*James*

She's avoiding me. I never saw Julia the rest of the night or the next morning. Not once. I clock out and head home feeling like an idiot. I messed it all up and now I hope I didn't mess up our friendship too. 

I clock out and take advantage of the Marriott's free breakfast, bringing it behind to where the kitchen is. The cafeteria workers don't mind. They let me sit here and hide away to eat breakfast almost every morning. I've become friends with most of them.

"How's your mom doing?" Al, one of the cooks looks over his shoulder while flipping pancakes. He's been here probably as long as I have now. He's a good man. A big heavy old black man who could use to lose a pound or twenty.  I talk to Al the most back here.

 I sit on the folding chair and place my tray on the small card table we use to eat, shoving hash browns in my mouth like I haven't eaten in hours. Because I haven't.  It's just easier and cheaper to eat here. I don't mind. I can't afford shit like going to Starbucks every day for breakfast. My money needs to go to more important things in my life. Important people. My family.

"She's getting worse." I don't sugar coat it and also keep my eyes lowered to my breakfast instead of making eye contact. Al is busy making breakfast anyways so he can't really look over his shoulder all morning. He talks while he works.

"Damn. I'm sorry. I was hoping it wouldn't progress this quickly."

"Yeah. You and me both. But she's ok. We're all pitching in and doing our best taking care of her. I can't put her in one of those homes." I drink my orange juice and shovel eggs in my mouth.

"No way, James. She's too young for that. You're doing the right thing. It's hard. I know it is."

I know Al understands. His wife died not too long ago. She also had dementia. But she didn't go downhill until she was much older, like in her seventies. My mom isn't even sixty years old.

We stay silent for a little while as he cooks and cleans up and I finish eating. 

"Here ya go, friend." Al pats me on the back and puts a Styrofoam take out container in front of me. Al packs me extra food every single day. He's done it forever. He knows money is tight and I appreciate every free meal I can get.

"Thanks, Al." I nod and get up, taking my free meal for later in one hand and my empty tray to disregard in the other. "I appreciate it."

"I know you do, son. Keep your head up." The old man points up. "Trust in Him, it will get easier someday."  Al is a Christian man like me. If it weren't for believing in something I wouldn't have made it this far. Neither would Al.

*****

I let my mind wander while driving the short distance from the Marriott to my house, and once I get home, am greeted by my little best friend.

"Hey Mags." I walk in and kick off my shoes as my dogs jumps all over me.  I put the food in the fridge and fall to the couch. The dog follows me everywhere looking for attention. Once I'm on the couch she jumps on me, clearly happy to see her owner and starts licking my face. I squint my eyes and move my face to the side, so she only licks my cheek.

"At least I know SOMEONE loves me." I sigh and ruffle up her fur. "Cmon girl. Let's  go for a run."

I quickly change out of my Marriott uniform and throw it on the floor. My laundry is now piling up thanks to the fricken washing machine kicking the bucket on me. I'm gonna have to do my laundry at the hotel. I have no money to this piece of shit to work and mom's medical bills are coming in daily now. I sigh and head out to go to me and Mags favorite place to run. Griffith Park.

 I run, with Maggie on her leash. She can keep up and loves the fresh air. Usually running clears my head but today, my thoughts are consumed with Julia. The potential kiss. If only Hollan didn't interrupt us.  I wonder what ever happened the rest of the night. I wonder if she even thinks of me or if it was all a big mistake. It's fine if it was, I still want to be friends with her no matter what. I just don't want her to feel weird around me now.

*****

*Trisha*

Nate has a busy day at the studio, so I won't see much of him. Which leaves me to run his errands. I spend the day picking up his clothes from the cleaners, pay his bills for him and run through next week's schedule with him. 

Richard has been on his ass with getting more promo's in. I don't know how the guy thinks we can fit anything more into Nate's calendar. He's out of his tree. All he sees when he looks at Nate is money, and I hate that with a passion. 

I text Nate back and forth while running his errands, reminding him where he needs to be next. I have no choice but to have him in the forefront of my mind. It's my job. To make sure where he's supposed to be and when. My job is exhausting but I love it. I love him. As a friend. I'll do anything to keep him afloat and I can't complain. I get paid well. Real well. I may just be a personal assistant but I'm Nate Hollan's personal assistant. I will never have to worry about money for the rest of my life.

