*Trisha*

Giving Nate the silent treatment is fairly easy to do and pisses him off like I need it to. What I hate though, is how he is right about tour. Canceling it was the right thing to do, and his blood pressure numbers are solid proof.

"127/80" Jonah rips the Velcro cuff off Nate's bicep with a smile. "That is the lowest your blood pressure has been in a long time, Nate. Cancelling some of your tour was the right thing to do."

Oh shove it, Jonah. I huff when I walk by the two of them and gain an eyeroll from Nate.

"You can't ignore me forever, Banks."

"Sure I can." I slam my bedroom door loudly and sit on my bed.

 "Remember who signs your paychecks!" I hear Nate's British voice bellowing through the apartment and laugh a little. Hell. I sign my own paychecks Hollan. Just with your name on em. 

I begin unpacking my small overnight luggage. I was already all set to go. The rest of our wardrobe and bathroom supplies will now be sent back in increments throughout the course of the week. I had packed this suitcase a while ago since I'm always on top of things so when I see the sexy lingerie, I crumple it up and shove it in my dresser, knowing it won't get used.

I hear a light tapping on my door. Nate's already coming in with his tail between his legs? But when I open it, it's Casey who makes her way into my room. The mini-Julia looks frazzled and tired as she sits on the chair next to the window.

"Do you think you can talk to James? He won't get out of bed. I've tried everything."

I let out a frustrated sigh and sit on the corner of my bed. "I tried this morning. He didn't even want me sleeping in the bed with him last night. I slept on the couch in his room so he wasn't alone, in case he had one of those seizures again."

"Things aren't going well with you two?"

"Not really. He's in this shut down mode. Like Moretti does. I can't blame him, but he doesn't really want anything to do with anyone lately. Not his sisters. Not me. We started off as friends, but he doesn't want to talk to anyone."

"It's just not like James, ya know?" Casey shakes her head.

"Can you blame him?" Tears prick my eyes just thinking of James going to court, fighting for his freedom. I could have prevented it all. I could have been the one to get behind the wheel. I wasn't tired. I replay that day over and over again in my head trying to come up with a reason on why James was the one to drive and not me, and I come up blank. Everything happened so fast. There was no reason. And that drives me crazy.

******

*James*

God, can everyone just leave me the hell alone? For one day? That's all I ask. I would love to just be able to sleep the day away and not have anyone on my back.

"C'mon, Gallo. Why don't you get up and eat some breakfast?"

I flip to the other side when I hear Nate come in now.

"You can't stay in bed forever."

Sure I can.  I don't respond though. I half hazardly pull the covers up over my chest like Julia would and keep my eyes closed. My coordination bites lately due to the stress of everything and can barely grasp on to the blanket. But I manage.

I hear Nate inhale sharply and then he begins talking, but not to me.

"Why do you never answer your cell phone, princess?" Nate laughs. "Listen, can you talk to Gallo? He won't get out of bed. Maybe hearing your voice will help him snap out of this funk he's in."

Is he serious right now? He is bothering Julia while she's trying to detox in the Avalon?

Nate puts the phone right to my ear and holds it for me. I squeeze my eyes shut the second I hear my best friend's voice.

"Hey sweetie. What's going on? Why don't you come visit me today?" She pauses but I don't answer. "C'mon babe. I need you to get out of bed. Get up, eat...go take Maggie for a walk outside."

There's so much I want to say to Julia right now. Instead, I remain silent.

"James...Eat something and get out of your room." Julia lets out a sigh and then plays my game.  "Hey James, supposed to be nice out today. Go check out Griffith Park or something."

I remember this day. The day I told Julia to go to Griffith Park to cheer her up. The day it became Our Place.

"Yeah, maybe." I give in.

"Do it for me, baby. I can't. Go for me, ok?" 

I feel tears sting my eyes.

 "I love you, James."

"Love you too." I say back, not caring her fucking fiancé is the one holding the phone to my ear right now. I sit up in bed and take a deep inhale, before looking at Hollan. I say nothing at first. I climb out of my bed and head to the living room.

"Can someone take me to Griffith Park today?"

"Yeah, of course, man." Nate nods. "My schedule is free.......for the next three or so months."

He said that to piss Trisha off, didn't he? I can tell by the evil smile on Hollan's face right now. 

"We can go after my hair appointment." Trisha chimes in but Nate is the one who wants to go. I don't want Trisha to see me this way. She's always so strong and put together and usually, I am too. But not lately.

"No, I wouldn't mind taking him. I could use the fresh air. Go to the salon. Use my card."

"Was already planning on it." She snorts and walks away. I laugh at that. 

"Jesus." Nate sighs while I chuckle a little and walk back to my room. "She's all yours, Gallo. Good luck with that one."

Casey comes in and begins to do her job, helping me get ready for the day. 

"I'm sorry you're feeling so down and out, James." Casey frowns while helping me get dressed. She really is a mini-Julia. The way she cares for others and is always thinking of everyone else. She's compassionate like Julia and things affect her the way they affect Julia.

Once dressed, Casey sits me on the couch and kneels on the floor.

"Want to try yourself or want me to do it?" Like Julia, Casey always wants to give me the chance to do something to work my coordination. One of the hardest things being the ability to tie my own sneakers. I just can't do it. 

Today is worse than other days. My hands shake and I can't grasp on to my laces. I become frustrated easily and that's when I lose it. Tears build up and there is no controlling them. 

Casey sees me struggling and quickly ties my sneakers for me.

"Stress will make things more challenging." She explains. Casey pats my hands and then rubs them to help soothe the soreness. "Maybe we will skip PT today and let your body rest."

Yeah, tell that to my brain. It has been going on stop thinking of all the what if's right now. I can't shut it off. I won't be able to until Trial is over.

*******

*Trisha*

I sit in the living room flipping through the channels. On every single damn station is the news about Nate's partial tour cancellation. 

"Is now a good time to talk, Trish?" Nate asks while walking out of James's room.

"Nope."

"Follow me." He demands. He heads to his bedroom, and I roll my eyes. But of course, I turn the TV off and do as he says.

I stand in his doorway giving him a nasty look with my arms crossed over my chest. Nate sits on his bed with a soft expression on his face.

"C'mere, Love." He pats the empty spot next to him and I give in, dropping my arms and sitting next to him. He turns to me and takes both my hands in his.

"I'm sorry you're disappointed about tour, doll." 

"You went behind my back and made a huge decision without me." I snap.

"I know. But you understand why I had to do that, right?" 

I lose my snarky attitude and begin crying.

"Everything's falling apart."

"I know. We're gonna figure it all out." He rests his cheek on my shoulder, still holding my hands in his. "It will all fall into place."

"And if it doesn't?"

We both know what happens if it doesn't. James goes to jail.

Nate lifts his head and swipes my tears away but leaves his hand on my cheek and drops his eyes to my lips. Any other time I would be like- No Way. I never, EVER fool around when I am in a relationship with someone else. Not even with Hollan. But James doesn't even want me near him right now. He doesn't want anyone near him right now. What even ARE we?

So, I kiss the corner of Nate's mouth, and he lets me. He doesn't back away. Not at first. At first he brushes his lips against mine but then comes to his senses.

"We can't. You're with Gallo."

Wow. Nate Hollan is finally starting to grow the fuck up.

*******