Almost There and Back Again
by Nancy
Epilogue
Haley was tugging on their collars, trying to get them straight, get them just right. Still debating whether she should have made them wear ties. They’d bitched and moaned until she gave into them, letting them opt for just the dress shirt with the open collar.
“Mom, please! It’s fine…please stop,” Colin groaned as Haley’s fingers brushed through his dark hair yet again.
“Okay okay,” she smiled lightly grasping his arms, “you look so handsome. Stop growing though will ya – it’s not fair my twelve year old should be so much taller than me,” she said holding his face between her hands.
“Face it Mom, you’re just a shrimp,” he chuckled.
“Funny. Go sit down…and don’t eat anything – I don’t want to take the chance of something spilling on you,” she ordered, Colin rolled his eyes at her again with another groan.
“Now…you,” she said brushing at Brian’s jacket once more, picking off an imaginary piece of lint.
“Let’s see you try and fix my hair,” he smirked down at her, knowing Haley had to stand on her tiptoes to reach his head.
“I may not be able to get to your head - but I can reach your rear end just fine buddy, so watch the mouth,” she said giving him the once over again.
“I’m fifteen Mom, a little old for a spanking don’t you think?”
“You’re never too old for a spanking,” she said trying to hide the smile. “Maybe I’ll let Dad do it…maybe you’ll remember it that way.”
“Oh please – I can’t even remember the last time Dad spanked me – he’s the lecturer remember? You’re the spanker, and swatter, and pincher, and…,” he chuckled.
“Good lord Brian you make me sound like a child abuser or something.”
“Nah, it hardly ever hurt – you’re just too little to make it effective Mom,” he smirked wrapping an arm around her shoulder squeezing her to him.
“Now you tell me, I knew I should have gotten the wooden spoon after you like my Mom did me…now go sit by you brother…and don’t eat!” she called after him.
She took in her daughter from across the room. Of the three of them, she looked the most like Nathan. Deb used to joke about it, often saying now she knew what Nathan would have looked like if he’d been a girl. Brian looked much more like Nathan than Haley as well, but it was his attitude, that smirk…that damn Scott smirk – Brian had it, and he knew just when to use it, especially with Haley. He knew she couldn’t resist it. She’d be mad as a hornet, he’d say something cocky, flash his Dad’s smirk, and she’d give in, melt right there.
Both Brian and Sarah had Nathan’s dark hair, his beautiful blue eyes. And tall, everyone was freaking tall. It just wasn’t fair Haley would complain, sometimes having to push through them to get to the front so she could see whatever they were all looking at. She could get that small person attitude though…they all had a healthy respect for it. They knew when to stop pushing. If Mom was upset – it set Dad off – never a good thing. Dad may not have bit very often, but his bark was scary as hell. They’d all learned at a young age to give up before Dad got involved.
Colin was the one that looked most like Haley. He had Nathan’s dark hair, but Haley’s features, her big brown eyes. And his smile, just like Haley’s – big and broad, filling his entire face. He had her easy laugh too – Nathan knew which kid to go to first with his stupid jokes. Their relationship was easy, relaxed.
They all had Nathan wrapped around their finger. Brian was the only one Nathan came close to butting heads with – they were just too similar in attitude. Nathan saw it, and didn’t like it – the last thing he wanted to put up with was a teenager that was like the one he’d been. He thanked God for Haley everyday. She was good at beating back the Nathan in Brian.
Sarah on the other hand could do no wrong in Nathan’s mind. She may have looked like him, but she had Haley’s heart, Haley’s attitude…he couldn’t resist it. She was a good student, the peace maker, always worrying after her brothers. She was Haley in Nathan’s body.
“Sarah,” Haley waved her over. “I thought you were supposed to change that skirt?”
“No. Why – what’s wrong with it?” she shrugged looking down at herself, then back at her mother.
“It’s too short. I think I told you to change it.”
