*Trisha*

I watch Julia leave the hospital room, shutting the door behind her. She has been crying. What else is new?

I knock on the door and let myself in to see Nate again.

"What the hell was that all about, Playbo- ...Nate?? Hey... what happened??" I stop in my tracks and shut the door quickly. He's crying. He's covering his face with his hands and crying. I rush to him and sit on his bed. 

 "Talk to me..."

Nate wipes his face and looks over at me.

"Help her book a flight home." He mumbles and tilts his head to the side to rest it on my shoulder. I nod and rest the side of my face on his head. This is the right thing to do. Julia equals stress. I care about Nate way too much to see him go downhill because of stress. 

"Ok. I'll make sure she's all set." I know what I need to do.

"It needs to be done while I'm still stuck here. Before I get discharged. Ok?" He pleads. "I won't be able to watch her go once I'm out. I won't be able to let her leave."

I nod. "It's the right thing to do."

"Shut up, Trish." He mumbles, and I pull him in for a hug and let him cry.

*****

*James*

"Knock. Knock. Julia, are you good in there?" I have to keep checking on her often since I have to work. Nate was adamant about not leaving her alone.

"I know you're in there. Paul wouldn't be sitting out here by himself for no reason. Open the door." I know again. "Cmon, Julia."

She's shutting down. This I know for sure now. She's in bed and shutting down, and I don't know what to do about it.

"Hey."  I walk to the oversized chair in the room, refraining from going on the bed or touching her. I don't know her mood and don't want to chance her lashing out. "I know you're awake."

"I never said I wasn't." She mumbles underneath the down comforter.

"Hmmm?? Did someone say something in here? Cuz all I see is this HUGE mass under those covers." I know this will get her all riled up.

"HUGE?!! Who are you calling HUGE?!" Julia throws the covers off her and sits up. Well, that was easy.

"I KNEW that would get your attention," I smirk. "You're checking out on me, aren't you? Not in a good way, either. I can see you driving yourself crazy up there." I tap the side of my head a few times. 

"Christ, what's going on, Julia? Friend Mode activated. Talk to me."

Julia looks away.

"Fine. Guess I'm just gonna torture you with my singing if you won't talk to me."

I sigh and scroll through my phone. I find Julia's favorite song on Spotify. Luke Bryan's "Play it again." I turn my volume up and look at her. Once the music starts, I sing along...

"She was sittin' all alone over on the tailgate. Tan legs swingin' by a Georgia plate. I was looking for her boyfriend, thinking.' No way, she ain't got one. As soon as I sat down, I was falling in love, trying to pour a little sugar in her Dixie cup."

I place my phone on the table and stand up, still gazing at Julia while singing the lyrics. If this doesn't cheer her up, then I am out of ideas. I pull her out of bed and make her slow dance with me to the music. She wraps her arms around me and hides her face while we sway to the music. I tuck her hair behind her ears and move my lips close to her ear while I sing.

"She was like, Oh my God, this is my song. I've been listening to the radio all night long. Sittin' round, waitin' for it to come on, and here it is..." I kiss the top of her head, and she begins to cry. She is in a really bad place mentally right now. It's scary. 

"What's going through that head of yours right now?" I pull her chin up, so she looks at me and wipes away her tears.

"Julia..."

"James. I'm gonna go home."

And that's when my world stopped spinning.  I freeze.

"What?!? Why??"

Julia breaks down and sobs, and I'm practically holding her up now. This is really friggen happening. My heart PHYSICALLY hurts.

"No. You can't leave." I shake my head, "Julia. You can stay with me. No one can make you leave."

"No one is making me. I'm making this decision. I can't stay here. It's killing me."

I back up and look down at her, first confused. But then I understand.

That's when everything came crashing down on me. This is MY breaking point now. My eyes fill up right away, and there's no holding back. Julia is making the decision to leave me. To leave L.A.

Aside from when Carter died and hearing the news about my mother's health, I have never felt so heartbroken in my life.

"Don't leave me. I love you. We can figure this out, babe. Please! Julia. You're my best friend. You can't go."  I bury my face in her neck and cry hard.

"I'm sorry. I have to do this." 

Julia lets me cry in her arms for a while.

A really long while.

Maybe over half an hour.

Then, I receive a text from a co-worker that tonight is going to be busy in the lobby, thanks to a business conference happening. It's already almost time for my shift. 

"Will you come down to the lobby later tonight?" I ask, wiping my eyes and trying to pull it together before work. Julia fixes the collar of my polo shirt.

"Yeah. If it's not busy down there."

