*James*

"Jamie, I really think it's too much for you."

Apparently, my sisters have caught on to the fact that having Julia detox in my home is a lot. Jennie saw it firsthand and of course, told the rest of the girls. During lunch at my mom's house, they decided to have a little meeting with me. Well, the ones that were available ... Katie, Kendall, and Gwen. Ashley and Jennie are working.

"Guys. It's fine. I don't mind having Julia at my house." I am not saying this very convincingly, am I? I'm not a bad person and I love Julia with all my heart. But the girls are right. This is too much. My home is no longer my relaxing little home. It's become a place I no longer enjoy because you never know what you will get when you walk through that front door. 

Again, I love Julia. But this isn't Julia. Detox Julia is a very different person.

"Anyway, there is no other place for Julia to go. She's not going to The Avalon." I continue as Maggie jumps up on my mom's couch and lays across me. My dog can tell this conversation alone is stressing me out.

"Can I voice my opinion? " Claudia asks and we all welcome it while sitting together in the living room. Mom is upstairs taking a nap, so this is Claudia's break. "James, I know this is your best friend and she means a lot to you. But your health comes first. You suffered an awful accident, needed brain surgery, was in a coma, then mute and unable to walk.... and still healing from your injuries.  Brain injuries can take years to heal, especially after vegetative state comas. You have your work cut out for you and your focus right now is to make sure ALL areas of your brain can heal properly. You need a place to lay your head that is stress free. The environment you live in needs to be calm. That's just my medical opinion." The young nurse says and the girls, of course, all agree with her.

Crap. 

I agree with her too.

"I can't just kick her out!" 

"Can't she like...I don't know... stay at Nate's apartment while touring or something? Take that bodyguard with her?" Kendall asks.

"You seem to forget I can't live alone. Guys, if I have a seizure.... Jesus... I can't even get myself dressed!" I remind them. The nurse knows EXACTLY what I mean. If I have a seizure and lose bladder control, I'd have to sit in it until someone came over and helped me.

"Sooo..then we take turns sleeping over your house. We can all do that. Well......not Katie.... but you know... the rest of us." Gwen chimes in.

"I can't ask you guys to babysit me like that. It's not fair for you guys to uproot your lives..."

The girls all end up all laughing and I cock my head a little in confusion at some inside joke they have going on.

"Jamie..... while you were on your little tour around the world, we'd crash your house to watch movies or just to get away from mom when she was having a bad day. We are all VERY comfortable at your house." Ashley admits and I squint my eyes at them all. 

"You little squatters!" I tease though my family knows they are always welcome over regardless of if I am home or not. Well.... unless I'm having sex or something. That's a different story.  But the girls are all willing to take turns hanging out with me so I'm not alone. Maybe this is a good thing.  Maybe I need this. Maybe this needs to happen. 

But I dread telling Julia.

Instead, I run it by Trisha first. We facetime her and she picks up right away. Nate is right next to her. I tell them everything and at first, I think Nate was pissed. Like I'm bailing on Julia. But then he agrees.

*******

*Trisha*

"I think it's a great idea. If Paul is willing, that is. But I agree with you, James. It's a lot. Julia...she's a lot."  I nod while talking to James and the girls through facetime.

"Will you all stop saying Julia's a lot? She can't help her mental illness. You make her out to be some psychotic crazy person. She's not. She's loving and sensitive and always bending over backwards to make everyone happy." Nate takes offense like we are all against Julia. We're not.

"That's not what any of them are saying Nate. But the reality is Julia is in the beginning stages of her detox and has a long road ahead of her. It's not fair for James to sacrifice his own health and healing because she can't stop taking pills." I blurt out and then realize how that may come off a little rude after the fact. "I'm sorry... it's just... she has an addiction she needs to take care of. She can't take care of James when she can barely take care of herself. Let her get back on her feet and THEN see if she's healthy enough to move in with James and take care of him, that's all anyone is saying here."