“God Mom, it’s not too short! Look – it’s fingertip length,” she grumbled standing up straight hanging her arms down by her side – the tips of her fingers and the edge of her skirt meeting perfectly, “which means I can wear it to school. If it’s good enough for school – why isn’t it good enough for here?”
“Hmm,” Haley’s face twisted up as she examined her daughters stance, “I guess it’s okay then. It just looks awfully short for some reason,” she said still trying to figure out what the problem was. “Just looks like a lot of leg showing.”
“They’re long Mom,” Sarah deadpanned, “Sorry - take it up with Dad – it’s his fault.”
Haley glanced at her watch again. She could hear the crowd, the cheering, the referee’s whistle blowing, the horn, all this racket was just making her even more nervous. Standing in the middle of an arena with twenty thousand people staring at her…yeah – not her thing – maybe Nathan could handle it – but it was making her almost nauseous.
“Everybody ready?” the event coordinator asked smiling reassuringly at all of them.
“Do we have a choice?” Haley nervously smiled back.
“Not really,” she laughed. “You all look great. Really - just great. Just follow me…it’s show time.”
“It’s show time,” Haley mocked under her breath.
They followed her through the back of the arena to the tunnel, listening to instructions on how the events were going to take place. All of them so nervous they weren’t totally sure they were getting it all. Basically they just had to stand there without passing out. Not necessarily an easy task at this point.
Nathan was standing at the entrance to the tunnel when they got there. Impeccably dressed in a dark blue suit, lighter shade of blue shirt, and the perfect tie – that he was currently tugging at…again - his hair styled just so. His hands were shoved down in his pockets as usual. He looked nervous, shifting on his feet as he stood there trying to talk casually with the team owner.
A smile filled his face when he saw his family approaching him. They looked so handsome, so beautiful. They were his wife, his kids, they were…perfect. He was so proud of them; he fought the tears that were welling up at the sight.
“Hey,” he greeted them, kissing Haley. “You guys look awesome…very, very nice. I’m impressed,” he smirked.
“Thanks,” the kids mumbled.
“Thank you,” Haley said with a small smile. “I hope to God I don’t pass out.”
“You’ll be fine – it’s just…oh I don’t know – twenty thousand people or so – no biggie.”
“I feel much better,” she grumbled. “Where are your parents and Luke and the rest?” Haley asked.
“Down there,” he said pointing to the end of the tunnel closest to the actual entry onto the arena floor.
The halftime buzzer blared, making everyone jump, Nathan chuckled at them. They all stepped aside quickly, letting the players pass by. All of the players without exception stopped to give Nathan a hug, words of encouragement, words of thanks. He was getting choked up already. Deep breaths, he needed long, deep breaths.
“Let’s go,” the coordinator winked leading them down the tunnel and out onto the middle of the court. They all stood around center court, Haley and the kids in a group, Dan, Deb, Lucas his wife Jill and their girls, Peyton and Jake and their children, Karen and Keith, Haley’s parents, various friends from the organization, even Brooke and Greg were out there. Anyone who Nathan felt had been instrumental in his life, in his career, had been invited to join him at center court.
The team owner sauntered to the middle of the court taking the microphone:
“When it was announced what was going to take place at halftime of this particular game, the tickets were gone in less than one hour. One hour. That’s all it took. So many of you wanted to be here to witness this, to share this, to show your support, your appreciation for someone who’s name has become synonymous with Bobcat basketball. Someone who has spent the last fifteen years of his career with the Bobcats, who has been instrumental, pivotal, in bringing an NBA championship, and several division titles to this franchise in those fifteen years, not to mention thirteen all star appearances. Eighteen years in the NBA. As most of you know that’s pretty rare – especially when you’ve continually played at the level he has for those eighteen years.”
