All American Prediction Series: Season 3

Interlude XI: Brother's Keeper

This takes place in my Episode 15 chapter after Jordan and Spencer hang out with Frausto and Asher. 

"Alright, I can't keep quiet about this anymore.  What is going on with you and my sister? She told me about the Vegas kiss and I know my sister. She'll tell half of the story," Jordan asked Spencer on their way back from the bonding time with Frausto and Asher. Jordan could sense there was more to the story than Olivia told him and his nosey ways wouldn't let it die. "Unless something happened that you know I don't want to know. Please spare me those details." 

"Nah, man. Nothing like that happened," Spencer said, putting Jordan's fears to rest. "Vegas was crazy. From you and Simone getting married and everyone trying to push me back with Layla. It was a lot going on and I realized some things while we were there."

"I was one of those people pushing you back with Layla. I assumed that's what you really came for and of course Coop," Jordan responded. "You two seemed too in love to not get back together."

"That's the thing. I was fighting with myself over my feelings for Layla because I had feelings for your sister and wasn't being honest about it. Then in Vegas, it hit me that I was in love with Liv," Spencer explained, thinking back to the night of Simone and Jordan's wedding. The way his feelings attacked him made him an emotional mess. He didn't understand how he didn't realize his feelings before and when Olivia looked at him, he knew she felt the same. As scary as it was for him, Spencer wasn't the type to back down. He had to tell her how he felt. 

"Whoa, she didn't tell me all that. You're in love with my sister," Jordan asked, unable to hide his shock. "I thought you two just had a moment because it's Vegas and everyone has a moment. Like you finally admitted you liked each other or something. But love? How the hell did you two end up getting back with Layla and Asher?" 

"She ran away."

"Not shocking at all," the twin replied. 

"I mean I get why she ran. It was a complicated situation and we couldn't move on like Asher and Layla didn't exist. I don't blame her for that," Spencer added. After much thought, he understood Olivia's fear. She was quietly dealing with a relapse on top of fighting her own feelings for Spencer. In that moment,  Olivia's flight sense went into overdrive and fighting for what she truly wanted seemed selfish. Spencer knew his adrenaline and the intense emotions he felt that night were clouding his judgment. Even if they decided to move forward with each other, they would have to face reality when they came back to Los Angeles. A cold reality that Olivia was not strong enough to face at that time while dealing with her relapse. 

"It's hard for Olivia to put herself first. I've known from the beginning that she liked you and once you and Layla got together, she moved on," Jordan shared, turning onto the expressway. "Can I be honest with you, Spence?" 

"Always," Spencer urged. 

"That night Olivia almost died....that's when she and Asher slept together. It's hard for me to even say that because I feel like he took advantage of my sister. She was so gone that night and can barely even remember anything that happened. I haven't looked at Asher the same since and hated him for my sister. I don't know what she saw in the guy after all of that but I try to stay out of her way. Now Asher is trying to mend our friendship and I honestly don't want to. I put up with him." Jordan had been holding in his true feelings about Asher and his relationship with Olivia for a year. Finding his sister barely breathing and learning months later that Asher had slept with her knowing she was high, angered him beyond belief. Knowing how his sister wanted to help everyone and meant no harm, hurt Jordan because he knew Asher had taken advantage of that kindness and didn't appreciate it.

Then there was Spencer.  A guy who was observant and caring when it came to Olivia. He put her health and safety first when he told their family about the relapse. No matter how difficult it was for him, he knew he had to save her from herself. Jordan could appreciate that and knew he could trust Spencer with his sister's heart. 

Spencer didn't know the details about how Asher and Olivia got together. Now that he knew the truth, suddenly he wanted to handle Asher the way he deserved to be handled then.  Spencer's jaw clenched, "I didn't know it happened that night. Why hasn't anyone beat Asher's ass, yet?"

"Trust me, I regret not handling this differently a long time ago. I won't let that happen ever again, I'll tell you that much. Look," Jordan briefly looked at Spencer who was still digesting all the new Asher information he had just learned. "You're my brother and I trust you to protect Liv and treat her right."

Spencer nodded, "You know I won't let her down...or you. I'll protect her with my life and you got my word on that." 

"Thanks, man. You both deserve each other. I don't know what's going on with you two now but don't let time get away. Life's too short not to be with the person you truly want to be with. Hell, I got married in high school," Jordan grinned. 

"I don't plan to do all that in high school. I'll leave that to you and Simone," Spencer shook his head. 

"Can I start calling you my brother-in-law now," Jordan half-joked. 

The two laughed at Jordan's excitement, "Whatever, man. If that makes you happy."