Almost There and Back Again

by Nancy

Chapter 29

They were meeting in Dan’s boardroom. It was more private, more secluded, less parading of parties through areas of the office where there were too many ears.

Why Dan had chosen her to represent Nathan still confused her. Knowing the client better was the lamest excuse she’d ever heard. At first she thought he was trying to torture her, make her quit, or something equally as sinister. She was working the family law area for the firm right now, and this most assuredly fell under the area of family law. Just my damn luck she’d grumbled!

She’d gotten caught on a phone call and was the last to arrive. Dan was in there making small talk with the opposing attorney. Nathan was slumped in his chair staring into space looking completely pissed off. Kelly was alternating between tapping her fingernails and checking her hair for split ends.

“Hi, I’m so sorry I’m late,” Haley smiled, “got caught on a phone call - sorry,” she said again, taking a chair next to Nathan, patting him lightly on the back as she did.

She reached across the table offering her hand to Kelly’s attorney with a light smile, “Haley James”, she said shaking his hand. Offering her hand to Kelly as well, she noticed her shocked expression as she took her hand.

“Haley? You’re names Haley?” Kelly asked as a disingenuous smile started across her face, and she sat with more attention.

“Yes.”

“That’s not an overly common name. Have you known Nate a long time Haley?”

There was something behind the question Haley could tell – she just didn’t know what. And Nate…Nate…stupid bitch – she had to fight the urge to roll her eyes at her continued use of his nickname when she was trying to eviscerate him.

“Yes…I’ve known…Nate,” she mocked with exaggeration, “for a number of years.”

“Well…this is rich isn’t it Nate?” Kelly chuckled.

“Fuck you Kelly.”

“Nathan don’t,” Haley mumbled to him, holding her hand up to stop Kelly’s attorney when he started to admonish Nathan. Dan closed his eyes, shaking his head at his son’s never censored mouth.

“I don’t want my Dad in here,” Nathan whispered in her ear.

“What? Why not?” she hotly whispered back.

“Because it’s none of his business, and I don’t need him knowing all about mine. Either he leaves, or I do.”

“It would have been nice if you’d told me before now,” she bit back. “Dan – can I see you in the hall for just a second please?”

She came back in after several heated minutes with Dan. He couldn’t understand why Nathan continually cut him out of his life. They should have moved past this by now. Nathan’s grudge was going beyond reason, but he’d comply if it helped get this nightmare over with.

“Just make sure he comes out of there with my grandchild,” Dan ordered before turning on his heels and stomping away.

“Thanks for that. No pressure or anything.” She released a long sigh before going back in to face the firing squad.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

“Whatever,” she snapped waving a dismissive hand at him.

“Okay,” Haley began, “let’s get started shall we. Basically we’d like to work out a custody agreement before the baby’s birth. We just feel it would be prudent to do it now so when the baby gets here, it’s all settled, and life can go on seamlessly for all. Of course, it would be much easier if Kelly would agree to move to Charlotte, but as I understand it, that’s not going to happen.”

“It’s most definitely not,” Kelly returned, “I came, I saw, I didn’t like. I’m staying in Boston. If he wanted to see the kid so bad he should have re-signed with the Celtics.”

“Charlotte gave me two million more a year Kelly. You of all people should understand that – considering you were a hell of a lot more interested in my money than me,” Nathan growled back.

“You should talk! All you’ve ever wanted from me was sex, and once you found out I was pregnant you didn’t even want that!”

Nathan groaned in frustration, he massaged deeply into his forehead and sat more upright in his chair. This thing was embarrassing enough, he sure as hell didn’t need her airing that kind of dirty laundry, “You...”

“Wait a minute,” Kelly’s attorney interrupted, “can we have some order to this please. This sniping back and forth is just going to make things drag out all day.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Haley weighed in.

“You know what,” Kelly interrupted, glaring at Haley with fury in her eyes, “I think I can get this over with real quick! I’ve been avoiding this for months, but I can’t avoid it any longer. I’ve had it. He…, I can’t do it anymore. I have to get it out right now!”

“Oh, please tell us Kelly,” Nathan sarcastically sniped.

“I wouldn’t be so smug if I were you Nate. You all seem to want the truth…well here it is. I’ve lived with Nate for the last what…eight or nine months? We haven’t had sex in at least the last six. Not since he found out I was pregnant for sure. He sleeps on the couch or in a guest room ninety percent of the time. And I’m certainly not stupid enough to think he’s been faithful or celibate all that time,” she scoffed, “right Nate?”

“Faithful to you! Hell no I haven’t been faithful to you. There was nothing to be faithful to. And I sure as hell haven’t been celibate - I’ve been screwing anything that offered honey. Anything was better than you!”

“How ‘bout that Haley…every girls dream isn’t he? Honestly I have no idea why I still live with him, probably because he has big fat wallet.” Her tone was so calm, so emotionless, it was eerie. “He doesn’t love me. How many times have you said you love me in the time we’ve been together Nate? Hunh – how many?”

“None – because you’re such a money grubbing bitch – I couldn’t love you no matter how I twisted my mind.”

“Then why didn’t you throw me out?”

“Hell Kelly I never asked you to move in to begin with. You just kept…showing up - bringing more of your shit with you every time you did. I was just too disinterested to do anything about it. And for the record - I was just about to throw your ass out when you turned up pregnant. And I didn’t want a child of mine being raised by a complete bitch like you!” he roared back.

“Nathan please!” Haley barked.

“It’s alright Haley, I’m used to it. But speaking of you Haley…I’m sure it would interest you to know you’re a perpetual problem in this little nightmare of a relationship we have too,” she started, folding her hands across her girth as a tight smile crossed her lips.

“Shut up Kelly!”

“Aww Nate come on, she has a right to know.” She leaned up on the table resting her chin on her fist giving Haley a long look, a slight smile still pressed across her lips; Nathan’s rage obviously amused her. “He’s still in love with you, you know that? He’s moaned your name more than once in the middle of sex with me, he’s actually muttered ‘I love you Haley’ as he’s drifted off to sleep. Nice huh? Definitely gave me the warm fuzzies to hear that let me tell you,” the sarcasm dripped from her words.

“I swear to god Kelly if you don’t shut the fuck up…,” Nathan threatened, his hands and jaw were furiously clenching.

Haley didn’t know what to say. She was flabbergasted - too stunned to utter a sound. She knew she must look like a fool staring mouth agape at this woman. She needed to speak up, make her stop her raging at Nathan, but she couldn’t make her mouth move.

“I’m not even close to being done Nate! He has a problem with rain…with storms,” she continued with her superior tone, leaning back against her chair again. “Did you know that Haley? Was he always like that? I thought maybe it was some sort of hold over from childhood, you know, his parents left him out in the rain and the lightening scarred him for life or some such,” she shrugged matter of fact. She slowly eased back toward the table holding Haley’s eyes in a deadlock, “Till I started listening to the nightmarish ramblings he’d have. I mean he could really get wound up. Every time it stormed - he’d wake up in a cold sweat…always screaming your name. What’s that about? Huh? I wish you’d fill me in because I could never get him to tell me a thing.”

Haley’s head slowly turned toward him – she could feel the hot tears welling up…she’d done this to him. “Nathan…,” Haley brokenly whispered.

Nathan had shear panic in his eyes – Kelly was revealing all his harbored secrets, and he felt helpless to stop her. He wanted to lunge across the table and strangle the life out of her; the urge was getting stronger with each excruciatingly long second that passed.

“You fucking little bitch! You’ve messed in my life for the last time Kelly. You’ve gone too fucking far this time. I’m going to prove what an unfit whore of a mother you are, and I’m going to get this child from you if it’s the last thing I do,” his voice was low and menacing as he held her with an icy glare.

“Well I guess you might be able to do that Nate – if this baby was yours. Too bad for you it’s not,” she shrugged folding her arms triumphantly across her protruding stomach, thoroughly enjoying the stunned look on his face.

“What?” Haley managed to breathlessly mumble.

“That’s right, it’s not his baby. If he’d thought about it a little more he’d know that. He should have known it wasn’t his – he so paranoid about using condoms it’s not even funny. And the sex…I mean when we did have it…it was pretty awesome – well I guess I don’t have to tell you that huh Haley?” she chuckled. “But it quickly got to where he was never home, and most nights when he was there, he was drinking himself into a stupor. He has major issues. I’m telling you Haley – run while you still can,” she whispered conspiratorially. “He treats people like crap, especially women, and then he’s just so eaten up with the idea of doing the right thing by this kid he just couldn’t see it. Just one more thing I don’t get about him.”

Nathan hadn’t moved, hadn’t flinched a muscle since she’d blurted out he wasn’t the father. His mind was in a frantic whirlwind. He’d been upset about the baby…but he was willing to take on a child, even if it was with a woman he couldn’t stand. If not him…then who? And why had she gone so long letting him think it was his. Don’t be an idiot he told himself…money, comfort…because she’s just a complete bitch...

“Whose is it?” he finally uttered, tired, totally defeated by the last few minutes.

“Rob,” Kelly answered flatly.

“Yeah…,” he scoffed quietly, shaking his head, “that makes sense,” he finished pushing his chair back and walking out the door without another word.

“I’m sorry about all this Haley,” Kelly’s attorney apologized. “I had absolutely no idea.”

Haley hardly had a clear idea left in her head. A tornado of thoughts was rushing around, each one more confounding than the next. Not his child, still in love with her…nightmares…she could hardly think. Nathan’s panicked expression when Kelly was spilling everything kept flashing by.

What the hell had been going on with him all this time? She couldn’t think…

“We’re going to want DNA testing for confirmation,” she blurted out.

“What for?” Kelly complained.

“Because obviously you get around…we just want irrefutable proof that Nathan’s not the father,” she returned coldly.

“He’s not!”

“Then you have nothing to worry about. Do you have all of your things out of his house?” she asked, regaining a bit of her composure.

“I’m not sure…I think I have most of it.”

Haley turned to her attorney, “I’ll be in contact with you in a few days about the testing, and we’ll arrange for someone to meet Kelly at Nathan’s house in Boston to make sure all of her personal items are removed.”

“I have a key…I don’t need any help,” she snapped at Haley.

“The locks have been changed – your key doesn’t work anymore. And having someone with you is for Nathan - not you.”

“What, you think I’m going to steal some of his stuff or something?” she snit.

“Actually…yes. Ron…it was nice to meet you,” Haley said standing, offering her hand to him again. “We’ll be in contact soon. I think you all can find your way out,” she finished giving Kelly one last withering look as she reached for the door.

“You know…you’re not what I expected,” Kelly quickly tossed out.

Haley paused turning to the girl with a hard glare. “Excuse me?”

“You’re not what I expected. When I realized Nate was hopelessly hung up on some girl named Haley…I was jealous, mad as hell actually. I had all these visions of what this Haley looked like, what she acted like. None of them were close,” she genuinely smiled for the first time. “I thought she’d be this supermodel type you know. Tall, blonde, gorgeous, with a snobby attitude. I figured she’d have to be super bitch to get along with him,” she chuckled. “I should have known. I’m a bit of a super bitch myself and the only time we got along was when he was half drunk. You know, somewhere between buzzed and passed out. Other than that…we pretty much fought.”

“How interesting,” Haley grumbled with rolled eyes as she went to pull the door open.

“You’re a really pretty girl Haley. You’re obviously very smart. You seem quite level headed and normal. And I think under a different setting, I’d think you were a very nice person. How in the world did you end up with Nate? He’s crabby, and surly, and egotistical, and completely unpleasant most of the time. I mean he’s gorgeous and rich and has a hell of a body, and those eyes…, but he’s a wreck of a human being. I tried to love him, there was even a time I was convinced I did. I was wrong. How can someone like you love a man like that?” She asked with honest confusion.

A small smile started across Haley’s lips at the absurdity of the question. “Other than the physical description, I don’t know the man you just described. The Nathan Scott I know has a heart as big as this room. He’s caring, and sensitive, and romantic, and loving, and smart, and funny, and talented, and devoted, and passionate, and about a million other adjectives I could name. If you couldn’t see that Kelly - then maybe the problem was with you - not Nathan,” she quietly ended before hurrying through the door.

She leaned hard against the wall, releasing the breath she hadn’t even realized she was holding - finally tuning into the fact that her hands were trembling. She felt nauseous. The baby news was bad enough, but all the other information that bitch had imparted, had her head spinning. She had no idea Nathan was still such an emotional wreck - the guilt for her part in it, was beginning to build.

The fact that Nathan was no where in site finally registered with her too. She felt certain he hadn’t gone to Dan’s office. His father…definitely not the person he would go to confide in…go to for comfort. She went back to the receptionist desk, asking if she’d seen Nathan come through. She had…he’d gone right out the door and into the elevator. Gone. Great.