“When he came to me before the start of this season and told me he was going to retire I tried to talk him out of it. Someone who can still play like he does isn’t ready to retire I tried to tell him. He said he was ready, ready for new challenges, ready to spend more time with his family, ready to just… rest,” he chuckled. “He may be ready, but I know I’m not, I know you’re not, but…he’s given us no choice. He’s accepted it – we have to as well. It won’t be easy. Please join me in thanking him for all he’s done for the Bobcats…for me…for you…a North Carolina native son…ladies and gentlemen…Nathan Scott!”
The arena erupted, everyone stood, clapping, whistling, cheering for all they were worth. Nathan took a deep breath – glancing over with a quick hug, a big smile and a wink to Ray the security guard who had worked the players tunnel for all of his fifteen years and before. They had spent many moments together, exchanging stories about their children, basketball, swapping gossip about the opposing team’s players. He was just one of the many people around this arena that Nathan was going to miss terribly.
“Good luck man,” Ray said through tear brimmed eyes, quickly releasing him, their exchange being seen by all on the huge screens around the arena.
The search lights followed him, everyone getting to see all the well wishers clapping him on the back, shaking his hand, the hugs. The closer he got to the court - the louder the crowd got – the broader Nathan’s smile got.
To Nathan it felt like it was taking him an eternity to get there. Everything seemed to be going in slow motion. He heard the crowd, but the actual volume never registered with him. It was all…surreal. He finally reached center court; the crowd was practically in a frenzy by then. He took the microphone from the owner, giving him a hearty handshake and a hug. Waving to the crowd as he waited for them to quiet down – glancing over at Haley, who was doing a poor job of holding back the tears, he gave her a light smile before turning back to the crowd.
“Thank you…I’m humbled…thank you so much,” he smiled. “Thank you for all those kind words Mr. Johnson. You run a class organization here, and I have enjoyed every minute I’ve played for your team. Thank you so much for the opportunity to be a part of it.”
“You know when I left Boston to come to Charlotte fifteen years ago; this was a franchise still in its infancy. I was…a bit apprehensive. I wasn’t sure I was up to the challenge, but with the help of some wonderful coaches, some excellent players, a supportive ownership, and fans unsurpassed - anywhere in the NBA -…we’ve done alright for ourselves. Being from North Carolina just made it that much sweeter…there truly is no place like home,” he smiled as the crowd went crazy once again.
“Everyone you see on the court with me are people without whom I would not be here with you today. Obviously not everyone who has helped me, influenced me along the way could be here tonight, but they know who they are, and they know I am eternally grateful.”
“But, if you’ll allow me, I’d like to introduce you to just a few of these special people. Some very, very important people in my life. First…my parents – Dan and Deb Scott,” he said waving them over. “You know…I was…a brat,” he smiled as everyone laughed. “My parents and I have had a long…often difficult journey to get to where we are today - happy with each other. I know they love me; they sacrificed a great deal for me. There’s been a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, shared between us, but we’ve come out the other side. And I want them to know I appreciate everything they did for me…and I love them,” he finished giving Dan and Deb tight hugs, Dan wiped quickly at the tears that were running down his cheeks.
“The next person I want to thank is someone you alllll know,” he smiled, as the crowd began applauding loudly again. “How come you guys didn’t cheer like that for him when he was in here the other times?” he chuckled. “If not for a nagging shoulder injury, I feel certain he’d still be playing in the NBA with me today. He was my teammate for many, many years. The last few…he was my opponent, but there’s one thing he’s always been…and that’s my brother - Lucas Scott.” Lucas smiled and waved as he and Nathan hugged each other for what seemed like minutes. Nathan’s mumbled “I love you” being picked up by his microphone. “Lucas has stood by me throughout my life. Through good times and bad – he’s always, always been there for me and I love him for it. Thank you man”
“I’m almost done…hang in there,” he smiled. “I wish you all could see the faces of the people at the press table. I think I’ve stunned them,” he laughed. “In eighteen years they’ve never heard this many words come out of me”.