"You're gonna be ok up here, right? If you need anything, call me. I'll come right up. I don't care how busy it is." I kiss the top of her head and look at the time. "Shit. I gotta go."

I rush out, still in tears, and quickly head for the elevator. I know Paul noticed me upset, but there's nothing I can do about that.

****

*Trisha*

I sit in my booth in the cafe with my laptop doing my task. My job. Finding a flight to Boston for Julia. The sooner, the better. Nate isn't going to get better with her around. The media is gonna soak this all up and run with the story. Julia can't handle it. If Macy couldn't handle it, Julia sure as hell won't be able to. God, if I were a drinker, I'd be drunk right now. But here I am, sipping Chamomile tea, trying to figure out my best friend's life for him. 

I find a few flights and save them on my computer. I texted James a few times now, but he hasn't responded to any. He must be busy with work. I have so many questions about how he got caught up in Julia's web, but I have yet to find the time or courage to ask him. I really like him and really wish he weren't a part of this drama.

I open a text from my ex, Dave, checking in on me. Obviously, he heard the news. The entire world has heard the Nate Hollan news. I don't know what to say to him, so I don't answer him right now. Instead, I text Nate.

[Hope you got some rest this afternoon. I found a nonstop flight from here to Boston. I wanted to check with you first before I book it. The day after tomorrow. Does that work?]

I text, and he answers right away.

[That works. Can you be the one to reach out to Julia, though? I can't handle this right now.]

[Of course, Nate. What do we tell Richard? Or anyone for that matter?]

[I haven't thought of that yet. I'll figure it out. I'll make sure her name isn't dragged through the mud more than it already has been.]

[Are you ok? I can come by and keep you company.] 

I know he's not ok.  No one is ok.

[No, my dinner should be arriving soon. Then I'm gonna try and sleep before the nurses do their rounds again.]

I sigh and put my phone down. Then book Julia's flight.

Nate texts me again.

[ A few more favors, Sorry. Can you run to my place and grab my grey Nike sweatpants and my green hoodie? You know the one I like. The dark green one. It's fucking cold as hell in this place. I think my leather carry-on bag is in the closet on the floor. My driver will be waiting to drop it off.]

I start typing, but he doesn't wait for my reply before rattling off more tasks to be completed. Looks like I'm on the clock tonight. Maybe that's a good thing. Maybe keeping busy will help.

[Oh, and can you reach out to the hospital Cara's at, and let them know why I haven't visited her? I'm sure they already know. Cara doesn't even want to see me, but I don't want her to think I'm choosing not to be there now. I've been going to see her almost every day, whether she likes it or not.]

[You got it. Clothes. Flight tickets for Julia. And I'll reach out to West Hill. I'll come by to visit you tomorrow.]

[Thanks, Trish]

I get the barista's attention to order a strong coffee to go before I head to Nate's place to grab his clothes for the driver.

*****

*James*

It's 2 am and Julia still hasn't come down yet. About an hour ago, I saw a very weak-looking Nate walk out to an unmarked car and sit in the passenger seat. He must have come in through the side door. How did he get out of the hospital? Of course he would come to see Julia. 

I've officially lost to him.

I need to run up and check on Julia. No one is in the lobby, so I head to the elevator. Once off I see Julia and Paul out in the hallway, talking. Paul sits back down when he sees me approaching.

"Hey, thought you were gonna come down and hang out?" I walk up to Julia and see her devastated face. 

"He left." She looks up a me. I apparently am in 'best friend mode', even though it hurts like fucking hell because I want to be more.

"I know, sweetie. I'm sorry." I wrap my arms around her, and she cries. Paul shakes his head at the insanely odd dynamics of our friendship.

"I told you he was gonna break your heart. You guys broke each other's." I mumble, and while saying it, I think to myself (and you're breaking my heart now, too.)   

"I have to go back to the front desk. I was just coming to check on you. The invite is still out there if you want to talk...But I gotta go."

Julia backs away and looks at Paul. "I imagine you'll be joining us?" 

Paul stands up and nods. "Part of my job."

Paul and Julia follow me down to the lobby.

*****

*James*

"You look like shit." I tease Julia and roll my chair towards her.

"Thanks. I knew I could count on you to make me feel better." She responds with her red, swollen eyes.

"And you smell like a damn liquor store."

"Again... Thanks?" She gives me a well-deserved eyeroll.

"Are you drunk right now, Miss Moretti?"

"No."

"I'm gonna miss you stalking me at Griffith Park." I stop swiveling my chair and roll it closer to Julia, to the point our knees touch.

"I'm gonna miss you bumping into things and knocking over shit around here... spilling coffee, dropping napkins... losing your damn keys." I inhale sharply.