She went back to her office, dropping with a tired thud into her chair. She picked up her phone dialing Nathan’s cell phone – receiving only what seemed like an endless ring. Either he’s ignoring it or it’s somewhere he can’t hear it…he’s ignoring it, she was sure. The voicemail finally picked up, Nathan’s voice came through to her, “Leave a message,” came his grumbled answer. “Nathan…it’s Haley – I need you to call me as soon as you get this. Nathan…I’m so sorry,” she sighed hanging up.

She was exhausted, so emotionally drained she could hardly keep herself upright. She let her head fall back against her chair, closing her eyes as Kelly’s words replayed over and over. He was still in love with her…that was almost too much to hope for. The nightmares, the drinking…she couldn’t hold it back any longer, the tears began running unabated down her face. The harder she tried to stop them, the more strength they seemed to gather until she was reduced to full fledged sobbing. She couldn’t make herself stop, leaning heavily on her desk her head fell in her hands as she cried harder. Her need for Nathan…to hold him, have him hold her was making her chest literally ache. She’d created this mess – making Nathan a complete mess in the process.

“Haley?” The deep voice in front of her totally startled her out of her jumbled thoughts.

“God you scared me,” she gasped wiping furiously at the tears. Quickly opening her drawer, she snatched out tissues to wipe her eyes, her nose, her tear soaked face.

“I’m sorry,” Dan said softly. “Where’s Nathan? What happened Haley?”

“Well,” she started after a long pause, sniffing back more tears, “it’s not his baby.”

“What!”

“As for Nathan…I have absolutely no idea where he is. He walked out, and he’s not answering his phone, so…I don’t know where he is.”

“What happened – what do you mean it’s not his baby…what the hell happened in there Haley?”

“To be perfectly honest Dan…I think my presence there just made it worse. It just set her off. She and Nathan bitched back and forth until she lost it. Just ranting on about how he did this, and he did that, until she hit the grand finale…it’s not his baby. It’s somebody named Rob’s baby.”

“I’m not believing this! That stupid little… What the hell did she drag him through all this for? Was she planning on letting him keep thinking it was his after it was born too? I just…I can’t believe it!”

“I don’t know what she was planning. Maybe she just wanted Nathan to foot the bill until it was born, and then hit him with it, I don’t know. I am going to go through with DNA testing though. Just to be one hundred percent sure. He doesn’t need her showing up ten years from now saying ‘my bad…it really is your kid’.”

“I agree - that’s a very good idea. What exactly did she say to him Haley?”

She took a long time pondering her answer. She knew Nathan didn’t want Dan privy to the details of his life.

“I umm…Dan I don’t know how much to tell you. You know how Nathan feels about his private life and…”

“Me.”

“Sort of. She…said some things I don’t think he really wanted out…to me either. She said he was…still in love with me,” she choked out, biting her lip, blinking her eyes fiercely trying to hold back more tears. “It sounds like he’s been drinking a lot, and umm,” she sobbed out squeezing her eyes tightly together as the tears poured out of them. She held a shaky hand over her mouth, “umm…he’s been having nightmares…when it storms he has these nightmares about me…the wreck I’m sure…me and the baby and…,” she stopped unable to say another word. The tears and the sobbing had taken complete control of her, her whole body heaved with them.

“Haley…Haley come here,” Dan soothed gathering her out of the chair. He held her tightly against his chest gently rubbing her back, “Shhh Haley…we’re going to fix this…don’t worry, we’re going to fix it.”

“God Dan…I’ve made such a mess of things.”

“We’re going to make them right Haley,” he said softly patting her back. “That girl was right about one thing – he does still love you. It’s obvious just by the way he looks at you.”

She pulled back wiping at the tears still running down her cheeks. “He couldn’t possibly still love me Dan. Not after the way I just…abandoned him. I should have tried harder to work through it with him. I should have called and told him what was going on with me after we broke up. He was hurting too after the wreck…after we lost the baby, but I couldn’t think of anybody but myself. He needed me so much and I just…I failed him Dan…I failed him.”

“Hey,” he said, firmly holding her shoulders, looking into her red blotched face, “look at me…we’re going to fix this relationship Haley. He loves you. I’m sure of it. I know my son Haley. I know he thinks I don’t…but believe me I know Nathan – better than he knows himself sometimes,” he chuckled lightly.

“You keep saying that Dan… ‘we’re going to fix it’, what’s that supposed to mean? I don’t even know where he is…you don’t know where he is. How can either of us fix anything?” she blew out frustrated.

“Hmm…honestly, I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do yet. I’ll have to put my conniving brain cells to work,” he chuckled. “I haven’t used them in a number of years, but I’m thinking this is the perfect time to bring them out of the moth balls…don’t worry,” he said noting her apprehensive expression, “I’ll only connive for the good. As for where he is…no telling, but he’ll have to show up pretty soon, basketball starts next week, he can only sulk so long.”

“He’s entitled to a little sulking Dan,” Haley grumbled at him.

“Agreed,” he smiled. “Just keep calling him – he’ll give in and call you back sooner or later. I need to get back at it Haley…you going to be alright now?” he asked giving her arms a brisk rub.

“I doubt it,” she sighed heavily, dropping into her chair again.

“You need to go home…go. It’ll all still be here tomorrow. I won’t dock your pay,” he chuckled.

As soon as Dan shut the door her crying started again. She couldn’t shut it off. Nathan’s panicked expression when Kelly was spilling everything was breaking her further. She tried his phone again – it went to voice mail immediately this time. He’d turned it off.

She wanted to get this whole case wrapped up in a hurry. Flipping through her rolodex she made a phone call to arrange for lab testing. She left Kelly’s lawyer a hurried message about what lab to use. They had offices in Boston or Charlotte, didn’t matter which she used, just get it done before the week was out. They’d send them the results. Next.

The phone rang several times before Brooke’s breathless voice came through the receiver.

“Please tell me I didn’t catch you having sex,” Haley teased with a forced laugh.

“I wish. My husband’s off pumping iron or smacking people around at practice or something equally as grunt worthy. I was off spending his money so we’re both happy. This is kind of a surprise call. Middle of the day and all…what’s wrong Hales?”

“What makes you think there’s something wrong?”

“I said, middle of the day…not to mention the fact that your voice sounds…funny. What is it?”

“You’re not supposed to pick up on things like that Brooke,” she laughed lightly. “Who says your shallow?”

“Everybody. What’s wrong?”

“I need a favor Brooke. It’ll be a fun favor actually. I need you to turn on the bitch deluxe Brooke.”

“Ewww, she’s my favorite,” she squealed with laughter. “What does she get to do?”

“That slut Nathan was living with, the pregnant one, Kelly. Well it turns out she’s not pregnant with Nathan’s baby after all.”

“The hell you say! How’d you find that out?”

“We had a meeting today with her and Nathan, trying to work out some custody things, and she just sprang it on him.”

“Well that little whore dog. Why the hell didn’t she tell him before?”

“Because she’s a total bitch I guess – I don’t know. Money was probably most of it. The way she and Nathan were going at each other she probably just wanted to piss him off, humiliate him…I don’t know – we never got to the why part. Nathan walked out of the whole thing once she dropped the bomb.”

“And how do you feel about the news?”

Haley hesitated - almost afraid to admit it out loud. How she felt was apparent to her the minute Kelly had uttered the words. She felt like a bitch herself for feeling the way she did, but she couldn’t help herself.

“Haley?”

“Relieved,” she barely replied.

“Don’t feel bad for feeling that way Haley,” Brooke said quietly. “Believe it or not, I’m sure Nathan feels the same way.”

“It didn’t seem like it.”

“He was shocked Haley. He didn’t want a baby with that stupid girl. Being tied to that slut for the rest of his life was not what he wanted I promise. He’s just as relieved, I’m sure of it.”

“I don’t know Brooke,” she sighed. “Umm I…we need to get back to what I called about.”

“Whatever you need Hales.”

“Well like I said, I need you to be Brooke the bitch,” she laughed lightly. “Kelly needs to get back into Nathan’s house to make sure she has all of her things. I don’t want her in there alone. I want to make sure she only gets what belongs to her - which means she needs someone there watching while she gets her stuff. Would you be willing to meet her there in the next few days or so…keep an eye on her…be a bitch to her?”

“There’s nothing I’d like better,” Brooke laughed back. “She won’t know what hit her. She doesn’t like me already; this is going to be sooo sweet.”

“I knew I could count on you Brooke. I’ll get a key from Nathan and Fed Ex it to you in a few days. I’ll contact Kelly’s lawyer after you get the key, and then you guys can set up a time to meet. Sound okay?”

“I already have a key Haley so just go ahead and call the lawyer we’ll get this over with real quick like.”

“But Nathan had the locks changed not long ago, yours probably doesn’t work.”

“It works.”

“You guys taking care of the plants or what?” Haley chuckled hesitantly.

“We just have a key…we’ve always had a key so…”

“So…why? I knew you all were closer, but I guess I didn’t realize just how tight you guys have gotten the last few years,” she said with misguided annoyance. “Greg switching loyalties on me?”

“Haley it’s not like that and you know it. It’s not a you or Nathan thing. Greg and Nathan have been friends since you introduced them in college Haley. Yes, they have gotten a lot closer the past three years…even Nathan and I have learned to tolerate each other better…sometimes,” she laughed. “Nathan needed someone Haley. I mean Lucas is on the other side of the country….he needed Greg to be there for him okay. It’s just…it’s complicated Hales. Nathan’s been going through a lot of stuff since he’s been in Boston.”

“Like?”

“Like…,” she hesitated, “Okay…like drinking, fighting, skanky women…jail. Look up self-destructive in the dictionary – his pictures probably there,” she scoffed. “I’m pretty sure he never got into anything illegal, but I’m also sure it was just a matter of time. It’s really for the best that he’s leaving Boston. He can start fresh now…with you.”

“With me? Yeah right…whatever Brooke,” she snapped at her. “Obviously I’m a non-entity to him…to all of you. Nobody bothered to tell me any of this. I had no idea he was such a mess Brooke. Just one more secret I can’t believe you all hid from me. I mean jail?” she blew out at her.

“It wasn’t anything major really. The drinking, the fighting…sometimes that stuff leads to jail okay. That’s all that was about. Either Greg or I …usually Greg, would end up going to bail him out. Greg and Nathan being who they are…it was kept out of the papers – off the news. Cops love jocks you know,” Brooke sighed. “As for hiding it…there were plenty of times I almost called you, but Greg and I agreed it was probably best not to. You had law school to contend with already Haley, you were fighting to keep it together yourself, you didn’t need the burden of Nathan’s perpetual meltdown on your shoulders too.”

“I was the cause of his meltdown Brooke!” she yelled.

“Stop it! You were not! He’s a grown man Haley. Yes, he was hurt, but that doesn’t excuse him for continually acting out. Sometimes you just have to suck up the bad shit that happens to you and soldier on. You did.”

The silence lingered on. Brooke was afraid she’d finally gone too far…her big mouth had finally done it. Haley was trying to catch enough breath to speak.

“Barely,” she whispered.

“I’m sorry Hales. I have a big, stupid mouth. I’m sorry.”

“You didn’t say anything wrong Brooke. I…I really have to go. I’ll have the attorney call you. Thanks for helping out Brooke,” she finished completely spent.

“Haley…”

“I’m okay. Give Greg a hug for me. I love you Brooke – bye.”

It was times like this that she wished she had a prescription for sleeping pills. She knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep long before she’d given up and gotten into bed anyway, the fact that she was on sheep number six hundred and something was just proving it. She was willing one of the little bastards to trip over the fence they were jumping in her head so it would at least break the monotony.

The red numbers on her clock now read one forty-eight. They’d read eleven twenty-two when she first looked at them. She’d felt every one of the last two and a half hours. Every minute by excruciatingly long minute.

She closed her eyes again, six hundred thirteen…six hundred fourteen…six hundred fifteen…six hundred sixteen…her count was suddenly interrupted by the high pitched twill of her phone ringing.

“Hello.”

“Hey.”

“My god…where are you?” she breathed out shoving herself quickly up in the bed as her heart started to pound harder.

“Does it matter? I’m fine.”

“You’re damn right it matters! And you’re not fine, so don’t give me that. Where are you?”

“You’re awfully feisty for so late at night Haley. Just getting in?”

“No smart ass I’m not just getting in. I’ve been lying in this stupid bed since eleven twenty-two to be exact, and I haven’t slept one second. I’ve been worried about you all day Nathan. Now where are you?”

“What sheep are you up to?”

“Six hundred sixteen…where are you?”

“What color are they?”

