"Spencer, what we had was real." He answered. "Come with me? I'll tell you everything, I swear."
I could see in his eyes that he meant it. And something I had said before came back to me. 'When Toby tells you something you believe him.' I really wanted to believe him now and have all the questioned I had answered.
"Okay," I nodded and he took my hand in his.
We walked away from the girls; well everyone at that point had come over to see what was going on. We went into the house and settled in front of the lit fireplace.
Toby told me everything. What Jenna told him in Boston, the plans she made to get payback on us, and how she threatened him when he wouldn't do something. I wanted to be mad at him for trying to protect me. But it wasn't just me he was trying to protect. And if someone told me they killed somebody and then said they would do the same to the ones I loved I'd probably do anything too.
But none of that mattered now that I knew the truth. What he and I had was real and he was only pretending because he had to.
"I'm sorry I forced you to do that, Toby." I told him.
He told me how hard it was to walk away from me in the hospitable. And I felt bad for giving him that ultimatum that hurt both of us.
"Spencer, I know who you are. You never have to say you're sorry." He said and he kissed me again for the hundredth time.
"Can we just put this whole thing behind us?" I asked him. "These past two years have been good and bad for both of us. I just want to look back and remember the good things. Like the day you came back, dancing at homecoming, our first kiss, our dates and double dates, the day I gave you the truck."
When I mentioned the truck I pulled out the key I had stuck between the straps of my sandal.
"I found this earlier today. I knew what it was to, immediately. And I remembered what I thought when you gave it to me. I hoped that you and I would still be together and in love in ten years from now. You would have a soft spot for something that was mine and I would keep something safe that was to something you loved. So I brought it with me hoping that even if you and I weren't together, we would find a way to be in ten years from now."
"I don't think I could wait that long." I saw him shake him head. "I wanted to talk to you, or at least tell you that I still loved you the day you left. But I didn't get there in time and Hanna punched me for it."
"She what?" I couldn't help laugh.
"The night before she come over and she told me to tell you the truth, whatever it was." He told me. "I've been waiting ever since then to talk to you. I would have come to you the day you got back but I was out of town a couple days. I didn't get back until tonight just as Jason was walking out the door to come here."
"I'm disappointed you were late that morning. But I'm glad you're here now." I said. "And congratulations, it must be nice finally having your own place. All though you are sharing with Jason I hear."
"It's actually kind of fun. And it's much better than living with my messed up family. I'm happy to finally be out."
"I'm happy you're happy. And I'm happy, more than happy actually, to be here with you. I've really missed you."
"I've missed you too. But I'm not going anywhere ever again. And I'll never give you another reason to think I don't love you. I love you so much." He stated and I could see the love in his eyes. It was so amazing to see how he felt and not just hear it.
"I love you too, so, so, so much, Toby." I smiled and leaned in for yet another kiss.
Eventually we decided to return to the dock and tell everybody the good news. Plus I didn't want Hanna to punch Toby again if we didn't tell her immediately.
"Well?" Hanna asked impatiently as soon as we were in her sight.
"Well, thank you for knocking some sense into Toby. Only next time not so literally." I joked and Hanna just rolled her eyes.
"So, you two are good again?" Emily asked hopefully.
"Yes, we're good, Em." Toby nodded and he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and gave me a kiss on the cheek to prove it.
"Good, it's about time. I'm tired of Aria yelling at me every time I mention Toby." Mike said and we all laughed. It was pretty funny to see tiny Aria yelling at Mike.
"And it's about time we celebrated." Mona announced. "Caleb, Jason, Mike, Toby, go get the boats."
"Remind me again why I'm taking orders from you?" Caleb asked her sarcastically.
"Because your girlfriend and I planned this. And speaking of your girlfriend, if you don't listen to me I'll have her give you a black eye like she did with Toby." Mona answered him and someone managed to have a convincingly innocent smile.
"You wouldn't." Caleb said as he folded his arms across his chest.
"I would." Mona stated completely serious.
"Fine, Shorty." He mumbled as he walked off.
A few minutes later the guys came back with four boats. There was one for me and Toby, Mike and Mona, Emily and Maya, and Melissa and Aria. Hanna would be staying on the dock with Caleb. All of us rowed out to different parts of the lake and when we were all in place Mona gave the Caleb and Jason the signal.
I had been a little nervous when I first heard about the fireworks. My last experience with them was not a good one obviously. But Caleb and Jason knew what they were doing and we were a safe distance away on the boats. I allowed myself to relax next to Toby and I actually enjoyed watching the fireworks. Up in the sky they weren't a danger to anyone and I could appreciate the beautiful colors and patterns.
"This is a lot better than the last time I saw fireworks." Toby commented.
"Yeah, you and me both." I nodded.
"Can you believe that was two years ago?" He asked me.
