Colby's POV
Seeing Julia like this was hard. I didn't realize how much she was struggling after everything that went down.
I wanted her to tell me more about what she has been through but she wasn't having it.
I couldn't say I necessarily blamed her but it was annoying as fuck.
She was so mad at me for doing what was best for us.
Who would have known what would have happened if I still had her in the public eye. It wasn't even guaranteed that we would still be together anyways.
There were still secrets about me she didn't know.
She didn't now that I was I'm the one who killed her father.
I knew she hated him but I think she would hate me more if she found out.
I had to admit that I was worried about her though.
She was right when she said all of this was my fault. Now that I knew she was relapsing, I wasn't going to let her continue.
Even if we never saw eachother again after tonight, I only wanted the best for her.
I groaned and laid back on the couch, covering my face with my hands.
I hated feeling so vulnerable and hated actually feeling things.
I've been working so hard at shutting everything down, but seeing Julia wearing my shirt brought back memories.
It brought back how much I loved her.
Julia was the first person I ever loved and she was the first person I have ever told I loved.
I just didn't think it was a good idea to love someone while in this field.
Sleeping wasn't in the question for tonight because I was so wired after seeing Julia.
The fact she was sleeping in my bed after years of not being near eachother.
It was strange but slightly comforting.
I haven't had a girl spend the night in my apartment ever but it was fitting that the first person that did was Julia.
When the sun came up I went to sit on the balcony until Julia woke up.
I didn't know what today had in store but I knew I was going to at least have to take her to her car.
That was going to be an interesting ride.
"It's morning. Can I go now?" Julia asked and opened the door.
"Eager, sweetheart?" I asked as she rolled her eyes. It reminded me of when we first met.
I started calling her sweetheart because I loved how annoyed she would get by it.
"Yeah. I have things to do." She said with a little bit of sorrow in her voice.
"Alright. Let me get dressed then I'll take you to your car." I said and stood up. "Great. Hurry up." Julia said as I nodded.
"Someone got bossy." I mumbled as she rolled her eyes, sitting on the couch.
When I got to the bedroom I noticed Julia had made my bed, laying my folded tshirt on the end of the bed.
It was almost like she was never in here.
I went to the bathroom and got myself cleaned up before getting dressed in a pair of jeans and a black shirt.
It was starting to get cold out so I grabbed my leather jacket then went out to the living room.
"No, Mike. I'm fine. I'll explain when I get back." Julia said as she closed her eyes.
She was on the phone, her free hand pinching the bridge of her nose.
"I'm not talking about this right now. I just stayed at a hotel, I'm on my way now." She said as her hands shook.
"Mike, stop. Please. Not right now." Julia said then looked up to see me standing there. "I have to go, I'll see you when I get back."she said then hung up the phone.
"Everything okay?" I asked and grabbed my keys. "Doesn't matter." She said then stood up.
"Alrighty then." I said then opened the door. "Come on." I said and looked over at her. The color had drained from her face and her hands were shaking.
It was a look I knew all too well.
"Shit." I whispered and reached for her as she collapsed, her eyes rolling back.
I was luckily able to catch her before her head smacked on the ground.
I forgot how terrifying seeing her have a seizure was but this seemed much more intense since there was a bit of foam coming out of her mouth.
I patiently waited, holding her head in my lap as she seized for what felt like forever.
After a while she finally came back, tears filling her bloodshot eyes.
"There you are." I said quietly as she flinched away from me.
"I'm not gonna do anything, Julia. Fucking relax." I said with annoyance. I felt bad that she hated me so much considering what happened but she was being a little extreme.
All I was doing was trying to help her.
"G'me a minute." Julia mumbled as she sat up, rubbing her eyes.
It made me wonder if this new boyfriend of hers was stressing her out so much that she was having bad seizures or if she wasn't taking her medication.
Either way it wasn't my business.
After a couple minutes Julia was able to stand. "Ready now?" I asked as she nodded.
"More than ready." She said then smoothed out her dress.
When we got to my car we got in, the silence creating an awkward tension between us.
"I know it's not my business but are you okay to drive?" I asked and started the car.
Julia didn't answer for a second. Instead she was looking in her lap, picking at her nails.
It was something she did when she was nervous or upset.
"I have to go up that way for work anyways..I can just drive you up there." I suggested and started driving to where her car was.
"What are we doing?" Julia asked quietly. "What do you mean?" I asked and kept my eyes on the road.
"We haven't spoken in four years. I shouldn't be in your car and you shouldn't be offering to drive me home." She said as I sighed.
"Yeah, it's weird." I said with a nod. She was right.
I was opening up too much and she knew it. We both were breaking our walls down when we both knew things couldn't work between us.
The rest of the drive was silent, neither of us knowing what to say.
When we got to Julia's car I parked behind her on the street and looked at her. "Bye." She said and reached for her door handle.
I raised my hand in a half wave, watching as she got out of the car.
Her legs were shaking and she was clearly weak and tired from the seizure.
I couldn't help but fear for her safety.
"Julia, wait." I said and got out of my car. "Let me just drive you. I need to go up there anyways." I said, keeping my voice level.
"Colby, it's not a good idea." Julia said quietly and shakily reached for her keys.
"I'm not gonna do anything. Don't be dumb and just take my offer. You're not in any place to drive right now." I said and got out of my car and locked it.
"How will you get home?" She asked as I shrugged. "Don't worry about it." I said and held my hand out for the keys.
Julia reluctantly handed me the keys then got in the passengers seat.
When I got in the drivers seat I grabbed the pills that were sitting in the cup holder and put them in my pocket.
She didn't need them.
There was a painfully awkward tension as I started driving.
It was normal considering our history but it didn't make it any easier.
"So the kids aren't with you anymore?" I asked, breaking the silence.
"I'm not talking about it." Julia snapped. "Jesus. Sorry." I said with annoyance and focused on the road.
"Why are you coming back to Spokane? Still stalking Mike?" Julia asked as I rolled my eyes.
"I'm not talking about it." I retorted, giving her a taste of her own medicine.
I knew that I was going to a different city but while I was in Spokane I might as well watch Michael again.
It was bothering me that I didn't catch him doing anything. He just went to work, went home or went to Julia's house.
Nothing suspicious or shady.
Maybe just watching him for a couple more days would be helpful.
I would have to call one of the guys to drive up to Spokane to get me. It was an inconvenience to say the least but I was glad I was doing this.
Even though it felt like I was letting my walls crumble, I was glad that I was driving Julia home.
Making sure she survived the drive home was the least I could do before we parted ways again.