held. She exited her car and quickly made her way into the building. As she entered the building, she immediately noticed people from school wandering about. That meant the competition hasn't started yet and she was early. She looked around for Andrew and it really wasn't that had since he was the only one on crutches.

He was leaning up against a wall on the far side of the room, talking with a small group. He was smiling that charming smile just like he always did. But when he made eye contact with Spencer, his smile faltered. He said something to one of the guys next to him before he made his way over to Spencer.

"What are you doing here?" Andrew growled before Spencer even said hello.

"I came down to support you on-"

"I don't want you here, Spencer. I don't need you supporting me because I already know we're gonna win." Andrew nudged Spencer over to a corner where they could have more privacy."You need to leave. Now."

"Andrew, I drove all the way down here to stand by you and you just turn me away." She asked in disbelief.

"Yes, because you've been babying me all week and I didn't need your help nor support. I'm a Campbell and we don't need anyone."

It was true that Spencer's been helping him, but not babying. She would help at school and at home. She would help him anytime that he would call her, but for some reason now she was babying him. He didn't need her.

"Fine, I'll go." She said strongly before she turned away from Andrew to leave the building.

Once she got outside, she immediately headed to her car. She sat behind the wheel and started it up. But then she remembered that she had nowhere to go. She couldn't go home because her parents would ask why she came back so early and would tell her she could have tried harder with Andrew. She couldn't go to get friends house because she told them she was spending time with her family. She was alone for the day in a town where no one really knew her. And she liked that idea.

Spencer decided to enjoy her day alone in peace. So, she decided to spend the day holed in a library for a few hours. But before she went to the library, she found a local coffee shop called The Bean and decided to get her a little snack. She ordered a large black coffee and blueberry scone to go. As she was leaving the coffee shop, she bumped into the back of someone making her spill the coffee all over both of them and drop her bag with the scone in it, on the ground. Thankfully nothing got on her pants or shoes.

"I am so sor-" Spencer frantically apologized, but her apology stopped short when the guy she bumped into turned around. He had blue eyes and she knew those blue eyes all to well.

"It's okay." Toby said as he reached down to pick up her bag and now empty coffee cup. He tossed the cup into the trash bin next to them and handed her back the bag."How have you been, Spencer?"

"What are you doing out here? Are you following me?" She questioned and he just laughed at her question.

"No, actually I work in Yardley on some weekends, so I think you're the one following me." He retorted with a slight chuckle, but she didn't laugh.

"I'm not I just needed to get away for a few hours."

"Most people don't just drive two hours away from town to get away."

"Well, I have to." She muttered to herself, but Toby heard it anyways.

There was a moment of awkward silence. Toby couldn't believe she was here, standing right in front of him. He's been doing what she asked by staying away, but it was hard. He couldn't stop thinking about when he was awake and even in his dreams. This girl was like a curse that he'd never want to get rid of.

"Your shirts all messed up." He pointed to the coffee splattered all over the front of her white blouse."I could take you back to my place and get you a fresh shirt?"

"I don't think that's a good idea." She said even though her shirt was starting to feel a little icky on her body, but she knew she should keep her distance from Toby.

"Are you sure? My place is just down the street." He turned around and pointed to a brick building which was a store that had a glass window with a sign that says 'Cabinet Makers'."I stay in the basement."

"Toby, really I can just go home and change."

"You're gonna drive two hours in a drenched shirt just to avoid me?" He argued and she was a little shocked at how he knew her plan

"No, I'm not trying avoid you." She took a deep breath and said something she knew she would regret later."I would really appreciate it if you'd let me borrow something to where."

He smiled widely and gestured for her to follow him across the street. They walked over to the store, but Spencer noticed there was a sign that said closed. She watched as Toby pulled open some keys and unlocked the door for them. He lead her to the back of the store where there was a door that lead to the basement.

They walked down the basement steps and Toby flipped on the light switch.

"Welcome to the second Case De Toby. Sorry it's not much." He apologized as he made his way over to the other side of the room.