“Black. Where are you?”

“Black. Ouch – you must be in a bad mood. You could always tell your mood by the sheep color. They even came in rainbow as I recall. Even if you couldn’t sleep your sheep were usually cheerful colors.”

“That’s because I was happy then,” she blew back. “I swear I wish I could reach through this phone and shake you! Tell me where you are! Now!”

“I’m fine,” he sighed quietly.

Haley could hear the tinkling of the ice. “Are you drinking…are you drunk Nathan?”

“Hmmm good question…sort of. I’m definitely headed that way.”

This was getting beyond frustrating. Her patience was wearing thin. He needed to sulk, needed to pout, needed to be angry, but did he have to be so incredibly difficult!

“Please tell me you’re some place safe. Some place that doesn’t require you getting in a car and driving. Please,” she tried asking with more calm.

“Cars…yeah I don’t drive so well do I?”

“Damn it! I didn’t mean it like that and you know it. Stop it Nathan! This is a bunch of crap – stop torturing me and tell me where you are. Please.”

He could feel the tears welling up in his eyes, he fought them back. The booze, the stress of the day, all his little issues being revealed…He needed her so desperately right now. To hug him…to hold him…to kiss it all away, to tell him she loved him still.

“I’m in your bosses’ beach house,” he finally mumbled.

“In Tree Hill?”

“Does he have another one I don’t know about?”

“Thank you for telling me,” she sighed with a long breath of relief. “Thank you for calling me. I was worried sick about you Nathan. I’m so sorry about today. That was…a disaster. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah? Well I’m not - sorry about Kelly and the baby anyway. I’m glad actually. I wasn’t looking forward to having that bitch forever be a part of my life because of an innocent kid. No kid should live like that…parents that want to kill each other most of the time…not real healthy. Believe me – I know first hand,” he sighed. “As for the rest of it…yeah I’m sorry too. She never should have said those things.”

“Nathan…we really need to talk. God…there’s so much I want to say – need to say to you. We need to talk.”

“Hmm…I’m thinking I don’t have anything to say so…talking doesn’t sound so good to me. I should be going Haley. You need some sleep. I’ll be back in a few days,” and off his phone clicked.

“Nathan? Nathan? Damn it!” she yelled as her phone found itself landing unceremoniously against the wall. She threw herself back against her pillows again, trying to calm her erratic breathing. Be calm…calm…she repeated to herself closing her eyes, opening them…, closing…,opening, closing, six hundred seventeen…six hundred eighteen…six hundred nineteen…, the sheep were beginning to turn a brown shade now…well that was a little progress she figured.

Chapter 30

Several days passed without another word from him. She tried to call, to check on him more than once, he didn’t answer, he didn’t call back. He was in Tree Hill…Deb hadn’t heard a word from him. She’d also tried to call him, and got no response. She’d gone by the beach house on a couple of occasions – his car was there, but he hadn’t come to the door when she rang the bell. Deb decided against letting herself in - obviously if he didn’t answer the door, he didn’t want to see her, and she had absolutely forbid Dan to go by there when he’d come home.

Haley did find out he’d wandered into Karen’s one afternoon, apparently at a time he knew his mother wouldn’t be there. He’d eaten lunch with Keith. Karen relayed he seemed a bit distracted, a bit disheveled looking – definitely in need of a shave she said, but overall he seemed…well he was breathing anyway.

Keith’s version was a bit more detailed. He may have seemed fine, but he most assuredly wasn’t. He wished he could just stay at the beach house, screw all of it he’d told him. Basketball success…the money…it just wasn’t what it was cracked up to be – just wasn’t enough. At least in Boston he had a few friends…he had Greg, Brooke, some teammates he liked, and now he was in Charlotte…and…what. He didn’t want his mother’s hovering, and sure as hell didn’t want his father interfering in his life. Maybe Peyton…maybe Jake…they were there - he’d see, he told Keith…yeah…maybe. ‘You know Haley’s there for you Nathan’, Keith said he told him. ‘Haley…that bridge was torched long ago - not going to happen’, he’d responded. ‘I may actually have to grow up and stand on my own two feet’, he’d chuckled before leaving the café for the long walk back to the beach house.

Deb pulled up to the beach house to find Nathan loading his bags into his car. She was hoping against hope to find him still there, Dan told her he was bound to have to leave either that day or the next – he had to get back for basketball – he knew he wouldn’t risk getting fined for being late.

“Hi honey,” Deb smiled coming up behind him.

Nathan jumped a foot at the sound of the unexpected voice, “Mom,” he said without turning around.

“Looks like you’re headed back.”

“No choice. It’s that or fork over a bunch of money, and I’m not real inclined to do that right now so…I guess I’ll go back,” he sighed, finally turning to face her. “Is there something you wanted?”

“Actually there is…a ride,” she said trying not to visibly wince at the verbal assault she felt was sure to follow her request.

“A ride where? I mean you got here in a car Mom.”

“Well I was hoping to catch a ride back to Charlotte with you. You’re Dad’s there so I figured we didn’t really need two cars. I can ride back to Tree Hill with him when he comes back. And since you’re going that way already…”

Nathan let out a short disbelieving chuckle. He rolled his eyes and shook his head at her. “And you just have to go to Charlotte today huh? Missing Dad that much I guess,” he said with a wry laugh. “Not it? I’m surprised. Peyton maybe? Now that would fit better…you missing Peyton. I can see that…you and Peyton always did connect for some reason. That’s alright - hell even I miss Peyton sometimes,” he chuckled at his own confession. He stared at Deb for a few long moments, taking in her worried expression – he could see her eyes pleading with him to say ‘yes’. “Fine…I’ll play along – let’s go,” he sighed in defeat.

“Thank you Nathan – let me get my bag real quick, and put my car in the garage and I’ll be all set.”

“Your bag – how convenient,” he sighed again.

They hadn’t gotten a block from the house when Deb asked, “Did you make sure you turned everything off? Lock all the doors?”

“Mom…how old do you think I am? I’ve been living just fine…in my own house…all by myself for three years now Mom. I think I know to check everything and lock all the doors by now.”

“I know, I know – sorry. Just habit I guess. I say the same thing to your father so it’s not an age thing and it’s not you – guess I’m just anal that way,” she smiled over at him.

“Un hunh,” he mumbled back. This was going to be a long trip he groaned to himself.

They’d gone the last two hours with little more than polite conversation. Deb was doing her best to draw him out, get him to utter more than ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to her. It worked once in a while, but not near as much as she’d like. She hadn’t spent this much time alone with Nathan in a confined space like this in years, and she was desperately trying to make it pleasant…he wasn’t helping much.

The ringing of his cell phone broke the latest silence. Deb quickly glanced down at the caller id – it was Haley. Nathan picked up the phone reading the id before setting it down unanswered.

“Aren’t you going to answer it?” she asked.

“What for…she’ll call back. She’s called a billion times this week. I think she’s trying to drive me insane actually,” he griped.

“Maybe if you’d talk to her she’d quit calling,” Deb reasoned.

“Mom…shit. Hello,” he grumbled into the phone.

“Nathan…holy smokes it’s really you,” Haley laughed.

“Well Haley James as I live and breath. Fancy you calling…oh that’s right - you won’t QUIT calling. What the hell do you want?” he gruffly barked at her.

“Where are you honey?” she asked sweetly, hoping to aggravate him further. Two could play this I’m a jerk game.

“Well sugar…I’m on the road back to Charlotte - me and my Mommy actually. She’s afraid I can’t get there by myself so she’s coming with me. Lucky her huh?”

“I hope you’re being nice to her…honey,” she said through gritted teeth.

“You know I am - PINKY! I’m being nice to you aren’t I Mom?” he asked sarcastically to Deb. Deb rolled her eyes at him, turning to look out the window again – embarrassed she’d raised such an ass.

“Don’t you dare call me Pinky with that tone!” she slowly growled back. “You…alright…enough with the bullcrap,” Haley said irritated. “Write this number and address down. You need to go by there when you get in today or tomorrow at the very latest to get your mouth swabbed or blood taken or whatever they do for DNA testing. We need to get this over with.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“If you’d bothered to call me back you’d know,” she blew back. “You need to get a DNA test done so we can be sure Kelly’s baby isn’t yours. So write this down!”

“Bullshit on that! She said the kid’s not mine. The fucking end!”

“Nathan! You’re language is atrocious,” Deb scolded, Nathan totally ignored her. He was furious and sometimes only certain words would fit.

“No it’s not the fucking end! You’re getting this test done Nathan…we don’t need…I…I mean you don’t need this coming back to bite you on the ass someday. You need positive proof that the kid isn’t yours – the last thing you need is for her to show up on your doorstep years down the road saying it really is yours. Understand?”

“It’s not mine!”

“Then prove it!”

“Haley this is a bunch of shit!”

“Write this down!” she ordered.

“God you can be such a bossy bitch sometimes! Mom, would you write this down please,” he growled out, repeating the name and numbers Haley relayed to him.

“You don’t need an appointment. Just go in there and tell them what you want. They’re already expecting you.”

“Great! Now all of Charlotte’s going to know Nathan Scott’s having a paternity test done! Thanks loads there Hales baby.”

“Well actually you’re just a number Nathan. That last number I gave you is all they have to identify you with, but since your pretty little face is plastered all over the newspapers and the sportscasts every other day, I’m thinking it doesn’t make much difference! They’re going to know who you are regardless. Maybe if you’d keep your damn dick in your pants, and not go out screwing every whore that looked your way you wouldn’t be in this mess!” she screeched at him before slamming her phone down hanging up on him.

“THAT BITCH!” he roared throwing his phone to the floor, barely missing Deb’s foot.

“Get off this exit,” Deb suddenly said.

“What the hell,” Nathan threw back barely able to slow down enough to make the exit on all four wheels. “Give me a little more warning next time!” he complained. His chest was still rising and falling rapidly from his confrontation with Haley just seconds earlier, and now his mother tells him to exit a fraction of a second before he passes right by it. The women in his life were a royal pain!

“Turn…left I think,” Deb said.

“What’s wrong with this place?” he asked pointing to the gas station next to them. “I’m sure their restrooms are as good as whatever’s over there.”

“I don’t need to go to the restroom. Remember that ice cream place we used to stop at when we’d drive to Tree Hill before we moved. I’m pretty sure it’s just over that hill. They had the best homemade ice cream. Remember? You used to always get mint chocolate chip. The old lady that owned it thought you were just the cutest thing. She’d always give you an extra scoop.”

“Oh my god,” he groaned in complete disbelief as his head fell with a thud against his headrest.

“Keep going…see there it is! I knew it’d still be here. Pull over let’s go in.”

“You’re trying to kill me aren’t you? Admit it. Haley put you up to this didn’t she? She said ‘Deb – I hate Nathan – would you do me a favor and kill him?’ Didn’t she? Or is it just you Mom – you’ve finally had enough of me?”

“Stop whining and get out.”

Nathan grumbled and mumbled under his breath all the way from the car to the door. He held it open for Deb, sending her a fake smile as she beamed up at him. He recognized it the minute they walked through the door. It wasn’t helping his mood.

“Oh my goodness,” the elderly woman behind the counter laughed at the sight of them. “I remember you…my heavens you haven’t been in here in years! You’re husband still stops in here though – at least once a week, sometimes twice - he comes in, but I haven’t seen you in years. And look at you!” she gasped taking in Nathan standing behind Deb. “My lord you’ve grown into a handsome man! You were always a good looking boy, but now you’re just as handsome as you can be!”

“Thank you,” Nathan responded politely. He was pissed…he wanted to stay pissed - but this old lady was being so nice to him it was making it difficult.

“I can’t believe you remember us,” Deb laughed.

“I have a memory like an elephant,” the old woman scoffed. “Never forget a face. Not let’s see if I can remember what flavors you used to have. Hmm…he’s easy – mint chocolate chip,” she smiled, Nathan shook his head chuckling at her. “Am I right?”

“Yes ma’am you’re right,” he smiled in return.

“Want to try something different?”

“No the mint chocolate chip’s fine thank you.” He smiled in amazement.

“Okay. Now you,” she said glancing at Deb as she scooped Nathan’s ice cream, “You were…strawberry cheesecake? No…no…Rocky Road…huh, is that right?”

“That’s it exactly,” Deb laughed as she and Nathan exchanged amused looks.

They took their ice cream to a table, both of them still smiling at the old woman’s memory.

“This stuff really is good,” Nathan said downing another spoonful, “I’d forgotten all about this place.”

“I had too actually. It just hit me when I saw the name on the exit, that’s why I didn’t give you more notice. Sorry about that.”

“That’s okay. I’m glad you remembered.”

