*Trisha*

After feeding my face with Chinese food, I steal Nate's bathtub and drown myself in hot water.  Evan and Casey know not to talk to me right now. I'm in a foul mood over finding out Nate fell off the wagon. All because of Julia.  I am also still a little saddened by Paul ditching me the way he did. Sure, I should just bounce back and get over it, but I've had one failed relationship after another lately. 

These are the things I think about while sinking into the Lavender fragrant water.

I close my eyes and drift off to sleep thinking about my first encounter with Hollan...

*****

"Can you please sit still? My job is to make sure you are perfect before you go on stage. You boys are nuts!"

What the hell did I get myself into applying for this internship?! The five toddlers of teenagers... hormone-filled superstars can barely sit still in their chairs while Holly and I touch up their makeup. This is my first day on this job, and I'm already regretting it.

The group of sixteen-year-old European heartthrobs made it big as a boyband and sold out Wembley Stadium. Something that is unheard of for a group of rambunctious kids. I really thought their first song would be a one hit wonder, but girls around the world swooned for these kids.

Kids.... like I'm much older. I just turned eighteen and never mind this being the first time in London, it was the first time I've ever been on a flight. I really didn't think I would get this opportunity. I just started cosmetology school!

But here I am. Freshly hired to get these hyperactive teens ready for their first world tour. This Nate Hollan kid is gonna be the death of me. Sixteen years old and passing around the bottle while I try to style his hair. The legal drinking age in the U.S. is 21, but here in the UK, it is 18. Regardless, Nate and the rest of the boys are only 16. Do I say something to an adult? Am I considered the adult? I look over at Holly, who is doing another teen's makeup, and she just shrugs with a little laugh.

"Guys, seriously. Knock it off. You're gonna get me fired on my first day on the job for not finishing your hair and make-up on time." I say nervously. The blue-eyed heartthrob I'm working on tilts his head to the side to look at me.

"I'll make sure you don't get fired, love." Nate Holan flirts. The friggen kid winks at me. And I hate that it made butterflies flutter in my stomach. He's two years younger than me! Granted, that doesn't matter if you are a grown adult, but we are teenagers! Two years is a big gap!

"Where are your parents anyway?!" I squint my eyes at the attractive kid.

"Dead. Any more questions?" Nate Hollan takes a swig from the bottle and his eyes sadden. Is he pulling my leg? I look over to Holly, but this is her first day as well. We don't really know these guys.

"Nate, you wish. Just his dad croaked. He just wishes his mother would do the same." Another teen laughs, and Nate leans over and shoves the bottle into the other kid's chest.

"Are they giving you trouble, Miss Banks?" The tall intimidating Italian bodyguard crosses his arms and glares at the boys giving me and Holly a hard time while we are getting them ready. They all sit up straighter in their chairs and give Mr. Rossi their full attention.

"No, sir." Nate Hollan smirks. He's gonna be the troublemaker of the group, isn't he?

******

*James*

Trevor has volunteered to stay in Julia's apartment with me so Jonah can run up the hall to check on my two drunk friends. Paul called him and let him know both Julia and Nate are in rough shape from their little binge-drinking escapades today. And since I can't really be alone... Trevor is here to keep me company.

Before Jonah left, we were sitting by the lit fireplace, and that's where I remain with Trevor while Maggie eats her food inside. It's a nice night out in L.A.  A clear night. I remember how envious of people who worked day jobs and got to enjoy their evenings. I imagined myself going camping with Carter, something I've always wanted to do. Certainly not something my father did with us growing up. As an adult, I was always working nights at the Avalon. I would still get to enjoy my days with Maggie since I wouldn't go to sleep until around 2 pm. or so. I really enjoyed our outings, going for long runs in Griffeth Park, or bike rides, anything outdoorsy. I consider sitting outside right here and now with the firepit on a huge blessing. I could be in some dingy jail cell being forced to do God knows what at nighttime. It makes my stomach turn just thinking about it.

"You hanging in there? I'm sure this is just as hard for you as anyone else. Dealing with the infamous 'Nate Hollan' drama." Trevor stares at the hypnotizing fire like I do while chatting.

