Breaking Barriers - S.R.

27

I smiled as Spencer was ushered through the door and his eyes finally landed on me. He sat down in front of me and for the first time since he'd arrived here, I didn't feel like crying at the sight of him. I knew things were starting to head in the right direction and I had faith that he would be out soon. However, based on the grim look on his face, you would think he had already been sentenced to life in prison.

"How are you?" I asked, fidgeting with my hands. It was a strange feeling, not being able to touch him.

"I'm okay." He responded sadly.

I bit the inside of my cheek as I quickly realized he wasn't in a very good mood today. Not that I could blame him. "I talked to JJ today. They're making progress. Hang in there, okay? It shouldn't be much longer."

He was staring at the table in front of him but nodded in acknowledgement at my words.

"I went to see your mom." I continued. "She's doing really good, she just misses you."

His eyes shifted to meet mine and I studied his melancholy features as he stared back at me. "That's good."

I sighed, lowering my voice. "What's going on, Spence? Talk to me."

He was quiet for a long time. I waited patiently for him to speak, and after a moment, he finally opened his mouth hesitantly.

"We...we have to break up."

Now it was my turn to be silent. I stared at him in shock, confused and possibly thinking I misheard him. "What?"

He swallowed harshly. "Things are complicated. There's so much going on right now and you don't need to be caught up in the middle of this. It's not safe for you to be involved in any way, and--"

"Spencer, I'm already involved." I said lowly, leaning forward and glancing around the room to make sure no one was paying attention to us. "Whoever is after you, already knows who I am and I know you're smart enough to know that. How exactly do you think breaking up with me and leaving me alone is going to keep me safe?"

"The team will be watching out for you and they've assured me that you can call them if you need anything. You won't be alone. You also have your friends." He muttered.

I shook my head in disbelief. "Where is this coming from?"

"Y-you also don't need to be spending your spare time in a prison visiting your convict boyfriend. Do you realize how that looks?"

"I don't care how it looks!" I whispered angrily. "Besides, it's not like I'm announcing it to the world. I've been laying low until everything is cleared up."

"You shouldn't have to do that." He eyes dropped to the table in front of him again as he spoke. "You need to go live your life and not worry about me. This isn't something I can allow you to be a part of anymore, Olivia."

"So I don't get a say in this at all? You're just done with me?" My voice shook as I tried to bite back tears, but I didn't miss him blinking away the glassiness in his eyes.

"It's not up for discussion." He said quietly, refusing to look at me.

"After everything we've been through." I said in disbelief as he stood up and waved to get the guard's attention.

He finally managed to meet my gaze, looking down at me as I still sat in front of him. "Please, don't come back here." He said, before I watched him escorted out the door.

It took me a moment to compose myself enough to stand up and leave, not wanting to draw anymore attention than necessary. I drove straight home, tears falling from my eyes the entire time. When I got back to my apartment, the quiet of being alone was more than I could bare right now, so I turned on the TV to drown out the silence.

There was no one I could call. I hadn't spoken to Dean since our fight, I'd mostly avoided the awkwardness of hanging out with Sophia because I knew she felt the same way as Dean about Spencer, I wasn't close enough with any of Spencer's coworkers to call them...and besides, who's side would they take, anyway? It was pointless.

I sat on my couch for less than an hour, wallowing in self pity when the anger finally hit me. I can't believe Spencer would do this to me. He broke up with me while he's sitting in prison! I was livid and I couldn't even call him and give him a piece of my mind. I decided that the next best thing was to go out so at least I didn't have to sit in silence alone.

I wound up at the bar down the street from my apartment yet again. I walked inside and immediately to the bar, taking a seat in one of the stools and keeping my head down. The bartender gave me a smile as he approached me.

"The usual?" He asked.

I nodded and watched him walk away, reaching for a fresh glass under the counter. He'd practically memorized everything I've ordered before even though I don't drink much. I always ordered the same thing when I did. His name was Craig and he'd been working here almost as long as I had been coming here with my friends. Although, I'd been coming alone a lot more often these days.

Craig came back a moment later and set a drink in front of me. "Surprised you aren't sitting with your friends."

My eyebrows pulled together in confusion. "What?"

He gestured towards the general seating area and I looked over to see none other than Dean and Miles. Both their heads turned away from me as I caught Dean's gaze.

"Great." I rolled my eyes and turned back to Craig. "This day just keeps getting better."

"Want to elaborate?" He asked humorously, filling a glass with beer and placing in it front of a man a few seats down from me.

"I got dumped earlier." I said flatly.

"Ouch." He replied. "I take it you aren't on speaking terms with those guys either?" He nodded towards Dean and Miles again, keeping his eyes on me.

"Not really." I sighed. "It's a long story."

"I'd tell you that I have time, but it doesn't look like you do." He stated, his eyes shifting quickly to my left before falling back on me.

I looked over just in time to see Dean cautiously approaching me. When I looked back at Craig, he had already moved to the opposite end of the bar to tend to the other customers.

"Hey." Dean said simply.

"Hi." I replied softly, my gaze shifting back to my drink.

"You here alone?" He asked, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"You see anyone with me?" I asked crassly.

Dean looked at me for a moment then sighed and sat on the empty bar stool beside me. "Look, I'm sorry. I really am."

I nodded, taking a sip of my drink. "Thanks."

"I know you're still pissed at me and I get it. I shouldn't have said what I did about Spencer, but I was just trying to look out for you, ya know?" He explained.

"Yeah." I mumbled. "I know."

"I miss you." He said, nudging my shoulder playfully. "Even if you're annoying sometimes."

I cracked a smile and shook my head in amusement. "You're one to talk."

He grinned widely. "Are we good?"

"Yeah, sure." I stated. Our relationship had always been that simple. We would argue, but eventually move on like nothing happened. I liked it that way.

"Come sit with us." Dean asked, although it sounded more like a demand.

"I don't--"

"Get your ass up." He joked. "Come on. I'm not letting you sit here and drink alone."