*Trisha*

33-year-old Evan Scolfield, Nate's new bodyguard, is quite the piece of eye candy for both me and Casey.  He walks down the airport terminal, this tall, rugged man with brown hair, blue eyes and a perfectly trimmed and shaped beard and Casey nudges me a little.

"Are you serious?" She says under her breath.

"Your boyfriend is RIGHT here, you know." Jonah furrows his brows at Casey and she just shrugs, making me laugh. 

"Mr. Hollan, sir. Evan Scolfield." The man says in a deep voice and shakes Nate's hand.

"Nate is fine. Paul recommended you and had nothing but good things to say about you." Nate introduces everyone to Evan while we walk towards the exit. This guy is pure perfection.

"I have my suits being sent to the hotel in Denmark and will change once we are checked in, sir." Evan declares. Look at him. Right on top of things. I like that.

"You really don't have to be formal with me, mate, and are only required to wear the suits during events and concerts. To be honest, I don't care what you wear, but I know your company has strict policies."

"They do, yes, sir."

Nate stops short and I know why. This whole "sir" thing is getting to him, I can tell.

"Knock it off with the sir. That's my father and he's fucking dead."

"Nate!" I raise my brows at him and then apologize on his behalf. "Sorry, Evan. It's been a bit of a rough day, and this fucktard is being rude." I side eye Nate and Evan laughs at my trucker mouth coming out a little.

"Yes, Paul Rossi has updated me on the situation. We talk frequently and I consider him a friend. Miss Moretti is in good hands, sir...um..Nate."

"Much better."

"Ready boss?" Evan pauses and Nate pulls down his baseball hat, ready for the crowd.

"Ready."

Evan walks Nate in front of us and Jonah catches both me and Casey checking out the guy's ass. He's got a great ass.

"Oh God..... really?" Jonah rolls his eyes and lets out a sigh.

"He's perfect." I smirk at the eye candy Paul sent our way.

******

*James*

It's going to be a hell of a long flight if Julia is already feeling antsy and we're only an hour in. I ended up getting a headache during take-off so now trying to sleep a little on one of the recliners. But I can hear Julia going at it with Paul, wanting more pills.

But I still have two hours before Paul will administer my next dose, and the panic is setting in.

"How much longer, Paul?" Julia asks.

"Until we land??"

"No. Until my next dose." I know for sure it's at least two hours away,

 "Two hours and eleven minutes left before your next dose, Moretti." Paul answers

 "Did you seriously set a timer for this?"

"Yes, ma'am." He scoffs. "Find something to do, Julia. Don't think about it."

"Yeah, easy for you to say." 

I drift off to sleep but it wasn't a pleasant slumber. Well... it started off pleasant. For some reason I dreamt about the night I lost my virginity. I have no idea why this came up in my dream, but it did.

I was fourteen or fifteen years old and her name was Gracie McGowen. We were both freshmen in high school and the typical couple. I was on the freshman football team, and she was a cheerleader with long legs and even longer blonde hair she wore in a ponytail at all times. She was a beautiful girl, and we had been dating exclusively for three months. Three months is a long time for a freshman.

Dave Brennan was having a party at his house. All the football players, cheerleaders and popular kids were there and there was a lot of drinking. I don't even know where Dave's mom was, maybe she didn't care but Dave was the kid with the big house, so all the parties were there. God knows it wouldn't be at mine. Not with Joe lurking around. He was still somewhat part of our lives ...or trying to be. But not in a good fatherly way. No, Not Joe Gallo. He just wanted to make sure we knew he was still in charge of our lives.

I remember we had won our last football game of the season, and it was a great night. What I don't remember was what exactly was in my red solo cup to make me so buzzed, but it didn't matter... it was the first time Gracie, and I could be alone. We snuck up the stairs together and found what looked like a guest bedroom. God, Gracie was all over me. And I was prepared. I stole two condoms out of Katie's purse. She was the oldest and had shit like that.

Gracie locked the door behind her and gave me a seductive little smile. I was nervous as hell, but she was so beautiful, and I REALLY wanted this. Gracie got all the guys attention at school but she chose me. I was the tallest and buffest of all the freshman. I was working out well before any of the other kids were. But to make sure I could handle my asshole father. That was the only reason really.

"James Gallo. Come make out with me." Gracie kicks off her Keds shoes and lays down on the perfectly made bed.  So I do. More than that.  After a steamy teenage make out session Gracie took all her clothes off.

"Are you sure?" I ask nervously. As much as I wanted this and God did I want this... I was very apprehensive. But Gracie wanted this too and was doing all the things to let me know.  She was the youngest of four girls and knew a lot more than I did, that's for sure. My sisters sure as hell weren't going to teach me squat. 