His place at the store was very different from his loft above the Brew. For instants, the basement was filled with boxes, equipment, and supplies. The only things that seemed to belong to Toby was a cot, a single locker, and a nightstand with a lamp on top of it in the corner of the basement.

"So why do you have two places to live?" Spencer asked as she followed Toby over to his corner of the basement.

"I don't. I just stay here when my boss asks me to work overtime or for the rest of the weekend. I just use the basement because there'd be no reason for me to drive two hours home just to come back, you know." He explained as he opened up his locker and started searching through it.

"That sounds reasonable."

He finally found them both new shirts to where. He handed over the light blue long-sleeve shirt to Spencer and he kept the red&black plaid button down for himself. She thanked him as she accepted it.

"So, tell me. What's the real reason why you came all the way to Yardley?"

"Well, I came to-" She stopped short when she saw Toby pull of his t-shirt. His body was phenomenal. His muscles were toned and tight. And his abs looked perfect, so perfect that you'd want to touch them when you saw them. It was pretty clear that he worked out a lot.

"Spencer?" He called her name to snap her gaze back up to his eyes. She regretted looking at his face because he had a knowing smirk on his lips.

"I'm sorry. I-I came here because of Andrew."

"Andrew." He said her boyfriends name with distaste and shook his head."So, how is the asshole?"

"Don't call him that." She warned and he held up his hands in defense.

"Fine, so how is the dick?" He said and she rolled her eyes at Toby's new nickname for her boyfriend.

"Just close your eyes."

"Why? You got to sneak a peek at me, so why can't I do the same?" He teased before he covered his hands over his eyes and turned his back to her.

She quickly slid her shirt off and put on his shirt. She noticed that the shirt was a little big on her, but felt really comfortable. And it smelled just like Toby.

"Are you finished yet or are you taking a few extra minutes to appreciate my backside too?" He teased and Spencer face turned a bright red. In all fairness, his backside looked just as good as his front.

"You can turn around."

He turned around and she saw something flicker across his eyes. She didn't know what he was thinking while he was looking at her, but for some reason it made her blush.

"I should- I should get going." Spencer said as she picked up purse and the rest of her belongings. But as she was backing away to the stairs, he reached out and gently grabbed her hand.

"You don't have to go. Maybe we could do something...?"

"Toby, you know that you shouldn't be around me and because I have Andrew."

He smiled at her before he squeezed her hand tighter and pulled her a little closer to him."Well, the way I see it is that you owe me for dumping your coffee on me and taking my shirt."

"I didn't do those things intentionally!" She said said and tried to turn away from him, but he pulled her right back to him.

"All I'm asking for is you go get ice cream with me. I'm buying." He said and pulled out his wallet from his back pocket before he sent a heartwarming smile."Please?"

Spencer couldn't believe she was doing this. She couldn't believe that he actually persuaded her into getting ice cream with him. But here they were in a local park on a bright and sunny day, getting ice cream.

Spencer decided to wait while Toby got the ice cream. As they were waiting in line, she whispered to him to surprise her with a flavor before going to sit on a park bench. Now, all she was doing was waiting and enjoying the fresh air.

"One vanilla cone with sprinkles for you," Toby said as he came back and handed over her vanilla cone."and an ice cream sundae for me."

"What is in that thing?" Spencer asked as she observed the different kinds of ice cream and toppings on his sundae.

"Just stuff like vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, chocolate chips, crushed Oreos, caramel, gummy bears, and whipped cream." He said proudly as he took a big spoonful of his desert and shovel it into his mouth.

She stood up with her little cone in hand."Well, I came with you to get ice cream, so now you have it and I'm gonna go."

"No!" He abruptly stood up, so that he was eye to eye with her."You can't because the deal also involved you eating the ice cream with me until we're both done."

She squinted her eyes at him and cocked her head to the side."Is that why you got that massive sundae? To spend time with me?"

"No, I just really like ice cream." It was true he loved ice cream, but spending more time with Spencer was a bonus."Come on we can walk it'll make things go by faster."

Before, she could respond, he already starting walking. She followed after him and soon followed in step with him. There was a moment of silence before someone spoke.

