The Winner

The Plan

*Nate*

Trisha and I are butting heads on everything today, and it's only noon. She's not keeping up with her job responsibilities, and it's noticed. I'm already stressed out enough with this whole Jeremy thing, and somehow finding a way to put Dickhead Donovan away for good. Which has proven to be quite a difficult task. A task that part of me wants to hand over to the police. But I know the consequences of that, and it's not worth locking Jules away in some mental health facility.

"I don't know how you could have forgotten to book this." I stare at the calendar app on my phone and shake my head. I was supposed to have a rehearsal today, but Trisha failed to book the studio. Thank God it was for only me and not the whole band. That would have been embarrassing. So now we sit in my studio room, waiting for the main studio to open up... wasting time I don't have.

"How many times do I have to apologize. Obviously it was a mistake. I completely forgot. One time. God, Nate. Let it go." Trisha responds. "I've been a little busy throwing up every other minute. Cut me some slack."

"You know I can't. I need to rely on you. And lately-"

"Yeah, lately I've been doing this all in my own! Hell, even Paul is helping me more than you right now." She slams her laptop closed and gives me a look. "You've been doing anything and everything to busy yourself so you don't have to deal with this 'situation'.

"I don't really know what to say to that. You know this life I live. This job, this industry. And anyway, Paul fucking lives with you Trish. He's with you more. And for good reason thanks to your asshole ex, ok? YOU'RE WELCOME for making sure you are safe." I say sarcastically.

"Don't be a dick." She mutters. "Sorry I have fucking morning sickness from being pregnant with my best friend's baby." She whispers. We don't say anything personal in a public place, even in this studio when the door is wide open. Ears are everywhere, always. So my eyes widen at her even bringing that up in here.

"Unfortunately, right now I am talking to you as your boss, not your best friend. I need to know I can count on you. You have always been stellar at your job and keeping your personal life separate. I'm sorry you're---'" I purposely leave out the word, "--- and sick, but I need to have a personal assistant that can get this job done, especially since I'll be going on tour. You know.. the tour you've been pushing on me for a year now?" I sit back on the couch, frustrated with how this conversation is going nowhere.

"Yes, Nate. We all know you're sorry I'm pregnant." She sneers.

"Oh my God. Enough with the snarky comments. I'm wasting my time. C'mon. Julia will be home from the Avalon soon and I want to make sure she's ok."

"You're just dying to get away from my presence, aren't you, jackass."

"Today? Yes. Yes I am." I say harshly.

"You're always so quick to make sure Julia is ok. There are plenty of people around in that house to make sure she is ok.  When was the last time you asked ME that? You know. The one that's sick and slacking because of you." Is she jealous right now?

"One. It wasn't just me who played a part in that game. Two- you just said yourself Paul does more than I do. I'm sure he is checking on you to make sure you're ok."

"You're so wound up in Julia it's sickening."

I give Trisha a nasty look then get right to the point.

"You know I'm gonna marry Julia someday, right?" I blurt out and now don't know if I've ever said that to Trisha before. I mean, I tell her everything, and I'm sure I've said similar things... but now, I question, by the shocked look on her face, if I've ever actually announced it the way I just did.