"James. Take your clothes off." Gracie demands and gets under the blankets. Of course, I did as she said, quickly fumbling to take off my jeans and t-shirt, kicking off my shoes not caring where they landed and sliding under the covers next to my girlfriend, with a condom in my hand. Before we knew it, we were back to making out like two teenagers. Once protected, I rolled on top of her perfect body and Gracie gave me a little nod. She wanted this. And holy shit. It felt amazing. All one minute of it. 

We got better with time, and I was able to control myself more throughout that year but that first night..yep.... twenty to thirty thrusts in and I was done. We laughed about it after and dated all through freshman year. Come to find out.... I lasted longer than all my other friends who barely made it five seconds their first time. 

Then Gracie moved away, and I became a bit of a player. The football player known to be good in bed was the rumor that went around school, though I didn't mind. But that night... after the party, I walked home and saw Joe's truck in the driveway.  He was still in it. Drunk twice as much as I was. I thought maybe he was passed out and wouldn't notice me. Again, I was drunk, and it was late. I had hopes of walking into my house and going right to bed without anyone knowing about my amazing night with Gracie. I was such a stupid teen.

Joe opened the door of the truck and stumbled out, practically falling on his knees before able to stand up straight.

"Why are you here, dad? It's late." Yeah, he was still called dad back then. I was young. I wanted a dad. I just didn't want him for a dad.

"Did I say you could ask me a question? Where's your mother?"

"I have no idea. Go home dad."

"I saw you won the game tonight."  Dad was at my game?  I never saw him, but he watched my game and for once, a slight smile curved up on my face. My dad came to watch my game.

 "I also saw the way Luanne was looking at you."

 Luanne? Brennan's MOM? Is he nuts? Well, yes. He is. I also know for a fact he's been fooling around with Dave's mom.  Good. He can be Dave's dad. Good luck pal.

"Dad. You're drunk. It's late."

"She's always saying what a fine-looking boy I have." He smirks and walks closer to me.

"I can't help what other people say." I swallow hard. Last thing I want is Joe going into the house. The girls are home and sleeping. So, I make sure to stay outside.

"You got a thing for Luanne Brennan, James?"

"WHAT?! Dave's MOM?? Dad. Go home." He's crazy. But me telling him to go home was technically talking back to him and Monday morning I went to school with a busted lip and black eye. I never hung out at Dave's house again. I didn't want his mom looking at me the way she looked at me. It would just make things worse.

 I wake up thinking about how my father punched me right in the face without a second thought. I told my friends it was from the football game, but they weren't stupid. Everyone knew what a bastard Joe Gallo was.

But now look at me. Far away from him. On some guy's private jet. With Julia.

"Look who's awake. And just in time." Julia sees me starting to wake up. She plates me some food and I smile at her before standing up.   Unfortunately, my headache was still present and getting worse.

Last thing I remember is Maggie barking up a storm.

"You're ok, sir." Brent, the flight attendant says. I'm on the floor, on my side with my dog licking my face and everyone hovering over me. I'm disoriented and confused as to how I got here.

"Hollan made sure you were trained in this, didn't he?" Paul says to the flight attendant who nods.

"It was the main requirement that set me apart from the other flight attendants wanting this job. My sister-in-law has seizures and our whole family is trained well."

"Sir, you had a seizure." The flight attendant says, and I drop my head in defeat. Then I notice it. I friggen pissed myself. It happens every time. I look up at Julia embarrassed. "Sorry... I..I"

"Are you seriously still apologizing for what happens when you have a seizure??" Julia shakes her head and helps me to my feet. "C'mon. I'll get you cleaned up."

She walks me to Nate's private room where our suitcases are and closes the door for privacy. I'm so upset over this, embarrassed, and crying. I'm soaked. But Julia doesn't make me feel bad. Not once. She peels off my clothes and starts the shower for me.

"Shower with me." She flirts. But we both know I'm not in the mood after having a seizure. Either way, she still showers with me and washes me up like it's no big deal.

"The neurologist said this might happen, remember? Having a seizure on the plane like that. The longer the flight the higher the risk." She says while washing me. hell, I don't even have an erection with a naked woman in here with me, that's how distraught I am. "Dr. Giovanni said seizures are expected in response to hypoxia episodes caused by low oxygen levels in the cabin. What did he say? Something about longer flights disrupt biological rhythms or something like that?" Julia recites what the doctor said, and I nod

"I hate being like this."

"Oh no you don't. We can't have both of us depressed and hating our lives. We need to take turns. It's still my turn." Julia says to me making me laugh a little.

"It's always your turn though." I tease.

