It's Time

When the Time is Right

"Liv, she can't stay here. We don't even really know her." After I explained the entire situation to Spencer, he set up Cocomelon on the tv for Jace before dragging me into our bathroom to continue the conversation. I honestly expected a much more animated response from him, but he's been pretty calm.

"But Spencer, she has nowhere to go." I plead with him. He lets out a sigh of frustration before walking over to me. He grabs hold of my face with both hands and places a soft kiss on the top of my head.

"You are incredibly infuriating sometimes; do you know that?"

I trace my thumb down his cheek before allowing my head to rest on his chest. "You love me anyway."

"I do. I love you more than I ever knew was possible, Olivia. That's why she can't be here. We don't know her. We can't trust her. She's obviously been lying to her father and Jace's father. Not to mention, she has already lied to you. I can't risk your safety; I won't." He holds onto me tightly, and his body language shows me just how serious he is. I won't be changing his mind on this subject, and honestly, I'm not sure that I should try. It was kind of impulsive to tell Julia that she could stay.

"I'm sorry I didn't talk to you first. She was just so sad and scared. I wanted to help."

"Hey," Spencer says, lifting my chin. "We're a team, remember. I would prefer if we talked about it before you go opening up our doors to anyone else," He chuckles. "Regardless, I support you, always. If you feel this strongly about helping her, then we will figure out how to do that. It just can't be with her living under this roof."

"I'm sorry, again." I begin to cry a little. He's being incredibly kind, and if the roles were reversed, I'm not sure I could extend the same level of understanding. "We are a team. I called an audible, but next time I'll stick to the play call, I promise."

Spencer begins hysterically laughing, and I playfully smack his arm. "What? Did I say it wrong?"

He continues laughing, and the sound is so infectious I can't help but join in. "Baby, that was honestly the perfect analogy. Sometimes I forget just how high your football IQ is."

"You should never underestimate me, Spencer James." I wink at him.

"Never in a million years, Olivia Baker." He grins at me. We embrace, and in the safety of his arms, I take a moment to acknowledge how far we've come. We had a problem, and instead of running and hiding, we talked it out. Every time we get it right, my heart flutters. This is really what second chances are all about.

We finally pull apart, and I hold my pinky out to him. He smirks before interlocking his pinky with mine. "Anything and everything with you, Spencer James."

I rise on my tippy toes to kiss him. "Anywhere and everywhere with you, Olivia Baker."

"Sooooo do I have to be the bearer of bad news, or?"

Spencer laughs as he heads out of the bedroom. "All you, champ. You called the play; gotta see it through." I roll my eyes at his taunting. However, he's right. I made the mess; I have to clean it up. It seems like I've been having nothing but hard-hitting conversations since Spencer came back into my life. Something has to give!

I grab the extra clothes for Julia and make my way upstairs to serve her a second eviction notice in under 24 hours. Okay, that's not funny, but sarcasm is a defense mechanism of mine. Once I make it to the top of the stairs, I instantly feel nauseous wanting nothing more than to abort mission. I turn to go back into hiding when I get a glance of my not-so-funny boyfriend putting up the dog gate at the bottom of the steps. Although he knows that won't actually deter me from retreating back to the safety of our bedroom, I get the message loud and clear. There's no turning back now. He winks at me and offers a thumbs up. I want to roll my eyes at his antics, but instead, I just smile and nod. Now or never, Liv.