Back to Me

The Fight

Jason POV

I pulled up into the Hastings' driveway to pick Spencer up for school. Unfortunately I was early and Melissa not only spotted me but invited me in for coffee. And to add to the bad luck Peter and Veronica were there.

"Peter, if you have the time could you contact your friend and ask him about doing some work in the yard?" I heard Veronica ask him as we walked in.

"Oh, he's out of town working on another project I believe." Peter told her while reading the paper.

"Well, I want it done over the weekend. Is there anyone else you know?" Veronica insisted.

"Toby could do it." Spencer and Melissa said at the same time as Spencer came down the stairs.

Both Peter and Veronica turned to look at their daughters in shock. And they finally noticed that I was there as well since I was standing next to Melissa. Peter looked annoyed by my presence and Veronica looked like she didn't really care.

"Good morning, Jason, you're early." Veronica commented as she poured coffee for both Spencer and I.

"Good morning, Veronica." I replied taking the coffee.

"I do not feel comfortable having Toby Cavanaugh in our backyard, especially if we're not around." Peter stated to Spencer, completely ignoring me.

"He was falsely accused of murder not theft or vandalism, Dad. But if it makes you feel better have Jason keep an eye on him. He could use the work out." Spencer told him sarcastically as she took the cup of coffee from Veronica.

"Hey, I heard that!"

"Yeah, you were supposed to, Jason." Spencer said with an annoyingly innocent look.

"Having someone keep an eye on him will not make me feel any better Spencer. I don't trust him and neither should you." Peter told her and I finally tired of listening to this.

"You don't trust him because you don't know him." I called him out. "Well, Spencer and I do, and I know that that doesn't mean a whole to you, but he's never given us a reason not to trust him. I say if you care about your daughter at all you'll give him chance. And this is the perfect opportunity."

"I believe it's time for you to leave. I wouldn't want you to be late." Peter said coldly before leaving the room.

"Are you ready, Spencer?" I asked wanting to get out of there as quick as we could.

"Yeah, let's get out of here." She nodded.

"Jason, wait," Veronica called out before I could walk out the door.

"Yes?" I asked feeling pretty skeptical.

Veronica barely spoke to me and under the circumstances I didn't really blame her.

"Do you think Toby could handle the job?"

"Yes, he's a hard worker and I know he'd appreciate the work." I told her hoping that she would give Toby a shot.

"Yeah, you and Dad aren't the only ones that don't trust him. And that makes finding work pretty hard." Spencer added in.

"And you're sure he trustworthy?" She questioned.

"Like I said, he's never given me a reason not to trust him. You can see that for yourself if you give him the chance." I confirmed.

"What about you, Melissa? You seem to have a new opinion about Toby lately. How do you feel about him working in the backyard around the barn?" Veronica turned and started questioning Melissa as if moving on to a new witness in a case.