The Other Side: Growing Pains

7. Retirement Bash

Olivia's POV

"I was two seconds from calling your ass," Jayda says as she dials on her phone and we walk inside.

I cut my eyes at SJ because he's the one that made us late.

But I can't be too mad. After all, this whole party is a surprise to the entire family. And somehow I hope it eases the kid's pain of leaving New York without much of notice from me or Spencer.

"Now we just need Spencer," she mumbles as she checks the time.

"Mom, what's going on?" Shai asks as she looks around the parking lot.

"I don't know, but whoever's in there has a fly ahh—..."

"Watch your mouth," I say and everyone chuckles along with SJ.

He does that to be funny, often. But since his dad's announcement, he's been pretty quiet. So I'm hoping the talk we had in the car was the spark he needs to get back to being himself.

"I see he's in a better mood," Jayda whispers to me and I wink in her direction.

"There they go," Skyler shouts as she recognizes her daddy's SUV.

Summer and Owen hop out and they're just as confused as their father when they see us standing out front.

Jayda told him that some YouTube endorsers wanted to speak with him about a sponsorship. So of course Summer wanted to be there too. And well, Owen just went along for the ride.

"What y'all doing here?" Spencer asks and I grin.

"Yeah, honestly, I could've stayed at the gym," SJ comments and Spencer looks at him.

"Wait... wait.. y'all chill," Jayda interrupts. "Now, Liv has been working her ass off on this so don't ruin it with the classic James men attitude."

"I couldn't have said it better myself," I say and the both of them just listen.

"Is that Queen Naija?" Shai shouts as a car pulls up with Naija on the passenger side.

"Shh..." Jayda tells her and I try to hurry up before any other celebrity friend drives by and gives away the surprise.

"Auntie Jayda and I have been planning a big retirement bash for your father. But since we're moving, this doubles as a going away party for all of us."

"Why? Is JoJo Siwa in there?" Skyler asks and SJ giggles.

"No, she was busy," I answer honestly and I can tell by the excitement on Omari's face that they're starting to understand.

"Wait, if she couldn't make it, then who could?" He asks and Owen rubs his hands together in anticipation of my response.

"Well, Travis Scott is in there," I say and the look on my children's faces is priceless. "Oh, and Meg Thee Stallion is probably ready to perform too."

SJ and Spencer's smiles are identical and I can't help but laugh.

"And we have a little less than ten minutes, so let's go," Jayda says my children cheer before rushing into the door.

"Wait, wait... baby! You didn't have to do all of this!" Spencer says appreciatively as he wraps his arms around me. "I don't know how I can ever top this."

I allow him to kiss me.

Truthfully, I started planning this before he made that LA announcement. And honestly, I'm not sure if I would've planned it had I known he was going to spring that on the family. But it was too late. Venues, caterers, and some guests were already booked.

"I don't need you to top it, but I need something," I say and I can tell he's curious. "I need you to talk to SJ about this move. He needs you to talk to him. And whether you want to admit it or not, you need to talk to him too."'

He rubs down the length of his face as he tries to look away.

"Mom, I just got a pic with Travis!" Omari says after he opens the door.

Spencer tries to use Omari as an escape, but my grip on his hand stops him.

"You talk to him tonight or I won't be talking to you," I say and he looks at me pitifully.

"I was going to talk to him!" He tells me.

I poke my lips out and he meets me for a kiss.

"Ew... never mind," Omari says animatedly before shutting the door.

We both laugh before going inside behind him and literally have the time of our lives.
__________

There was so much love from old teammates, coaches, colleagues and celebrities. And although not everyone could make it, Jordan, his son and Dillon flew in to celebrate with us.

"Can't believe you pulled this off," Jayda says before taking her second shot.

"We pulled this off," I insist as I watch SJ, Omari and a few of their friends flick it up with Meg Thee Stallion.

"Look at SJ thinking he's grown," Jayda says and I laugh.

"I'm just happy to see that smile of his," I admit. "And quiet as it's kept, Omari's been pretty down lately too."

"Really?" Jayda asks in shock. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Because he hasn't opened up to me about it. yet" I answer honestly. "I can just tell. And I'll be waiting the minute he wants to talk."

"Wait, does Spencer even acknowledge the fact that this move actually affects y'all?" She questions and I find myself not being able to answer the question.

"I've been busy planning this party. So honestly, I don't know—- well, I think he's avoiding the reality of his impulsive decision making."

"And you just let him get away with avoiding?" She asks and it sounds terrible when she says it out loud.

"Damn, surround sound. Bring it down a notch. We're all having a good time. Aren't we?" I ask and she just rolls her eyes.

"I'm just saying, you have to let him know it wasn't cool. And now I have to be in this big city without my best friend." Jayda continues and I pout when I realize the real problem she's having right now.

"Awww... I'm going to miss you and you know that!" I say as she allows me to hug her.

Her eyes welt and the tears can't be held back.

As we embrace, I look over her shoulder and see Spencer walking over to SJ.

"Wait a minute, we got action," I say and we both stop and stare from a distance.

"Aww... shit now! This can either go well or go to hell in a matter of minutes," Jayda mumbles and I chuckle. "Let me put Darnell on standby."

I chuckle at her reaction to SJ and Spencer, seemingly, having a conversation about what they've both been avoiding for almost a month now.

"If they start arguing, I'm going to just go over there and ask one of these other rich people to adopt me." Summer whispers as she walks up and I chuckle.

"They're fine," I tell her.

"What are you like a lip reader or something?" She asks seriously.

"No, but I know James men."