"The kid can't pull it together." I shake my head. "Funny how I could probably drink the same amount of whiskey as him and the next day not want to even look at the shit, yet tomorrow he will probably want more of it now."

"Yeah, that's addiction for you."

"You think he's going to have to go through withdrawals and all that?" I look up at the doctor, but his eyes are glued to the flames.

"Hard to tell. Everyone is different. I imagine he will have a hard time now that he got a taste of the one thing he has been trying to stay away from. It sounds like he could use some Avalon sessions. Maybe learn how to cope with things a little better? From the little I know about the man, he turns to alcohol anytime something goes wrong."

I sigh, knowing all too well what Nate needs to do. He'll never go through with it, though. He barely makes his AA meetings here. He'd never actually admit himself full-time. There are a few minutes where I get lost in my thoughts, and Trevor notices.

"You ok, Mr. Gallo?" Trevor looks up. "I know today was a trying day for you as well. With that piece of mail and all."

"You know, it's ironic." I huff and pet Maggie once she comes out. "I spent my whole life trying to protect my family. I physically push my body so I can defend the girls when my father does stupid shit. I mentally make sure I'm well and focused and clear-headed so I can think straight and always be on the lookout for when he does stupid shit. Yet, look at me now. I can't defend a fucking mosquito if I wanted to. And I'm stuck here. You know who should be sentenced to house arrest? Or put in prison?" I shake my head, snap out of it and wipe my teary eyes.

"James, I believe in Karma. What goes around comes around. Reap what you sow. All that. I believe his time will come. Like a boomerang- what you give out will always come back to you. You are doing all the right things. Taking care of your body and your mind and your soul. You're a believing man, am I right? I've seen your friends help you hold your men's devotional so you can read and better yourself, and I've watched you pray before. You take advantage of all the Avalon has to offer. You are doing all the right things. Some things are just out of everyone's control, but your father? His time WILL come. That stuff always catches up with a person." The doctor leans over and pats my shoulder. 

I nod, believing this wholeheartedly. 

Maggie lets out a single bark and heads to the Avalon door. Someone must have knocked. How she heard it and we did not is beyond me, but Trevor has me stay put and he goes inside to answer.

I look through the slider to see Jonah come back into the apartment. I can't hear what he's saying but he is shaking his head while chatting with Dr. Tremont. Jeremy comes in behind him with new sheets for the cot and begins making it up. Looks like Nate will be spending the night. Guess that means I'm stuck on the cot? Or wait... Julia's not with Nate anymore. Is she?  A bit of confusion takes over my head but I'm too consumed in thinking about my sisters and mother's safety right now to care where the hell I sleep.

Jonah walks outside looking pretty exhausted and the dog follows him every step of the way, telling me the nurse is stressed out.

"They both drank a lot." The tall black man mutters. "But Nate admitted himself full time...at least to detox."

My eyes widen in disbelief, and I stand.

"H-he did??"

"He did. I don't know how Julia talked him into it but he did. He will stay in the detox room for another hour or so then come down here and Julia will care for him."

"Of course she will." I let out a sigh. Leave it to Julia. The caretaker. "Oh shit. Trisha is going to be pissed."

"She is. But this needs to be done. I'm gonna head out now and break the news to her if she's still awake. If not, it can wait until morning.  Trevor will stay with you until Paul brings them down. Are you ok, James? Today was.... a lot."

I'm grateful for the people who watch over me and ask me how I am doing even when other people's lives are falling apart just as much as mine is. I give Jonah a slight nod and sit back down by the fire.

"Hang in there, friend. We'll help you figure it out with your family."

"Thanks, Jonah."

For once I feel like I'm at least not doing this alone. I have people I can lean on. People willing to listen to me and let me vent if need be. God, my sisters don't even know about the photo sent to me yet. How the hell do I tell them our father is back to stalking them to freak them out? What if he goes further? His goal is to scare the crap out of Kendall. She's the youngest. She's the one who got away. She was never abused by Joe. Granted she's an adult now, she's like Julia, that of a child sometimes. She scares easily. She knows the stories. She knows all about the wrath of Joe Gallo.

There's got to be a way for me to protect my family while being here under home confinement.

My life goal is to protect my family. I will do anything to make sure they are safe. Anything.

******