"You'll come over and say bye to Maggie before you leave, though, right?"

"Of course."

"I have her today. She's at home sleeping. Your rental car is still outside my house, too."

"Think you'll get help once you're home?" I ask her seriously now.

"Counseling?" She shrugs.

I take a deep breath in.

"No. Julia..." I stare at her with eyes full of sympathy. "The pills."

"You knew."

"I knew."

I rest my hand on her knee to comfort her.

"Nate's personal assistant booked my flight." I change the subject.

"I leave in two days."

My eyes widen in shock. Did she just say she's leaving in two days? This can't really be happening right now. I thought we had more time. A lot more time. I can't seem to wrap my brain around what she just informed me.

"TWO DAYS? As in... TWO DAYS?? I was thinking like...in the next few weeks. Not in two days!"

"Yeah, I think Trisha is eager to have me gone. I'm getting in the way between her and Nate."

"Oh." I catch on quickly. I kind of had a feeling Trisha is interested in being more than Nate Hollan's personal assistant. I lean forward and take both of Julia's hands. "Well, I have Maggie for a few days. Will you come home with me when my shift is over to say goodbye to her???"

"Yeah. I'll go home with you. Me and... Paul." We both look over at the tired man.

"And you're sure about Boston? What do you think will get accomplished while you're there all alone?" I ask this genuinely concerned.

"You'll move on. Nate will move on. The media will move on to someone else's drama. Things around here will settle down. Paul will find someone else to follow."

"Julia..."

"James."

"I'm talking about you. What's gonna happen to YOU when you leave?"

She shrugs and evades my question.

"I should probably go up and get some rest before your shift ends."

"Ok, I'll come up and get you when I'm done." We both stand up, in return, making exhausted Paul stand up, realizing Julia's on the move.

Paul follows her back up to her room like always.

*****
My shift couldn't end quickly enough, yet, at the same time, I want these two days to go as slowly as possible.

Security drives Julia to my house, and I follow behind. Julia can't go into my house until Paul makes sure it's safe to go in. I get it. Some of these Hollan fans are starting to act crazy, and the paparazzi isn't helping. But poor Maggie is a mess, following Paul while barking like he's an intruder. We get the thumbs up to go to my house, and the first thing we do is calm down my dog.

"Aww, come here, girl." Maggie runs to me, all worked up and shaking. I kneel and hug her to comfort her. She may be an excellent therapy dog, but she's shit at a guard dog and is a pile of nerves.

"It's ok, Mags. Blame her." I look up at Julia, giving her sad puppy dog eyes to tease her. "It's all her fault,"

"Hey!" Julia nudges me and kneels. Of course, the minute my dog sees Julia, I'm chopped liver, and she couldn't care less about me. How is she gonna be when Julia leaves? She's a smart dog.

"I can't win," I say in defeat.

"Paul, you look exhausted." I look over to the tired security guard sitting on my recliner.

"Yeah, Nate picked a winner for me. She doesn't sleep. EVER." Paul glares at Julia, and I laugh.

"Well, we're not leaving this house for a while. And I'm here." I puff out my chest. "You should get some rest while you can."

But the bodyguard only shakes his head stubbornly, not feeling comfortable doing that while on the job. I walk closer to the large man and lower my voice.

"Seriously. Sleep, pal. Maybe even put headphones in so you hear nothing. You're not gonna wanna be awake for this." I smirk, Julia blushes, and Paul won't make eye contact with either of us...

"I'll never understand you two," Paul grumbles and grabs the blanket from the couch. I quickly grab Julia's hand, and we run up the stairs like two little kids, with Maggie following behind. I push Julia against the wall, and we start making out, but my dog isn't having it. She starts barking, all confused.

"Quiet, Mags. I'm not hurting her." I kick one of her toys to avert her attention, and it works.

Maggie grabs her toy in between her teeth and heads to the den, somehow knowing she's not getting our attention anytime soon.

"So, this is it, huh?" I cup Julia's face and gaze into her eyes.

"This is it."

****

"I don't know why you don't just stay here. You can live with me. We can stay in 'Friend Mode' if you want. You can find a job and settle down. There are plenty of teaching positions around here. Or start fresh. Do something new." I ramble on.

We lay in my bed after some pretty intense sex, possibly our last time, and talk. I know I'm being pushy. I don't care. My heart is in the way of any rational thinking my mind wants to think because I'm practically begging my best friend to stay in L.A.

I roll on top of Julia but shift my weight to the side, so I don't squish her and start leaving soft kisses all over her face, my body showing her in fat for round two already.

