Don't Let Us Go

Breaking Trust

Tension was thick for Spencer sitting at the dining table with Olivia's parents. He hadn't seen or spoken with them in years. When he was younger, they were like a second family to him. However, that changed when he and Olivia broke up, then he found out that they helped keep his daughter a secret. Despite forgiving Olivia for hiding her pregnancy and their daughter's existence, Spencer could not help but resent Billy and his wife. 

Sure, Spencer broke Olivia's heart when he left her all those years ago, but he deserved to know about his kid. And Olivia was far from in a solid state of mind during her pregnancy. Her parents should've taken charge the moment they found out about their granddaughter.  Billy could have reached out to Spencer about Gracianna, or Laura could have told Spencer's mom. They let their own fears of losing Olivia for betraying her secret get in the way of giving Gracianna a life with both her parents. And that was something Spencer did not know if he could forgive, but he played cordial. 

"You look happy, Mrs.B. Coach been treating well?" Spencer asked making small talk as he hugged Olivia's mom. 

"Yes, we've been doing well with my private law firm finally off the ground and Billy retiring from coaching at the university," Laura replied calmly, maternally rubbing Spencer's arm. "How's your folks? I hear Dillon is studying art out of the country. And your mom...how is she enjoying the country life?"

"They both doing good. Dillion's studies wrap up in a few months, but he will be flying here for the party in a few days. And you know how my mom is; adaptable to any surroundings. She and my stepfather are driving to L.A. as we speak for Gigi's birthday party." Spencer disclosed. 

"Gigi?" Billy mimicked inquisitively. 

"Yeah, Dad that's what Spencer calls Gracianna. Cute, right?" Olivia teased playfully about the pet names that Spencer quickly formed for their daughter. 

"Cute. What's it been a month? A little more than that since he found out about Cici and already making changes." Billy grunted disapprovingly. "You would think he's been in her life for years." 

"Dad, don't." Olivia warned. "Spencer and I discussed everything already. There is no need to rehash the past." 

"I think there is, Olivia," Billy stressed, unsatisfied with how Spencer trailed back into his daughter's life and won her over with sweet words and empty promises. "You walk into my home, and play nice with our family as if you aren't disturbing the good life my daughter made for herself and her child after you deserted them."

"Billy, stop it!" His wife urged, grabbing at her husband's shoulder. "We discussed this before they came. You promised you'd let Olivia handle this matter as she saw fit."

"I am sorry, however, I cannot lie about how I feel on this matter," Billy muttered annoyed. "Our daughter is about to throw away the life she built in Portland with a good job and amazing life for her daughter, simply because Spencer wants her to. It's unacceptable." His eyes landed on Olivia. "Do I need to remind you what happened last time you made your life all about Spencer? How you turned away great job opportunities just so you could follow him to New York after college only for him to leave you, high and dry?!" He recalled, slamming his hand on the table,

"Coach B this isn't like time," Spencer promised, understanding where the rage that vibrated off his former coach resonated from. "I am committed to building a life with Liv and our little girl. And no disrespect, but if you really wanted the best for Olivia, then you should have reached out to me years ago. You cannot judge me for not being involved when I was kept in the dark about my kid's existence." 

The lunch reached an awkward silence between the adults. 

"I think it's wonderful you and Olivia finally made peace with the breakup and found a way to reconnect and build a life for Cici." Laura addressed, trying to ease the tension as everyone else picked at their plate. 

Sighing deeply, Billy rubbed the temples of his forehead, needing to calm down. "I am sorry for my outburst. It was uncalled for." He apologized to Spencer. "And you are right, we are in no place to judge you for your absence."

"It's alright, Coach B. I know you're looking out for Olivia and your granddaughter. I can't fault you for that." Spencer compromised. "I just want you to try and see things from where I stand, that's all. You have every right to be pissed at me for breaking your trust in me, when it comes to protecting your daughter's heart. But, I can't make up for it unless you give me the chance to do so."

"You're right, Spencer." Billy agreed with the younger male, reaching his hand out to shake. "Shall we start again." 

Spencer smiled, shaking Coach Baker's hand, hoping this meant a fresh start for everyone. 

His phone rang inside his pocket, sparking concern for the one person who could break every vow he just made aloud. 

"Do you need to take that?" Billy questioned, with a raised brow as Spencer dug into his food, ignoring the call.

"Nah, it's probably just my new publicist, Charlie. I will call him back later." Spencer retorted, trying to hide his fear as best as he could. 

"I'm so happy you got rid of Tanya." Olivia grinned, still pleased with herself for believing she managed to rid Spencer of her delusional presence. "Wait, until I tell you about the unhealthy crush that his last publicist developed on Spencer." Olivia laughed with her mother, who waited to hear the amusing story. 

Spencer tried to tune in, but with every mention of Tanya, he feared her magically appearing like an insect to light, and flipping his world on its axis. Forcing a smile on his face as Olivia retold her parents about some of Tanya's antics back in New York, he began to wonder what Tanya said about Olivia held merit at all. Would Olivia believe him if he told her his side of the story? Could he risk their relationship for a kid that more than likely was not his at all?

He was so dazed in his own world that he hadn't heard Olivia speaking to him. "Hello, earth to Spencer.." She waved her hand across the table to gather his attention. 

"Huh? Oh, sorry I zoned out." Spencer gulped. "What did you say?" 

"My mom was asking if you and Tanya still keep in touch after her resignation." Olivia inquired on her mother's behalf curious to the response. "I was going to say no, but you two were friends at one point, so I could be wrong. Did you two leave things on a good note, at least?" Olivia wondered how the conversation of resignation went in her absence. "You didn't go into a lot of detail the day you told me she quit."

"I wanted to talk to you about that," Spencer stated, on the verge of cracking but was interrupted by the doorbell ringing. 

"I will get it. Pretty sure, it's the party planner." Olivia smiled, oblivious to the urgent bombshell Spencer was about to drop. She got out of her chair, starting on her way to the front door, when she realized she interrupted Spencer. "Oh, baby, what did you want to tell me?"

Her parents glanced at a nervous Spencer were chickened out under their gazes, afraid of how the entire Baker family might react. Perhaps this news was best revealed between him and Olivia when they were alone. 

"Uh, nothing important. It can wait." 

Shrugging Olivia pivoted back around on her original path to answer the front door. Spencer dragged his folk along his half-eaten plate of food with a loss of appetite.