"She's not going to take this news well. She wants to be with James." Nate inhales sharply but gives in. "Listen. I get it, ok? Jesus, I should be there taking care of her. But since I can't.... I know Paul can. And she can go ahead and tear apart my apartment all she wants while I'm away. It's fine. Let me talk to Paul first though before you go breaking this news to Julia." Nate hangs up and drops his head.

"Shit." He murmurs.

"Sweetie, this needs to be done." I rub Nate's back, and he nods. 

"I know it does. Ok. Let me call Paul."

While he does that, I head to the master bathroom in the tour bus and take advantage of his shower. It's late and we should be sleeping right now to be honest. But all I can think of is the task at hand for James. Julia is going to freak out hearing these plans.  While I'm in the shower, using all his hot water, Noah facetimes me. My phone is on the small counter in front of me and even though I'm in the shower, I decide to take the call.

"Oh... I um... hi there." Noah sees me from the neck up in the shower while I prop my phone up on the shelf, hoping it doesn't fall. I love how flustered and nervous Noah gets sometimes. It's cute. I can tell he is lying in bed with no shirt on and one arm behind his head.

"Hey there sexy fireman." I say in a sultry voice while rinsing my hair and I can literally hear the man swallow hard while looking at me. He can't even see anything!

"God, I miss you." Noah's voice lowers which is sexy as hell and his eyes darken. Alright then. It certainly did not take him long to warm up to me tonight.

"Save any kittens outta trees today?" I ask while the shower water runs down my body. Noah's cheeks are already flushed from knowing I'm in the shower and shifts in his bed a little making it known he's uncomfortable with a hard on.

"Not today, no. I can um... I can call you back when you're done."

"Don't be silly. I'll even give you a tour." I dry my hands with a towel and pick up the phone, aiming it above me so Noah can get a little view of my soapy body.

"Shit. How far away are you again?" He lets out a frustrated sigh.

"Too far away. Your turn."

"MY turn. Um... I'm not in the shower naked but..." Noah angles his phone so I can see his bare chest. He has grey sweatpants on and a very noticeable erection showing through.

"Fireman Noah! You Devil." I tease him and he laughs a little. We both hear an infant begin to cry and Noah rolls his eyes with a huff. His colicky nephew is up.

"I REALLY need to find my own place, soon."

"Welll.... I can get your mind off things if you'd like." I bat my eyes and rinse the soap off my body, holding the phone so he can see me. He groans and I know I'm getting to him. So, I go one step further. I've only done this with Nate... so am hesitant at first. "Fireman Noah, I wish you were in this shower with me." I prop my phone on the shelf so he can see all of me and slide my hand down between my legs.

"Trish. I ... shit. I've never-" He stumbles with his words which is seriously adorable, and his face is all flushed up.

"Noah, we had sex on our first date." I remind him and sigh, closing my eyes for a second from the sensation. "And... I have a feeling the next time I see you..." I breathe out. "I'm going to want to have sex with you again.....and again..." I notice Noah closing his eyes and breathing heavier which means he slid a hand down as well.

"Oh yeah?" He says in a low husky voice, forcing his eyes open. They're hooded and so dark now. God, this backfired because I REALLY want to be with him now. "What are you going to do the next time you see me?" Noah wants me to keep talking and this game became more than just a game. I'm getting close fast even though all I can see is his waist up. I know what he is doing. He's practically panting like me now.

"Maybe the next time I see you I'll bring you into the shower with me. Lean you up against this shower wall and kiss down your chest. Your abs. Then take you in my mouth, down my throat." We both are getting close now and I grab on to the small bar with my free hand, almost knocking Nate's shampoo down.

"God, I want you so bad." Noah murmurs.

 Neither of us can produce words anymore. We just gaze at each other, making soft breathy panting sounds while getting ourselves off together.

"Noah..." I hit my high seconds before he does, letting out a moan I'm SURE Nate heard, and trying to keep my eyes on him. He's watching me and I can tell by the way his arm muscle is contracting the way it is he is moving his hand faster. He comes undone while I'm still riding mine out.  I bite my bottom lip watching his abs contract and back round off his bed a little.

