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TW: Mentions of addiction

Summer Before Senior Year

One sip would do her good for the rest of the day. She had made this promise to herself every day for the past two weeks. Reminding herself it wasn't pills eased the guilt and disappointment. Pills were her addiction while alcohol was something she didn't use as often as she used pills. That made it okay. Right?

The constant battle that took place in her mind got louder as the days went on and it was beginning to drive her further into her downward spiral. The spiral that she fought in silence because she kept telling herself this time was different. Besides, Spencer spending a lot of time at the Baker's during the summer meant less time for her to drink. Minus the days he wasn't around and she was alone. Giving her more than enough time to drink herself into long hours of sleep.

Then there was that night when they were watching Mo' Better Blues. Olivia didn't drink at all that day. Spencer didn't have to work and stayed at the Bakers overnight. Jordan was with Simone while Billy was in Crenshaw and Laura on a business trip. They had the house to themselves.

"Wake up," Spencer tapped Olivia's arm as she nodded off to sleep. "Or I'm starting it over. This is a classic, you can't fall asleep on this."

The day before Olivia had indulged in a new liquor since she was out of vodka. Remnants of her hangover had carried over into the next night, making it difficult to stay awake. "Sorry, I stayed up too late last night."

"Watching scary movies by yourself again, huh," Spencer shifted, moving one of the pillows to the side so Olivia could get comfortable on the couch. Lately, there was a weird shift between them. Those late movie nights would turn into them falling asleep on the sofa. One morning, they found themselves in a heap of tangled limbs, with Olivia's head resting on Spencer's chest. They never mentioned that morning but they definitely thought about it.

Midway through the movie, Olivia moved closer. Like all the other times she ended up under him, it was natural. Spencer didn't think anything of it and threw his arm over the back of the couch.

Then there was another shift. As the credits rolled, Spencer looked down at Olivia to find she hadn't fallen asleep as he'd thought. Their eyes met and there was a pull sending them into unfamiliar territory. He didn't understand what came over him but he kissed her.

When they pulled away, Spencer apologized, "Sorry...I'm going to head upstairs. Night, Liv." Olivia was stuck in the same spot for five minutes after he left.

That was the start of a series of events that took place that summer until they peaked in Vegas.
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Present Day

Dates with Frank were fun. Relaxing, even. But this night felt off ever since Olivia got the cryptic call from Spencer. What could he have wanted?

"Hey, you okay," Frank asked, sliding his hand across the table. "You seem distracted."

"I'm sorry. Long day," Olivia replied, straightening up in her chair and shaking her head. "I'm going to run to the ladies' room."

How could a person interrupt her life this much and they barely saw each other or talked? Olivia knew she had to get control of this before it went too far. Her cheering for the Ravens was her only alibi in cutting Spencer off completely. But was that truly what she wanted?

Olivia wet a paper towel and placed it on her forehead for a short second. "Pull it together," she told her reflection in the mirror.

Once she got back to her date, she was able to push any thoughts about Spencer to the back of her mind and enjoy dinner.

"The walk of shame," Trinity announced when Olivia snuck in the next morning. "Now maybe you'll come in here in a better mood." When Trinity noticed that her friend wasn't amused, she added, "Was it that bad?"

Olivia shook her head and sat at the kitchen island, "It wasn't bad at all. Great actually. I just feel...ugh I don't know. Maybe I'm overthinking."

"It's called casual sex, Liv. People do it all the time. Live a little," Trinity replied. "I thought you liked Frank?"

"I do," she admitted.

"Hmm. I know what your real problem is but I'll mind my business," Trinity scoffed. "Speaking of business, did you know our next door neighbors moved out?"

Deciding to ignore Trinity's first statement, Olivia replied, "Oh, Miss Carla and Janice? They've been here for years, where'd they go?"

"Supposedly moved to Florida where all the other old people go when they retire. I saw the maintenance people over there fixing stuff up for the new tenants. Hopefully, they are as nice as the old ones because I have no problem cussing a bitch out."

Olivia rolled her eyes, "Don't we all know that. I'm going to take a shower."

Washing Frank off still didn't wash off the guilt she felt. While the sex fulfilled her physical appetite, she was thinking about another man the entire time. It wasn't fair to Frank when he was putting in a great effort. Things were fine and moving along between them until Olivia learned Spencer was coming to Baltimore. The unresolved feelings between them made him being there very complicated. When Olivia left Los Angeles, they never discussed what had happened between them. Instead, it was easier to agree to be just friends and act like the summer before their senior year didn't happen. For a while, it was easier to live that way until they were forced into each other's worlds again.
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Three Weeks Later
Spencer and Olivia hadn't had any contact in weeks. Spencer was busy training for the season while balancing the various endorsement deals his agent kept bringing to him. In college, he had a few so he was used to the attention. Though these endorsements were bigger and put more money in his pockets.

He hadn't thought to contact Olivia again after hearing evidence of her seeing someone. As hard as it was to let go, he needed to for his own health. They'd just have to learn how to co-exist without that connection. No matter how hard it was to not act on emotions.

Hotel living was beginning to get lonely. Spencer promised himself he would focus on finding a more permanent place that week. His suite gave him more luxury than he wished for and it didn't feel like home. After touring multiple spots around the city, he finally found one that fit his taste.

"Mr. James, where would you like the sofa," someone from the move-in crew asked. Spencer had purchased a couch and bedroom set to at least have a place to sleep and relax until he finished decorating. Grace told him to hire someone to decorate, which Spencer took as an insult to his taste in decor.

"Middle of the floor. I'm hanging the TV over the fireplace," Spencer ordered, sitting on the kitchen island.

Loud voices from the hallway caught his attention because one of them sounded familiar. That couldn't be who he thought it was. Then he heard the laugh and jumped to his feet, hoping to prove himself wrong. When he stepped out into the hall, he saw those familiar long legs and thick curls. She stopped at the door next to his apartment and waved to the neighbor that was walking with her.

"Later, Shay," she said, typing her code into the keypad to unlock the door. She felt eyes on her and peered up through her lashes. "Sp...Spencer?"

"Hey, neighbor," he replied, his lips curving into a grin.