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

Chapter 31 Turn Back Time

"Are you purposely coming home later and later to avoid me, James? Tell me the truth. You know I'm gonna know if you're lying anyways." Julia gets right to what she's thinking.

"It's. It's just a lot. Nate was always so good with this stuff. I'm not. Babe, I just want you to get better. But I don't know how to take care of you when you get....."

"Crazy? Go ahead! Say it. When I get all crazy?" Julia bursts into tears. Shit.  I wrap my arms around her, but she stiffens right up, letting me know it's not ok, and lays back down in bed. She's shutting down and I don't know what to do.

I try to lay with her, but she doesn't want me near her, that much I can tell. I give up and head downstairs to let Maggie outside but then turn to Paul. 

"I'm not sure how to help her. She's pissed I spent all day out and took a shower at my mother's. I just thought....I don't know what I thought actually. All this is really hard, you know?" 

Paul nods while sipping his coffee at the counter. "We just need to ride this out, Gallo."

"Well right now she's up there crying and doesn't want anything to do with me." I sigh. "Hey... can you set up facetime so I can chat with Trish? No offense, but I could use another person to vent to." I laugh a little and Paul raises and eyebrow.

"Well, she's certainly more attractive to look at." He bellows out a laugh and grab the iPad, setting it up in the living room for me, then calling Trisha. She picks up right away and Paul goes upstairs to check on Julia and give us privacy.

"James the Receptionist! Hi! You called at the perfect time! I have a few minutes." Trisha looks good. I can tell she's in the rec room of the venue feeding her face. "How are ya sexypants??"

"I'm good. Just wanted to see your face. Miss talking to you." I sit back on my sofa and relax a little. It's nice to see Trisha's face. I really do miss her.

******

*Trisha*

"How's that hot mess of yours over there?" I ask while throwing my plate away and heading to Nate's dressing room.

"Just that. A hot mess. Paul is upstairs with her. She's mad at me."

"What did you do?"

"Who knows. She thinks I'm avoiding her because I spent the day with my sisters. To be honest.... I kinda am." James says in a softer voice. "It's a lot. She needs Nate. She wants nothing to do with me or Paul."

"I'm sorry, James. I know how hard this must be for you. But she can't be mad at you for spending the day with your family. That's not right!  She needs to be at The Avalon."I walk closer to Nate's dressing room. "Jesus Christ. Nate is on the phone with her right now."  I say, hearing Nate talking to Julia while sitting on the couch. "This stuff is stressing him out. I wait outside for a few minutes before entering.

"I know." James says then I notice Nate starting to get emotional on the phone. Evan the bodyguard notices me and shakes his head. 

"Sorry James, I gotta go. Can I call you later?"

"Sure thing, Trisha the Assistant. We'll chat later." James fumbles to hang up and struggles so I hang up first right before walking into the dressing room.

"Nate. Holly will be here soon." I come into the room, seeing Nate visibly upset while talking to Julia on the phone. He gives me a nod but then heads to the bathroom and closes the door.

"What the hell is going on now?" I look over to the bodyguard who just shrugs and keeps his eyes on his phone. Typical Paul style. Are they fucking trained to do this or something? Next thing we hear is the familiar sound I know so well. Nate yells "Fuck!" and he just threw his fucking phone against the door, didn't he? That SOB.