Before the Sun Sets

@ Jinx...
Leo lingered for a minute before he let go and moved into the seat besides her. He nodded and smiled. “I understand why you did, thank you.” He murmured. Leo crossed his legs and folded his hands in his lap. His head was down as he thought about what to say. “I know this doesn’t make up for it, at all.” He paused and lifted his head to look at her. “I wrote it in a dark place. I can’t change it now, obviously. I didn’t think you were ever gonna read this or that I’d ever see you again.” He swallowed hard. “When I realized you were working on this with me I still held those emotions from that dark place and wanted to spite you. As we healed and connected again, honestly it slipped from my mind. Everything was good.” He shook his head. “I don’t know what to say or how to make this better.” Leo was confused and hurt and felt guilty the whole time he was talking. He wanted to start rambling but he knew it wouldn’t do any good. He didn’t know what would do good right now. All he knew was he loved Olivia and that he didn’t want to lose her. “If you don’t wanna talk about it, I have some news I can share.” He said and laughed nervously.

@ BadStreetBoys
Olivia looked up at Leo glad he said that. She was glad he knew it didn't fix it. She didn't know how he could. "I don't know how to make it better either." She said. "I still love you Leo this isn't going to change that but I'm hurt." She looked out the window swallowing back tears. "Its not just that you wrote it or felt that way its that its out there and that you didn't talk to me about it. We're doing a movie on this book. It's my job to set the mood and advertise this movie and all I can think is I know exactly which actress is playing my role and it breaks my heart. No one will know my side." She frowned and sniffed, swallowing hard. She felt like she was choking back the sadness. "I don't know what I want Leo. I'm hurt but I need you. I always have. And part of me can't blame you for how you handled it because every time I feel hurt by you I feel like your leaving, pulling away and your not going anywhere but I haven't dealt with my own issues. She knew that but she didn't know how to fix it either. She was quiet a while but knew she needed to tell him. "Graham... talked to me yesterday." She said not sure she would call that talking. "I tried to tell him its over but he wasn't listening."

@ Jinx...
Leo’s eyes moved up and looked over at Olivia as she spoke. He knew this was a big fuck up. He hoped it was something that time could heal because he really didn’t know how else he was going to fix this. Leo nodded as she spoke, he was listening carefully to all of her words. He wanted to make sure Olivia knew she was heard and understood. “I need you too.” He whispered and looked down at his feet again. He closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath to hold back some tears. This whole situation, coupled with the Graham situation was very emotionally taxing on him. “I could make a statement, basically admit that I made this up and exaggerated it for my book. I don’t know if that would help...” he told her as he looked up again. Leo for wed as she spoke about Graham. He felt a fire of hatred heat up in his core at the man’s name. “He’s a narcissistic piece of shit, he’s an abuser just like my father was, that’s why. He thinks he still has you on this leash. And when he actually does realize he no longer does I’m worried about what he will do in retaliation.” Leo told her and reached out to touch her arm. “We’re going to uhm, my hometown, where we met.” He said and swallowed. “Same weekend we’re there it’s our ten year class renunion.”

@ BadStreetBoys
Olivia smiled weakly at his attempt to make it better. "No that would make it sound like you're taking it back for my benefit. Does Tony know..." she didn't know what to say; that she wasn't a terrible person? She couldn't talk anymore about it. She would just have to come to terms with it. As Leo talked about Graham she sunk her head into her knees her shoulders shaking after a while and she sniffled. "Thank you." She was afraid she had really been everything Graham said she was but the easy reminder from Leo soothed her and made her feel better about it at least for now. She pushed at her tears and nodded. She was nervous too for what Graham would do when he had enough at playing the perfect hurt fiancé waiting for her to come back to him. Leo brought up their old school. She bit her lip. "I don't think it would be considered my class reunion since I didn't graduate there but... I think you should go. Defiantly. I think you need to see how far you have come." she said and finally relaxed into her chair the strain starting to ease just a little between them.

@ Jinx...
Leo nodded and looked down. He really felt like he screwed up, but he had no idea what to do. “Does Tony know it’s fabricated? Kinda.” He said and shrugged. “I mean more than just that is exaggerated, not any of the abuse or anything but later in the book. Tony knows everything about me basically. He knows who you are.” Leo explained as he looked up at her. He reached across and put a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. “Anything for you my dear.” he murmured. Leo laughed softly and nodded. “That’s fair. But I don’t wanna go alone.” He said and moved his hand down and took her hand in his. “You can say no, but I’d really like if you went with me.” He said and smiled weakly. “I might play a good alpha asshole type guy but I’m still very nervous about things. But you ease those nerves.” Leo felt the tension easing and he felt relieved. He was always so comfortable with Olivia and he didn’t want to lose her.

