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

Chapter 27 Berlin

[Are you ok??  Nate Hollan is all over the news. Just checking in to make sure you are well.]

He's showing concern for me. He barely knows me. Ok, well, he knows me a little now..... but still. That was kind of him to reach out. To even think of me. Lord knows Nate won't be reaching out to check on me anytime soon.

[Thanks for thinking of me. Yes. I'm ok. Just a mess here. Legally, I can't say anything but yes, everyone is fine.]

[Oh, good. I was worried. Is it that girl Julia? I know she has some......issues] 

Wow.

Ok. He's not concerned about me, is he? He wants to know if Julia is ok. Or am I being overly sensitive.  Maybe he is just asking casually. By now, I'm sure he is no longer in the dark about our lives. It takes one click on the internet to fill him in on everything.

[She's ok. Thanks for checking in] 

I think Noah can tell I'm being short with him now.

[I've been thinking about you nonstop... since..... you know]

He softens the blow a little, and for the first time, I crack a little smile. I wish I could say the same, but we were a little preoccupied.

[What part of me were you thinking of??]

[ALL the parts. But seriously. Just being with you in the coffee shop, getting to know you..... I had a really nice time. To be honest, I've been so hung up on my past that I haven't put much thought into dating. I really enjoyed my time with you, Trisha.]

Ok, now he's just being sweet. Making me melt inside. All through text messaging.

[Maybe we can FaceTime each other sometime? I know you are obviously very busy today. I have the news on right now. Trying to drown out my colicky baby nephew.]

[You really do need to move out, ha-ha!]

[Tell me about it.  Working extra hours in hopes of getting back on my feet. There are a lot of fires to put out]

I laugh at that, thinking of my phrase after we had sex, telling the fireman he put out my fire.

[Let's touch base tomorrow and FaceTime, ok?]

[Sounds good]

[Have a good night, Fireman Noah] 

I plug in my phone and look around Nate's dressing room. It's all set up and ready for him, but he won't be coming here. He'll most likely stay in the hospital by Julia's side. We have a good crew hired. They not only make sure Nate has all the things he loves, but they also always put together a little "Trisha" basket, knowing I am always with Nate. I lean over and grab the basket full of different types of popcorn and junk food in my basket, in comparison to the dried fruit, nuts, and expensive protein bars in Nate's. I roll my eyes at my crunchy organic best friend and grab a bag of caramel popcorn to feed my face with.

 I should text for an update.

[ Nate, what's happening???]

I highly doubt he will get back to me anytime soon. He's furious with me. He has every reason to be. I fucked up.

[Sorry, I snapped at you.]

Nate replies instantly, and I sigh in relief

[You should be!]

I retort sarcastically, but then get serious.

[ Nate, I never meant to leave my purse there. I changed quickly in the bathroom that night because my dress was on the tour bus. I would never do this on purpose.]

[ I know. None of this is your fault. What's going on there? Is Leslie fuming?]

I breathe out hard. God, she is fuming all right. But I think she's out back smoking weed with one of the band members, so she is calm as a cucumber now. Some people are just a different breed of humans. I was and not into any kind of recreational drugs or alcohol. I don't knock those who are. Being part of the Nate Hollan Show is very difficult.

[Sure is. But I can handle her. I had to tell the band the truth, though. You're all over the news, but Moretti isn't. Not yet. Elliott's trying his best to iron things out, but you will have to make up this concert at some point.]

[Well aware]

Nate ends the conversation there, and a wave of relief washes over me. He's not furious at me. At least I don't think so.

*******

*James*

Once Julia is showered and back in bed, she wants me with her. Nate leaves the hospital room to check on Paul and Jonah.

We lay together in her bed, and I hold her and kiss her cheek. Julia is quiet. Too quiet, and I wonder if she's in shock of some sort now from the events of today.

"Babe, what happened?" I ask, but it's too soon. Julia shakes her head and buries her face in my chest.  She hasn't said two words since I've been here, and I wonder if her throat hurts or if she just shut down. 

The nurse comes in, ready to give Julia her IV since she is so dehydrated, but Julia starts to have one of her episodes. She sits up and pushes the nurse hard, and starts yelling at her.

"She just needs to get fluids into you," I say as I climb out of the bed. When Julia gets like this, you need to back away. Her adrenaline takes over, and she WILL hurt you.

"Get out." Julia glares at me.

"Babe..."

"Get out, GET OUT! GET OUT!" She screams, and I inhale sharply and walk out of the room, closing the door behind me and praying for that poor nurse who is assigned to Julia tonight. I stand outside the door with my arms folded over my chest while hearing her shout at the nurse. Nate comes down the whole with a shitload of bodyguards behind him now and stops when he sees me.

"She doesn't want to see me right now, and she's giving the nurse a hard time getting the IV in."  I shake my head. But Nate knows he can handle Julia. He can handle her better than anyone else can. Better than I can. He gives me a nod and pats my shoulder before entering the room. 

Good luck, Pal.

*****