The day flies by and the evening approaches quickly. I'm finally home, out of my dressy clothes, showered and fed thanks to Door dash. I love to cook but it's just me now. I'm not going to make a five-course meal for just myself.

I lounge on my couch and flip through the channels settling on an episode of Law & Order I've seen a trillion time already. That's when my phone rings. It's Nate. Not a text, a phone call ... which means something's up.

Leaving out most of the details, Nate makes me aware of something being wrong with Julia. He's taking her back to his place. 

No fucking way. Why does he do this to me!!

"Trish, I'm just letting you know. I'm not asking for your permission."

"Damn right you're not, because I would say no. It's not a good idea." I am less than pleased at the idea of Julia going back to Nate's. The media will eat this up and I'm sick of covering for his sorry ass.

"She's not well, Trisha. I'm not dropping her off to a hotel and leaving her alone."

"Nate...."

"Listen to me, she hasn't been getting enough sleep, ok? At all. Maybe 3 hours a night, Trish. This is all still new to her. She's beyond exhausted. I don't want her driving when she's so sleep deprived."

Jesus Christ... 

"Dammit, Nate...HOW would you know that. Please, for the love of God, please tell me you two haven't been -"

"NO! No. We haven't. She just told me once, that's it, we haven't done a thing, Trisha."

I take a deep breath and sigh.

"Oh good, you almost gave me a heart attack, Nate. You know what that would do to your reputation, your career. Richard would have your head. And, you know it's breaking the contract - coaches having outside relations with the contestants."

I'm purposely saying this to remind him. He can be an idiot sometimes. He does things without thinking, sometimes letting his dick think for him... I'm always gonna be babysitting, aren't I?

"No one saw you two leaving together, correct?"

"No one saw it. It was an empty parking lot. Seriously, I'm just going to have her stay until she feels a little better. Make her a cup of tea, and once I know she's ok, I will take her to get her car. I just wanted to let you know. Once she gets some sleep, she'll be good to go. But I'm not an idiot. I will make sure to be smart about it. No one needs to know. "

Now I get it. He's not thinking with his dick. He's thinking with his heart. I can tell. He wants to take care of Julia and make sure she's fine. That's what he does. It's what he does for his sister and what he does for anyone who needs help.

"Listen, sweetie. I get it, ok?" I sympathize, knowing where Nate's coming from now. I know you know what to do. I know you've been through this before. I know things weren't the best for you- but don't get caught up in this if it's a real problem. If she has real problems. You can't fix everyone."

"This has nothing to do with, actually, you know what? I don't need to explain myself to you. I'm going to make sure Julia is fine and then I will take her home. That's it." He snaps back and hangs up on me. Jerk. I call him once. Then twice just to annoy him more, but he doesn't pick up.  Whatever, loser. I finish watching my show and head to bed. He'll call me back. He always does. Whether he knows it or not I have him wrapped around my finger just like he has me wrapped around his.

Right when I start to fall asleep, Nate calls. 

"She's back at the hotel, and she's fine."

"So you didn't bring her home with you?" I ask, please say you didn't bring her home.

"No. I walked her up to her room to make sure she got in ok and left." Thank God.

"No one questioned why you were there?" 

"The only one around was the front desk employee." Nate sighs and I can hear him take a swig from a bottle. Motherfucker.

"I just walked her by and told him she had a little too much to drink at an event. I was back down within 10 minutes."

"And now you're drinking..." I let out a sigh now too. He's starting to drink more frequently. I'm not liking this. Not one bit.

"And now I'm drinking..."

"Christ, Nate. Do you need me to come over and babysit you?"

"No, I'm fine, Trish. Really. I'm going to head to bed soon."

"Ok, check in with me in the morning. Don't go getting into your own head over there. I know you. Put the bottle down and get some sleep." I respond.

"Yeah, I'm done anyways. I already put the bottle away. Goodnight Trish."

Liar.  He probably brought the damn bottle to bed with him.