*Trisha*

For two straight weeks, Nate plays the part. He shows up in public with Mila. Gets photographed being intimate with her, acting like her boyfriend. It's hard to swallow seeing them together.  Because the reality is- Language barrier aside- they look perfect together. The perfect Hollywood couple. Too perfect.

Nate sells himself. He plays the part. Makes the money. Sings the songs. Signs the checks. Sways everyone into thinking him and Mila are the real deal. He sells himself well.

"He's not acting himself. I think he's falling into a bit of depression."

Jonah pulls me aside while Nate and James are downstairs working out. Of course he's not acting himself. He's playing the game. He doesn't have a choice. The one everyone should worry about is Julia, not Nate. I got him. Julia is the one acting depressed the last two weeks. 

"He's fine. He's had to do this before. He knows what he's doing." I assure the nurse.

"He comes back here exhausted every night, yet he still pushes himself downstairs in the gym. He barely says two words to anyone, he-"

"He's playing the part, Jonah. This is what he does. He doesn't have a choice." I snap. He knows what he's doing. Nate has had to do this before.

We hear Nate and James both come up, so the conversation ends. James heads out to the balcony where hot mess Moretti is and Nate bypasses us and hits the shower without saying a word. Jonah is right- He's falling into a depression but I'm sure as hell not gonna admit it to the nurse. I can fix Nate. I can get him back on track. I always can.

*****

*James*

"Are we not getting dressed at all today, Miss Moretti?" I sit down next to Julia and nudge her a little to try to cheer her up.

"Nope. Not today." Julia gets up and leaves to be in another room. I let out a sigh of defeat and follow her in but she heads to Nate's room.

"Speaking of depressed." Trisha says out of nowhere when Julia walks by. Julia is running out of places to hide where there aren't any people.

"She's not in a good place mentally. Something's up. More than her just being her." I sit next to Trisha on the couch when Julia goes into Nate's room and closes the door.

"I'll get it out of her." Paul mumbles.

"Yeah, ok. Hot Stuff. You go try and talk to her and see how that goes." Trisha snorts but Paul ignores her and heads into Nate's room.

"I feel so bad I can't help her." I say. Trisha holds my hand to comfort me and rests her head on my shoulder.

"Maybe it's not up to you to try to help her. How are YOU doing, James? You ok?"

"Yeah." I lie.

 "I have a feeling you get put on the backburner somedays with the stress of Julia taking over this place." She squeezes my hand and looks at me now. I fake a slight grin but it fades quick. "You're not ok, are you 'James the receptionist', How can I help?"

"Magically cure me?" It's all I want. To be back to myself. I'm far from it. Trisha nods without answering but her eyes fall to my lips for a second and it's noticed. We never did address our make out session right here on Nate's couch the night before the accident.

"I should make dinner." Trisha realizes I noticed and removes herself from the situation. Good thing because right when she gets up Julia comes out. She lays down on the complete other side of the sectional, laying down but facing the back of the couch. 

"Julia.."

"James... I'm not in the mood to talk." She says softly into the couch. I nod. Fair enough. I stand and glance at Trisha who frowns and shakes her head. I say nothing more, give Julia the space she needs and go to my room.

*****

*Trisha*

Right after James heads to his room Nate comes out and pours himself a bowl of cereal for dinner before plopping down on the couch.

"Nate, really?? Are you 12? At least let me make you a real dinner." I raise my brows at him.

"I'm fine." 

I huff and don't bother making dinner. Paul looks a bit distraught but says nothing to me. Not here.

I hate this. Nobody is happy.

"Wanna just go?" I ask and Paul nods.

Nate turns on the TV and the coverage is on the L.A. Galaxy soccer game and how Nate and Mila were there. Together.

"Was that the soccer game?" Julia sniffs. She was crying. She saw. She was excited about the tickets. I remember Nate asking me to purchase the tickets for them while ago.

"Jules..." Nate starts but Julia gets up and goes to the balcony, now that it's vacant, to get away from everyone. Paul shakes his head at Nate before we head out. 

"Jesus, the tension in that place is unbelievable." I say once we are in the car driving home. "What did you talk about when you went in to Nate's room?"

"Not much. She wouldn't talk to me."

"Did you actually think she would??"

"Not really. But something is up. Like she's not taking her meds or some shit."  Paul glances at me before pulling into my lot.

"God, lets hope that's not the case. Because there's no Avalon for her anymore." I don't even know where Julia would go for help. The Avalon is the best place in the country.

I notice something but say nothing to Paul. Dave's car across the street. Parked. It's dark out but I know it's him. I tense up and look away quickly. Paul is off his game a little, being consumed by Julia and her shit but I'm not gonna bring anything up, especially since Dave drives away after being noticed. I follow Paul into my apartment and close the door behind me. Locking it and then checking the locks to be sure. 