“Now I know why you’re father hasn’t been having much success with his diet. No wonder, if he’s stopping in here every week. He’s such the ice creamaholic I’m sure he gets three scoops at a time.”

The old woman came and sat at the table next to them, keeping up a running conversation about all of the customers that still come back in years after their previous visit. She always tried to guess what their favorite flavor was, proud of herself for being correct at least ninety percent of the time. Some of them are getting some age on them too she laughed.

“Thank you so much, that was just wonderful,” Deb smiled giving the old woman a quick hug.

“Now you handsome,” she said holding her arms out to Nathan.

He gave her a tight hug, “Thank you it was just as good as I remember. Now that I’ve been reminded it’s here, I’ll be back a lot sooner,” he smiled.

“I expect you to bring your kids in here someday. Keep up the tradition,” she laughed patting him firmly on the back.

“Alright,” he laughed with her.

Nathan put his arm around Deb as they walked back to the car. “Thanks Mom that was really good. I needed that. That old lady’s good for the ego.”

“Yeah – like you need more of that.”

His mood seemed so much improved Deb hated to throw water on it by bringing up his previous screaming match with Haley, but she wanted so desperately to talk to him about her, about how he needed to get that relationship straightened out, back on track. Haley was the one for him – she knew it, Dan knew it, heck everybody knew it. She was certain even he knew it, but she also knew how stubborn and pig headed he could be. He was going to need a push…a hard one.

Nathan felt…refreshed. The ice cream was excellent, and the old woman’s constant banter about her customers and her happy little life made him forget about his own issues for the time being. He would definitely remember to stop in there again. His mother actually helped his mood…that was a shocker.

“Nathan,” Deb began haltingly, pausing to stare out the window again, hoping to gather some sort of inspiration from the passing scenery.

“Hmm?” he said glancing over at her when she didn’t continue.

“Why do you fight with Haley like that Nathan?” she softly asked.

“Mom,” he sighed heavily, “I…she wants me to do something stupid, something that’s not necessary.”

“She’s trying to do the right thing Nathan. Try looking at it this way…stop thinking of it as Haley making you do this, and think of it as your attorney making you do it. She really is just doing her job honey.”

“Which is another thing,” he threw out, “why is she my attorney? I know Dad has a whole staff of them, why’d I end up with her? I think he did it just to torture the hell out of me. He knew it would piss me off, that’s why he put her on my case. That’s why he hired her to begin with – to piss me off. He hasn’t changed a bit.”

“You know Nathan; I’ve been with your father for twenty-five years. I’ve seen it all with him. His personality has run the complete spectrum believe me. From completely sweet and charming in the beginning, to complete bastard in the middle, and back to…I’m not sure how to describe him now,” she chuckled lightly, “being a real human being? Honestly caring about others above himself for maybe the first time in his life. It took me a long time to accept it, but he has changed Nathan. He loves you. He so desperately wants you to be happy.”

“So he hired Haley to make me happy huh?” he scoffed.

“He hired Haley because he likes her. He knew what he’d be getting when he hired her - a dedicated, hard working attorney. Not to mention she had excellent grades and graduated at the top of her class. Not everything’s about you Nathan.”

“Yeah okay Mom. Dad loves me – he hired Haley because she’s an Einstein. Sure…whatever. Let’s just drop it. That old lady put me in a good mood, let’s not ruin it alright?”

“Just get the test done Nathan, and get it behind you please.”

Not another word passed between them until they got to Charlotte. Nathan carried Deb’s bag into the townhouse for her and turned to go without saying anything further.

“Nathan?” Deb called out quickly before he could get back in his car – Nathan just looked blankly back at her waiting for her to continue. “Thank you for letting me ride with you. I really enjoyed spending the time together.”

“No problem,” he returned flatly opening the door trying his best to get out of there.

“Would you like to come to dinner tonight Nathan? Steak…you’re Dad’s grilling not me so you know it’ll be eatable,” she tried with a light hopeful smile.

He wanted to scream ‘no – leave me alone’ so badly it hurt, but he couldn’t do it with the pathetic little face she was giving him. Dinner with my father…kill me now he whined to himself.

“Sure…why not,” he said tiredly. “Seven?”

“Perfect,” Deb grinned back at him.

Deb ran into the house and straight for the phone. Nathan slash Haley reunite was now in operation.

“He’ll be here at seven for dinner. Invite Haley,” she said quickly before Dan had even finished saying ‘hello’.

“How’d you manage that one?” he chuckled at her excitement.

“I haven’t a clue - just don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. He’s not real happy with her at the moment so it may be a complete disaster, but we have to start somewhere.”

“I’ll get on it.”

Dan couldn’t get her to agree to it. She didn’t even know Nathan was going to be there, and she managed to come up with more excuses than he imagined possible. He’d have to try another angle.

Haley had just finished changing into her workout clothes and hanging up her work clothes when her office phone rang out. She glanced at her watch…crap it was already six, she really wasn’t obligated to answer it…Barbara was already gone…she had to get to the gym before six-thirty to make that class…damn!

“Haley James,” she said quickly hoping whoever was on the other end would sense her mood and make it quick.

“Haley, I’m glad I caught you,” Dan said sounding relieved, “I left something on my desk I really need to review tonight, would you mind running up to my office, get the Jenkins folder off my desk and run it by the house on your way home please. I would really appreciate it.”

“I…I…can it wait for just a little while Dan? I was really trying to get to my exercise class at six-thirty. Is it okay if I bring it by after that?” she said hiding her exasperation with him.

“That’ll be just fine Haley. Thank you.” He turned to Deb after he hung up. “Well still no dinner, but she’ll be here later…now if we can just manage to keep Nathan here for more than five minutes after we finish eating we’ll be doing good.”

Dinner was actually going well. The conversation was…well at least they were having conversation…of sorts. There was no yelling or cursing going on at the moment anyway. Deb was trying her best not to sound nosy, Dan doing his best not to sound intrusive, controlling, demanding…like Dan basically. Nathan was doing his best to…just make it through with his temper still in tact. So far everyone was surviving it all.

One more glass of wine might help. Just a tad more Nathan thought as he poured himself another glass full.

“Keep that up and you may have to spend the night,” Deb teased.

“I’ll crawl home first,” Nathan retorted, relaxing back against the chair.

“I’ll get it,” Deb said jumping up to answer the doorbell. “Well hi!” she greeted Haley with a tight hug, “it’s so good to see you come in, come in.” She took Haley’s arm and led her into the dining room.

Haley stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Nathan sitting at the table - giving him a hard glare, she received one in kind.

“I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to interrupt your dinner. I have the Jenkins file Dan,” she finished with a voice as cold as she intended. She walked over handing Dan the file.

Nathan didn’t take his eyes off her, his face stony as he watched her every move. His stony expression was masking the thoughts that were taking over his mind. Her tight workout clothes…the way she was squeezed into her shorts, the matching spandex top and the area of soft skin that showed between the two had his blood pressure on the rise. His eyes moved up and down her body, over and over again. He was willing himself to look away…he couldn’t. He just couldn’t. Visions of her moaning beneath him, clawing at his back the way she did and…he snatched up his glass gulping a long drink from it.

“Thank you Haley I really appreciate this. Sit down and have some dessert with us,” Dan smiled motioning to the chair.

“Oh no thank you,” she replied with a tight smile.

“It’s cheesecake…” Deb tried.

“Definitely my favorite, but really I don’t think so. I just finished exercising; I’d hate to ruin all that work.”

“You can afford it,” Nathan said flatly, not even trying to hide the way his eyes were moving over her anymore.

Haley took in his leering eyes. She recognized that look…knew it like the back of her hand – sex - that’s what that look meant. He wanted it…at the moment she was more than willing to comply. The heat spread through her as she stared back at him – fighting hard the urge to straddle his lap and start going at it with him.

“Too much to drink already Nathan?” she tossed out at him.

“Not yet Haley, but I’m working on it. Care to join me?”

“No thanks,” she scoffed at him.

“Figures,” he huffed back, “wouldn’t want to loosen up the perfect little ice princess. She might actually have some fun, can’t have that now can we.”

“I’m perfectly capable of having fun without getting loaded. Unlike someone else in this room who could do with a little less alcohol. Maybe they’d be in control of themselves a little more if they had a little less to drink!”

Dan and Deb’s eyes grew wider with each word they hurled across the table. Both of them looked from Haley to Nathan and back – right now they were on Nathan – after all the insult was in his court now.

“Who says I’m out of control?” he snarled shoving his chair back, he walked slowly around the table to face her head on.

“Your life says you’re out of control Nathan!” she bit back, her face was red with fury as she yelled – standing toe to toe with him.

“My life!” he roared back. “What the hell do you know about my life? Not a god damn thing that’s what! You walked out of my life three years ago remember. Dumped my ass remember. I wasn’t strong enough for you…I couldn’t handle it remember! I couldn’t be there for you – wasn’t enough man for you remember! Well look at me now Haley,” he yelled, a crazed chuckle escaping as he gestured wildly with his arms. “You were right…I couldn’t handle it – not without you I couldn’t – how completely pathetic does that make me? But you didn’t want me – so I moved on to whatever whore did. Just praying one of them would make me forget you…what I did to you – what I did to our baby. Guess what…it didn’t work! So here I am Haley – here I am - a complete fucking loser! Happy now? You were right! Congratulations!”

By the time he’d finished the yelling he could barely breathe - his chest was pounding at an alarming rate. Haley couldn’t breathe either, she’d been holding it in the whole time he was going off on her, forgetting to let it loose, the need for air only registered with her when she began to stagger back - catching her footing quickly, her chest heaved gasping to get her breath back.

Nathan wanted to reach out for her, pull her to him, kiss her senseless. Tell her he didn’t mean it. Tell her he loved her. He couldn’t do any of it…he could only stand there dumbfounded, watching her fight for air. Stare at the completely horrified expression on her face, at the tears falling from her eyes.

Dan pushed his chair back moving quickly to take Haley’s arm and guide her into a chair, while she still struggled for air and the tears poured soundlessly down her face.

“I think you better go Nathan,” he said quietly to his son.

Nathan shook himself away from staring at Haley at the sound of his father’s voice – looking at him as if he didn’t understand a word he’d said…wasn’t sure he had even spoken to him.

“Go,” Dan repeated nodding toward the door.

“I…I’m…yeah…okay,” he stammered out almost inaudibly, his eyes returned quickly to Haley’s struggling figure.

Nathan had almost reached the door when he heard Haley’s voice call out stopping him from going further. “Nathan,” she said between deep breaths, “did you get the test done?”

“Yes,” he answered barely loud enough for her to hear him.

“Thank you.” The sound of the door closed behind her words.

Chapter 31

Haley poured herself into her work over the next several days. Coming in early, staying late – keeping focused on work, not allowing her mind to wander to more.

She avoided Dan as much as possible. Looking at him just reminded her even more of Nathan. On top of the fact she was completely humiliated that he had witnessed first hand his son’s tongue lashing of her, his meltdown, and her near collapse because of it.

She really couldn’t argue with the things Nathan had said. He was right; she didn’t have enough faith in him, in herself, in them. All she saw was herself, her own pain, barely giving his any consideration at all. He obviously could have benefited from some counseling as well.

“Thank you Barbara,” she tiredly smiled taking the mail from her. That reminds me she thought, rummaging through her bag for the loan statement she’d received from her bank last week. She’d been wondering when they were going to start billing her for her law school loan. She finally gave in and called them about it.

She pulled the statement from the envelope for probably the hundredth time in the past week. The balance never changed – zero. What the hell was going on? She couldn’t be one of the lucky people who experienced such a major bank snafu. They lost everything…they had no idea she actually owed them close to seventy thousand dollars – all her data got eaten up in a computer glitch. Dream on honey she told herself. The thing was sitting hidden in some big cheese’s office somewhere gathering interest at this very moment. It was some big bank conspiracy she was certain.

The bank grunt she’d talked to last week wasn’t much help. It had been paid that was about all she could tell her. There were no copies of checks she could send her to show where the payments had come from…nothing. About all she could give her was it had been paid, actually quite some time ago – all done electronically, and no she couldn’t give her any account numbers that were involved in the transactions. And no – she couldn’t give her any names to go with the account numbers either. If Haley wanted to pay a fee they’d be happy to send it to their research department and try to find out something for her – it would only take about eight weeks. Great – Haley just knew the interest was piling up. She’d told her she’d think about it and call her back.

Haley shuffled through the mail Barbara had given her – the blue envelope from the lab grabbed her attention. She held it in her hand for several long minutes, feeling almost certain of the results, but still…the chance was there. Nathan may be about to become a father…this wasn’t the way it was supposed to have gone she sighed slicing down the envelope with her opener.

