Tell Me Something I Don't Know Yet

Chapter 12

Hanna P.O.V.

I'm not exactly positive what to do with myself now. Surely I can't just quit with no questions asked, right? A wouldn't let that happen. But how did Toby ever get off the team? He doesn't work for A anymore, that much I'm sure of. I should talk to him... explain to him that I joined to protect Emily, and he wouldn't be a hypocrite and judge since he did the exact same for Spencer. Hopefully he won't mind me stopping by the loft. After all, it's not like he hates me. He doesn't hate any of us, really.

Midway through Spencer explaining to us what happened and why and how she and Aria just now got together, I said, "I have to pick up some things for my mom."

Emily and Aria exchanged a glance and looked back in my direction. "Um... okay?" Aria replied. I got up and grabbed my keys, ignoring Spencer asking why I was so jumpy.

I probably should've acted less suspicious. But it's sorta difficult when I'm so on edge. I'm really hoping Toby is home. I'm not sure how much more I can take of the guilt.

As soon as I arrived at The Brew, I ordered two coffee's and headed up the stairs behind the lounge. I knocked on the light colored door, and after a moment, it swung open. Toby looked mildly confused, but maintained a welcoming grin. He motioned his arm towards the living space, silently telling me to come in. I handed the steaming cup to him.

"Sorry, I don't really know how you take it," I apologized and he chuckled.

"No worries," he assured me. "I dated Spencer for so long that I got used to taking it black."

After our laughter died down, and we took our seats across from each other, he looked at me and asked, "So, not to sound rude, but how come you're here?"

My smiled faded quickly and he looked slightly alarmed.

"Um," I began awkwardly, prying he would take this news alright, "you know how you sort of joined the -A team to protect Spencer? And all of us?"

He nodded a little, oblivious as to where I was going with this.

"We know you're off the team. But... you know about me and Emily, I'm guessing. And I love her, and I need to protect her, and... well... -A sortakindaforcedmetojointheteamtomakesureEmilydoesn'tgethurtandineedawayoutoftheteambecauseidon'twannabepartofitanymoreandsinceyougotofficametogetadvicefromyouandpleasedon'tjudgesinceyoudidthesameforSpencerandbreatheHanna," I took a deep breath after squinting. When I got no response I timidly opened one eye to see Toby staring at me in complete confusion.

"What?" was the only thing he said.

I took a shaky breath and repeated myself more calmly. "-A forced me to join the team to assure Emily's safety. I need to get off the team because I don't wanna hurt the girls. Since you got off I came to see how you did it. And please don't judge since did the same for Spence."

Toby was silent for a moment as he leaned back towards the cushion of the couch. His eyebrows were furrowed and his mouth was in a slight frown. His eyes were unreadable and I started to get nervous that he was angry.

I opened my mouth to defend myself when he spoke.

"I understand. I get it. I'm here for you, okay?"

I snapped my mouth shut and my eyes went wide. I wasn't sure whether or not to smile, so I nodded furiously instead.

Toby grinned. "I know you want to get off, but it takes time. The first thing you have to do is tell them. Tell the girls. Everything, okay? Don't leave one detail out. I'm positive that they'll understand."

I felt a shudder go down my spine and something deep in my conscious was screaming that something would go wrong.

I sucked in a breath and asked, "then what?"