*James*

I had a feeling things would escalate between Julia and Nate. Paul and I watch the two of them battle it out in the backyard. Jonah, Casey and Trisha, all hightailed it out of here, so they didn't have to deal with it. I don't blame them there. 

With a heavy sigh, Nate drags his ass back into the apartment. Both Paul and I shake our heads at him with smirks on our faces.

"Don't even." Nate shoots us a look.

"C'mon Gallo, let's go grab a coffee from the cafeteria," Paul says with agitation, clearly not in the mood to deal with drama. I clap my hands once and Maggie follows us out. While walking we start up a conversation.

"Soooo... does this mean you and Julia are done?" I raise a brow at the bodyguard, who stiffens at the mention of the subject. Paul is silent for a good minute straight, making me think he isn't going to entertain this chat, but then surprised me when he finally speaks.

"What is it about Hollan?"

I laugh a little at this question I have asked a million and one times.

"When you figure it out, let me know, ok?" I chuckle. "But you didn't answer my question. Does this mean it's over between the two of you? You don't give women second chances."

"She's not just any woman."

It's the only thing I get from Paul the entire way to the cafeteria. Once there, he helps me with my coffee and makes one for himself as well but never did answer my question.  Will this be the one time Paul actually lets someone in? A SECOND chance??  Did Julia break the bodyguard? I'm shocked!

As we exit the cafeteria, we both see Nate. What the hell is he doing?? Did he leave Julia in the apartment by herself??

"Yeah, yeah. I know." Nate sighs. It's obvious their blowout was an emotional one by Nate's puffy red eyes and disheveled look.

"She can't be alone in there, boss." Paul casts his eyes down the hall and back to Nate

"She left... probably baring her soul to fucking Maloney in the garden." Nate begins to walk away but we follow.

"You let her leave by h-herself?" I ask.

"We were fighting, Gallo. I thought it was you two dips coming back in when I heard the door, not her leaving."

Nate stops short when he reaches Mike Maloney's room.

"May I help you, fuckface?" Mike and his amazing vocabulary.

"Julia didn't come by?" Nate asks. Wait- He DOESN'T KNOW where Julia is??? I glare at him and can sense Paul doing the same.

"Does she look like she came by? You look like shit, pal." Mike lowers his book with a laugh.

"Julia- have you seen Julia?" Paul's voice is low and concerning, making Maloney drop his attitude and stand up.

"You mean YOU don't know where she is??" Mike glares at the bodyguard and pulls his hair back in a ponytail before brushing by all of us. Maggie is the first to happily follow the felon though he gives her no attention, which I find odd. Maggie possesses an exceptional sense of character. She would never engage with a questionable person, yet she was immediately drawn to Mike. This speaks volumes about the man. While he may appear rough externally, my dog can sense qualities that go beyond superficial traits. Mike may have an addiction problem that got him into some serious trouble but he has a good heart. I can see it right through the way Maggie walks by his side, paying no attention to anyone else but Mike.

"She's probably outside," Nate says nervously.

"You better hope she's outside, asswipe." Mike walks a little faster. We head out to the garden onto to find it empty.

No one is outside.

"What the fuck, Hollan." Mike pushes past Nate and rushes inside. He knows a bit about Julia and why she needs a bodyguard at all times. Aside from the many enemies she has in this facility, we also have to worry about Jeremy.

"May-maybe she went to see Dr. Tremont?" I stammer nervously and we all head to Donovan's office, the only office Trevor would use. We make it down to Jeremy's office only to find the lights off and door locked. My blood begins to boil.

 Nate NEVER should have left Julia.

"Shit." Nate mutters.

Something inside me shifts. Rage surges through my body, and I forcefully shove Nate against the wall, holding him there.

"I sw-ear t-to God."  I growl and push him into the wall harder.

"Let's try the library."  Mike pulls my shoulder back and I step away, still glaring at Hollan with my jaw clenched. The walk to the library is a silent one. I lead the way now. Nervous and furious at the same time. The library is closed for the night.

We can't find Julia.

******

*Trisha*

"I don't know why that man does what he does sometimes." I kick off my shoes as we enter Nate's apartment. Jonah and Casey right behind us.

"That was.....tense." Evan replies.

"Nate did the right thing, guys." Jonah is the first to stick up for Nate tonight as he walks off the elevator and heads straight to the pantry for a snack.

"You really need to get that tapeworm checked out." Casey teases.

"Yeah, yeah." Jonah waves his girlfriend off who shrugs and heads to the bathroom. "Seriously though, it is Nate's body. He can do what he wants and doesn't have to answer to anyone."

"You think he's gonna fuck up with Mila, don't you?!" I steal the bag of chips right out of the nurse's hands and head to the couch. He rolls his eyes and sits next to me while Evan heads to his bedroom.

"I do, but that's beside the point." Jonah grabs the bag back and shoves a handful of potato chips in his mouth.

"You do?"

"Of course I do. I'm not an idiot, Trisha. Listen, I love Nate. But the man has absolutely zero self-control when it comes to women. He is used to getting what and who he wants when he wants. And Mila is very willing to give it to him, that much we know. Having her on tour with us..." He shakes his head and throws more chips into his mouth. "There is no way Nate is going to behave."

"I don't get why he doesn't just give in and date Mila then. He's obviously attracted to her and she obviously wants to be his girlfriend. That much is known by the entire world. I don't know why he is so caught up in this.... this thing with Moretti. Whatever it is." I admit. 

Do I want to see Nate with anyone other than myself? Of course not. But if it's gonna be anyone it might as well be someone who lives in the same world as us. Someone who knows how to be in the public eye and is used to it. Someone who works hard and understands the type of life Nate leads. One where he is constantly on the go and traveling and pleasing fans, reporters, the general public as a whole. Julia can't handle this life. We all know this.

"That's just it, Trish. He's in love with Julia. I have a feeling this is the first time he has had to really fight for a woman. Julia's not in it for his money or fame or any of that. And that scares the shit out of Nate because he doesn't know how to navigate the situation. He's not used to NOT getting what he wants. And Julia is who he wants. Not Mila. that being said- you can't expect the man to be around Mila and not screw up. We all know how he is."

"So you think Nate is BETTER with Julia?" I raise a brow and throw a chip at Jonah who plucks it off his shirt and eats it.

"I think...they have a lot to work to do if they really want a lasting relationship. A lot of work individually as well as together. For someone who is known to be a 'playboy' as you call him, Nate is very possessive of Julia. He expects a lot from her for someone who can't keep it in his pants himself. Due his past actions, Julia has become an extremely jealous woman. It will be hard for her to trust him."

I nod, fully grasping Jonah's point. I will never understand Nate's lack self-control. I have never cheated on anyone, and when I'm in a relationship I commit to it wholeheartedly. I suppose I would have a hard time trusting Nate as well.

But I've never been in a real relationship with him, have I? That will never happen between the two of us.  This is something I have and will struggle with forever. Nate will never fight for me the way he does for Julia. The sting of that realization is unbearable, some days. Because I would SO fight for Nate. I'd do anything for him and he knows it. I wish he could realize how great we would be together.

I'd be lying to myself if I thought Nate would ever take the chance with me. We have too many strings attached because of work as well as our friendship. Neither worth fucking up.

But sometimes, it's those sweet little lies that keep us going.

****