"Holy shit." He whispers.

Holy shit is right, Noah. That had to be the sexiest phone call I've had in a long time. I smirk at him as he finishes, watching his eyes close heavily for a second before looking at me.

"I've NEVER had a phone call that good." He laughs, still out of breath. "You're making me do all sorts of things I've never done."

"Oh.... this is just the beginning. We really need to make plans soon." God, do we need to make plans soon.

******

*James*

Nate has all my sisters phone numbers from back when I was in my coma. But Kendall was still surprised to see his number pop up on her phone while we are walking through Griffith Park.

"Hello?" She pauses and looks at me. "Yeah, hold on." Kendall helps me hold on to the phone and I listen to Nate.

"I hate to ask this of you, Mate. But is there any way one of your sisters can drive you to the Avalon. Just for a few minutes? Jules isn't taking this news well....at all. She needs you, Gallo."

Kendall can hear Nate talking and nods her head.

"Yeah, of course." I reply. Nate tells me how he talked to Paul and how Julia is thinking we are all giving up on her. Once the call is over, I have a pit in my stomach. 

"You really want to go to that place? That Avalon place?"  She asks while Maggie gets caught up in her own leash.

"I have to. Julia is having a really hard time. The bodyguard told her the plan.... of her living at Nates for a while and not my house."

"Oh." A sad look falls on Kendall's face. She is sensitive like Julia and feels bad all around that this is happening. "Yeah, of course I can take you. I'll wait in the lobby with Maggie."

***

When the nurse leads me to Julia's room, Both Paul and Jeremy are talking outside. I pay no attention to Donovan. I'm pretty sure he knows I want to punch him in the face. Multiple times. But I also know he is a smart doctor and right now, helping Julia through this.

"She's in rough shape." Paul mumbles. I nod and open the door.  

There she is. Curled up in her bed in this tiny room, sobbing into her pillow. It breaks me down right asway. Seeing Julia in this place, in this room, all alone like this, it's an awful feeling that I can't help her the way she needs.

"Julia..."

"James!" Julia bolts up out of bed and within seconds she's in my arms and I'm comforting her. "What are you doing here??"  She sobs with her face buried in my chest while I'm sitting on the edge of her bed. She looks so small right now. So small and so broken.

"Nate called me. Well....Nate called Kendall, knowing I'd be with one of them. I guess Paul has been updating him and was worried about you. Listen, sweetie..." I start to explain myself but Julia cuts right in

"You don't want me around you? Or in your house anymore? I'm too much?" She looks up at me with her big sad brown eyes.

"Julia, you're overthinking it. Of course I want you around me. I want you with me 24/7. You know that. I want your clothes in my dresser and toothbrush next to mine. That's not what this is. I need you to focus on your detox. The only real way for you to do that is to focus on YOU. Not me, not Nate. No one but you. Babe, you ARE a lot. You know that. I can handle "a lot." What I can't handle is seeing you giving up and not taking care of yourself. I can't handle it when you spiral out of control. And that's what's happening right now. You stopped taking care of you, you got another UTI, which is throwing your moods off just like it does with my mom with her dementia."

I kiss her lips before she can respond, and I don't stop. Pecking her lips over and over again before whispering to her. "You know I won't be able to back away first. You know I won't be the one to stop."

She throws her arms around me and continues kissing me, and it's all I've ever wanted. The real Julia is here right now in this moment.

"I don't think that's what Hollan meant when he called you to come here, Gallo." Paul grumbles as he comes into the room. I smile into our kiss, and Julia backs away.

"Are we good?"  I ask Julia.

"Yeah, we're good."

********

*Trisha*

"Even miles and miles away, you have a way of sending her right into Gallo's arms, huh?" Jonah teases Nate as we eat a late lunch. I took him and Casey out for the morning to sight see around Munich, and now we are in some authentic German restaurant Nate, being so fucking high maintenance ordered a damn salad. He's so God damn picky.