"Yes and no." I shrugged. "But I want to move on from those years. Like when I think of summer, I don't want to think of the one with the fire and Ali's death. I want to think of this one. All the things you and I are going to do together and what I'll do with the girls. And when I think of fireworks I want to think of tonight, sitting here with you on the lake, watching the fireworks exploding in the sky instead of in your garage."
"I agree. I want to think of those too. You said it earlier, just remember the good stuff. Like me finally beating you at Scrabble." He said slightly teasing.
"I'm not sure if I count that as a good time." I said rolling my eyes. "But I would count everything else from that day and the next day too. And I would definitely count tonight. I wouldn't exactly admit it but everybody knew. I've really missed and I'm so glad to have you back."
"I'm glad you heard me out and wanted to take me back. I was worried you would think I crossed the line when I walked away." He sighed.
"It hurt but I still love you." I told him with a small smile.
"I love you too." He smiled and I loved being able to see him happy. He leaned in and we kissed until the others saw us and started complaining.
When the fireworks were done we rowed back to the docks. It was pretty late by then so Emily, Maya, and Melissa left. We said goodbye and the rest of us sat on the dock talking and looking at the stars. Caleb called me a geek at least a dozen times because I had gotten the telescope out of the attic and looked for different constellations. But I didn't care, I was just glad I could see the stars at all.
Eventually the others left but Toby and I stayed the night at the lake house. Once again Jason was our alibi and he would tell my parents that I was staying with him and Toby was still out of town. I knew my mom would be happy Toby was back but she wouldn't be happy if she knew we stayed here by ourselves for the night.
The next morning when I woke up something was off. Usually I would be cuddled up to Toby but this morning the other side of the bed was empty. I started to worry but then I smelled coffee.
"Good morning, I knew the coffee would get you down here." Toby smiled when I came into the kitchen.
"Good morning, what's all this?"
"I decided I want to make up for lost time. So I made breakfast and coffee just the way you like it."
"Wow." I said, pretty impressed that he did this. "I know there's a lifetime supply of coffee here. But I'm surprised you managed to find food. My family doesn't come here much anymore so the fridge is usually empty."
"It wasn't easy. And you're right there was nothing in the fridge but I found a few things in the pantry." He told me. "And it's just about ready if you want to have a seat."
"I believe I will." I stated as I sat down at the small kitchen table.
About two minutes later Toby served the breakfast he cooked. He sat down across from me and we talked about some things we hadn't gotten the chance to last night.
"So, what have you been up to? And I mean other than waiting for me to come home so we could talk." I asked him.
"Well, while I waited for school to let out for the summer I worked on sketches and blueprints for the coffee shop. And first thing last Saturday morning I was working on clearing out the loft. I had it finished late that night so Sunday Jason and I started moving a few of our things in. And since then I've been hanging out with him and working on the coffee shop."
"Again, I'm glad this finally worked out for you. But I didn't have Jason as your roommate in mind when I pictured you having a place of your own."
"It's actually been kind of nice." He told me but then added. "But that might change, now that we're back together. He'll have something to give me a hard time about twenty-four-seven."
"Oh, that'll change very quickly." I laughed. "So, when do I get to see the loft? Jason told me about it vaguely and offered to show it to me. But it didn't feel right since it was yours and…"
"No, I get it. And I wouldn't have minded but you probably wouldn't have known that." He stumbled over his words a little. "But you can come to the loft whenever you want. I can take you over there after we finish eating if you want."
"Yeah, I'd like that." I nodded. "And after all, that is where we're supposed to be technically."
"Okay, that's what we'll do. But I have to warn you. Almost everything is covered in sawdust or something. And there's hardly any furniture except for two air mattresses, some boxes that we use as tables and chairs, and TV that looks like it's at least twenty years old."
"It sounds like you're living in a mansion." I joked. "Is there anything I can get you? It can be housewarming gift or something?"
"I have more stuff than that. It's just in storage until I get the loft fixed up more. So you don't have to get me anything, Spencer." He tried to decline but I was determined to get him something.
"But I want too!" I argued. "Come on, you at least have to have one piece of real furniture."
"Spence, you already bought me a truck. You don't have to buy me furniture. I can get by for now. It'll only be another week or two before I can move the rest of my stuff in."
"Who said I was going to buy anything?" I asked. "I already have something perfect already at my house."
"What do you have? And will your parents be okay with you giving me something?" He asked looking a little concerned when he mentioned my parents.
"Nope, it's a surprise." I shook my head. "Now, I'm finished eating. So let me get dressed and then we can swing by my place and pick it up."
I got up and gave him a quick kiss and then headed upstairs. He was going to love this.
Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed the chapter, there are only two left. And orginally I was going to end the story after the first line break but that didn't feel right. So I hope you liked all the extra fluff I added. And next chapter will be from Toby and it'll be his last. You'll get a couple fun memories and Jason will walk in on them ;) See you Tuesday and enjoy the weekend.