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

Chapter 142 I Won't Back Down

*James*

It seems that Jonah has been forcing Nate to visit his sister daily. While Nate may not view this as beneficial, I believe it is. Cara admires Nate, whether he is aware of it or not, and she craves his attention. She has no one else to rely on. Although I visit her frequently, I'm not the person she truly wants to see. It's her brother who she wants to spend time with. And she's not stupid. She can sense that Nate treats it as a chore, so by the time he goes to visit her, she is already in a bad mood. Nate is with her right now while me and Julia spend time outside near the garden.

It's fairly warm out today and sunny. We lie in the grass, and I put my head on Julia's lap like I always do. Maggie, too, basks in the sunlight, lying contentedly nearby. I like this. This feels normal, me and Julia hanging out together. I've been in a little bit of a slump after the ordeal with the home confinement house search happened the same time my sisters stopped by with my mother. I just want my normal life back.

"Your mind is racing, isn't it?" I ask and close my eyes when Julia brushes through my hair with her fingers. 

"How can you tell?" 

"I can always tell," I smirk and tilt my head to look at her. "Have you slipped up with Hollan yet?"

"Noo." Julia throws me a sarcastic expression.

"It's only been a day. Give it time." 

"Jerk. You are of no help, you know that, James??" She tosses a few blades of grass in my face making me laugh.

"You really love him, don't you? Hollan. Like love him, love him." I raise my brows at my best friend.

"You sound like you're in middle school saying it like that." Julia huffs.

"It will just take time, babe. Paul is good for you. You'll love him the same way you love Nate. Eventually. You know once Nate goes back on tour, things will be easier."

"Lindsay has been visiting more frequently." Julia changes the subject.

"Yeah, she has to travel for work next week though."  I let out a sigh.

"She travels a lot, huh?" Julia casually begins to pet Maggie, and I nod.

I don't know what to tell Julia. Me and Lindsay haven't discussed our relationship further and I don't want to be the one to set Julia off. I don't think it will, but you just never know what goes on in that head of hers. I don't want to ruin this moment we're sharing now.

The conversation wraps up when the clouds roll in and the rain starts to fall. Julia smirks a little. I know what she's thinking. This will get her out of having her counseling session with Trevor.  I shake my head at her, and we run inside before it downpours. The walk back to her apartment is quiet but content. Julia and I don't feel the need to always have to speak. She simply holds my hand while Maggie happily walks beside us.

Paul answers the door and we see that everyone is here. Well, everyone except Trisha - who is ghosting us lately. Both Jeremy and Trevor are here, and it seems like some kind of meeting is happening.

"What's going on?" Julia asks.

"You're going to have your therapy session with Trevor soon," Jeremy announces. 

Oh man, I can already see where this train is headed.

"Actually," She points to the glass slider, "It's raining. And anyway, I need to help Nate with his detox."

"I'm ok right now, doll." Nate sits up a bit, but it's clear he's still going through detox, with a headache and a weak appearance.

Jeremy lets out a frustrated sigh. "Julia, Dr. Cohen demands you have your counseling sessions. We're already on her shit list. She's watching us both. And I...." He pauses and shakes his head while pacing. He already looked on edge the moment we walked in. "I can't be your therapist ALL the time. The entire reason for Trevor's presence is to replace me...for you."