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

Chapter 30 California Crying

*James*

Once my mom and sisters head out, I head to the backyard where I know Paul and Julia are. She stayed out here all afternoon. I sit next to Julia and hold her shaky hand as she leans her head on my arm and closes her eyes. She's struggling.

We all see my phone light up on the patio table with Nate's name, but Julia doesn't answer.

"Sooner or later you're gonna have to text him back." Paul grumbles without looking up from his own phone.

"Why bother? He should go focus on his tour. That's what he went there to do. I was just a distraction. I'm out of his hair now."

"Babe, you haven't answered one of his texts to let you know we've arrived safely? Why are you ignoring him?" I ask.

"I'm not ignoring him. I have nothing to say. I just want to get through this detox and then I'll feel myself again." Julia gets up suddenly and heads inside.

"This is going to be harder than I thought." I mutter.

"Let's order some pizza and door dash some beer. Hollan and Jonah aren't here. We can actually have a beer with our dinner."

I could go for a beer right now.

******

"What's going on over there? Why is she ignoring me?" Nate asks on the other line. Paul has the phone on the table on speaker so I can hear and I'm unsure if Nate knows this. We sit back and have a beer together while Julia is sleeping up in my room.

"She shut down a little. Been sleeping since around five." Paul says, tasking a sip from his beer and helping me grab another slice of pizza. "Why are you even awake?! Isn't it five in the morning or some shit?"

"Can't sleep. I don't get why she isn't answering any of my texts though." Nate answers.

"She's just having a hard time now that she's home. That's all, boss." The bodyguard responds.

"Has she eaten?"

There's a pause before Paul answers. No. We tried to get Julia to eat a little and left a slice of pizza up on my nightstand for her in case she changed her mind. But Maggie took it upon herself to snag it and run into the den with her pizza dinner. Damn dog. I had to laugh at that though and let Mags eat the slice of pizza. I don't usually but she's been through a lot too with all this traveling and one piece won't harm her. Paul poured real dog food in her dish for me which she inhaled as well. She's so spoiled.

"No. She gave us a hard time. But I'm gonna wake her up and try again soon."

"How's Gallo?" Nate is asking how I am? Look at that. Tin man DOES have a heart.

"He's happy to be home. His sisters and mother surprised him with a visit and did a food shopping, so we are all set here." Paul looks at me with a little nod.

"Good. Ok. Can you keep me updated on Julia?" 

"Will do." Paul hangs up.

"I don't understand why she won't just call him back." I nod for my beer and Paul helps me with my grip before letting go. I take a swig and keep it in my hand, so he doesn't have to keep doing this for me. Paul's a good guy. A quiet guy, but a good guy. He never makes me feel bad for what I can no longer do. And the more days that go by the more I realize I may never get my coordination back fully and may always be like this. Forever.

******

*Trisha*

"Hey, playboy. Wake up. We got a flight to catch." I nudge Nate and he groans, putting the pillow over his face like a damn teenager.