She unfolded the letter, reading and re-reading it before dropping it with a deep sigh onto her desk, briefly allowing a small smile to cross her lips. 99.9% proof he was not the father of this baby…negative. Thank God.

Now she needed to call Nathan. She’d rather take a hot poker to the eye at this point. She was most definitely the last person he wanted to talk to she was sure of that but…she was his attorney…she was a professional…she…would rather die. Maybe she’d talk to her Mom first.

“Hey Mom,” she greeted with as much cheer as she could manage.

“Well hey honey, how are you?”

“I’m good. How are you…how’s Dad?”

“I’m fine, and your Dad’s just as big a pain in the ass as ever. Why wives look forward to their husband’s retirement is beyond me. I’m picking up a Wal-Mart application for him today – he’d make a great greeter don’t you think?” she laughed.

“Not to mention it would get him out of your hair huh?”

“Well there’s that too. So what’s new with you?”

“You know Mom…something really weird is going on with my law school loan. I finally got a loan statement from the bank the other day – after I called them about it by the way – and the balance is zero. Can you believe that? I should owe them like a butt load of money, and they say I owe them nothing…how weird is that?”

“Really? Hmm well…that’s…umm – yeah that’s weird alright honey,” she said trying to hide the nervousness.

“Yeah…what’s the deal Mom? You’ve got that…voice.”

“What voice?”

“The voice you use when you don’t want to tell Dad how much you spent on something. The ‘I’m hiding something’ voice. What is it?”

“Haley you’re imagining things,” she scoffed.

“No. I’m not. What is it? Did you do something crazy? Did you guys pay my loan or something?”

“My lord Haley – where in the world would we get that kind of money? Unfortunately, we cut down the money tree in our backyard years ago,” she said with another nervous laugh.

“Well somebody pulled something off a tree somewhere or the bank has just screwed up royally, and somehow I don’t think that’s it. What’s going on Mom?” she demanded.

“I…I just…I can’t – I promised Haley. It’s paid for, just be grateful okay?”

“No – it’s not okay. I have no idea who or what to be grateful to. And maybe I don’t want to be beholden to whomever or whatever I’m supposed to be so grateful to. Tell me Mother!”

They reached an impasse quickly. Haley wasn’t giving up, and her Mother wasn’t giving in, so that sat in silence, listening to the other breathe for several long minutes.

“Mother?” Haley finally said with complete agitation

“Yes dear?” she returned sweetly.

“I’m not playing here Mom. Tell me. I’m going to find out one way or another. I’d just as soon it happen now so I can save myself a lot of work, bank fees, and aggravation – with you mostly. Spill it.”

Her mother let out a long sigh contemplating how to tell her…hint to her without actually…telling her.

“Greg’s wedding,” she said.

“Greg’s wedding? Are you on some sort of drugs Mom? What the hell does Greg’s wedding have to do with anything?”

“That’s all I’m saying Haley. You figure it out. I need to go. I’ll talk to you soon sweetie. Bye-bye,” she finished hanging up before Haley could respond.

Greg’s wedding…my mother is a complete loon she griped to herself. Greg’s wedding…Greg’s wedding…what the hell.

She replayed the wedding in her head.

They got up there, they said ‘I do’ - my loan got paid. Hell of a deal. Brooke bitched about…everything – she pretty much bitched about everything…except my loan…

Peyton…hated her hair, the dress, even Jake was on her shit list that day, but not my loan…

Me…I…was nervous as hell because Nathan was going to be there. The pink dress…and Nathan…total disaster. I propositioned Nathan – and was turned down – “that was definitely the highlight of that day,” she groaned to herself. “Turned down by a man who’s never turned down sex in his life - all charm you were that day James.”

“Think!” she complained to herself, closing her eyes as she tried to recall the day. Greg’s wedding and my loan – that made absolutely no sense whatsoever. Drugs…my mother’s on drugs – or should be.

Okay…before the wedding…nothing, actual wedding…nothing. The reception…blah…blah…bla – “shit! No way! No…no damn way!” she bolted up in her chair, her eyes flying open at the recollection of seeing her mother and Nathan huddled together. Her mother was animatedly waving her arms around shaking her head ‘no’ as Nathan face got all hard and serious. The memory of her mother handing him a pen, and Nathan writing something down giving it back to her, and then them hugging, it was coming clearly back to her.

She remembered asking her what they were talking about and not getting a straight answer. ‘Trying to hit on my ex?’ she recalled asking her mother, ‘I’m just trying to remember why, exactly, you felt the need to make him your ex’ her mother had curtly responded.

“Son of a bitch! He couldn’t have…could he? Great – just heap on the guilt Nathan,” she groaned, the nervousness about calling him was now gone.

She glanced at her watch; it was the middle of the afternoon. Where would he be in the middle of the afternoon? Home? Practice or the gym more likely. She waited impatiently for him to answer his cell phone as it rang on – caller id was not her friend she decided.

“Hello,” came his almost timid greeting.

“Hey Nathan it’s Haley,” she said trying to sound cheerful, like she didn’t have a care in the world.

“Hey,” he said confused by her perky tone.

“I hope I didn’t catch you in the middle of practice or anything,” she laughed lightly.

“No you didn’t. We just finished – I was just about to step in the shower actually.”

“Oh…well…umm,” she stammered, wanting to hit herself for the blush she felt taking over her face. Visions of what he looked like at this exact moment ran through her head.

“It’s okay. I have a towel on so the guys aren’t getting a cheap shot,” he said with a small chuckle.

“Well that’s a relief,” she said – visions of him now with a towel didn’t make the blush disappear. “Umm…umm god…let me think a minute. Okay why I called…right – there are a couple of things we need to discuss. Business matters,” she threw in quickly. “Do you have time to come by my office a little later…or tomorrow…or.”

“Business matters? Okay well…let me get a shower and I…You know what though Haley, I really don’t want to come to your office, can we just meet somewhere?”

“Sure…sure that’s fine. You pick.”

“Umm okay – there’s a Starbucks down the street from the arena, which isn’t that far from your office, we could meet there - or there’s the park, or…help me out here Haley, I don’t know how much privacy we need.”

“I think we can get enough privacy at Starbucks. I’ll see you there in about an hour?”

“That’ll work. See you then.”

She couldn’t stop the fidgeting. She’d brushed her hair twice already, and had almost completely reapplied her makeup before she left the office. He was sure to notice that – not to mention the light dab of his favorite perfume she just happened to have in her makeup bag that managed to find its way to her neck and wrists. He knew she put her makeup on in the morning, and whatever was left at the end of the day was what was left. It was obvious she’d done it again. Oh well, she’d just have to be obvious.

She looked in the mirror one more time trying to straighten her lipstick again – the earrings she’d selected with no forethought this morning jumped out at her for the first time. They were the pair Nathan had given her for her twenty-first birthday. Her twenty-first birthday…they had incredible sex that night she recalled with a wistful sigh, suddenly catching her smiling reflection in the mirror. “You are so pathetic.” She rolled her eyes at herself before going to seek out as secluded a table as she could find.

“Oh my god, why does he still do this to me,” she mumbled aloud, wiping her sweating palms on her pants when she saw him come in. His jeans were hanging perfectly on him, his blue pullover was barely tucked in, the collar was messed up on it…his hair…perfect as usual, but he looked nervous. His fingers tapped on the side of his jeans, he bit at the inside of his cheek as he looked around for Haley - a tight smile crossed his face when he saw her waving him over from the corner table.

“Hi. I got you mocha – cinnamon spice. I hope that’s okay – it used to be your favorite…,” she smiled tucking her hair behind her ear again.

“Still is,” he smiled back, “thanks.”

“I haven’t been here but a few minutes so it should still be hot,” she shrugged taking a small sip of her own coffee.

“It’s fine Haley.”

“Okay…good. I just…,” she sighed staring briefly at him before leaning across the table to fix his collar, “I’m sorry…it was just kind of you know…just kind of sticking up a little. Sorry.”

“Thanks. I actually looked in the mirror when I got dressed so I guess that shows how well I was paying attention,” he smiled, the smell of the perfume on her wrist that still lingered around him filled his mind with things that couldn’t be done in public. “I like your earrings,” he smiled again.

“Oh thanks…this guy gave them to me,” she scoffed, rolling her eyes before breaking out in a silly giggle.

“Twenty-first birthday – yeah I remember…everything.”

Haley’s face was on fire. They’d been over the top - her especially - with the sex that night – taking celebrating to new heights. It was a while before they beat that night, but they’d managed…more than once.

“Yeah…me too, I was twenty-one – everything was suddenly legal so…you know – just had to celebrate.” A shy smile crossed her lips as she tried to discreetly wave a hand in front of her face to ease the heat that was there.

“I’m pretty sure some of what we did is illegal in a lot of states but…it’s okay Haley,” he chuckled at her ever reddening face, “it almost makes me blush.”

“That comment did not help,” she shook a finger at him as she laughed; she looked anywhere but at him.

Nathan couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. It felt so much like they were starting over. The same butterfly feelings he got when he first met her were there again. His eyes transfixed on her mouth, her lips, just like before. The need to taste her, to kiss her was so strong he was having a hard time staying in his seat. If he could just reach across the table, pull her to him…for just a second…just one small kiss, then maybe he could concentrate on whatever it was they were there for.

She could feel his eyes on her. Taking a deep breath she turned hers back toward him. They were still the most beautiful shade of blue she’d ever seen on another human being, and the blue shirt he had on was just intensifying their effect. Their eyes stayed locked on each other, both of them unconsciously licked their lips before they seemed to simultaneously realize what they were doing – know what the other was thinking – both of them let out embarrassed little laughs before glancing away.

“This is your meeting Hales,” Nathan tossed his hands up with a chuckle.

“I know…I just umm,” she sighed rummaging through her bag. “We got the lab results back.” She pushed the envelope across the table to him.

“I see.” He took the envelope tapping it on the table over and over. “It’s open – so you tell me – what does it say?”

“Don’t you want to look yourself?”

“Not really. What does it say Haley?”

“You’re clear. It’s definitely not your baby. Congratulations…I think.”

“Oh it’s most definitely congratulations,” he grinned. “That’s what we were expecting right? I mean she said it wasn’t mine so…we shouldn’t be surprised.”

“No we shouldn’t be, but you never know Nathan.”

“I know, and you were right to make me do the test Haley. I’m sorry I was such an ass about it. It was the right thing to do so - thank you. I appreciate it. You did a great job all the way around. You’re a great attorney - just like I always knew you’d be. I can see why my father hired you,” he said with a light laugh.

“Which kind of brings me to my next business matter,” she sighed again, a small frown formed on her brow. Now it was her turn to tap the envelope before handing it to him.

He looked over the envelope – a bank and Haley’s name was on it – it wasn’t registering with him. “This ones open too – you want to just tell me about this one also?”

“No – I think you need to look yourself this time,” she quietly replied.

“Alright,” he unfolded the paper, examining it for a minute, still confused as to what he was supposed to be looking at…and then...

“What’s this?” he said swallowing hard, shifting in his chair, laying a hand across his mouth.

“You tell me.”

“Okay…it looks like a bank statement. Your name, address…bank name, loan number…balance – zero. Again…what’s this?”

“You tell me,” she repeated more slowly.

He looked at the paper once more, tossing it on the table he threw up his hands. “It’s a bank statement Haley – with a zero on it. You don’t have any money is that what you’re trying to tell me? You need to borrow some cash?” his chuckle was met with her somber face.

“Apparently I have much more cash than I thought I was going to have - about seventy thousand dollars worth of cash. Why did you do it Nathan?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Haley,” he shrugged, shifting in his chair again, scratching at his head he tried to hold her eyes with his, his thumb tapped the table over and over.

“You’re not a good liar Nathan. You never have been. Why did you do it?”

He shrugged again, biting at the corner of his lip as he stared out the window.

“You don’t know why?” she asked disbelievingly.

“I wanted to,” his voice was barely above a whisper.

“Nathan…,” she started with a heavy sigh. “You didn’t need to do this. I had the loan all worked out. It was paying for school, and living expenses, and everything. I didn’t need you to pay for it.”

He couldn’t look at her; he continued staring blankly out the window. Why couldn’t she just leave it alone?

“Nathan – I’m begging you here…begging you, talk to me. I can’t let this go Nathan. I have to pay you back. It’s not right.”

He leaned his elbows on the table; his hands ran frustratingly through his hair, before he dropped against the back of his chair. “You don’t have to pay me back Haley. I don’t want you to, I won’t accept it. I did it because I wanted to. I had the money – you didn’t – it’s that simple. There was no need for you to take out some huge ass loan when I could easily pay for it.”

“I didn’t have to pay on it till I got out of school, when I started working, and had the money to pay for it. It wasn’t your bill to pay Nathan.”

