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

Chapters 127 & 128 What A Time/ Bad Luck

*Trisha*

Mortified doesn't even come close to how I'm feeling right now. Somehow my name got dragged into the media attention thanks to Paul and Julia. At least they chose a good photo of me to display on tv.

"She's really pissed." I hear Evan in the background chatting with Jonah and Casey. I on the other hand, am ripping Nate a new one over the phone.

"I had no choice but to reach out to one of your attorneys, Marcus Burke. Fortunately, because you showed initiative and admitted yourself into rehab right away, this won't affect the charges you are already serving from your DUI." I explain to Nate. Does he even think of this stuff? Does he know how good he has it right now? He could have spent a little time in jail for driving drunk. Imagine if someone got hurt?! 

Imagine if he drove home drunk this time? He doesn't fucking think!

"Thank you." Nate chokes out. "I'm sorry."

I soften my tone of voice hearing the emotion in his.

"Your body can't handle this, Nate." 

"I'm sorry." He repeats and I hear my best friend sniff on the other line. "I'm going to do better. Be better. I promise."

"Sweetie, I get it. You know I do. You have a lot going on. But you ALWAYS have a lot going on, Nate. That's never going to change. I need that heart of yours to keep ticking." I swallow back my own tears seeing as I'm right in the living room with everyone, though they are all busy feeding their faces. Welll, Jonah is ALWAYS busy feeding his face.

"I know, Trish." Nate says with sincerity. "And I'm sorry your name got dragged into this too. I never mean to drag you into my bullshit."

"I know, playboy." I let out a forgiving sigh.

*******

*James*

That seizure took a lot out of me. Mentally and physically. I skipped all sessions for today and rested in Julia's bed almost the entire day. I can't stop thinking of ways to protect my family though. Joe knows this got to me. He knows I am on home confinement. If I make one wrong move that Lauren Denault parole officer lady will send me straight to the slammer. She doesn't seem to be the type that would let things slide, that much I can tell.

"Hey, mate. You doing alright in here?" Nate's British accent fills the room. I sit up a little and not, appreciating that everyone checks in on me throughout the day. "Listen, um. Can I come in and talk for a moment?"

"Yeah sure." I sit up fully and Maggie comes into the room and hops on the bed like she owns the place.

"Julia told me about the mail. Your father sending you a message, knowing you can't leave the Avalon." Nate pulls the small chair in the corner over to sit down.

"He's a prick." I inhale sharply.

"Yeah, I know he is. Can I see the mail?"

"It's on the dresser right there." I point to Julia's dresser. Why the hell does he want to see the photo? I watch Nate pick it up and study it and see a flicker of anger in his eyes. He shakes his head and puts it back in the envelope.

 "So, me and Julia were brainstorming, and I think I can help protect your family." Nate sits back down and crosses his ankle over his other knee casually. 

"HOW?" I raise my eyebrows at the man, not knowing how in the world he could help me right now.

"I'd do anything for my little sister. She's all I've got for family in this world. I can only imagine how you must feel having 5 sisters to watch over. Especially with Joe lurking around the way he does. But if your sisters agree to this, I could provide them with a few bodyguards to ensure their safety at all times.  I already reached out to both Dante and Max to see if they were open to this idea before coming to you. I didn't want to give you false hope or anything."