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

Chapters 74 & 75 The Pretender, The Protectors

*James*

I'm aware I'm depressed right now. I mean, who wouldn't be? I just need this to be over. Instead of talking it out, I close myself off until I can process everything. I'm not trying to be rude. That's not my intention. I just need time. Time with my thoughts. 

So I remain quiet while Nate and I get our haircuts. Nate has his phone on his lap and on speaker, so he doesn't have to put it up to his ear while the Barber trims around his ears. Which means I can hear his entire conversation with Paul. Fortunately, aside from Trisha and the dog, we are the only ones in the barber shop.

"She's gonna be a handful today, boss." Paul says over the phone after letting us know what is happening at the Avalon.

"We should go visit Julia, today." Nate says and I can feel his eyes on me. But my eyes are on the TV in front of us. The TV reporting news on my trial that's about to happen in a few days.

"Gallo...I have an AA meeting this afternoon. Do you want to come with me and visit Julia?" Nate pauses. "Hank, can you change the channel?" He asks the barber who flips around trying to find anything BUT the news. The only other thing on is women's basketball.

"This is fine." Nate huffs and I laugh a little. Nate doesn't watch basketball. Not at all. Never mind Women's basketball.

But that will be the only laugh you get out of me today. KLA News van pull up in front of the barber shop. You have GOT to be shitting me right now.

"Shit! Trisha, lock the door and call Evan."

Trisha jumps up and not only locks the door but pulls down the blinds so no one can see in.

"Fuck, how the hell did they know we'd be here??" Trisha begins to pace while calling Evan to round up security. She also calls Ren to have him drive to the back of the building.

Both Hank and George, the two old men who own this shop, pay no attention and continue working on us, apparently used to this kind of attention when Nate is in. But the News Van isn't here for Nate today. They are here for me.

"We'll wait here until Evan shows up and then leave through the back door, ok Gallo?" Nate's British accent is thicker as he becomes more nervous for me.

"What do they even want from me?"

"Anything. They want any comment they can get their hands on to twist into a story, that's what." Trisha answers with a disgusted look on her face.

"So what am I supposed to do??" I have no idea how this works. Am I supposed to talk to these people? What the hell do I say? I feel myself becoming more and more anxious just thinking about it and am very grateful the barbers are almost finished. I just want to get the hell out of here now.

"When security comes, you and Nate go out first, ok? I've got the dog. Ren will pull around front to get me. They don't want comments from me. They are here for you. You say nothing, James."

Evan and two other men push their way through the small crowd and Trisha quickly unlocks the door, locking it the second they are inside the building.

"What a shit show." Evan takes a deep breath. "Ok, boys. You ready to rock?"

He holds a bit of confidence to himself that he can get us into the SUV without being bombarded. I don't have as much faith in him though.

"Mr. Gallo! Mr. Gallo!!!" A reporter shoves a mic in front of my face while security escorts us out of the Barber Shop.

"Mr. Gallo! What are your thoughts on the well-known tension between Addison Landry and Colton West. Do you think it will affect your trial?"

"No comment." I mutter and climb into the SUV.