I'm always going to be looking over my shoulder while Dave is around. Restraining order or not.

"You good?" Paul turns around and notices I'm still staring at the locks on my door.

"Yep." I lie, turn around and smile. Guess we are all playing the part.

****

Today is gonna be busy. Real busy. We head out early to drive to the annual golf tournament to raise money for cancer research. Nate started this in honor of my mom who died of cancer. He's  always trying to find ways to make a difference in the world...using his name for good, unlike Richard.

Paul wears his usual bodyguard attire- black. I wear a hot pink polo short and white shorts. We pick up Nate who looks good, dressed in a blue polo shirt and khaki pants. Usual golf-type outfit. We all wonder what Mila is gonna be wearing when we get her but she plays the part well, coming out  wearing a blue polka dotted polo shirt that clings to her and is unbuttoned to show more skin and a white tennis skort. She looks good. Her and Nate look good together. 

Per usual, cameramen are everywhere for the event. Nate takes Mila's hand and smiles for everyone. I'm just here to support him and wait on him hand and foot, getting him whatever he needs. But he'll be playing golf so for most of the day I sit at a table under the canopy with the vendor selling Nate's merchandise. I set up my laptop and Paul sits next to me.

"You must be bored out of your mind." I watch him scroll his phone.

"Boring is good." The bodyguard grunts.

******

*James*

Julia slept the day away. I spent the day at the Neurologists office with Jonah. We wait in the waiting room longer than usual thanks to the office falling behind.

"You seem nervous today." Jonah notices my leg bouncing before I even do.

"I hate doctor appointments." I admit and the nurse studies my face.

"Why?? Dr. Giovanni is an amazing doctor."

"It's not that. Just shit from my childhood." I swallow hard and close my eyes for a moment remembering all the times my mom had to rush me to the pediatrician's office reciting the story for me to lie the whole way there. It was stressful trying to remember the lies  being so young. Falling down the stairs being clumsy when Joe actually pushed me down for not cleaning my room the way he wanted. Or the concussion from "roughhousing with my sisters" when Joe slammed me against the wall for not getting him his beer quick enough. Little things like that...

"Wanna talk about it?" Jonah offers a listening ear.

"Not even a little." I shake my head. 

"James Gallo?" A nurse calls my name after opening the door. Finally.

"Can you come in with me?" I suddenly feel like I'm back to being a nine year old...unable to muster up the courage to go alone.

"Of course." Jonah nods and we head in. I sit on the table and Jonah takes the open chair next to the door. Dr. Giovanni comes right in with my chart.

"Mr. Gallo, how are we feeling?" He shakes my hand and then James before sitting on his rolling stool. He shines a light in my eyes and runs all the normal tests while we talk.

"I'm fine." I say dryly. He knows I'm not. Jonah had to discuss my depression with the neuro before starting me on meds to make sure they found the right now.

 The happy doctor nods but loses his smile.

"It takes a little while for SSRI's to kick in. How's your home environment? Do you have people to help and support you? I see you continue with the home nurse and PT. Are you in a stable, stress-free environment?"

"Yep." I lie. I play the part. Jonah plays the part and nods, knowing I want to stay at Nate's and not some nursing home. We play the part and the neurologist believes us.

"You are recovering well, James."

"I'm thirty-seven years old and can't tie my shoes, doctor. I can't hold a bar of soap to take a shower without help. I stutter with my words sometimes, especially when I get tired and feel like I'm in a fog. How is that recovering well?" I don't mean to sound rude but the frustration I have under this skin is too much.

 "I know I keep saying it takes time, and it does. You are my only coma patient who has beat all odds. And I've been doing this for years. You're the only patient who can now talk after not being able to. Usually the vegetative state last much longer, sometimes permanent." He reminds me of my blessings and the positive things I can now do that I couldn't before. I can actually feed myself for the most part so long as someone helps me with the utensil placement. I can hold my own coffee mug so long as someone puts it in my hand properly. I can wash my hair so long as someone squirts the shampoo into my hand. I can have sex and perform just fine.

I leave the office feeling a little better with my situation, go home and begin my PT workout in my room. Julia wanted nothing to do with me or anyone today.

When Nate gets home he pops into my room while I'm doing my push-ups.

"James, do you want me to take you down to the gym tonight?"

"Yeah." I nod and follow Nate down to the gym. He helps me set up my headphones and music. He actually helps me with a lot while Julia is shut down. Go figure.

"Too loud or is it ok?"

"It's ok. Thank you." I nod and start my treadmill work out. Nate uses the treadmill right next to me. We don't talk until we begin our weight training session.

"She's not ok." I blurt out of nowhere while lifting.

"I know. I'm trying to figure it out. I need to find a way to end this whole Mila charade." Nate  huffs.

"Paul doesn't think she's taking her medication. I know about his mom. He'd know. You'd know too but work has you out all day. When Trisha is with you he sometimes comes here. He... He can tell."