"I rather her in Gallo's arms than Donovan's. And anyway, I needed to make sure she knew this wasn't something personal. I don't want her to think she lost her best friend. That happened once before, and it wasn't pretty." I'll do anything to make sure Julia is happy.

"So before everything went down, I had booked a spa day the first day in Milan for all of us. A couples one for you and Jonah," I turn to Casey and then Nate. "And I did a couples one for you and Julia... Do you want me to cancel yours or .. what do you want me to do?" I feel awkward asking this, but I need to know if I have to cancel.

"You go. Take Evan. You guys go and enjoy it."

EVAN?

"No, sir. I don't do spa days." The bodyguard says with a mouthful of food and immediately shakes his head.

"Seriously, man?" Nate cocks a brow at Evan. "Not even for a massage?"

"I don't like being touched." He grumbles in his husky voice.

"Ok, I'll go with you Trish." Nate suggests.

"Even though it's a couples spa day?" I raise my brows.

"Whatever. We've slept together. It's fine." 

Did he really just say that at this table?

Evan is literally choking on his food, coughing and punching his chest before taking a sip of water, making all of us laugh. Yeah, lets laugh at the choking guy.

"Paul told me a lot of crazy things about this group but he didn't tell me that." Evan keeps his eyes down on his meal while talking. God if he only knew.......

"Oh please, Paul is one to talk. We've slept to...geth..er.... too."  I stop short, realizing what I just confessed to everyone. Shit.

"You and Paul?!?"Nate raises his voice, thoroughly surprised.

"No shit... So have you slept with him too?" Evan points his fork to Jonah; the last one standing and Jonah puts his hands up and looks at Casey.

"Leave me out of this! I am not part of whatever weird love triangle, rectangle, hexagon shit they got going." Jonah blurts out.

"Ahh. I didn't know if I had a chance in this game." Evan gives me a little wink and heat rises to my face. Is he flirting with me right now? "Relax. I'm kidding."

All jokes get pushed aside when I notice Nate wince in pain, dropping his fork.

"Nate?" I watch him holding on to his chest and then downplaying it.

"I'm fine. Just a little..." He breathes out. "Friendly reminder..." He manages to say. "Shit."

"Maybe we should head out now. You need to get some rest." Jonah shares a look with Casey. The look of concern. They are worried. We all are now. Nate nods, agreeing, and we get our food to-go and pay the bill.

"Yeah... I think I'm a little tired." Nate lowers his hand off his chest, avoiding eye contact with me now.

******

Once back at the hotel for the night, Nate rests for a good hour while my brain is running a mile a minute. He thinks I'm sitting here next to him in bed working on my laptop, but the reality is I'm doing more research on heart disease and early signs of Heart attacks. These spasms he's having are worrisome to say the least. It's hard to tell though. One site says heart attack, other points to his arrhythmia, and yet another site says stress related panic attacks. How the hell is someone going to know the difference between these when they are in the middle of an attack?? There's gotta be more info somewhere.

Of course, while I'm in the shower Nate comes in to take a piss.

"I can't believe you slept with Rossi."

"You know this suite has another bathroom, right Nate?" I say while shaving my legs.

"Yeah, I purposely came in here to piss you off a little."  He laughs. Of course he did.

"I'm not sure what I said was public info. It just slipped out." I admit. I don't know how Paul feels about everyone knowing this piece of information but I'm going to have to call him and tell him tomorrow.

"So, like... just one time or something?" Nater digs deeper. We are not doing this right now!

"No."

"Ok spill it Banks." Nate opens the shower door on me and I smirk.

"I'm trying to take a shower here...unless you're coming in then close the door."

"Angel, if I come in there it won't be to shower." He flirts but close the door.

"So tell me, Mr. Hollan. You just gonna go weeks and weeks, maybe months without any action because you think you may have a chance with Julia? Is that what's happening right now?" I open the door and look him over.

"Answer my question first. You and Paul...."