"So if you came to see Andrew, then why aren't you with him right now?" Toby asked Spence before he ate another spoonful of ice cream.

"He, uh, he didn't want me to be around him, so he told me to leave." Spencer said meekly and he playfully nudged her with his elbow to get her attention.

When she looked at him he said."It's okay, Spence. He doesn't deserve your company. That's why I'm honored to be spending the day with you."

"Day? I only came for the free ice cream and then I'm out of here." She teased and he was happy to see her smiling."Toby, can I ask you something?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"Will you tell me about you?"

"What do you want to know." He asked her to be more specific and when he looked at her she had the faint hint of a smile on her face.

"I don't know. Everything I guess." She stopped when he stopped to throw way his now empty ice cream bowl.

"Well, looks like I can't now." He said with a smile and saw the confused expression on Spencer's face, so he decided elaborate it for her."You said you only came for the free ice cream. I'm finished and you're finished, so there's no need for you to hangout with me. Unless you want to spend time with me. Do you?"

Did she want to spend more time with him? It has been nice to get a break and she hasn't really thought about Andrew for a while. She's been smiling and he's been making her laugh, but was all that worth the risk of Andrew hurting her or Toby?

"I do. I do want to hang out with you." She said and watched his smile grow bigger as he reached for hand. She slid her hand into his and let him lead her through the park.

Toby couldn't believe she agreed to go with him. He must have been doing something right, so he decided to stay ahead while he still could.

They've been walking for hours just talking. Talking about there dreams, passions, school, and even there favorite pizza toppings. When they started talking about food, Spencer knew that the evening was gonna lead to more than just ice cream, but to having dinner as well.

Talking she could do, but dinner wasn't really an option. She had to turn the tables and she had to turn them fast.

"You never did tell me important things about. Like your family, what are they like?" She asked as she and Toby sat down under a big oak tree on top of a hill.

He didn't answer her at first because the word family felt like a joke to him. Family isn't supposed to do the things that they did to him.

"Do you really want to know?" He asked seriously and Spencer hesitated, but nodded her head."Well, you're in for quite a story. It might take a while."

She pulled her phone out of pocket to check the time and saw all the text messages and missed calls from Andrew and her parents. They wanted her to come home, but she wasn't quite ready yet.

"I've got time." She said and turned her phone off before sliding it into her back pocket.

"Okay. Before my mom died,my family was just like your ordinary family. My dad and I would go to football games together and build things, like a rocking chair for my mom. My mom and I were a little different because she was my best friend we did almost everything together." Toby said and quickly wiped away a tear that was falling down his face."My dad remarried a year later to a woman and she...had a daughter. After that happened, my life changed. My dad and I didn't hang out anymore and he barely even looked at me. It was like I was being stuffed in the attic and my stepsister, Jenna, was the new golden child. And she got everything she wanted."

"Everything? Like what?" Spencer asked and watched as he sadly chuckled as he wiped away a few more tears.

"When I say everything I mean everything and anything." He said and shamefully hid his tearstained from her.

"Is that why you left? Because your family didn't care about you?"

"Something like that." He cleared his throat and turned back to Spencer, trying his hardest not to seem like a wimp."Now, it's your turn. Tell me about your family."

"What? I, uh, I think we've done enough talking about families for today." She said hastily, but he wasn't about to have it.

"Nope, you've already chickened out on me once, but not this time. I just want to know you, Spencer. I want to everything. Tell me about your family."

She took a deep breath and nodded her head. Those blue eyes had to be magic because all day she's been giving in to him."My family isn't like most families. As a Hastings you have to be the best or number one because if you're not you're a loser. My mom and I aren't not close because she works a lot. My sister and I aren't close mainly because we're always trying to out do each other. And my dad...he's a dad who doesn't really pay attention to me unless I'm doing something he wants like dating Andrew."

"Wait. Your dad wants you to be with Andrew? Does he know what Andrew does to you?!" Toby asked angrily, but calmed down when he saw Spencer flinch at his raised voice.

