*EDITING* Point Of View 1 [*Do not read until you have read The Winner*]

Couldn't Drag Me Away

*Trisha*

It's late and everyone is tired. I'm well aware of it. But we need to have this discussion.

"Nate, you need to make a decision." I shut my laptop and stare at my best friend. Paul no longer pays attention to either of us. He's exhausted from the event and just wants to go to bed. 

"I can't believe we're having this conversation." Nate rubs his forehead, and I take his hand.

"This is your career. Your life." I look around the studio. "It's time to live your life. Move forward. Go on tour. I'm ready to meet with Richard and start the booking process. The band is ready. Everyone is ready. Sweetie, the album is out. It's doing well. You need to promote it now and get the ball rolling."

"You don't think I know this?" He loosens his tie and unbuttons the top few buttons of his dress shirt. He looked damn hot tonight. He was back to being Nate Hollan. Pleasing the press, flirting with the ladies, talking golf with the guys.  Nate was back. And his annual charity event for the Heart Foundation raised over $75,000.00. The most  it has ever raised. It helped I called the coordinators  and the catering company ahead of time to request this be a dry event. No alcohol served or on the premises.

"You did great tonight, by the way."

"Thanks, love. It felt good. Not wearing the suit and tie, but the night itself."

"I'm sure it did feel good! See, Nate. Don't lose yourself. You know who you are and what makes you happy." I squeeze his hand.

"I can't leave her behind." I He lets go of my hand and stands up, ready to go home now. "Bad enough, she's sad I'm sleeping at home tonight. We ended up fighting about it, a huge blowout, and I left. I feel awful leaving her there like that." He frowns. They fought about him sleeping in his own bed tonight? After a huge event and a long night?? Why shouldn't he be able to sleep in his own bed. He's not the one admitted  at the hospital. He served his time. That's ridiculous.

I stand up and grab Nate by the tie. Pulling him closer.

"Nate. You can't stall your own life for her recovery. Things are gonna happen. She may get through detox. She may not and need the Ativan again. No one knows. You need to move forward with your own life." I kiss his cheek. "It's time. You can still be there for her, but she's in good hands in the suite with plenty of care."

It IS time. Time for Nate to move on with life and actually live it.

"C'mon Playboy. Let's go home. These heels are killing me." I playfully drag him out of the studio by his tie, and Paul follows behind us.

*****

"We obviously didn't think this through very well, did we?" I look at the empty king-sized bed that I have been sleeping in while Nate's been in the hospital with Julia. We both awkwardly stand in the doorway and stare at it.

"I can sleep on the couch." Nate announces. No way. I shake my head at him. "It's fine."

"With busted ribs. Don't be silly, Nate. If you're uncomfortable, I will go to the couch. But we've slept in the same bed plenty of times."

"Fine. But I get my side of the bed back." He calls his side of the bed first.

"Whatever, loser."  I scoff to tease him and start getting undressed. Only problem...this damn gown has a zipper in the back that I can't reach.