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

Chapters 127 & 128 What A Time/ Bad Luck

"Richard, give him a few days to get back on his feet. Two. He doesn't have anything planned over the weekend. Come Monday he will be ready to rock." I assure him. It only takes Nate a few days to bounce back. Richard is right. We've been here before. It's not like Nate is gonna need to go through detox and withdrawals. He slipped up. No big deal.

"I'm going over to the Avalon to check on Nate today. Elliott, plan to hold a press conference this evening and I will tell you what Nate says, or how much he wants you to say on his behalf, sound good?"

"Always, Trisha." Elliott nods.

I get through the meeting with flying colors. Everyone is happy. I can cancel the small shit the next two days but the big interviews aren't until Monday, so Nate will be fine by then. Richard is happy. The band will be happy. Everyone will be happy.

Evan makes me drive from the studio to Panera Bread to pick up lunch for Nate, and I do. Sweaty palms and all but I did it. Little by little the bodyguard has me behind the wheel like I'm sixteen years old again, and little by little I am overcoming my fear.

"See? Not so bad." The L.L. Bean model smiles at me. 

"So long as I don't see an accident or get sideswiped or something I feel like I'm getting over shit."

"Because you are. You just needed a little push is all. Now drive from here to The Avalon."

I freeze for a second. 

"That's like ten minutes away."

"So?"

"You've had me driving a little here and there but not for long and not on the highway." I clam up.

"Did the accident happen on the highway??"

"No, but-" I don't have a reason behind the but and Evan can tell right away.

"You'll be fine. What's the worst that can happen? You get nervous and need to pull over?"

"Or I crash and die." I retort.

"You could crash and die at the next red light. Or you could have gotten run over walking from Panera to the parked car.  You really want to play that game Trisha?"

I huff. He's got me there.

****

"Well look who it is..." Nate smirks, knowing I HATE coming to the Avalon. Jonah lets me and Evan in ."Thought you didn't like coming to the Avalon? Hmmm?"

"Well, you're in luck Playboy. Because I came with Panera soup for you. You're welcome." I throw a little attitude Nate's way.

"Luck. Yeah. I'm full of luck all right." He glances up at the TV broadcasting his life for all to see. "Bad luck."

"Are we in the self- loathing stage now??" I kick off my heels as Evan says hello then heads outside to say hi to James and Casey.

"He most certainly is." Jonah rolls his eyes and gives me a nod. He then takes the remote from Nate and turns off the TV altogether.

"Where's Crazy and her big ogre double crossing bodyguard?" I scoff and hand Nate the container of soup.

"Bitter much?" He takes the container and it's the first thing I notice. Nate's hands are trembling.

"I didn't think one night of drinking would bring you right back to this..." I put my hand on his forehead then look at Jonah. Nate is burning up.

"Low grade. Completely normal. It will take a few days." He answers like he could read my mind.

"So I really DO need to cancel your interview with IHeart Radio in two days...." I plop down next to my best friend.

"You haven't cancelled my shit yet???" His eyes widen, like I haven't been on top of things. I've been on top of EVERYTHING for him!

"I didn't think you'd be here long, Nate. I thought you'd sober up and be fine, not go through a full detox. It was one slip up." I shrug. Then I remember the meeting with Richard. FUCK! I drop my head in my hands. "Shit. I told Richard you'd be fine."

"I don't know how long he will need to be here, Trisha. But you should cancel everything on his work calendar for at least the next two weeks." Jonah chimes in and I feel my stomach drop instantly.

"TWO WEEKS!?" I gasp. Oh my God. Now I'm going to have to go back and tell Richard this. After I JUST led him to believe Nate would be fine in a few days. Two weeks cancels a lot of promos and interviews. Two weeks... Richard is going to be furious with me now. Motherfucker, now I'm going to have to tell Elliott this for the press conference tonight.

"He's going to need time to get back on his feet. You really can't rush the process."

"I need a fucking raise." I pinch the tension at the bridge of my nose. "I just got out of a meeting with Richard and Elliott. I thought you would just need a few days to bounce back. Nate, I told him you'd be fine for your interviews next week!"

"Trish...." Nate looks at me with sympathy, knowing what I have to do now and what I'm up against. "Why would you tell him that? You should have waited for me to attend the meeting with you."

"You were SUPPOSED to attend the meeting you asshole! It was the Agenda meeting! Instead, you went off and got drunk and I had to pick up after you!! God, Nate. Now I have to go back with my tail between my legs like a fucking dog. What am I going to tell Elliott? He's holding a press conference in a few hours. To fucking TELL everyone you will be FINE for next week." I feel my cheeks burn.

"Ok. Take a deep breath Trisha." Jonah sees my mind is all over the place now.

Take a deep breath? I need to take a long vacation is what I need. I can't believe this.

"I will call Elliott myself. Ok? Hell, I will call Richard myself if you rather." Nate puts a hand on my nervously bouncing knee.

"You will??"

"I will, angel. I will call them myself and explain everything. And if they have any medical questions or questions about the timeline of detox, Jonah can answer them, right Jonah?" He raises a brow to the nurse.

"I sure can. Your health is my number one priorty. It comes before your job, Nate. I have no problems letting that guy know this either." He says with boldness. I have no doubt in my mind that Jonah would put Richard in his place. Jonah is a calm man, a fair man, but a bold man. He sugar coats nothing, tells it like it is. 

I breathe in a long cleansing breath and let out all the tension and stress, now feeling relieved. For once, Nate is taking over and cleaning up his own mess. I don't have to worry about it.

Until the next time he does something stupid...

*****