"He knows. He wants me to be the best, have the best, and be with the best. Andrew is the best because my dad knows his father and says Andrew's gonna do big things someday. Even though, he knows Andrew may hit me from time to time, my dad will just tell me to listen to him and stop doing what I'm doing to make him angry."

"So you don't really want to be with him? You don't really love him?"

"I did. When we first started dating I was crazy in love with him." She admitted with a small smile on her face and that made Toby's heart drop a little."I was in love with, but I don't think I am anymore. I don't think I have been for long time."

He watched the tears slip down her face. He couldn't help himself, he reached over and wiped the tears from her cheek. He knew that Andrew didn't deserve her tears. Besides she was too strong for that.

"Come on. I wanna show you something." He stood up and extended his hands out to Spencer to help her stand as well.

"Where are we going?"

"We are going to a place where we can let go."

"Wait, so all I have to do is throw a rock into this pond?" Spencer asked in confusion.

After leaving the oak tree, Toby took her to the other side of the park to the pond. It was getting darker and the sun was setting. The park was beginning to get a little vacant as well. But Toby insisted on staying and doing some idea.

"Yes, my old therapist did this with me once."

"You had a therapist? I thought you said today was all about getting to know everything each other."

"You don't want to know everything about each other because then it won't keep things interesting." He said with a smile and a flirty wink."Okay, this exercise is all about letting go. Now, you take a rock and before you toss it into the lake, you'll say what you're trying to let go of. And as you watch it sink it's supposed to symbolize the thing you're letting go of."

"It sounds easy enough." She said and picked up a rock before throwing it into the lake."Done."

He chuckled lightly before he picked up another rock and handed it to Spencer."You've almost got it, but not quite."

"Well, maybe you could give me a demonstration?"

Toby nodded his head before picking a rock for himself and before he toss it in he said."Here's to letting go of the past. Alright, your turn."

"Okay, I think I got it." She clutched the rock in her hand tighter. She closed her eyes and thought about what she wanted to let go. The idea came to her in almost an instant."To letting go of the pain."

He watched as she toss her rock in and turn to him."That was good. Actually that was great. How do you feel?"

"I feel...good." She said with a small smile on her face."Can we do it again?"

"Sure, we can do it as many times as you want." He said before he tossed her another rock and got one for himself.

"Can you tell me why you lied to your friends?" Toby whispered to her in the silence and she turned to look at him.

After doing the exercise, they both decided to take a break and have a seat. They watched the sun go down in front of them and neither of them wanted to leave yet. So they laid down in the grass and were looking at the stars.

"I don't like lying to my friends. I hate it actually. It's just I'm not ready for people to know about Andrew."

"Because you're afraid."

She looked over at him again, surprised that he knew the exact reason."Yeah, I guess I am afraid of the repercussions to come from it. I'm also afraid that if I tell anyone, then I'll...be alone."

"Hey, look at me." He gently touch her cheek and turned her face towards him, then gently stroked her cheek."Just know that you have me the girls, Caleb, and Jason. And you've got me. You're never alone, Spencer."

He looked into her eyes and for the first time, he didn't see fear or pain. No, this time he saw trust and happiness. She was finally beginning to see the light. He scooted closer to her and slowly leaned down to kiss her. And she let him.

His lips were made for her lips. They just molded together, so perfectly. He expected her to move back, but she kissed him back. She kissed him back with passion and heart. He gently moved his hand to wrap around her waist and the other to hold the back of her neck. She moved her hands into her and opened her mouth up to Toby. As soon as he slid his tongue in her mouth, she abruptly stood up.

"All of today was a mistake. This can't happen." She said frantically and started pacing. He stood up as well and watched her pace.

"I know that it can't."

"It was really fun getting to know you." She admitted and he looked at her and nodded his head.

"It was fun getting to know you too." He said and was surprised when she took two steps towards him to cup his face in her hands before she crashed her lips on to his.

Things were about to get a lot more complicated because of that kiss. Spencer didn't know it yet, but Toby Cavanaugh was going to change her life.

For those that read my other stories here are the updates that should be up this week (*Is in order*:]):

She'll Always Be His Girl

The One Piece

You're My Foundation

* Thanks for Reading!