An ALL-AMERICAN Summer Love

BBQ, Fun and The Invitation - Chapter 12

It's the morning of the 4th of July celebration.  Laura and Grace are downstairs decorating.  Spencer, Dillion and Jordan are setting up the patio area and making sure everything is nice and tidy.  Coach Baker is in the kitchen preparing his sauce and marinating the meat to be ready for the grill.  The doorbell rings and no one answers because everyone is so busy.  Finally, Dillon answers it because no one else notices.  He opens the door.  "Whooooaaa, you are huge," he says to Simone.  She thumps him and says," Dillon that's is not how you greet someone at the door and you most definitely don't say that to a pregnant lady."  Jordan comes and kisses Simone on the forehead.  "Hey babe," he says.  "Dude, your girl has mean thumping skills," Dillon tells Jordan before walking off.  "What is he talking about," Jordan ask Simone.  "Nothing.  Where's Olivia," Simone says.  "She is upstairs in her room working on her podcast or something," Jordan says.  "Let me bring her downstairs," Simone insists.

Olivia door is half open and Simone walks in, "Olivia why aren't you downstairs with everyone else," Simone asks.  "I was just finishing up some things because I knew I wouldn't have time later to do it.  You ready for the day?  Because the adults are most definitely ready," Olivia says.  "Yeah, I am down and I saw that your mom has the old school ice cream trunk here with the music playing, " Simone happily says.  "I see someone is extra happy about the ice cream," Olivia teases Simone.  "I may just try everyone ice cream they have today, Simone says while dancing.  You're cute too by the way. Simone tells Olivia.  "Why thanks, Olivia says while grabbing Simone arm and they head downstairs.  

Later in the afternoon, the Baker's home is filled with people from Beverly Hills and Crenshaw.  Everyone is having a good time.  Laura, Billy and Grace and some of the other adults are going down the Soul Train line while listening to some old school.  Dillion and his peers are enjoying an intense game of volleyball in the pool. The Beverly High and Crenshaw High kids are enjoying a game of Taboo.  Olivia gets up and goes in the office.   Spencer notices she is missing.

Olivia Inner Thoughts

Asher I have tried calling you several times and you haven't returned any of my calls.  I don't text any more because you don't respond to those either.  Maybe I am overreacting but I just thought I would hear from you some while you were in Mexico.  Then again, that's selfish of me because you are with your mom and you both have a lot to catch up on.  Just making sure you are okay.  When you get a minute, reach out to me.  Oh and Happy 4th! (Voicemail ends)  

A part of me understands he is taking some much needed time with his mom but the selfish part of me is like but I am still your girlfriend so check in on me sometimes.  Why am I even bothered at this point? Where is all this coming from?  I don't know.... Let me get back to this game.  As Olivia snaps out of it and heads towards the door, Spencer walks in.  "You good," he asks.  "Yea," she responds.  "Liv you're not telling me the truth," Spencer looks at her.  "I have been trying to call Asher and for some reason he has not been answering or returning my calls. I don't try texting anymore.  You know what?  None of that matters let's just enjoy this day.  I'm good," Olivia says.  "You sure because we can talk about it later if you want," Spencer tells her.  "No, let's go show them who the TABOO experts are," Olivia pushes him out the office as they both leave and she closes the door.  

A few hours later after everyone has had a great time, guest are beginning to leave. Grace says, "Laura and Billy, what you two got plan for the rest of the night?"  Laura and Billy both say nothing while giving Grace a confused look.  "Now you do," Grace says.  They have this spectacular firework show in Malibu tonight and WE are going.  Hop in your cars because I am not taking no for an answer.  If I can hang out in Beverly Hills, I am certain I can enjoy a fireworks show in Malibu.  I invited some of the others.  It will be fun and we adults deserve it.  "Count me in," says Laura.  "Well, hey let's do this," Billy says.  

Billy, Laura and Grace are headed out the door when Jordan says, "Wait where are you guys going?"  Oh we are going to the fireworks show down in Malibu and you guys are going to clean up this kitchen and do whatever it is y'all do," Billy says.  "AFTER this house is clean, "Grace stresses.  Don't worry Dillon is with friends and I will pick him up on the way home, Grace adds. "Everything they said," Laura co-signs as they all head out the door.  Jordan, Spencer and Olivia look at each other laughing.  "Did that just happen," Olivia ask.  "Yep," Jordan and Spencer answers.  They go in the kitchen with Simone and J.J. The guys get the backyard cleaned while the ladies clean up the kitchen. Simone says, "It's not that bad because most of the staff took care of the decorations and the big stuff.  I just wished they would have left behind the ice cream truck."  "Really Simone, "Olivia looks at her laughing.  

They are all sitting around when all of their phone notifications sound off one after the other.

J.J. : When do I pack?!

Jordan:  Wow, is this for real?

Simone:  I got to get clearance from my doctor.

Spencer:  I don't know if Mom is going for this.

Olivia: (total silence)

Layla & Coop text

You guys are invited to an ALL-INCLUSIVE 3night 4 day weekend at the Platinum Rose Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.  Coop will be performing Friday and Saturday night. Everything is already paid for courtesy of my dad.  All you guys got to do is not miss your flight.  See attachment for more details.  We can't wait to see all of you!

J.J.:  Wait this is next weekend! 

Jordan:  The departure flight is next Thursday!  That's in 6 days. Babe you think your doctor will clear you?

Simone:  I have an appointment on Monday so I guess we will find out.  Plus, a flight to Vegas is only a hour or so. 

Spencer:  I am game but my moms well that's another story.  Y'all know Grace James can be a tough cookie.  

Olivia:  (walks to get a water out the refrigerator)

Spencer:  (notices she doesn't seem that excited about the invitation)

"It' been a great day with this invitation being the icing on the cake," say JJ as he tells everyone goodbye. "Yeah, I better get you home Simone," Jordan says before walking out the door with Simone.  Spencer tells them all goodbye before closing and locking the door behind him.  He notices Olivia has disappeared again.  He walks into the kitchen and sees her sitting by the pool with her feet in the water. He sits down right beside her and joins her placing his feet in the pool. She doesn't acknowledge Spencer is there. Then, she suddenly feels his feet touch hers under water causing her to turn towards him, "Hey, he say directly looking at her eyes. She looks up at him looking directly back into his whispering softly, "Hey."