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

Chapter 84 Givers And Takers

"Is he ok??" I cry as Casey sits with James on the couch.

"He's in shock. He will be ok, though."

"What does any of this even mean?!" Nate is still having his tantrum. "And where the hell is Addison?"

"Nate. Sit down." Jonah and Evan both say simultaneously. Nate sits down next to me at the table and Maggie jumps up on the couch to be with James.

Addison walks in holding her briefcase and a bunch of folders. Nate's tempter gets the best of his and he bolts up to get in her face.

"I don't fucking pay you to lose! I don't fucking pay you to send him to JAIL!"

"Someone control him." She rolls her eyes unaffected as Evan harshly pulls Nate away. "You're already all over the news for your outburst in the courtroom."

"This is good news." Addison looks at unresponsive James, frowns at his lack of reaction and turns to me. "I know that was shocking to hear.,,the jury siding with West. But they don't have the final say." Addison begins. "I have a feeling they only sided with Colton to abide by the state laws. They were scared. They know the laws are put in place for a reason and they are trying to follow them. I don't want to put false hope in anyone, but the judge obviously doesn't agree with James serving time in prison."

"So, what happens now?" Jonah asks, his hand on the back of his neck while pacing the small room.

"We wait. We wait as long as we need to wait. If the judge is ready, then at 3pm we go back into the courtroom. If he needs to prolong the continuance, it could be days."

"I need a fucking drink." Nate mutters.

"No... you don't. You need to stop drawing attention. The reporters are eating this shit up, Mr. Hollan. Listen, James." She talks to James, and he look at her but says nothing. "You are a giver. You contribute and do good deeds for others without expecting anything in return. Colton West? He's a taker. He's going to try to get as much out of you as possible to make this case look like he won. Whether it be jail time or a lump sum of money to shut his client up and make her feel like he accomplished something. Now it's out of his hands. He should have taken the plea bargain right from the beginning and now he's kicking himself for not doing so."

I know what Addison is saying now. Before this even went to trial we tried to settle with the prosecution. But they denied the offer.

"This is good news. It means that maybe, just MAYBE the judge doesn't want you to serve time in prison. Maybe he will lessen the time. Or maybe he will come up with something not involving incarceration."

"So what would his punishment be then?" Nate asks, now beginning to calm down a little more.

"Could be anything. Could be a huge fine, or maybe house arrest for the amount of time sentenced to prison. Either way, you are convicted of reckless driving. That will permanently be on your record. That won't go away. But, and I hate to sound insensitive here but, you are on disability and cannot work so it's not like that is going to affect you getting a job."

Addison sits down and puts her long hair in a low ponytail before looking down at a bunch of documents.

"Wait, house arrest?? Seriously? We were gonna go on tour. We we-" I begin to ramble.

"Trisha. Shut up." Nate snaps. "I couldn't give two fucks about tour right now. This is someone's life! Shit," He looks down at his phone. "It's Paul."

I feel my face redden in embarrassment. I didn't mean it how it came out. I meant, How are we going to leave James in a few months? With who? His sisters? If Home Confinement is what may happen James will need to decide where he wants to stay right away. I didn't mean it the way Nate thinks but it's no use trying to explain myself right now. It's not important.

"Paul, you're on speaker. I know why you are calling and don't fucking feel like relaying it to the nurses." Nate snaps again, putting his phone on the table.

"I know I've said it before, but this was a bad one boss." Paul tells Nate everything. How Julia threw the remote at the TV, her tantrum and then needing to be sedated. I had a feeling this would happen but this time, I can't blame the woman. Nate slams his fist on the table and bolts up to pace.

"Jesus Christ!" He kicks the chair in frustration. 

"I'm going to make sure she's fine, Nate. You know that. But the dose was high. The detox is going to be a bad one. I didn't want to call but I knew you would want to know."

"I appreciate it, Paul."

"How's James? And Trish..." Paul asks. "How's Trisha?"

I look away. With everything going on Paul is asking how I AM? 

I did get it all wrong, didn't I? I have made so many fucking mistakes in my life. 

I think this one may have been my biggest.

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