"We were in a relationship for a little while. Now we're not but still fool around sometimes, happy? Now Moretti ruined my booty call while on tour, dragging him back with her."

"You were in a relationship with Paul Rossi???? When?!"

Shit. I'm not helping myself here am I?

"You're letting all the steam out...."

"Fine." Nate undresses and the second he closes the shower door he pushes me against the wall, kissing me feverishly. "Now talk."

"You sure you want me to talk right now?" I kiss down his chest, down his abs until I am on my knees. Without any hesitation, because this is Nate, I take him in my mouth. His hand grips my hair, and he lets out this frustrated groan.

"Hey, slow down." Nate tugs my hair back. "It's been a while." 

But I continue teasing him with my mouth.

"Fuck." He hisses through his teeth. "You're gonna drive me insane."

"Mmm-hmm," I hum, and the vibration makes his knees buckle. He leans against the wall, panting while looking down at me. I love how I can get to Nate. I know every little thing he likes. We've been doing this for years and years...in between other relationships that is. And since I don't consider him currently in a relationship with Julia right now with her being so far away and us on the road for the year, and I don't consider my one night and phone sex with Noah technically a relationship, I can do these little things to please Nate all I want. Maybe it will relieve some of his stress. Right now, my goal is to drive him crazy with my mouth first.

"Trish..." He warns that he is close. I back away and stand up.

"Nate.... I want to make you feel good. All this stress you're carrying around..." I explain, now talking seriously with him. "All this shit that is out of control.... it's eating you up inside. Your blood pressure has been through the roof, you're barely sleeping." I wrap my arms around my best friend. "I'm not ready to bury you yet, Playboy."

Hopefully Nate doesn't notice me getting emotional in the shower. But I think he does by the look on his face.

"Hey, look at me. I'm not going anywhere, ok? I'm doing everything right." 

"Let me take away some of your stress." I slide back down to my knees and take him back in my mouth for a moment but then back away again and gaze up at him. Again, I know what Nate likes.  But he seems really hesitant tonight. Maybe Julia doesn't go down on him or let him do this stuff. But I do. I don't mind it, and it actually turns me on knowing how to make him feel good. How to please him. Knowing I can drive him right to the edge, just from my mouth. We've been here before. Many times.

 "Go ahead... you can... I know you like that." I say and Nate swallows hard. He knows exactly what I mean, and he knows I know how much he likes 'that'. He looks down at me and runs his fingers through my hair before gripping it tight. Yet he's still being cautious. 

"Nate..."  I take him back into my mouth and grab his ass with both hands, pulling him all the way. I'm telling him it's ok. He can. He finally presses his hand against the back of my head and begins thrusting into my mouth. The way he looks right now..the way his eyes practically roll back from the sensation, it's so hot. It also makes me really wonder if it's been a while for him to do this because he is loving every second of it like it's been forever. The look on his face is pure lust and desire and this animalistic groan of pleasure comes out of him. I keep my hands on his ass to let him know it's ok. He can let loose, lose himself, go crazy. He doesn't have to worry with me. And he finally relaxes and doesn't hold back now, thrusting down my throat again and again, causing a series of choking and gagging sounds.

Nate keeps his eyes on me, and I keep mine locked with his, for as much as I can at least, and he knows my limits, pulling out for a moment to make sure I can take in air before shoving himself down my throat again. His breathing is now labored and ragged as he loses himself completely, slamming into me and holding my head still before pulling out again so I can catch my breath. The vision of him right now, his face, how much he is enjoying this, I could seriously come undone just from the sight of him.

Then, a deep, pleasure filled moan comes out of him when he pulls out and comes on my face. 

"Fuck..." He hissed while finishing against my parted lips. When he is done, I turn and rinse my face before standing.

"See? Stress relief, right there." I smirk at him and grab the soap like I didn't just give him the best face fuck of his life right there.

"Jesus..." Nate breathes out while trying to recover.

"You can't go all tour without any relief, Nate. THAT will kill you for sure. But next time it's my turn."

