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

Chapter 70 Fool Me Once

*Trisha*

Giving Nate the silent treatment is fairly easy to do and pisses him off like I need it to. What I hate though, is how he is right about tour. Canceling it was the right thing to do, and his blood pressure numbers are solid proof.

"127/80" Jonah rips the Velcro cuff off Nate's bicep with a smile. "That is the lowest your blood pressure has been in a long time, Nate. Cancelling some of your tour was the right thing to do."

Oh shove it, Jonah. I huff when I walk by the two of them and gain an eyeroll from Nate.

"You can't ignore me forever, Banks."

"Sure I can." I slam my bedroom door loudly and sit on my bed.

 "Remember who signs your paychecks!" I hear Nate's British voice bellowing through the apartment and laugh a little. Hell. I sign my own paychecks Hollan. Just with your name on em. 

I begin unpacking my small overnight luggage. I was already all set to go. The rest of our wardrobe and bathroom supplies will now be sent back in increments throughout the course of the week. I had packed this suitcase a while ago since I'm always on top of things so when I see the sexy lingerie, I crumple it up and shove it in my dresser, knowing it won't get used.

I hear a light tapping on my door. Nate's already coming in with his tail between his legs? But when I open it, it's Casey who makes her way into my room. The mini-Julia looks frazzled and tired as she sits on the chair next to the window.

"Do you think you can talk to James? He won't get out of bed. I've tried everything."

I let out a frustrated sigh and sit on the corner of my bed. "I tried this morning. He didn't even want me sleeping in the bed with him last night. I slept on the couch in his room so he wasn't alone, in case he had one of those seizures again."

"Things aren't going well with you two?"

"Not really. He's in this shut down mode. Like Moretti does. I can't blame him, but he doesn't really want anything to do with anyone lately. Not his sisters. Not me. We started off as friends, but he doesn't want to talk to anyone."

"It's just not like James, ya know?" Casey shakes her head.

"Can you blame him?" Tears prick my eyes just thinking of James going to court, fighting for his freedom. I could have prevented it all. I could have been the one to get behind the wheel. I wasn't tired. I replay that day over and over again in my head trying to come up with a reason on why James was the one to drive and not me, and I come up blank. Everything happened so fast. There was no reason. And that drives me crazy.

******

*James*

God, can everyone just leave me the hell alone? For one day? That's all I ask. I would love to just be able to sleep the day away and not have anyone on my back.

"C'mon, Gallo. Why don't you get up and eat some breakfast?"

I flip to the other side when I hear Nate come in now.

"You can't stay in bed forever."

Sure I can.  I don't respond though. I half hazardly pull the covers up over my chest like Julia would and keep my eyes closed. My coordination bites lately due to the stress of everything and can barely grasp on to the blanket. But I manage.

I hear Nate inhale sharply and then he begins talking, but not to me.

"Why do you never answer your cell phone, princess?" Nate laughs. "Listen, can you talk to Gallo? He won't get out of bed. Maybe hearing your voice will help him snap out of this funk he's in."