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

Chapters 187 & 188 The Final Straw/ Wicked Truths

*Trisha*

"I don't understand why his blood pressure is still high, Dr. Simms." Jonah and the floor nurse both look to the cardiologist for answers. I thought things would get better with Nate's health. Why aren't they?  Is it the stress? A weight should be lifted off Nate now, but it isn't, and his numbers are letting us know.

"We'll run some more tests. For now, we should focus on getting you up and walking. You will heal quicker by doing so, Mr. Hollan. Increased walking allows for a more accurate assessment of whether your pacemaker is functioning properly."

"I'm all for it," Nate responds, itching to get out of bed.

"Usually we would have our patients walk laps out in the halls, but...." The doctor frowns.

"You know what?" Nate swings his legs over the side of the bed and gingerly stands up. "Fuck it. I'm done."

We all give him a confused look.

"If you want me walking laps up and down the halls so I can recover quicker, then I'm walking laps up and down the halls so I can recover quicker. I'm done with this. Trisha, tie the back of this thing."

 I pull at his hospital gown to tie it, but get a glimpse of that cute naked ass first. God, this man is perfect.

"Nate, you can't just leave this room without everyone going crazy and-" I start, but he cuts me off right away.

"I should be able to recover just like everyone else. Let them see me. Let them take pictures of me. I don't care anymore, Trish. I'm done."

The doctor turns to me, a little dumbfounded, but I don't know what to say to this. When Nate gets something in his head, there is no stopping him.

"I'll have Evan with me as my bodyguard. Jonah can walk with me to make sure I'm strong enough. I don't want to be cooped up in here. If there are fans in the halls, I will greet them."

"What about reporters, sir?" Evan asks with concern. 

"You're gonna cause chaos, Nate." I remind Nate. "That naked ass alone-"

"I'm a fucking human being. If reporters get to me and want to film... whatever. I don't even care anymore, Trish. They're gonna find a way regardless. They always do." Nate's eyes begin to water. He IS done.  This scare got to him. It got to ALL of us. "This is my second chance. Maybe my final chance. I want to heal. I wanna get better and live longer than my dad did. Getting this pacemaker in... Jesus.."

 I  quickly move around so I'm in front of Nate and pull him into a hug, letting him hide his face in my shoulder so no one sees his tears. He hates being emotional in front of others, so I knew this is what he needs from me right now.

"Getting this pacemaker in...It was the final straw." His voice cracks, and I hold him tighter. This was the final straw for Nate. Things need to change. I need to find a fucking way for things to change for him. But what? A vacation when the tour is over? Go back home to London after we hit every state here? Will Richard even let him, or will he want him to start focusing on the Safe Haven music video with Mila when the tour is complete?

I feel lost and like I've completely lost control, which is so unlike me. How did it get to this point where Richard just walks all over Nate without a second thought? I should've stood up to him years ago, but I didn't, did I? Instead, I let him walk all over me, too.

I'm ripped from my thoughts when my phone goes off.

Paul.

Something is wrong. Paul rarely calls me these days. He's so wrapped up with Moretti that he barely reaches out to anyone anymore. I walk into the bathroom and close the door before answering, so I have some privacy.