@ BadStreetBoys
Olivia wasn't sure what to think about what Tony knew. Obvious he knew enough to encourage Olivia and Leo together. Maybe he didn't think her a complete monster like the book made her out to be. She was grateful when Leo reground her. They moved on to talk about the reunion and she smiled softly. She had always loved his laugh. She held his hand then laughed as he called himself the alpha asshole. "You have never been an alpha around me. I knew you to well, saw right through you." she grinned. "I'll go with you." she promised him. Olivia sighed and looked down at the navigation. She wasn't sure she was ready to start work again but she knew that she was already behind. "Alright let me grab my bag we will be stopping here soon. I've really got to find some inspiration here soon." she was hoping some of the middle states would give her what she was looking for.

@ Jinx...
Leo nodded and smiled. “You’re right I haven’t, but still, you know what I mean.” He teased. Leo looked at the GPS and nodded again. “I’m gonna be right here while you do that.” He told her and watched as Olivia left the cockpit. Leo took out his phone and began to look for another meeting near where they would be stopping. He knew Olivia would want to spend time with him and get his feel for things, but he also knew she would kill him if he went back to his own ways, he had to do whatever he could to prevent that. Leo responded to messages from Tony, his editor, and publicist as he felt the RV come to slow snd stop in a parking lot behind a church. Leo got up and moved towards the middle of the RV, grabbing one of his sweatshirts and a pair of sunglasses. “Ready?” He called out.

@ BadStreetBoys
Olivia came out of her room shouldering her bag. She moved over to him and kissed his cheek. "Ready." She spoke softly and moved out with him. She loved Leo with everything in her and was trying so hard not to let her hurt push him away. She couldn't live without him. Olivia looked around as they moved to the street. "I don't want to stay long. "An hour or so." She said. Olivia pulled out her camera. Other than her part in Leo's life she understood the mood of the movie now. It would be easy to find the right town once she saw it. She looked Leo over and grinned. How was it that he looked just as good in sweatpants as he did in denim or leather? Olivia turned back to the town and started her work. It was harder to focus knowing how she was going to promote the movie but she had to try and find a way. Soon enough she was engrossed in her work.

@ Jinx...
Leo smiled as Olivia came out, his arm easily slipping across her shoulders as they headed out. He nodded, that would work out perfectly for his meeting. Leo could stay and help Olivia and when she headed back to the RV he could head out. Leo released Olivia as she went to work, grinning ear to ear as he watched her. Olivia in her element was truly a work of art in itself. He followed Olivia through different areas of the town and followed instructions when needed. Leo checked his phone for the time and walked up besides Olivia. “Hey babe.” He murmured and grabbed her hand. Leo kissed Olivia’s head and smiled. “I’ll meet you back at the RV in like an hour, okay?” Leo squeezed her hand reassuringly. “Lock the doors and be careful, we can order food when I get back.” He offered with a grin. Leo checked the time again before pecking Olivia’s cheek and heading off towards the church where the AA meeting would be taking place. He knew it was bad to keep secrets from Olivia but he also felt like this was a step he had to take on his own.

@ BadStreetBoys
Olivia looked up at Leo as he came over. She lowered her camera. "An hour? You're leaving again?" she asked frowning her eyes looking hurt. "Leo..." She nodded as he told her to lock up and they would get food. She bit her lip watching him go. She sighed. She wasn't sure how to deal with this again. She thought she would be brave enough to ask him but she didn't want to know if he was drinking again. It would kill her if he was drinking again. She turned back to her camera her thoughts racing. She sighed and turned nearly running into him. "Graham." she shuttered. He grinned slowly like a pretor looking at their prey. "He's leaving you again huh? What I don't understand Bella is why he would leave you if he's so afraid that I might steal you away, if I am such a monster." he said. Olivia looked down and stepped back. "I have work to do." she said and turned. Graham reached out grabbing her wrist making her hiss as he clenched down. She stepped back towards him and he relaxed his grip some. "Come have lunch with me." he said. "I'm not hungry." Olivia said.

