Say You'll Stay

Secrets & Lies

"Wait a minute, so you sneak out every night?" Nina asked while snuggled in Olivia's bed. She made the executive decision that the two of them needed a sleepover just like they did before they grew up.

"It's not really sneaking out"

"Do you go out the front door?"

"No" Olivia groaned.

"Anyone know?"

"I mean they know, but it's not common knowledge"

"Do you climb out the window?" She asked.

"No" Olivia laughed.

"I go out when the boys are asleep and come back before they wake. It's dating, only at night" Nina sat back with her arms crossed.

"You going tonight?"

"Yes, I don't know if he'll be there, but I'm going down to the creek" Nina grins.

"I appreciate the honesty"

The next hour they spent it talking about everything. Nina even laughed at the story of the race and started to smile a little more Spencer's name was mentioned. Olivia was hoping she'll see how much he makes her happy. How things have turned around since he's been there for her.

"I don't like it" Nina says.

"But I'm happy for you" Olivia sits on the bed next to her, taking ahold of her hand.

"I get that it's hard for you. It's hard for me. I didn't jump into this haphazardly. He's helped me come to terms with Jadyn's decision in a lot of ways. I don't understand, and I don't think I ever will, but I'm not so angry anymore" Nina nods.

"I wish I weren't"

"What do you mean?"

"He could've done so many other things than that. I struggle a lot with my own reconciliation with it. It didn't have to be this way"

Olivia closed her eyes, trying to focus on what she wanted to say.

"No, it didn't. We would've been able to work through this, but I guess it was too hard for him. I understand pride, I really do"

"But, I was his wife. I was supposed to be his partner...he decided on his own that he couldn't handle it"

"Yeah" Nina agrees.

"And he messed everyone's life up"

"Maybe" Olivia says with a great deal of tenderness.

"Maybe, he thought this was saving us" Nina's eyes fill with tears.

"I've been alone too, Liv"

"I know"

"No" Nina shook her head, sitting up.

"I don't think you do. I talked to him almost every day. I talked to you and those boys. You were my family. He took that from me too. But most of all, he left me with so many questions. And then you didn't want to talk to me" Her lip trembled.

"I get it, but it hurt"

"I'm so sorry"

"Don't be, that's the thing" Nina wiped her face, wiping away the tear that fell.

"I'm not angry or upset with you. I just want you back home"

Nina drifts off to sleep after they finish talking a little more. Olivia was late, and she texted Spencer letting him know. Since he didn't respond, she's assuming he's passed out in the truck. The last two nights they've met, there wasn't much sleeping. They wouldn't be heading out to the river this time, though. She wanted to make sure she was home early. She was also hoping how they were going to tell the twins. She thinks Zayden will take it really well, but Jayden was a toss up. She gets to the river, but there's no sign of him. She sent him another text.