Maggie has made her way into the room to lie on the carpet at the foot of the bed.

"You said there's nothing left for you in Boston. There's a life for you here. People who can't live without you here. Puppies that can't live without you." I look down at my dog. "Look at Maggie's face. Do you really want to make her sad?"

Maggie hears her name and jumps up onto the bed, looking for attention.

"See? Look at that happy face. Look at those puppy dog eyes. Right, Mags?" I roll back and scruff her ear and let her lick my cheek. "Ya big baby."

My dog puts her head on Julia's chest over the blanket, and she pets her. I scruff behind her ear again, and she lies down with us.

"See Mags? Make her stay."

"You're not making this easy, James."

"That's the point." I push Maggie out of the way and resume my place on top of Julia.

"You can still change your mind, ya know."

"My bags are packed." She answers.

"So unpack them."

"My flight is booked."

"So don't show up."

I rest my head on her forehead and close my eyes.

"You once said being around me brings out the best version of yourself."

"I did..."
I open my eyes, and she can see them water up again.

"You're throwing in the towel, aren't you? I can tell. You're giving up on yourself."

"I am." She says, and tears roll down her face.

"Julia..."

"James..."

"Don't break me. Don't fucking leave me. Please..." I beg.

"You know I'm a mess, James. You're gonna be better off. You know I'm broken."

"Then I'll fix you." I peck her lips over and over again while we debate.

"You know you can't."

"Sure, I can. You just have to give me a chance."

"You sound so confident in your abilities, Mr. Gallo." Julia flirts, trying to get us both out of the funk we are in and lighten up the mood.

"I'm VERY confident in my abilities." I deepen our kiss. "I fixed myself. Better than anyone else ever could."

"You did..."

Maggie barks, letting us know she's still in the room.

"Find something to do, Mag."I reach over and throw one of her toys out into the hall. Maggie gets the hint and drags her toy down the hallway into the den, away from us once again.

"Well, that wasn't nice."

"I'm not here to be nice, babe." I kiss down Julia's neck.

"Shouldn't we be in 'Friend Mode' by now?"

"Fuck friend mode. You're leaving. I get to call the shots today." I shove my hand between her legs, and she gasps from being overly sensitive now.

"You're very demanding, you know that?" Julia looks at me and exhales sharply.

"I do."

"That's such a turn-on, you know that??" She admits.

"Mmmm, I do..."

"You're making this very difficult for me to leave."

"That's the point, baby." I can tell she's getting close. "What if I just get up and walk away?"

"I'd kill you!" Julia glares at me now.

"That's how it will feel if you get on that plane. I'll get up and leave. Finish myself off in the shower. Maybe make you watch." I smirk.

"Don't you dare!"

"Then don't leave me." I move my hand faster and watch the color rise to her cheeks. "Julia..."

"James." She sighs, almost there now.

"Look at me. Focus." I stop and completely edge her and shift my body off her.

"James! Knock it off!"

"Stay."

Julia props herself up on her elbows and looks at me breathlessly. "I can come back and visit."

"You know neither of us has that kind of money. I'm never gonna find someone as good as you. And you'll never find someone who feels as good as me." I say.

"Please......James..." She wraps her arms around my neck, and I give in, kissing her hard.

Neither of us cares that tears are still running down our faces. Neither of us cares if Paul is awake or not downstairs, or how loud we are now. All we care about is what is happening right now, knowing it's our last time together.

I crash my body into Julia's, making sure she NEVER forgets me.
*****

*Trisha*

I'm not gonna lie. I was more than willing to give Julia a ride to the airport this morning.
The drama that comes along with Julia is too stressful for Nate...

But I DID feel awful for James. When I picked Julia up from the Marriott, James was there. His shift was ending, and he wanted to say goodbye. I've never seen him emotional. Ever. But this morning, it tore my heart out.

He held her for so long, and they both cried. He buried his face in her neck to hide himself while he fell apart. It was gut-wrenching to watch. To the point I ended up needing to turn around and wipe my own tears, and that's just not like me. But it's James. No one ever wants to see James sad. He's one of the good guys.

Then... I felt guilty. I felt guilty because I told Julia that it was best if she didn't go to the hospital. After all, it would be too hard for Nate to say goodbye. I know. I'm a rotten human. But a protective one, and he already said goodbye to her the night he broke outta the hospital. This just prolongs the pain. And if Nate is anything like James right now...Fuck..I can't watch Nate fall apart like this.

But now, Julia is on her way back to Boston, and I'm hoping both Nate AND James can move on with their lives. They both deserve to move on.

*****