@ Jinx...
It crushed Leo to see any pain behind Olivia’s eyes, but he knew that it would be worth it when he saw her eyes lit up with pride for what he was doing. When he was able to get in a program back home and work on it and be successful. Leo knew she’d be so proud of him and that’s what drove him. He knew only going to these meetings once was just to get comfortable enough so he would be able to join a permanent one when they got back to New York City. He wanted to build his confidence up so there would be no hesitation. Leo looked at the sign on the door confirming the meeting time and he headed inside, he was glad there weren’t too many people there yet. As Leo sat down he checked his phone again for the time, five minutes. Leo took a deep breath and put his phone away. He kept his head down but his eyes watched as more people filled in, this group was smaller than the last meeting he had attended, but he hoped he wouldn’t have to speak just yet. He wasn’t ready for that step yet. Leo knew how this went, he had to accept he had a problem and admit it, but he wasn’t sure if admitting it was going to help any right now. He was still battling with accepting it. The sponsor started the meeting starting by talking themselves and their progress, before another member began to speak as well.

@ BadStreetBoys
Olivia sat at the restaurant with Graham. He ate as she sipped a tea at his insisting. She set the drink down rubbing her wrist under the table. It was going to bruise. She looked up at Graham. "I didn't mean to grab so hard Bella. I forget my strength. I just couldn't stand to see you leave me again. You know how that feels. I know you do. Watching the one you love walk away from you when you have so much concern for them is excruciating." He reached across the table and her eyes widened. He dropped his hand. "I would never leave you like that." he said. "All I want is your happiness and success." He sat back. "I have been talking to a few producers and I have a few positions for you in some upcoming movies. You could be a superstar with me. You know I would take care of you. You would never be alone." he said. He was trying to be the guy she had fallen for int he beginning of their relationship. It wasn't easy for him. He was to possessive now. He thought she was his. Olivia played a long without agreeing to anything. They talked, or rather he talked for a while before he walked her back to the RV. He handed her a couple scripts. "Look them over. Tell me that you can't see yourself on the screen in these roles. I just want the best for you Bella." he said and she looked down taking the scripts. He stepped back and she walked into the RV and locked it behind her. She set the scripts down and instantly started to shake. She covered her mouth as she whimpered out tears streaming down her face. She sat down on the floor. She sat there head between her knees for a while. Olivia stood and moved to her bathroom showering knowing Leo would be back soon. She had locked her room not wanting him to see her like this. Once she was calmer she got out and dressed in a long sleeve and leggings. She took a breath hoping her eyes didn't look as wild as she felt. She opened the door and moved out to the kitchen seeing the scripts sitting there on the counter. Her eyes where wild as she stared at them.

@ Jinx...
Leo was quiet as he listened to the others talk, it was clear he was new here and that these people all seemed to know each other. It made him a little more nervous, but it felt good just being here. He wasn’t sure if he was ready to talk. The sponsor of the group could sense the nervousness coming from Leo and didn’t directly ask him to speak, hoping Leo would do so on his own. However, by the end of the meeting Leo had stayed quiet. He just listened to the others. Leo was getting ready to leave and meet back with Olivia when the sponsor came up to introduce themselves. “Hey, I’m Matt.” The man said and offered a hand to Leo. “Leo.” He said and shook the man’s hand as he looked him over. “I just wanted to give you my card, if you need anything reach out.” Matt said to Leo, Leo took the card and smiled weakly. “Thank you but I’m just passing through.” He said and checked his phone for the time. “I’m sorry I’ve gotta go, right schedule.” He said, quickly disappearing from the church. Leo headed back to the RV. Leo unlocked the door and headed inside. He looked over and saw Olivia’s face, raising an eyebrow at the expression on it. Leo turned to see what she was looking at and saw the scripts. He loved over to them and picked them up as he began to look through them. “What are these?”

@ BadStreetBoys
Olivia watched as Leo looked through the scripts. "Graham gave them to me. He wants me to come back and become a star." She said. Olivia sat down holding her wrist under the table. "He showed up right after you left." She said chewing in the inside of her cheek. She looked down and blinked trying to keep her eyes clear. She didn't know what to say. She was struggling with everything. So much was going on. She was trying to go through this nonsense with her ex and the uncertainty with Leo as well as the struggle with her job promoting a movie that made her out to be a villain. Olivia hadn't been able to relax in a long time though she tried to find moments. She swallowed and looked back at Leo. She didn't know what else to say. She just wanted things to be good.