"Yeah, yeah yeah." Julia drops the soap with her shaky drug addicted hands and now she's the one apologizing. "Sorry."

"Now who's apologizing when they shouldn't be? Hmm?"  I say and Julia lets out a little laugh.

 "I think that's the first time I've laughed since...you know..." Her smile fades and I know what she means. This is the first time she has smiled since she od'd on drugs and needed to get her stomach pumped.  I immediately hug her.

"We're gonna be ok, babe. Both of us."

And we are. I hope....

*****

*Trisha*

It didn't take long for people to find out Nate Hollan was on their flight and once we landed in Denmark it was noted Julia Moretti was not with us. Nate is all over the internet as expected. But it's not necessarily negative media attention. Fans raving about how good his concerts are and how much Nate's grown as an artist. Some fans thrilled that Julia was no longer touring with Nate so he could focus on his performance. I'm sure that goes right up her ass but the reality is, that is what touring is about. Connecting with your fans who support you every step of the way and putting on an amazing concert making it worth the money they paid for their tickets. Not Julia's roller-coaster of mental health issues.

"Right this way, sir. A car is waiting for you to drive you to the hotel." Evan says while guiding Nate. He's a good bodyguard. That much I can tell. Especially if Paul referred him.

It's a zoo and no one talks until we are in the SUV. There was no time to talk. We were rushed through the airport quickly.

Evan opens Nate's door first and makes sure he's safety in before the rest of us pile into the vehicle. Then Evan sits in the front seat and listens as I open my binder to go over the agenda.

"Ok.We're going to check into the hotel first. Nate's room is catered for lunch and then have a little free time to shower and rest before the concert. Your wardrobe is already in the dressing room at the stadium and Holly's flight lands an hour before the concert, so you need to be there waiting for her. There's no wiggle room on time. Soundcheck is at five, Holly at six, on the stage by seven thirty."

"This feels so weird." Casey says while looking out the window watching a few snow flurries start.

"What does, Case?" Jonah asks.

"Not having everyone with us. Julia, James, Paul.... the dog."

Oh God, here we go. Mini Julia looks out the window feeling a little sad and Jonah holds her hand.

"Yeah, it feels..... calm." I snort but get the evil eye from Nate.

"Too soon, Trish..."

"It'll take a little time to get used to but we WILL get used to it and she's in the right place... or... on her way." Jonah comforts mini-Julia but I can tell Nate is really struggling over this now.

"Um.... so, for the hotel. I wasn't sure what to do... " I get right to it but cautiously. "Usually, I stay with you. But then when Julia was here... I stayed with the bodyguard. I wasn't sure how many rooms to book."

"Jonah and Casey in one room. Evan in the adjoining room next to mine and you can stay with me like we used to if you don't want to be all by yourself."  Nate answers.

Oh good. Things will be right back to how they were all the other times we've toured. It's about time!

******

*James*

Everyone knows I'm not great with handling Julia when she goes into panic mode. Like today, for instance, when we were taking a shower and Julia began throwing up. It wasn't the getting sick part that bothered me, though it did bring back some awful memories. Memories of the times I've gotten physically sick and because of it got the crap kicked out of me from Jackass Joe.

No, it was the panic attack Julia proceeded to have. I know my limits and I couldn't talk her off the ledge, per say. She was crying and very distraught and it just scared the shit out of me, to be honest.

I called out for Paul who heard me right away and as embarrassing as it was, I needed his help. Not only to care for Julia but to help me get dressed.

Paul quickly handed me a towel without looking to put over Julia's body so he wouldn't see her naked. He then wrapped a towel around me discreetly and helped me get dressed. I now sit on the corner of Nate's bed on his private jet with my head in my hands, listening to Paul trying to calm Julia. The shower water has been cold for a while now which isn't helping matters.

"I can't stop dry heaving! I need my med!" I hear Julia cry out and then get sick again.

"It'll pass. Once it does, I will give you your pill. Then you will start to calm down, ok? Just try to take deep breaths. Julia. Look at me." Paul demands in a bit of a stern voice. "I've got ya, ok? This will pass. We know it will. Don't look down at the drain. Look at me."

Julia doesn't respond but he must be getting through to her a little because her crying softens.

"You're ok. Focus on me. Focus on your breathing. I've got you. Eyes on me."

"I want Nate here with me!" It breaks my heart hearing Julia want Nate here and he's not. He's the one that takes care of her the best.

"I know you do. C'mon. Let's get you out of the cold water."

How the hell are we going to get through her detox without Nate? She isn't even fully off the Ativan yet and having a difficult enough time. For once, I actually wish Nate was here with us so Julia would be ok. I love her and want to see her healthy.

This is far from healthy.

*****