With that, Nate makes my turn right now, kissing my neck while sliding his hand between my legs. He pushes me against the wall and works his magic until I'm a writhing mess and can't take it anymore.

That's what friends are for.

*****

*James*

"Are you guys sure you're ok with this?" I watch Gwen and Jennie put sheets on the pull-out couch in the den. The TV is already on and apparently the girls downloaded Netflix on it at some point while I was away. I wouldn't have ever done that because I know it cost money each money. I barely ever watch TV.

"Don't worry, Jamie. I see you doing the math. It's Lindsay's account. She added you, that's all. You don't have to pay a penny."Jennie smirks up at me.

"Oh.... yeah, ok. Are you sure she doesn't mind?" I ask and both girls laugh a little.

"She did it for herself. We have all used your little home as our private getaway. Lindsay and Kendall were hanging out here together watching moves." Gwen adds.

"Jesus. Wanna pay my mortgage too?"

"Nate Hollan took care of that remember?" Gwen gives me a confused look like I should know this.

"Nate what?"

 "He didn't tell you? He said he was going to take care of you and the Gallo family. Jamie... he paid off your entire mortgage in full. You were still in a coma at the time. Maybe it never came up."

"What?!" My hand instinctively goes to my mouth in shock and crazy enough, my eyes produce tears. Nate paid off my house for me. This house. It's mine. Paid in full? I begin to choke up a little just thinking about that. This guy that I have despised on multiple occasions. A guy who I literally punched in the face...twice... paid off my mortgage. That is a huge bill. 

"Um... wha-what time is it where they are. I should call him." I stammer but the girls both shake their heads.

"Who the hell knows where they are now. Prague? Milan? Just wait for the next time one of them calls us, ok? I think there's like an eight- or nine-hour time difference or something like that. Anyway, let's get you ready for bed."

The girls help me with everything. They find my sweatpants and help me into them, they put the toothpaste on my toothbrush and help me wash my face before bed. They even fed, walked Maggie and did the dishes for me. It's kinda nice having them with me to be honest.

"I'm gonna make popcorn. Want some?" Gwen starts microwaving popcorn, one of my favorite snacks aside from Cheetos.

I drop my eyes a little when I think about that.

"I don't think I'll be able to eat that. My coordination gets worse as the night goes on." I frown and both girls think for a second.

"What if we put it in a solo cup? You can pour the popcorn into your mouth. Worth a try, right?" Jennie grabs a red solo cup from my pantry and smiles up at me. "We'll help you. We'll make it work. One way or another. Now come watch a movie with us!"

I feel like we are little kids having a slumber party together. It's actually kind of fun. Some of my best memories are all of us kids on the living room pull out couch watching movies together. Always on the nights Joe wasn't around. Mom loves The Wizard of Oz, and I remember watching that movie over and over again as a kid.

I nod with a smile at both my sisters, and we head upstairs with a big bowl of popcorn, drinks and three solo cups. Looks like the girls are going to try this method out as well. Maggie follows along knowing I will for sure drop food that she can snatch.

We decide on a comedy. A bit of an older movie that we've all seen before, but think is funny, Blended. I get myself situated on the recliner with a blanket and the girls lay on the pull-out couch with Maggie right in between them. The solo-cup method actually worked. They filled my cup to the rim with popcorn and made sure my grip was good. Gwen also had the bright idea of using a bendy straw in my cup of soda so all I really had to do was lean in closer to the end table next to me and sip from the straw. I didn't even have to use my hands.  It was perfect!

"Thanks for doing this, guys." I smile as they get the movie started. I think my sisters can tell how happy this made me. I haven't been this relaxed in... well.. in a long time.

"We'd be here doing this with our without you." Jennie smirks at me. But I love that. My home is a safe space for my sisters. For me. We need this. They need this. We've endured a lot over the years and it's nice to own a safe space to call home and they know this is their home too. We work hard together. And now.... now it's my home that is paid off.

 Halfway through the movie I fall asleep thinking about the amazing thing Nate did for me.

*******