@ Jinx...
Leo frowned slightly. “I hate feeling like I need to supervise my girlfriend to prevent her asshole of an ex from bother her.” He said in a frustrated tone. Leo continued to look through the scripts. “Wish I could just fuck him over and sell these ideas to the guys I know in the game or post them on some stupid thread. Frame the asshole and get him blackballed from the industry.” Leo said to nobody in particular as he tossed the scripts down. Leo moved to the table and sat across from Olivia, he held out his hand. “I’m sorry.” He murmured. “I wish I could make everything better for you.” He said as his eyes drifted to the table. Leo knew most of her pain was coming from him and he hated it. He just wanted everything to be okay. Olivia deserved happiness more than anyone else he believed. “What should we get for dinner? Mexican, Italian, chinese?” He offered and smiled softly. He wanted to ease the tension he could feel coming from her body. Leo knew Olivia needed to relax. He had an idea.

@ BadStreetBoys
Olivia nodded silently. She felt the same way. She didn't want to always have to be with someone in order for Graham to stay away. Olivia smiled softly as he offered his hand to her. She slipped her hand into his. She squeezed his gently. "Its not your fault." She said her heart aching. She wanted to crawl into his lap and let him sooth all the pain away but she was still trying to come to terms with all her feeling about him. "Its not your job to fix everything for me." She soothed. Olivia hummed. "Chinese. I want lo main and wantons." She said and smiled softly. "Where are we headed next anyways. I'm thinking I need to make some adjustments to the schedule so we can catch up on out schedule and there are some places I don't think we need to go." She said.

@ Jinx...
Leo squeezed her hand reassuringly and nodded. He understood how she felt, and she understood how he felt. He desperately wanted to fix things and make them okay for her, take away her pain. And that’s how she had to have felt when they were kids and Leo was dealing with his father. It was this mural understanding that strengthened their bond. “I know. But I just think you deserve all the happiness in the world.” He said gently, lifting her hand and kissing Olivia’s knuckles. Leo knew he couldn’t solve everything but he would do his damn best. “Alright I’ll order us some on DoorDash.” He said and set his phone on the table. “We can cut some stuff out, I’ll get you the whole trip plan because I’m not entirely sure.” He said and paused before continuing. “It’s sort of a big circle around the country to hit everywhere I think.” Leo looked down at his phone to order their food for a few minutes before he sent her the PDF of their trip plan from Tony. “Sent it to your email.” He said and smiled. Leo looked up spas and salons in the next city stop. He wanted to get Olivia a massage and relaxing day, she didn’t have to work or worry he wanted to help her relax. He knew she needed it, and he wanted to surprise her. Plus if she was off being pampered she wouldn’t worry about where he was going or what he would do. “Once the food is delivered we can head out for the night.”

@ BadStreetBoys
Oliva smiled softly. "So do you." She watched him as he ordered food. She was starting to calm down again. She was really over dealing with Graham everyday. There was no way she could ever go back to him. She pulled out her laptop looking at the map that Leo sent her. She didn't think they needed to stop for work in a few places so she set fun destinations instead. She was pretty sure Tennessee wasn't the vibe they where looking for. She was focused on the screen looking up when Leo spoke. She nodded. "Yeah that sounds good." She said. She put some more emphasis on places she thought they would get the vibe she wanted. Next assignment she took she didn't want a timeline. The pressure was taking out some of the enjoyment of traveling the country. Olivia looked at Leo deciding she needed to stop hiding from the fear of what he was up to and confront it. She wasn't ready to talk about it but maybe if she just saw.

@ Jinx...
Leo booked a day at the spa for Olivia on his phone, then went to his own email and began to respond to some. He liked that they could work together and it was fine. His one ex girlfriend didn’t like how much he worked, and that amount was much less since he was only focused on writing rather than that and a movie. After about twenty minutes someone knocked on the door of the RV. Leo got up and moved over. He accepted the food from the delivery driver, tipping the woman in cash and thanking her. Leo moved back to the table and set the bag down. He moved to the kitchen and grabbed them some utensils, handing one pair to Olivia. Leo moved to the cockpit snd started up the RV so they could gain some ground while they ate. “You think asshole is actually following us the whole time or has the route plan?” He asked as he took his fried rice from the bag and began to eat. “Because if he has the plan maybe we can lose him by changing it up.”

@ BadStreetBoys
Olivia jumped at the knock on the door her eyes widening. She sighed and relaxed as she realized it was just their food. She smiled as he brought it back closing her laptop. She pulled her leg up into the chair. He started the rv back up and she relaxed more. She broke the chopsticks and smiled as he handed the box to her. "I think he has the plan but that sometimes he might follow too. He's to paranoid to totally trust we'll stick to the plan but yeah we might be able to loose him." She said. It had crossed her mind as she went through the route. Olivia took a bite looking at Leo. "How are you feeling?" She asked him. She knew she should update Tony here soon. He would want to know how Leo was really doing.