You Get It

Combust, Part 2

We need to talk about this.

Call me

I didn't mean to compare you to your Dad, I'm sorry

Spencer???

Babe, I'm sorry.

Can you please just let me know you're okay?

Not right now, Liv. I'm at J and Simone's. I promise I'm safe and I'll be home later but I need a minute.

Fine. I love you

I love you too

It was in the late morning on Friday. The morning after the nastiest fight they had ever had and honestly, Olivia wasn't feeling any better about what had transpired. "Space" or not, she knew it had gone further left than she could've ever imagined and that an uncomfortable conversation was going to have to be had. In all their years together, she had never felt the hopelessness she felt when he walked out. Their communication had always been on point even when they were teenagers and them fighting like this, scared her. She wasn't sure if it was the idea that maybe time had gotten in the way and they lost sight of what was important or if the fears she had but never thought would come to fruition with Spencer, seemed to be poking holes in her happily ever after. Fears about being with a man who placed the game over his family. It wasn't him and she was nervous that the build-up and holding things in came out in the worst way. She just knew that the hurt she felt was heavy. Though she was still upset with his actions, she knew that her pride had made her go just as far and she wanted to do her part to make it right. If only he would actually answer the phone.

It wasn't until later that afternoon when he came home and practically ignored her in favor of doting on Maddy that she knew just how bad this was. Only an awkward "hi" being exchanged and a quick back and forth on his way out that confirmed he planned to go back to Jordan and Simone's that night. When the topic of actually talking through the mess they had made came up, he assured her that though he very much loved her and was still in this- he just needed a little bit longer before he could fully put his thoughts together. The incidents of Saturday night didn't completely dissolve matters.

-----4pm on Saturday. Two days after the fight ------

Olivia was sitting in her kitchen with Simone, trying to sort through the emotional rollercoaster that had been the past 48 hours.

"I don't know, Simone. You didn't see the look in his eyes when I brought up his dad. It was awful." She sadly let out, playing with the loose string from the tea bag that hung from the side of her mug.

"And what about Maddy's face when you walked in here alone after the orientation? She probably was confused and sad that both her parents didn't walk through that door after being promised they would. Anyone who knows that little girl, knows she is attached to your guys hips and is going to need you both to be on point with this whole transition. Don't get me wrong, you shouldn't have brought up his dad like that, but it doesn't make your fear or feelings any less valid. You just have to talk to him. Let him know you're feeling scared or like he needs to refocus." Simone suggested, placing her hand on Olivia's. "I mean you guys talk everyone else's ear off all the time, so it should be easy." She added trying to lighten the mood.

Olivia just offered a small glance but the tears formed again.

"I just don't want to lose my husband over something we could've handled better. I know he loves Maddy. He's the best father I've ever seen. That little girl has him wrapped around her finger. I just don't want him to lose himself in football like our dads did. He's got a lot on his shoulders but I think he forgets that it doesn't have to be that way. He can also balance his time with us like he's always done."

"Girl, so tell him that. And please, lose your husband? That man is just as obsessed with you as Jordan is with me."

"Gross. But thank you." Liv gave a small smile and decided to text Spencer again.

What time will you be home? My mom offered to take Maddy out with Liam so we could have some time alone

Bet. I'll be there soon.

----------------------------------------------

A little while later, Spencer walked through their bedroom door as Olivia sat in bed. Seeing him in the doorway, Olivia gave a small smile.

"Hi."

"Hi"

"I'm glad you came home. I think we need to talk. Like really talk." Olivia said as she hugged her knees to her chest. The obvious nerves and sadness that his wife had, made Spencer even more hesitant than he already was. They've never had issues or fears when it came to talking to each other. Their marriage was far from perfect but the foundation of friendship they had allowed for them to talk so freely and openly that this disconnect felt foreign.

"I think so too. I've been putting a lot of thought into this and I think that it's a good idea if I just sleep in the guest room. Just for tonight. I don't wanna blow this out of proportion especially since we're about to talk but I don't want to jump back into things and"

"Jump back into things? What are you talking about, Spencer? We're married. We had an argument. Yeah it was a nasty one, but things happen. You were already out for two nights. Why would you have to stay in the guest room?" she cut him off, confusion and anger beginning to combine with the hurt she still felt.

"I was out because I didn't want to do this again."

"Do what? Talk? It's what we should've been doing all along, Spencer"

"Space was obviously what we needed and me sleeping at Jordan's doesn't mean anything expect we needed to take a second to think about how to handle this."

"Handle what? Our marriage?" she said, the bitterness creeping back in. She took a second and began to deep-breath.

"No. This argument. Clearly it's bigger than just me missing an orientation. A lot was said and I think giving ourselves the space to process without a time limit is what we need."

"I don't get this. I don't get why we can't process together? We've done it as long as we've known each other. Whats the difference now?"

"Because you compared me to him, Liv." He said with tears forming as he made direct eye contact for the first time in what felt like forever. "I know you said you were sorry and I know you mean it. But you know how I feel about that. Of everyone in this world, you are the last person that I thought would throw that in my face."

"And you threw old shit in my face, Spencer! It was heat of the moment and got way out of hand." She shot back before closing her eyes. Reminding herself of her talk with Simone, she knew if she wanted to sort through this in a real way, she'd have to focus on accepting her part as well. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said what I did and I know how badly it hurt you. I didn't mean it. I-I just wanted to make you see how your actions were affecting us."

"I get that. But like I said, it's a lot to process. I just need a few more hours."

"Okay." She said as her arms crossed against her chest. Hesitant to go even more time without getting to the root of this, she felt him being down the hall was better than out of the house.

"Okay." He affirmed. "And I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have thrown high school issues in your face. We're way past that and it wasn't right." He placed a hand on hers and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"I know." She said softly. Playing with the strings of her hoodie, she looked back up. "So just a few more hours right? Then we can talk? Really talk?"

"You have my word." He said gently. And for the first time since their argument, she felt a glimmer of hope.

A/N:

So, don't get me wrong- Mr. Spencer James will be making it up to my girl in the next chapter. He aint off scot-free, I just didn't want to rush it and wanted to give a little more detail of the in-between. Thank you to everyone who is reading and who commented! I hope you're liking it!