He folded his arms across his chest, his eyes again drifted toward the window and away from her intense gaze. “It would have been…it should have been,” his voice was a distant whisper.

“What do you mean?” Haley asked completely confused by him.

He shook himself away from the window trying to put some cheer in his voice, “Look Haley it doesn’t matter alright. It’s paid for. It’s done. End of story. Go get yourself something. Replace that hunk of junk you drive. That car’s not fitting for an up and coming attorney to drive. I can’t believe my father actually allows you to park that thing near the building,” he said smiling at her.

“Don’t change the subject Nathan. I can’t, and I won’t allow this to stand. I’m paying you back every dime.”

“Good luck with that Haley because I’m not taking it. I won’t take your checks or cash, and don’t even try getting it into my account some other way because I’ll do whatever I have to do to block any electronic attempts so don’t even bother. I don’t need the money Haley. You’re just starting out; you do, so keep it. Just consider it…a gift – a graduation from law school gift.”

She was getting frustrated with him, with his cavalier attitude about seventy thousand dollars. It wasn’t like she let him buy her a Happy Meal at McDonald’s. This was some serious money.

“You are a frustrating man you know that?” she grit at him slapping the table.

“So I’ve been told.”

“Alright fine…you win – for now. Until I can figure a way around you…you win. Thank you Nathan. I am very, very grateful. It was very sweet of you. Thank you,” she sighed smiling at him while shaking her head in amazement. “Thank you sounds so lame in response to what you did…” she said reaching over clasping her fingers around his, “but, thank you so much.”

“It’s more than enough Hales. You’re welcome.”

Both of them gazed down at their joined hands, the warmth of the others felt so good, so right. Just the smallness of the action felt enormous.

Haley was the one to break the contact first, squeezing his fingers with a small smile she sat back in her chair, taking up her coffee again, trying to fight off the urges to try for more…just a little more physical contact was all she wanted she kept telling herself…just a tiny bit more. Interlace their fingers so she could feel her hand in his maybe…just some little something. The distance was painful.

“So how’s basketball been going? You like this team better?” She’d settle for small talk if that’s all she could get – anything to keep him from leaving.

“It’s going fine, the teams fine…Haley – I just can’t do this. Pretend like the other day never happened, I just can’t do it. I’m sorry. My god…I am so, so, so sorry. I was so far out of line it was ridiculous. I acted like a total ass, a complete moron. I’m sorry for what I said. It was wrong…all of it – I never should have said it. You were right – I mean the way I acted just proves how out of control I was…I am,” he sighed. “Just please…I’m so sorry Haley.”

So there it was. He’d broached the topic she wanted to avoid. The minuet amount of comfort they’d built up in the last several minutes was quickly killed. She didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t said anything wrong, he was right about everything he’d said about her – maybe he could have been a little more delicate with his delivery, but he was right.

“I’m kind of wishing we’d picked somewhere besides Starbucks right now,” she said with a light smile. She could feel the tears beginning to form as she stared at him across the table, trying to swallow back the lump she felt forming in her throat.

She ran a frustrated hand through her hair, opening her mouth to speak before closing it with a sigh and trying again.

“You know Nathan, if I could rewind the clock three years I would. I handled the whole thing so…I don’t know…so poorly, so pathetically. You were right; I didn’t have enough faith in you, or myself, or…us. All I could see was myself, and how bad I felt, what loss I felt. I hardly gave you any consideration at all Nathan. You tried to be there for me, tried to help me, but I just…I just wouldn’t let you. It wasn’t that you weren’t strong enough Nathan, it was me. I was the weak one…afraid…afraid I couldn’t handle it…me, you – any of it – so I shut you out. Cut you out, blaming it on you needing me too much, but…that wasn’t it,” she said with a heavy sigh. “I…I just couldn’t cope with my own weakness. It wasn’t you at fault Nathan, it was me,” she finished wiping at the tears that dropped on her cheeks. “God I wish I’d called you. You needed help just as much as I did. I should have called you. See there,” she said with a light smile, “here I go…bawling again.”

“Haley…don’t cry baby,” he said softly, reaching across the table taking both of her hands in his, squeezing them tightly. “We both made mistakes Hales. You were depressed. I could see that. I should have taken you to someone right away instead of trying to help you by myself. You couldn’t help it. Besides, if I’d been paying attention we never would have had the wreck to begin with and…”

“Nathan - don’t say that,” she cut in sharply. “I don’t ever want to hear you say that again! That wreck was not your fault. The light was green - you went. You couldn’t possibly have known what was going to happen because of the lightening. Don’t you ever say it was your fault again. No more! There’s plenty of blame to go around – if I’d had my seatbelt on like I was supposed to, if that jackass in the other car had been watching the light instead of the lightening. There’s plenty of fault, but none of it’s yours, so just stop it!”

“Haley…,” he started to argue, but knew it was pointless. She had that look…that…tone - that I’m little, and I’m a bad ass, so don’t screw with me tone. He’d always found it a total turn on, and now was no different. “Okay…I’ll just…I’ll…okay Haley – I know when to give up, and right now’s one of those times,” a small smirk started across his lips.

“Thank you,” she said with a triumphant smile.

He pulled her hands to his lips leaving a soft lingering kiss on the back of them, her perfume once again wafted up to him. Her feisty attitude and the perfume was sending a jolt straight between his legs. He was getting increasingly uncomfortable; the need to shift in his seat, or re-adjust things or something was beginning to make him sweat.

“You’re something else,” he chuckled lightly setting their joined hands back on the table.

The silence between them was comfortable once again as they gazed contently at their joined hands, both of them lightly rubbed their thumbs over the others hand - the simplest of movements warmed both of them.

The noise from the after work crowd was beginning to horn in on their moment. There was too much bustling and chatter going on around them; both of them glanced around them with looks of annoyance at the unwanted interruption.

“It’s getting crowded in here,” Nathan grumbled looking irritated over his shoulder like his stern look was going to make people pipe down.

“Yeah,” Haley giggled, turning her wrist to check her watch. “It’s dinner time. Speaking of which…you want to get something to eat? My treat. I’ll deduct it from the seventy thousand dollars I owe you…” smiling hopefully at him.

“I’d like that.”

“Good. Let me run to the restroom – that coffee went right through me – and we’ll go. There’s a really good Chinese place just a few doors down. Nothing fancy, but it’s good – is that okay?”

“Sounds great Haley,” he smiled.

He rested back in the chair, glancing over at the table next to him wondering if it would be completely disgusting if he took some of the ice out of the cup that remained there and dropped it down his pants – because he was in major need of some relief down there. Instead, he leaned his elbows on the table, put his head between his hands, and massaged his temples repeating – relax…be calm, relax, calm, over and over to himself – hoping Haley would be gone long enough for it to take affect.

“Sorry long line,” Haley said jarring him out of his self induced trance.

“Not a problem,” he smiled sighing relieved it had taken a while.

She wanted to take his hand, he wanted to take hers, as they walked toward the restaurant, instead, he shoved his deep down in his pockets, Haley folded her arms across herself.

The restaurant was quiet, but the setting was far from intimate, probably for the best. They kept the conversation light, neither of them delved back into the past again, too afraid it would lead to an argument, or more tears, or hurt feelings being dragged to the surface again, it was best just to stay in the present.

Haley polished off two glasses of wine; she was in desperate need of the liquid courage. Being this close to Nathan after being apart so long, just the two of them alone after so long, was unnerving her. Nathan on the other hand stuck with iced tea. After what just holding her hand did to him in the middle of a damn Starbucks he knew better than to cloud his mind with alcohol. He knew he’d be trying to tug her into the backseat of his SUV before the night was over if he didn’t stay stone cold sober, although if his mind kept wandering in the direction it was right now, being sober wasn’t going to make a difference.

They finally took the hint after the waitress started getting an edge to her voice when she asked them for the twentieth time if they needed anything else, it was time to leave. So they’d been sitting there for over two hours, what’s the big deal – it’s not like they had a line out the door waiting for a table, and she was going to get a good tip jeez. She’d slunk away after the last time she’d asked, and Haley had given her a vicious glare and a hateful sounding ‘no’. Now she’d taken to glaring at them from across the room.

“I think you pissed her off,” Nathan laughed as Haley shot the waitress another nasty look.

“I was going to leave her a good tip, but she’s turned into such a pain in the ass I may have to reconsider.”

“Aw come on, she probably has a date or something she needs to get out of here for and we’re holding her up.”

“Her…a date…pfffttt, whatever,” Haley sneered rolling her eyes at the preposterous thought. “Let’s go.”

They strolled slowly back toward their cars, Haley absently wrapped her hand around his pinkie finger. Nathan glanced down at her with a light smile realizing she wasn’t even aware of what she was doing. It was just an instinctual act. It felt good.

“So anyway,” she continued, “I’m sure Betty thinks I’m just a completely inept moron. First of all they stick the most experienced, toughest attorney in the firm with a wimpy rookie, and then I go and do that. I’m sure she went straight to Dan and demanded I be fired.”

“You tripped Haley, I think firing would be a little harsh for tripping don’t you,” his whole body was shaking with laughter at the vision he had of Haley tripping over the table in the middle of the courtroom.

“Oh easy for you to laugh. I was mortified. First off she had to call to me three times to get my attention. I have no idea where my brain was…up my ass I guess – I mean I was nervous as hell just sitting by the woman. She finally almost yells, ‘Miss James…please bring exhibit E…please – don’t make me beg!’ she mocked the deep voiced Betty, Nathan laughed again at the dead on imitation.

“And I’m like ‘oh…oh…I’m sorry.’ So I jump up and grab exhibit E which was this folder filled with important documents you know, and I start rushing around the table and trip on the corner and the damn folder goes flying out of my hands…paper going freaking everywhere. The only good thing was I didn’t actually fall…god! I could hear everyone snickering, and shit…I wanted to die right there I swear. Betty just stands there with her arms folded across her chest watching me scramble around picking up the papers. Jesus it was horrible! I finally get it all together and hand it to her with this goofy ass look on my face. I could see the judge out of the corner of my eye, and the guys got his hand over his mouth to keep from laughing. God!”

“Hey Betty scares me so don’t feel bad. I think she was the first person my father hired. She was at least ten years older than him, and had all this experience; I can’t believe she actually went to work for him. I mean I think even Dad was scared of her for the longest time. Did you know she left her previous job because of sexual harassment?”

“What! You’ve got to be kidding me!”

“I swear to god,” Nathan laughed. “That guy had some big balls that’s all I’ve got to say.”

“Oh my god no kidding! She’s like five ten or something, and isn’t exactly a light weight. And that short gray hair and little glasses with the chain on them she always wears…looking over them at you like you were some sort of bug. I don’t know, maybe she looked a little different back then, but she is one intimidating woman,” she blew out. “Scares the piss out of me!”

“Me too.” He chuckled at the fluster just telling the story had caused her. She was just so cute, so vibrant, so animated…just like his Haley. He took a chance and took her whole hand in his guiding them through the parking lot. Haley smiled to herself at the action, but resisted the strong urge to lean her body into his as they walked on.

“Dad used to take me to the office once in a while when I was little, and every time I’d see her I’d try to hide. She looked so…I don’t know, I was always afraid she was going to spank me for just breathing the same air as her or something. I mean she was nice enough to me, but she was still scary. She’d always call me ‘Mr. Scott’ in that spooky voice of hers. Maybe it was the fact her voice was deeper than my fathers that scared me,” laughing at the thought. “I haven’t seen her in years.”

“Believe me…when you do – it’ll all come flooding back. You’ll be nine again trying to find somewhere to hide,” Haley laughed.

Everything between them seemed so comfortable, so natural, just so…perfect.

They made it to Haley’s car, both a little unsure as to how to let go of the others hand. Nathan gave hers a little squeeze before releasing it, shoving his back into his pockets.

“Thanks for dinner Haley,” he said softly.

“You’re welcome. Now I only owe you sixty-nine thousand nine hundred and eighty something thousand dollars. It’s a start I guess,” she giggled.

“No hurry.” He smiled down at her smiling face, repeating don’t do it, don’t do it, don’t do it, over and over to the voice in his head that was urging him to kiss her.

“Okay,” she shrugged feeling like the shy schoolgirl waiting for the popular guy to make the first move – wanting him to, while almost afraid he would.

“You’re going to be alright…I mean you can drive okay?”

“Okay god yes,” she scoffed, “may be a little giggly, but my motor skills are tip top. Thanks though. So when do you guys play next?”

“Umm,” he stammered, “oh jeez I – why is that so hard a question,” he laughed at himself, “let’s see…we’re here Tuesday and then we’re in Atlanta on Friday and back here on Sunday, so in and out like always. And I’ve got to cram moving in a house into the middle of that so I’ll be chasing my tail I figure.”

