Chapter 5

Teddy, Gabe, and PJ were sitting in the living room and watching TV, while studying or texting. PJ was taking care of Charlie, and he put the Gurgles on TV. As they continued to do their own activities, the doorbell rang.

"I'm not getting it," Gabe announced.

"Really Gabe? Be a little more mature," PJ said, rolling his eyes. "Uh, I have to go watch the Gurgles upstairs now. Later!"

PJ ran up the stairs with Charlie.

Gabe rolled his eyes, "I'm going upstairs. Lauren's calling me, and I don't want some dumb company to disturb my phone call. Well, that's how it is when you have a girlfriend."

"You just love pointing that out, don't you?" Teddy laughed.

"I do," Gabe grinned. "Later. Don't wanna keep my girlfriend Lauren waiting!"

Gabe headed up the stairs, and Teddy realized she had to get the door. She opened it, and smiled a small smile when she saw Beau at the doorway.

"Hey Beau," Teddy greeted, smiling. She gave him a side hug before letting him in.

"Sorry to drop by so unexpectedly," Beau said. "It's just that, I've been thinking a lot. And then Spencer and I talked last night, and we made a decision about something. Teddy, I know you may still have some unresolved feelings for Spencer, and that's totally okay. But I'm not sure if we're even feeling the same way about each other anymore."

"Are you breaking up with me?" She asked.

He shook his head, "No, I'm not. I need you to make a decision. I can't be with you if your mind is secretly set on Spencer. So you need to make up your mind and just tell me. I really like you, and I just want to make sure that you feel that way about me, too. I don't want to be that guy you're with, but you don't really want to be with, you know?"

Before she could say anything, the doorbell rang again. She went back to the door to open it.

"Spencer?" Teddy's eyes widened. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to talk to y-" he began. "Beau?"

"Sorry, I had to get here as soon as possible. I was thinking about it all night, and it couldn't wait any longer. Now that Spencer and I are both here, you can make your decision. We won't get mad," Beau told her.

"Look, you guys can't just come in here and demand that I make a decision!" Teddy sighed, and sat down on the couch. "Obviously, I really like you both. That's why I'm in this mess. And I do know that I can't be with both of you. I just don't like making tough decisions like this. Beau, you're sweet, charming, and a great guy. Spencer, you're sweet, funny, and I... I just don't know what to do, okay?"

"I know it's a lot to take in, but Teddy, I need to say something to you in private," Spencer said.

Beau furrowed his eyebrows as he watched Spencer and Teddy go to the porch.

"Look Teddy, I brought you out here to tell you... to tell you that I love you. I still do. I never stopped. No one can ever replace you in my life," Spencer told her quietly.

"Spencer, I can't. You have college, and I can't do long distance. You're only here for a little while. And him. Beau's still in my life, you know. I may still have feelings for you, but I have some for Beau as well," Teddy explained, sighing.

"I want you to come to Boston with me," Spencer nervously said, looking up at her.

"Spence! I can't," she shook her head. "I'm sorry. I have school, and I can't leave my family behind."

He stared at her for a moment, thinking about any words he could say. He wanted, needed something to make her be with him. He knew asking her to come to Boston was foolish. For a moment, he felt like there was no way to make this relationship work, anyways.

Just then, Beau opened the door, breaking their silence. He stepped out onto the porch.

"Hey guys," he said. "You were taking quite a while."

"We're finished here," Teddy said. "I think we've said everything there is to say."

"So does that mean I'm your guy?" Beau asked with a grin.

"Beau, um... I have to talk to you. Spence, can you wait inside for me?" Teddy said.

"Uh, sure, I guess," Spencer said, nodding as he walked inside.

"So, you've realized that being with Spencer is impossible! I'm your guy then, right?" Beau grinned. "Teddy, I'm so happy you picked me! I always had this feeling that we had something special together."

"I can't deny that. But Beau, I brought you here to tell you that I can't pick you," Teddy said, closing her eyes. "I just can't."

"Wait, what?" Beau furrowed his eyebrows. "So you picked Spencer?"

"No," Teddy shook her head. "I obviously don't like making choices, so I can't choose. Right now, I think I just don't want to have a boyfriend. When I think about being with you, I think about everything I'm missing out on with Spencer. When I think about being with him, I think about everything I'm missing out on with you. I'd rather just make life simple."

"You picked neither?" Beau rolled his eyes. "Teddy, I want you to be happy! I thought that having a guy that wasn't far away from you, and a guy that can actually hug you and kiss you would make you happy. But you chose the cliché route of picking neither? Come on!"

"Okay, fine. Maybe I just need some time," Teddy said. "I'm sorry, Beau. I need time."


Beau had gone home shortly after the conversation. He said he understood Teddy's problem, even though he seemed a little frustrated with her when he left. Spencer realized that she had probably picked Beau, and was ready to leave.

"So, you picked Beau," Spencer sighed. "Well, to be honest with you, I'm pretty disappointed that I can't be the guy for you. It sucks knowing that there's no way I can satisfy you, since I'm gonna be off in Boston. I thought I could make things work between us, but I realized I can't. I'm happy you found someone that can make you happy, though. I just wish it were me..."

"I didn't pick Beau," Teddy quietly said. "I didn't pick anyone. I think I need some time before I want a boyfriend again. Spencer, I'm not saying we could never work, but just... not right now. Not while I'm in this position, and not while you have a wonderful college to be in."

"That's pretty selfless of you," Spencer smiled.

"No, I'm doing it because it makes life easier for the both of us," Teddy said

"What? Not being with you makes my life ten billion times harder!" Spencer shook his head.

"Okay, I guess I just don't like the idea of long distance relationships. They make everything complicated," Teddy explained.

"Well, I guess I understand that. Um, I should probably get going. It's getting late," Spencer said.

"Right," she nodded. "I'll see you later, Spence."

He surprisingly gave her a long hug. He wanted to stay like that with her, but he knew she had made her mind up.