"I don't think that's it. I've seen her take her meds. I think she is just struggling. Like you and I are. Face it, pal. You're struggling just as much as I am." Nate raises his eyebrows at me and I nod. It's obvious we are all struggling, that's a given.

Jonah comes down to the gym with a concerned look on his face.

"Everything fine, Mate?" Nate helps me off the machine and we both give Jonah our attention.

"Not really." He starts. "Did you know Julia has been skipping out on her therapy sessions?"

"What?? How the hell is that happening? I'm working all day. Jonah, it's up to you and Casey to make sure she goes. Fucking do your job!" Nate snaps at the nurse but Jonah is used to his outbursts. Nate is not the calmest person.

"She takes the Jeep. She has been telling us that's where she is going. But apparently has missed the last two weeks of sessions. They just called and I picked up her phone because she was sleeping. Julia had one today."

My eyes widen hearing this.

"So, where the hell is she going for 45 minutes?" Nate asks while unscrewing the cap to my water for me and puts the bottle in my hand.

"Who knows but we need to figure this shit out. She's not gonna get better if she doesn't follow through."

"Why don't we just ask her where she goes?" I shrug.

"Ok...Yeah sure, pal. Like she's really talking to either of us lately. Think she's just gonna fucking spill it? I'm calling Paul." Nate grabs his phone off the treadmill.

"And what is PAUL gonna do, brother? Where are you going with this in your head?" Jonah questions not quite understanding.

"I'm gonna find out where the hell she's been going. Paul can keep tabs on her. When is her next session?"

"I said she had a headache and rescheduled it for tomorrow."

"Perfect. We'll get down to the bottom of this. I don't know what's going on with her lately. She's not herself. But we'll figure it out. Just...don't make a big deal about it yet. Lets sort this out first before we go reaming into her. She's already struggling. Maybe she's having a hard time trusting a counselor and is still searching around. Right now she's taking her meds and eating. Those are the two important things." We listen to Nate's phone conversation with Paul, explaining everything. 

Julia is giving up on herself.

****

*Trisha*

I have to follow Nate around today since he gave Paul a much-needed day off. So, while Nate takes Mila to a fancy restaurant for lunch to get noticed for media attention, I wait in the SUV with Ren and do work on my laptop. I don't mind. Especially after seeing Dave near my house. I don't want to be alone.

After the luncheon we will go back to our regularly scheduled programming. Mila has some modeling thing to do so me and Nate will catch up on work, then he has a practice with the band and a contract dinner tonight. He most likely won't be home until midnight.

Nate and Mila come out of the restaurant holding hands and smiling. They sell it well, looking like a lovestruck couple. I watch Nate rest his hand on Mila's cheek and then kiss her. I look away because it's beginning to feel real. 

They climb into the SUV still holding hands and take the middle seats since I'm in the front with Ren.

"Did you enjoy it?" Nate talks into Google Translate on his phone and Mila nods with  smile ear to ear. Nate nods and smiles back, letting go of her hand. His job is done  but I catch him gazing at Mila a few times during the car ride and I don't even think he notices when he does it. But Mila sure as hell does and knows she's winning the battle here. She's getting to him. She's loving this.

We drop her off and I quickly turn to Nate.

"You're falling for her, Hollan." I tease but know deep down inside, he really is.

"No. I'm just a good actor, angel. Lets get to the studio. Paul is waiting for me to go over some stuff."

"Guess his day off ends early?" I sigh and Nate nods but is still stuck on my words.

"I'm not falling for her."

"Yeah. ok Playboy. You keep telling yourself that."

Once at the studio I run to the bathroom before heading into Nate's room. Paul and him are already ending a conversation and Paul gives me a little nod before heading out. We haven't told Nate anything about us being together so stay professional while in his presence.

"You're good in here for a bit if I go work on a song?"

"Of course. I'm not gonna go anywhere." I reply. As soon as Nate leaves Elliott weasels his way in to talk to me privately.

"Richard is pleased." Elliott makes himself at home across from me at the table. I don't bother looking up and keep typing on my lap.

"Yeah, I'm sure he is."

"He thinks it's a good idea to keep this going right through tour."

Bile rises up to my throat and I make eye contact with Nate's publicist and Richard's bad news runner.

"Not a good idea Elliott."

"Profit talks. People are loving this relationship. Richard thinks Mila should even be in more of Nate's music videos."

"Do you know how hard this is for him? To lie like this? To play the part when he's not interested in Mila? It's already been two weeks and it's wearing him down." I explain.

"Think Richard cares? He wants this to turn into the real deal. The profit Nate is making off this is unbelievable. What IS believable is he could really fall for her. You can't deny the way he looks at her. He's not that good of an actor, Trisha."

I'm not the only one who sees this now. Nate is hanging around Mila so much he is starting to lose focus.

He is starting to fall for Mila.