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

Chapter 112 Us

*Trisha*

Nate carved out a little time today to go to the Avalon, and at first, I opted out. But if I'm ever going to see Paul I need to man up and start visiting him. I decided to surprise Paul since I know Nate will be with Julia so Paul can get a break.

I make Evan be the lucky one to drive me there since Ren already picked Nate up a good fifteen minutes ago. 

"So you're never going to drive again for the rest of your life due to one major accident, Miss Banks?" Evan watches me hop into the passenger side of the car.

"I'm not talking to you today." I state. I've been giving the bodyguard the silent treatment since we saw Dave at the dry cleaners yesterday. Evan was rude to me. I don't need to put up with that shit. He thinks he knows me so well? He doesn't.

"We're still doing this?" Evan smirks like it's no big deal. "Listen, I'm sorry if I offended you in any way, but you have to see where I'm coming from. As a bodyguard, I see that stuff all the time with my clients. Making excuses for their boyfriends who slap them around or disrespect them. It's hard not to jump to that conclusion when I see you being nice to that Dave guy."

"I wasn't being nice. All I asked was if he was going to his AA meetings. That's it."

Evan turns and looks at me, not buying it, and I look away.

"Besides, it's not your job to care. Your job is to fucking follow me around all day."

"MY job is to keep you safe every second you are by my side. Safe from people like that guy. Paul has told me a good amount. He's told me all I need to know to form my own opinion. You filed a restraining order for a reason, Trisha. Remember that."

I grit my teeth together hearing Paul discussed my relationship with Dave to Evan. I wonder what he told him. Everything? Just the basics?

Ten minutes go by of complete silence before we pull up to the back of the Avalon. I say nothing more to Evan and knock on Julia's door. A few minutes go by and I wonder if Paul is even in the apartment. Did he go out on his own?

But then the door swings open and the bodyguard stands in the doorway.

"Hey. I didn't know you guys were stopping by." Paul says in almost a mumble. Is he not happy I popped in to say hi? He steps to the side to let me and Evan in and closes the door behind us. 

"I know Nate is with Julia for a few hours. He booked it on the calendar. Thought maybe you'd want to go out for a little while and do something?" I lean up and kiss Paul but get only a peck in return. It feels harsh with no emotion to it making me feel a little embarrassed, like he doesn't want me here or something.

"Um." Paul sits down on the recliner and leans over to pet Maggie. "I was just going to chill here today."

"Oh." I bite the inside of my cheek. "You don't wanna get out of this place for a few? Really??"

"I'm content. You can still hang here if you like. James will be back from session in a little while." He says but then picks up his phone and begins scrolling.

"Paul, are you good? Did I do something to piss you off or something? You really don't want to get out of this hellhole while you have the chance?"

The man furrows his brows and looks over at me. "This hellhole is helping Julia AND James right now. I don't mind being here."

I can feel Evan's eyes on me from the kitchen table where he sits.

"I didn't mean it like that, Paulie."