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

chapter 119 & 120 This Is Where It Ends/ It Will Be Alright

Anybody but Julia...

Damn. Shit's gonna go down.

*****

*Trisha*

So I cried myself to sleep. Big deal. Not like that hasn't happened before. I cried wondering why Paul is being so distant from me. Why I'm so tangled in thinking of Nate. Why nothing seems to go my way in the romance department lately.

But I lighten up a little when I see Paul's text this morning telling me to call him. Maybe he just had an off few days. People have em. I can't take it personally.

"Mornin' Hotstuff. What's going on? You never text me first thing in the morning."

There's a long pause on the line and my heart sinks a little. I know this pause. I've taken and given these before.

"Paul...."

"Trish, I'm so sorry. You know I-"

"Just say it Paul." I mutter into the phone, knowing full well where this is going. Tears sting my eyes.

"Did you talk to Nate?" He throws me off with that question.

"Nate? No. It's friggen eight in the morning. Only you are up at eight in the morning, Paulie. What's going on?"

"Oh..When you said for me to just say it, I thought that meant cuz you already knew or something."

"Know what, Paul? That you've been avoiding me like the plague lately? It's noticed. Believe me, it's noticed. Why? Did I do something wrong?"

"No, no, Trish. You did nothing wrong. Nothing at all. It's me."

"Oh God," I roll my eyes. "Are we in highschool? It's not you it's me? Are we seriously breaking up, Rossi? A SECOND TIME?"

Silence.

"Paul, talk to me." I say in a softer tone, feeling a lump forming in my throat and my stomach tied in a knot. I rather him be honest with me and tell me whatever I've done wrong so I know not to do it a second time, or in this case, a third time.

"Trish, I'm so sorry, sweetie." Paul's voice breaks. Oh my God. This is serious. Paul never sounds like this. "I wasn't being honest with you. With anyone. All this time."

"Ok, you are making no sense."

"I've..." He stalls and this time I stay silent and wait patiently. Whatever the man has to say is hard for him to say, I'll give him that. "Listen, Trish. I never wanted to hurt you. But I know this is exactly what I'm doing and I hate that."

"For a man who never talks, you're using a lot of words but telling me nothing, Paul." I become impatient.

"I'm in love with Julia."

I sit up straight and stare ahead at nothing. I feel like the world stops spinning for a moment.

"What?" I barely whisper into the phone. I had to have heard him wrong.

"I have been since day one."

Silence.

"Trish? Are you there?"

"I-" Tears fall down my cheeks at a rapid pace. "What?" I pause again. "Did you say...wait. Paul, what??"

"I'm so sorry. I should have been honest with you. I just confessed to her the other day but I've felt this for a long time. I had a plan to tell you but then Nate walked in on-"

"But" I interrupt,  not letting Paul say any more. I can't help it and begin to cry. He said Julia. He said her name. I heard right.

There's a few moments where all I can do is cry even though I'm still on the phone with Paul. He says nothing probably because he knows if he says anything I may go over and shove his damn phone right down his throat.

"I can't believe you are doing this to me. Of all people, Paul. You, of all people." Anger rises in my voice now. "I thought you were better than that."

"Trish, you need to understand. I-"

"You sonofabitch." I break down.  "I fucking hate you, you know that Paul? I've never hated someone as much as I hate you right now. TEN years I've known you and now... God... Rot in hell you piece of shit."

I throw my phone across the room.

Hard.

Then I cry.

Hard.

******