Just kiss her the voice started shouting again. Nathan absently licked his lips in response to it.

“A house? Wow – I was about to say that was quick, but you have been living out of a hotel for a while now so I guess it’s about time. Where is it….I mean if you don’t mind…me asking,” she trailed off wanting to hit herself for being so nosy.

“No it’s okay. It’s umm, on Briarcliff…it’s out there kind of on the edge of town. There are a few new houses out there. This one’s been done a while, the people who built it backed out at the last minute so it’s ready to move into, and the builder has gone back and completely landscaped the thing, and it already has a pool, so I really don’t have to do anything but move in,” he shrugged.

“I think I know the area – those houses are enormous Nathan. You’re going to get scared rattling around in that thing,” she laughed unable to move her eyes away from his lips that were taunting her.

“Definitely way more room than I need, but that’s what people expect so my agent tells me, and I’d hate to disappoint anyone,” he chuckled.

Shut up - he almost said aloud to the kissing voice.

“He’s right I guess,” she smiled. “So…I’ll umm…I’ll let you go Nathan, thanks for everything. I’m glad everything turned out good with the test. Good luck with the games.” Smiling again she turned quickly to unlock her car and get in before she did something they’d both regret.

“Goodnight Haley,” Nathan smiled back with a heavy sigh, unsure whether it was one of relief or disappointment.

They both sat in their respective cars for several minutes, their heads dropped back against the headrest, eyes closed, wondering if they should have said this or that…not said this or that, both of them pictured the others lips on theirs, and it felt so good…tasted so good. Their hands were caressing the others face, Nathan pulled Haley tighter to him, Haley let her fingers play through his hair as the kiss deepened, their tongues getting into the action. The light moans were starting now; the actual noises snapped them harshly out of their respective daydreams. They started their cars as both of them hurriedly exited the parking lot. They needed showers…long ones…long cold ones.

Chapter 32

One of them was flopped back on the couch, the other sprawled out in a chair while both of them sucked down their second beer.

“You’re a cheap bastard you know that,” Jake grumbled for the tenth time.

“I’ve already been paying out the butt to store this stuff, why should I pay a bunch of morons to move in a little furniture when I have free labor like you?” He laughed at the way Jake was holding the beer to his head trying to ease back the sweating.

“Because I’m fat and out of shape, and because there must be a hundred steps on that stupid staircase – I felt every one of them when we carried your bedroom shit upstairs. I won’t be able to move in the morning,” he groaned. “You’re cheap face it,” he complained again rubbing at his back.

“You’re not fat…yet,” he smirked at him. “Now out of shape…that’s a different story.”

“Well if nothing else this has inspired me to get off the couch and start exercising again. Peyton goes faithfully every day to the fitness center while I come home and veg on the couch. Jeez I’m a weak lard ass,” he grumbled again.

“Well come on lard ass we need to hook up the washer and dryer,” Nathan ordered punching him in the shoulder as he went by.

“Ow!” Jake whined rubbing himself as he followed slowly behind.

Jake sat on the floor; Nathan’s legs were sprawled out next to him, the upper half of his body behind the dryer hooking up the vent. Jake handed him tools when he called for them, otherwise he sat there tired and uninterested.

He was totally amazed at Nathan’s mechanical skills. For a rich kid he actually seemed to know what to do with tools. Jake on the other hand had no mechanical skills whatsoever. He was completely useless to his father at repair time when he was growing up. A constant source of frustration to the old man – his father finally gave up on teaching him anything – ‘just hand me the right tool and stay out of the way’ he’d finally taken to telling him, Jake was cool with that idea.

Peyton was their repair person. She seemed to know what to do with everything. She barely looked at the instructions when she put things together. It kind of embarrassed and frustrated him at first, now he realized how lucky he was, and Peyton could not have cared less. She didn’t need him to hand her the right tool – just stay out of the way was good enough for her. Mechanical skills must come from their mothers side of the family he decided watching Nathan work effortlessly.

“Here, plug it in,” Nathan said raising the cord up to Jake. “Good job,” he chuckled trying to unfold himself from behind the dryer. “Go ahead,” he said waving at the dryer, “test it out.”

“Why me?” Jake questioned suspiciously, “So I’ll get zapped when it doesn’t work?”

“No – because you haven’t done anything else…just do it,” Nathan laughed at Jake’s hesitant expression. “Good job Nathan,” Nathan chuckled patting himself on the back when the dryer ran like a champ.

“You sure are in a good mood today,” Jake finally got up the nerve to say. He’d been thinking it all day noting how Nathan was laughing, and just generally more upbeat than the grouchy prick he’d been for the last several weeks.

“Am I?” he questioned with a small shrug gathering up his tools.

“Yeah – you are – what’s the deal?”

“Hell if I know. I did get those paternity test results back Monday, and I’m not going to be a father – thank the lord. God if I’d have had to see that bitch for the rest of my life I don’t know what I would have done,” he blew out shaking his head at the thought.

“That’s great Nathan – congratulations.”

“Haley found out about the loan,” he mumbled. “In case I never said it - thanks for helping with her Mom by the way. It took both you and Greg to help convince her I think.”

“No problem. You had to know she’d find out sooner or later. How’d that go?”

“Okay I guess. She…I don’t know she was pretty irritated about it at first, but she calmed down. She’s paying me back – ‘every last dime’,” he mocked. “She bought me dinner so she’s hot on it already,” laughing at the memory of Haley the human calculator.

“Dinner? Really?” Jake said with peaked interest.

Nathan rolled his eyes at Jakes gossipy tone. “It was just dinner Jake.”

“Yeah and you just helped her off the floor too, and look where that went.”

“Yeah right in the shitter,” Nathan muttered with a heavy sigh.

“Maybe it’s time to pull it out of the shitter.”

“Too late,” he scoffed. “Come on I think we’re done here. I’ll treat you and Peyton to dinner as payment. You get the diet plate,” he teased. He received a punch from Jake this time; he rubbed at his shoulder and whined just like Jake had done.

Jake couldn’t help but snicker at Nathan’s muttering when they pulled up to his and Peyton’s house and saw Haley’s hunk of junk car in the driveway.

“This just got interesting,” Jake said with a wink.

“Never wink at me again Jake,” Nathan warned taking a deep breath before dragging behind him into the house.

“Honey I’m home,” Jake called out cheerfully; Nathan rolled his eyes at Jake’s whipped self.

“In the kitchen,” came Peyton’s crabby response. “Oh boy,” Jake mumbled over his shoulder to Nathan at Peyton’s tone.

Both Peyton and Haley were in their workout clothes. Peyton was washing her hands, Haley was bent over digging through the pantry for a new roll of paper towels. Nathan blew out a light breath at the sight of her bent over…those damn workout clothes again…skin…tight clothes…smooth taut soft skin…her butt was just calling out to him to come rub it. Just stand up already he almost said out loud.

“I had a damn flat when we came out of the gym,” Peyton complained without turning around. “We changed it ourselves – thank you for asking – and left the tire to be repaired. I’ll get it in the morning,” she finished turning around. “Oh hi.”

“Here,” Haley said pulling off some towels to give Peyton to dry her hands while getting some for herself. She paused mid wipe when she turned to see Nathan standing there smirking at her. “Stop smirking,” she said narrowing her eyes, trying to sound annoyed and unaffected by his appearance. Both Jake and Nathan broke out in laughter at the complete sight of her.

“What so funny?” she said irritated at their howling.

“God Haley, you’re a pig,” Peyton chuckled along with them.

“What?” she said growing more irritated.

“Umm you have grease or dirt or something dark on your…well on your nose and cheek – both cheeks actually, and there’s a little on your lip and forehead not to mention your stomach,” Nathan said failing miserably at holding back the laughter.

“I just changed a tire what do you expect,” she huffed nudging Peyton from in front of the sink rubbing a soapy paper towel on the areas he’d mentioned. “How’s that?” with a tight smile on her face as she turned to face them again.

“Good…except…,” Nathan said stepping forward lightly touching the spot on her cheek she’d missed, “right there,” he said quietly.

She rubbed again. “Better?” she gulped, holding his eyes before Nathan shook his away to check her face.

“Umm…no…here,” he said taking the towel from her rubbing it briskly over the spot, handing the towel back to her. “There,” he smiled satisfied.

“Did you leave any skin?” she grumbled rubbing her fingers over the spot.

“Sorry,” he chuckled, “it was being stubborn – sorry,” he said again running the back of his finger softly over the reddened patch of skin he’d left. “It looks perfect again,” he winked at her. “Need help with your stomach?” he smirked running his finger lightly over the dirty spot on her stomach.

Haley sucked in a noticeably sharp breath at his touch. Her eyes drifted down to watch his finger move over her stomach so disappointed when he stopped she almost reached out to pull his hand back to her. She told herself not to…she knew she shouldn’t – it was just throwing kerosene on an open flame, but she couldn’t stop herself. “Sure,” she said with an embarrassingly husky whisper, handing him back the towel.

Nathan quickly wiped the shock from his face and took the towel from her. He stepped closer placing his hand on her skin exposed lower back to hold her steady as he rubbed in slow gentle circles over the spot on her stomach. His eyes held Haley’s instead of watching what he was doing. Haley had to bite hard on her lip to keep the moan back, her chest started to rise and fall faster as he continued.

He glanced down at her stomach, “There…all better,” he said softly with a small smile. His hand dragged slowly from her back around to her bare waist massaging it briefly before removing his hand from her body.

“Thank you,” she barely squeaked out, clearing her throat before repeating it more firmly.

“You’re welcome,” he said with another smirk, unable to keep his eyes from roaming up and down her body. She was way too close for comfort, and why he had tempted himself like that…it had his head screaming at him to back the hell up and snap out of it.

Peyton jerked Jake out of the kitchen quickly as the show ended. “Did they just have some form of sex in front of us?” she asked holding her hand over her mouth to stifle the giggles.

“Not quite, but I know I wouldn’t mind a cold shower right now,” he said biting off his own chuckle.

“This is so great!” Peyton laughed excitedly hopping around in circles – she came to a dead stop when both Nathan and Haley came out of the kitchen staring wide eyed at her. “Hi,” she smiled with a little wave feeling the blush on her face – Jake was unable to hold in his laughter. “All cleaned up?” she asked holding her breath to keep from laughing.

“Yes,” Haley returned with an annoyed glare.

“So how was the move?” Peyton cheerfully changed the subject.

“It’s in there,” Jake grumbled. “My backs going to hurt in the morning – hell my whole body’s going to hurt, but cheap ass got his stuff in there so all is well with the world.”

“You guys moved it yourselves?” Haley asked them surprised

“It wasn’t that big a deal. Jake just discovered what a soft weakling he’s become the past few years. I think he’ll be joining that gym any day now,” Nathan laughed.

“Cheap, cheap, cheap,” Haley mumbled dropping on the couch, reaching down to untie her shoes.

“Uhh I’m not cheap! I just don’t have that much…there was no need to pay…oh forget it…I’m not cheap,” Nathan insisted to them. “I’m buying dinner for his payment so…somewhere good…expensive even. Where’ll it be?” he said throwing a less than sincere smile at Jake.

“Pizza…here,” Peyton answered, “we already ordered it and got beer and movies too. You can pay for the pizza when it gets here, until then, park it,” she ordered shuffling back into the kitchen to get them all a beer.

Peyton and Haley lounged back on the couch flipping through Peyton’s new Bride’s magazine scoping out the latest bridesmaid wear. There weren’t many compliments being given to many of the designs. Peyton went on and on about how she was just going to design her own. Now they’d gone to critiquing how it would look if they took the top of this dress and combined it with the bottom of that dress and… Jake and Nathan were slumped down in their chairs bored stiff – Jake finally turned on the television to drown them out before traipsing back into the kitchen for more beer.

“Hey,” Haley called to him holding up her hand ready to catch the can of beer.

“You’ve got to be kidding?” Jake laughed; Haley’s shoulders slumped at his implication.

“Just toss it…gently,” she said, the can hit off the tops of her fingers and landed with a thud on the floor behind her.

“You’re pathetic,” Jake said as everyone laughed at Haley’s lack of skill.

“Bite me,” she grumbled hanging over the back of the couch to snatch up the beer as Peyton slapped her butt. “Quit!” came Haley’s strained voice.

Nathan took in the view with a head full of lustful thoughts. He wondered what she would do if he did bite her…he couldn’t stop himself from licking his lips with anticipation. He glanced at Peyton feeling her eyes turned on him, the look of sheer amusement made him turn his eyes from Haley’s butt with a disappointed sigh. He pushed himself out of the chair going into the kitchen…there had to be something in there he needed.

