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

Chapter 40 & 41 The Serpent/ Beautiful Things

"What's the difference between tomorrow and two days from now? At least finish this off with the interviews and meet and greets scheduled."

"I don't think you understand. Do you know how hard it was to fake it for three hours tonight?"

I drop my shoulders and head to bed. I'm wearing the new pink camisole I bought the other day, but I can tell it's not happening tonight. Which is fine. I figured as much but wanted to try anyway. drops her shoulders and walks over to the bed. 

"And you did great. No one suspected a thing." I lay down next to Nate and drag my finger in ciricles around his chest. But Nate grabs my hand harshly.

"We can't do this anymore."

"What?"

"This... right here. We can't Trish. Once we go home. You know that." 

My heart sinks. I knew this would happen. He'd go back to his Damsel in Distress and leave me behind. I frown.

"You always come back to me." I remind him.

"No, I mean it. I love you and would do anything for you, you know that.... but I'm serious Trisha. This ends tonight."

"Sure thing, playboy." I huff. "Just remember how much fun we have together and who you can play around with, with restraints and who will have a fucking panic attack if you try."

Nate bolts up and glares at me.

"What did you just say?!"

"You heard me. You'll never be able to do that shit with Julia. You'll trigger the hell outta her." I laugh a little but am now aware I crossed the line. Nate is pissed.

"I can't believe you just said that."

"I'm kidding! Sheesh." I sit up, now embarrassed.

"Don't ever say shit like that...please." Nate lays back down facing away from me now.

"Sorry. I didn't mean-" I swallow the hard lump in my throat. "Hey." I rest my chin on his shoulder and spoon him. "Sorry. Really." I kiss his bare shoulder before resting my cheek on it.

"You're fine. I'm just so fucking stressed right now, doll. You have no idea." He mutters.

"I know you are. Listen, playboy. Everything is going to be alright, ok? Try not worry that head of yours."

With that, I back away from Nate and turn off the light. 

But my emotions get the best of me while lying in bed, next to Nate. This is it. Fun's over. He's ready to go back to Julia. What was I thinking? Of course he'd go back to Julia. I'm nothing to him. I'm just the one who cleans up all of Nate Holland's messes, aren't I? Just the one he uses while away and he can't get any action from his girlfriend. That's all I'll ever be to him. Why the hell do I keep wishing and hoping that Nate will stay with me when I know he is not interested?

With this job, I might as well be single forever.

Tears well up in my eyes. I accidentally sniff and it's noticed. Nate turns around in the dark. Neither of us can see a thing yet he wipes a tear from my eye.

"Why are we crying, love?"

"We're not."

"Trish..."

"I love you Nate, don't you get it? I'm always going to love you. Like James loves Julia." I begin to cry and flip to my side.

"Hey...." He pulls me into his chest. "Hey, I love you too. You know I do, angel. You're my best friend. You know me better than anyone else." He brushes my hair with his fingers and my tears fall on his chest. "Aww, stop crying Trish."