Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapter 26 Higher

"I'm scared, James!" Julia bursts and I quickly wrap my arms around her and hold her. "I'm so scared!"

"About detox?" I ask but she shakes her head.

"I'm scared I won't be able to stay clean. No matter what I do, eventually I end up back on this shit. I ... I can't keep going through this. I'm so tired, James. I'm so fucking tired."

******

*Trisha*

I had sex with Noah. I don't even know his last name. But I don't regret it. It was amazing. He was amazing. He wasn't rusty or inexperienced at all.

"Now what?" Noah asks the ongoing question tonight as we lay on the couch together, naked.

"Now... we get dressed." I laugh a little.

"I don't want this to be some one-night stand, Trisha. I really like you."  Noah strokes my back lightly while we come down from our highs.

"I don't want that either." I sigh, knowing I'm only in the first leg of our tour. I have no idea when we will return to France. Unlike Leslie, I don't have that shit memorized.

"Will you keep in touch with me while you're on the road??" He asks with a bit of concern. I nod and kiss his lips. He's so sweet with the way he says it. He really ISN'T in to one-night stands or a player.

"I promise." And I mean it.  "Ok, fireman. You put out the fire. Time to get dressed." I smirk and roll off his body. "I'm just gonna freshen up real quick. Give me ten minutes, ok?"

"Of course, take your time. I'm in no hurry. Colicky nephew remember?" He laughs as I scoop up my clothes and my purse and head to the bathroom. I look at myself in the mirror and hang my purse up on the hook, taking out my make up bag. I touch up my makeup, use the bathroom and get dressed.

Within the hour I am back in my hotel room with Paul eyeing me from the recliner.

"What did you do, Banks?" He questions me like I'm a puppy getting reprimanded.

"Noah." I smirk and Paul shakes his head at me with a loud laugh. 

"You're insatiable."

*****

*James*

"Ok, you all set Moretti?" Paul looks down at Julia, ready to get on the road. But this won't be any road trip, and it certainly won't be a calm one for her. It will also be the first time we are apart this whole trip. I will be riding with Casey and the dog in the second tour bus. Everyone thinks it will be too stressful and to be honest. I'm a little relieved. 

Casey comes back from walking the dog and takes my suitcase for me.

"Are you sure you want to do this alone, babe?" I ask while watching Casey loads my suitcase and the dog in the other tour bus. We agreed this would be best. I'm comfortable with Casey caring for me. She's a good nurse and has had to step in plenty of times when Julia was able to take care of herself, nevermind another person. And I have my Maggie with me.

"Positive. This is for the best. Believe me." Julia hugs me and nervousness sets in. 

"Hey, don't cry sweetie. It will all be ok."  I peck her lips lightly and wait for her to nod before I walk on the other bus with Casey and the dog.

This tour bus is the same as the other one. An apartment on wheels. I used to be envious of Nate Hollan with the life he lives and the money he has when I would work my ass off and still had to choose what bills to pay and what bills to ignore every week. I'm no longer jealous of the man though. Not now that I know him. The real Nate. I see his life. I see how everything is always put on display for the world to see and nothing is private. I see the stress that goes along with needing to live up to other people's standards. I see the way management controls his every move, and he gets pushed and pulled in every direction. He can't make his own choices. He can't live life or date who he wants without backlash.