“Didn’t Jake just get you a beer?” Peyton asked leaning against the counter her arms folded across her chest, a little smile played on her lips.

“Haley can have it, I think hers is a little shook up right now,” he answered back, popping the top he ignored her goofy smile.

“That’s not the only thing that’s shook up right now,” she replied with a knowing smirk.

He leaned back on the counter opposite her taking a long drink from his beer. “Whatever that means,” he mumbled looking anywhere but at Peyton.

“When are you going to ask her out?”

“Who?” he asked with another long gulp.

Peyton gave him a disgusted glare, “Oh please. Don’t act stupid. You know exactly who.”

Nathan let out a long sigh, “Never,” he answered matter-of-factly. Pushing off the counter to leave he was stopped by Peyton’s hands pushing back against his chest.

“Why?” she asked sincerely confused by his stance.

“Been there, done that. I got my teeth kicked in the first time; I learn a lot quicker than people give me credit for. I’m not traveling down that road again. She’s not interested believe me,” he tried to push past her again.

“Stand still will ya,” Peyton ordered pushing him back again. “That’s some shit. Are you interested? I mean from my vantage point you’re both definitely interested. Can’t you see that?”

He gave her a long annoyed glare shaking his head at her total intrusion into his personal life. “It doesn’t matter – it’s not going to happen Peyton so drop it.”

“Why? You can make the first move you know, you don’t have to wait for Haley to make it.”

“Look Peyton,” his temper was starting to grow, “she dumped me remember? I’d say that pretty much sums up how she feels about me okay…let it go!

“That was a long time ago Nathan. There were lots of issues then. I’m pretty sure in hindsight Haley sees that as a major mistake. I see you two stealing looks at each other Nathan. I mean my god what was that in the kitchen a while ago? It’s still there…all of it, one of you just needs to be the bigger person and take the first step,” her own aggravation with his stubbornness was starting to get the best of her. “Don’t you want her Nathan?”

Nathan shook his head in frustration at her continued push on him. Being in the same proximity with Haley was hard enough without third party interference. Peyton was just adding to his frustration.

“Don’t you?” she repeated again. She grabbed his arm when he tried to get past her without answering.

Nathan met her hard stare before submitting to answering, he may as well she wasn’t going to let it go. “Truthfully?” Peyton gave him a nod. “Okay Peyton…truthfully…she scares the shit out of me! I can’t live through another heartbreak like before Peyton. I want to beat the hell out of myself for feeling the way I do about her after everything that happened.”

“But, since you seem to want me to walk through fantasyland with you - if it was up to me - I’d take her back into one of those bedrooms and have sex with her until we couldn’t walk, then I’d have sex with her some more. I’d ask her to marry me so I could have her with me every day for the rest of my life because I can’t stand it that she’s not. I’ve missed her every god damn day for the last three years Peyton. I hate it that she’s in the same city with me now, that she’s right on the other side of this wall, and I can’t have her…can’t be with her – can’t even touch her. That we’re going to leave here tonight…and every other night, and she’s going to her place, and I’m going to mine…alone. I hate that Peyton. Hate it okay. But she doesn’t want me. She made that perfectly clear. She. Doesn’t. Want. Me – there’s your truth Peyton,” he bit harshly at her jerking his arm out of her grasp.

“Bull. Shit. If you told her what you just told me, less the nonsense about her not wanting you, she’d be running to that bedroom. She’s interested, she does want you…pull you head out and get with it Nathan!” she growled back.

“Pizza’s here!” he cheered with a grimacing smile when he heard the door bell ring, shoving past her to go to the door.

“What’s your problem?” Haley asked confused at Peyton’s pissed off expression, and the way she was tearing at the pizza with her teeth.

Peyton stared at Haley, still chewing fiercely on her pizza. Haley was growing uncomfortable at her continued glare. She gave a sideways glance to Jake and Nathan – getting nothing in response but blank faces.

“Here…you can have the last piece of Pepperoni if it means that much to you,” she said, hesitantly offering it to her.

“I don’t want the Pepperoni,” she said continuing to chew and glare. “I want people to get their heads out of their asses.”

Haley’s brow furrowed in complete confusion. She looked back at Jake and Nathan again. Jake gave her a shrug, Nathan was suddenly fascinated by his watch. She looked back at Peyton who was still chewing away, still glaring at her. Haley glanced over her shoulder like she was trying to see her own ass. “I don’t think mines up there Peyt.,” she joked with a little smile.

“Oh yeah? Well look again. Maybe it’s just so far up there you can’t even see it anymore. You need to reach wayyyy up there and find it Haley because believe me it’s there. But yours isn’t the only one,” she snapped turning her stare on Nathan who rolled his eyes at her in return.

Haley followed her eyes over to Nathan taking note of his completely annoyed expression. “Is your head up your ass too Nathan?” Haley asked giggling at the stupidity of the question.

“No, but I know somebody who’s going to have a foot up hers if she doesn’t shut up,” he bit matching glares with Peyton.

“Movie time!” Jake chirped in cheerfully, grabbing up the ones Peyton had brought home. “Let’s see….hmm…chic flick or guns? Guns it is,” he answered himself with a little chuckle.

“Why are we starting with this one?” Peyton complained going back to flipping through her magazine.

“Because it’s a classic, and it superb, and magnificent and all kinds of other things that you’d probably enjoy if you’d stop being such a girl and watch,” Haley complained back. She pulled her socks off her feet tossing them at her shoes from where she sat slumped in the overstuffed chair with her legs thrown haphazardly over the arm, wiggling her now free toes.

“Yeah what she said,” Nathan grumbled from where he laid sprawled out on the floor in front of the television. “What was that?” he asked startled as something when flying across in front of his face.

“My socks – I was trying to get them to my shoes, sorry,” she giggled. “Oh! Oh…watch Peyton, this parts cool…,” she said waving excitedly at Peyton.

“Oh brother – have another beer Hales,” Peyton mumbled rolling her eyes at Haley’s giddiness.

Peyton groaned at the way Haley, Jake and Nathan were laughing at this stupid Harry person. He’s a smart ass that shoots people, hardy har har she grumbled to herself.

“I love this guy,” Haley laughed polishing off yet another beer.

“Don’t you own these movies Haley?” Jake asked laughing at how Haley was still so enthusiastic about them. He knew he’d watched the things a dozen times with her himself, no telling how many times she’d seen them.

“You know I own them, but they’re still great. I never get tired of Dirty Harry. I think the last time I watched this one, Nathan was trying to get his hand up my shirt to cop a feel.” She quickly clasped her hand over her mouth to stifle the embarrassed laughs she couldn’t stop. “I can’t believe I just said that,” she mumbled through the hand she still had over her mouth.

“Unsuccessfully as I recall,” Nathan muttered from the floor, smiling inwardly at the recollection.

“Yeah, well I recall seeing your near naked self laid up in her bed one morning I’m sure not long after that, so I think your persistence paid off. You never did take no for an answer…or at least you used to not,” Peyton grumped at him, sticking her tongue out at him for the dirty look he was giving her as she went past him back into the kitchen.

“I don’t know what she means by ‘near naked’ – ‘cause I was most definitely naked,” Nathan laughed. A loud “ouufff” came out of him when the pillow Haley threw hit him square in the head. “Well I was,” he shrugged turning his head toward her with a smirk spread across his face.

“Shut up,” Haley rolled her eyes back at him with a smirk of her own.

“Here Hales have another one,” Peyton said passing out beers. “I think after this one…the rooms yours,” Peyton mumbled to Nathan, “you can thank me in the morning.” She gave his pissed off glare a cheerful smile.

Nathan couldn’t concentrate on the movie any longer. Just the word naked with Haley in the room had his blood pumping rapidly to parts of his body he knew didn’t need any extra blood going to them at the moment. He had to get out of there before he tried to take Peyton up on her bedroom offer. This movie was almost over…he could make it through this one he kept coaching himself, but no damn chic flick where there’d be a bunch of kissing and touching and…no - he sure as hell didn’t need that. He rolled on his side hoping the change in positions would send the blood somewhere…anywhere…besides where it was currently rushing.

Haley was only half ass paying attention to the movie herself. Her eyes were glued on Nathan. His long legs stretched out on the floor, his hands folded up behind his head. She’d seen him in that position on their own floor hundreds of times, half of them ended up with her crawling on top of him. She knew it was just the beer - well maybe not just the beer -, but she was definitely lusting after him, wondering what he’d do if she crawled on top of him right now…

Great – now he’d rolled over and his butt was facing her…calling to her. Not to mention the flesh on his back that was peeking out where his shirt had ridden up. He always had a great back. His skin so smooth and tight over his muscles…the way they would pop out here and there when he would twist or turn or flex or just freaking move in general. Oh yeah…he had a great back.

“Haley!” she heard Jake call to her, from the sound of it, it wasn’t the first time he’d said it.

“Hunh?” she absently mumbled turning away from Nathan’s form on the floor where he’d rolled onto his back again, his head turned toward her, probably wondering like the other two when she’d gone deaf.

“The movie…it’s over…you want to put in the craptastic one?”

“Oh…oh okay,” she said jumping quickly to her feet, grabbing the arm of the chair when her head began to swim. “Jesus…how much have I had?” she mumbled trying to shake her head clear.

“More than enough,” Nathan said rolling up to his knees to take her arms and gently push her back into the chair. “I’ll get the movie.”

He smiled at the way she was staring blankly at him.

“Okay,” she suddenly grinned back.

Nathan put in the movie and grabbed up his shoes. “I think I’m just going to head out. Thanks for the pizza and beer, and the great movie of course.”

“You’re not going to stay for the chic flick?” Haley whined her disappointment.

“Sorry – a chic flick’s a little more than I can take tonight. Another time. Hey – you don’t need to be driving – she doesn’t need to be driving,” he said again turning to Peyton and Jake.

“Then take her home,” Peyton said sweetly.

He would have flipped her off if he thought he could have gotten away without causing world war three. He drew a deep breath and opted to be polite. “You want me to give you a ride home Hales?”

“Well,” she started, her brow furrowed as she mulled over the idea, “kind of…but my cars here and I have to work tomorrow so…I guess not,” she shrugged dejectedly. “I guess I’ll just stay here tonight…okay?” she asked looking at Peyton and Jake for confirmation.

“Yes you can stay,” Peyton huffed annoyed with her. “I swear some people can’t take a damn hint,” she muttered to Jake.

“Okay – well then that’s settled,” Nathan chuckled relieved he didn’t have to be alone with a drunken Haley. If she acted like she usually did when she was drunk, they wouldn’t make it out of the driveway. “I’ll talk to you guys later. Thanks again for the help Jake.”

He hadn’t gotten out the door when he heard Haley call out to him. Her bare feet slapped hurriedly against the wooden floor.

“Yeah?” he called back hoping she hadn’t changed her mind. The blood was flowing again…he really, really needed to get the hell out of there.

“Umm…I…umm,” she stammered distractedly wiping her face of the wayward hairs that wouldn’t stay back. “I have…okay…I have a couple of tickets to this thing…it’s this mystery dinner theater thing. You know I normally don’t do theater stuff, but a client gave them to me, her daughters in it or something,” she continued to ramble, her hands continually fidgeting with each other. She swiped at her hair again. The darn stuff just wouldn’t stay back. “Anyway…so it’s this mystery theater so it might actually be kind of fun, and so it’s tomorrow night and well…I have two tickets and …do you want to go with me?” she finished up quickly now staring intensely at him.

He almost groaned out loud. Her damn rambling…god it turned him on! He always had the urge to take over her mouth with his whenever she rambled, half the time actually doing it, and now was no different.

“I…I…”

“You don’t have a game do you?”

“Hunh? No…no I don’t have a game. I go to Atlanta the day after…I guess.”

“You guess what?”

“I mean…yeah, sure I’ll go. What time?”

“I’ll pick you up at six thirty. I think dinner starts at seven. Okay?”

“I’m not riding in that shit pile of yours. I’ll pick you up,” he smiled shaking his head at the sloppy grin she was giving him.

“Okay. See you then. Goodnight,” she beamed happily at him, all but skipping away. “Oh, and she said it’s casual dress, so…okay – see you tomorrow,” she said as her little giggle floated back to him.

Chapters 33 - 35

1 - 3 :: 4 - 7 :: 8 - 11 :: 12 - 13 :: 14 - 15 :: 16 - 17 :: 18 - 20:: 21 - 22 :: 23 - 24 :: 25 - 26 :: 27 - 28 :: 29 :: 30 :: 31 :: 32 :: 33 - 35 :: 36 - 37 :: 38 - 39 :: Epilogue