All American Prediction Series: Season 3

Interlude IX: Whenever You're Around

Olivia: We need to talk. 

Why would she send that at 7am knowing they wouldn't see each other until after school? Spencer began typing back and paused to think about what he could have possibly done in the last 24 hours. They had talked on the phone until 11:30pm and everything seemed fine when they hung up. 

Spencer: Everything good? 

Olivia: Yeah. I just have some things I need to get off my chest and it's weighing on me. 

For the rest of the school day, Spencer wondered what Olivia's text that morning meant. So far they had been on good terms and moving towards a healthy relationship though things weren't official. He didn't want to rush her while she still recovered from her recent relapse but he was curious to know where her mind was at the moment. Things had almost gotten physical with them more than once and the air wasn't clear yet. He felt like they were both tip-toeing around their current situation because they hadn't talked about everything that transpired in Vegas and post-Vegas. Questions were unanswered and there were still hurt feelings that needed to be discussed. 

Spencer and Olivia met up at his house after football practice. When she arrived, Spencer could sense the tension and apprehension when she walked in and sat on the couch. 

"How was your day," Olivia questioned, trying to break the ice that had suddenly built between them. 

"Long. Yours," Spencer sat opposite the couch, giving Olivia space to gather her thoughts.

"Same. Seems like the days are a lot longer without you at Beverly," she smiled weakly. "Um, I had a session with my addiction counselor last week and she gave some homework." 

"Homework," Spencer repeated. "What do you have to do?" 

"Well I'm not the best with communicating how I feel and she said I need to work on it. When I relapsed, there were a lot of things I kept to myself because I didn't want to feel like a burden. I assumed people knew I wasn't okay. It was easier to drink in order to numb my pain temporarily instead of asking for help or telling people how I felt. Her favorite quote is 'buried feelings will resurface and only make you feel worse'," Olivia explained. "I don't feel like we've talked about everything and I don't want to start a relationship off on the wrong foot, Spencer. A lot has happened over the last few months." 

Spencer saw the weight lift off her shoulders as she spoke. Her honesty and growth made him proud. No one could take away her persistence when it came to her sobriety journey. She went to every meeting and counseling session on top of taking accountability. "You're right. We need to talk. I'd feel a lot better moving forward if we put everything out on the table. I'll start by apologizing to you for Vegas. I'm not saying sorry for telling you how I felt but not understanding why you left and then sleeping with Layla. There's no excuse for that because it shouldn't have happened. I was hurt and used her as comfort when it wasn't fair to you... or her. Made things a lot more complicated and I take full responsibility for it." 

"Whew, Vegas was a lot. I can't lie. I panicked because I knew what was coming after the wedding. It was easier dealing with my feelings for you when you didn't feel the same way about me. So when you told me you loved me, I was shocked. Since you first came to Beverly, I knew I liked you but never had the guts to tell you. Even when Layla kept pushing me to say something, I kept quiet. I saw the way you looked at her and figured I had no chance in hell. Until that night in the hot tub. Then Jordan had to ruin it with his conspiracy theory." 

Spencer frowned, "What conspiracy theory?"

"That you were our brother," Olivia admitted, rolling her eyes at Jordan's idiotic assumption. 

"Wait, what? What made him think I was Coach's son," Spencer couldn't contain the laughter that followed the statement. 

"Totally dumb on his part. Honestly, we can just blame everything that happened on him and call it a day," Olivia joked. "But I wanted to be honest with you about my feelings in Vegas and it scared me to finally hear those words from you. Especially with the situation being so complicated with Layla and Asher. I hate hurting people and I knew if I was honest with myself and stayed, it would only be worse. It was easier to run away instead of face the truth and I'm sorry for hurting you. Then getting back with Asher out of guilt right in your face. Then finding out about you and Layla in Vegas confused me even more. I guess I thought we could forget what happened and move on but things didn't go that way." 

"It's all good, Liv. It was a lot for both of us to handle on top of going into senior year. And you dealing with your relapse," Spencer replied, moving to the couch to sit next to Olivia. "Can I ask you a question?" 

"Yeah." 

"Why didn't you come to me for help when you relapsed?" As observant as he was, Spencer had no idea Olivia was struggling with her sobriety until it was too late. Hiding struggle was one of Olivia's toxic traits and she hid things well. 

"I don't know. Shame? Thinking I had everything under control. Addiction is weird like that. In the back of my mind I knew I needed help and I wanted it. But my pride wouldn't let me ask for help so when things got out of control and everything was exposed, I felt like I failed. You don't want those you love to see you like that. After the shooting, nothing felt right and I constanltly on edge." 

Spencer placed a hand on Olivia's thigh, "You don't have to feel shame. If anything all this proved how strong you really are. You never gave up and I don't want you giving up on us because you think I see you differently because I don't." 

Olivia blushed, "I'm glad you don't. Thanks Spencer." 

"So are we good now? Are you done with your homework," Spencer asked, raising a brow. 

"Hmmm," she hummed as Spencer's lips neared her's. "Actually no. There's something else I wanted to talk about." 

"Okay?" 

"What's this I hear about you helping Jordan get back on the field," Olivia asked, crossing her arms when Spencer appeared shocked. 

"We aren't doing anything that'll hurt him. He asked for my help." 

"Hm. I think he's strong enough to handle that on his own," Olivia mocked sticking out her tongue. 

"Oh you're going to use my words against me, huh?" 

"Mmmhhhhmmm," Olivia nodded, pinching Spencer's cheek.  He wasn't going to get out of this one easily.