It's Time

Tangled Up

Olivia's POV.

"COERCE?!" I pace back and forth on the phone with my mom as Spencer and Ron go over the details from earlier.

"Olivia, honey. I need you to breathe. You know the tabloids. They'll say anything whether it's true or not." My mom attempts to remain calm, but I can hear the hint of panic in her voice.

"Julia practically tied a neat little bow around Jace and left him on our doorstep. Adopting him wasn't even my idea. I would never—"

"Olivia. Stop. This rabbit hole you're sending yourself down isn't helping anyone. I need you to think about who all knows about Julia and if they'd have any reason to make you and Spencer look bad." She shifts from mom to lawyer, and despite me telling her we already have our legal team on it, I know it will be impossible for her to stay out of it.

"Outside of family and obviously Julia, Ryan and Dre know. Gabriel—" I hesitate because I haven't filled my mom in on exactly who Gabriel is. "— He is the dad of Jace's good friend from school... he knows. I— I think that's it. We really have no reason to talk about it." I answer as truthfully as possible.

"Okay, so how have things been with Julia? Does she have any reason to go to the press?" The interrogation continues.

"Things with Julia are non-existent. I hold up my end of the bargain. I send her pictures and videos, but she never responds."

"And she didn't respond to the birthday invitation either?"

"I didn't invite her. Why would I? It's been radio silence since about a week after she left Jace with us." My annoyance rears its ugly head, but this is completely unnecessary. Julia didn't say anything. She hated being a mom. That's evident in her giving us Jace and never looking back.

"I have to go, mom. Spencer and Ron are talking, and I need to be present for that." I tell a small lie, desperate to get off the phone.

"Okay, Livvie. Please try to relax. I love you."

"Love you too." I quickly hang up.

I join the guys at the kitchen table, and suddenly, they have nothing left to discuss. "What's going on? And Spencer, I'd think very carefully about the last two months before answering me." I warn.

"The guy who I punched... he's pressing charges." Spencer sighs.

"Please tell me this is some sick joke," I beg.

The blaring silence from both of them serves as the unbearable soundtrack for this nightmare we're currently living in.

"Spence. I think calling in my buddy may be the best thing for you right now." Ron asserts, but Spencer immediately begins shaking his head.

"Spencer? What the hell? What reason could you possibly have for not accepting all the help we can get right now?" I run my fingers through my hair. Sorry mom, but the likelihood of me relaxing just decreased to zero.

"Liv."

"She's the best in the business, Spencer. You know that. This guy is just looking for a payday, and she can get that done quietly— minimize the damage." Ron attempts to convince Spencer this is the best way.

"Oh, you've got to be fucking kidding me." I huff, pushing myself up from the table, my mouth instantly becoming dry.

"That's why I said no, Liv. We'll figure out another way." Spencer walks over to me.

"This is just perfect." I open the fridge, grabbing a bottle of water.

"Is there something I'm missing?" Ron asks, and to say he's a lawyer, he absolutely cannot read a room.