“Without the support and love of this last group I know with complete and total certainty, I would not be here today. I want you all to know, I have three of the most wonderful, loving, supportive children any man could ask for. They are the absolute light of my life, and I thank God for them every single day. My children, Brian, Sarah, and Colin Scott.” The three of them enveloped him in a big hug as all of them wiped at their own tears.
“There is one last person I want you to meet, one more person I have to thank.” He took a long pause, sucking in a deep breath, holding the microphone down at his side, as the crowd grew hushed. He briefly bowed his head drawing another long breath, he wasn’t sure he could continue, he fiercely tried to gulp back the lump in his throat, hold off the tears he felt quickly forming.
He felt her small soft hands take hold of his, squeezing it tightly; he squeezed hers in return before finally beginning.
“You know, when I started to think about what I was going to say about all of these special people in my life – this one was by far the hardest. How could I possibly explain to thousands of people…make them understand…how I’ve been devastatingly in love with the same woman for so…so many years, but…I’m going to try...”
“I met her the very first day of classes at the University of North Carolina. She was soaking wet, and was absolutely, without a doubt, - the most beautiful girl I had ever laid eyes on…no one’s ever looked better in pink believe me,” he winked at Haley, Haley shook her head laughing. “She was something. I fell in love with her so fast it was…it was scary is what it was,” he said with a small chuckle. “She has been a part of my life for over twenty years. She has been my biggest fan, my biggest supporter, my rock. She has kept me grounded; if I ever veered off course…she was quick to set me straight. I have been in love with this woman for as long as I can remember. I can’t…honestly…I can’t remember my life without her, my life before I loved her. She is without a doubt the most important person in my life. When I fell in love with her twenty years ago I felt so full…I never thought I could ever love her more than I did then. But I think I can say without a doubt, that I love her even more today than I did back then. I want you all to meet the love of my life, my wife, Haley James Scott.” Nathan squeezed Haley to him, holding onto her as tightly as he could, as both of them unsuccessfully fought off the tears.
“Thank you for everything Charlotte – you all will live in my heart forever. Thank you!” Nathan finally choked out. The crowd jumped to their feet, once again going wild, many wiped away their own tears. With a salute to his now former teammates who had quietly gathered at the end of the court, joining enthusiastically in the applause, they all made their way off the court with Nathan and Haley still clinging tightly to one another.
~*~
“God – I swear! Don’t look now…Dad’s leaning again,” folding her arms across her chest with a huff, she rolled her eyes mumbling to her brother.
Brian glanced over his shoulder, releasing a heavy sigh, shaking his head as his shoulders slumped at the display going on in the corner. “There’s got to be thirty people in this room, can’t they just act their freakin’ age for once. They’re so embarrassing!”
Haley was leaning against the wall smiling shyly up at Nathan. He had his arm against the wall above her head, leaning into her ear whispering something to her. Haley was giggling at him, playfully slapping at his chest, the words ‘stop it’ could be read on her lips, Nathan laughed at the blush that had spread across her face.
His hand was lightly rubbing up and down her hip. His lips landed softly on her jaw, more whisperings in her ear, before his lips left more soft kisses down her neck – Haley closed her eyes as she leaned her head over to let him kiss her further.
Her fingers brushed lightly over his cheek, the tips of them worked their way under his chin, easily lifting it up so their lips met in a soft, prodding kiss. Nathan’s hand snaked around her waist pulling her to him as the kiss deepened, the thoughts of others in the room never occurring to either of them.
“What are you two conspiring about?” Peyton joked coming up behind Sarah and Brian, stretching her arms around their shoulders.
“We’re trying to decide which one of us is going to go throw cold water on our parents,” Brian scoffed.
Peyton looked back over her shoulder at Nathan and Haley making out in the corner. It amused her. They’d been making out like that since day one, and now - day….well a whole bunch of days later – they were still making out. These kids didn’t know how lucky they were. Two parents that were still so in love after all these years…still so into the other one after all this time…they just had no idea how lucky they were. They could only hope to have a marriage as loving as their parents.
“So which one of you is going to do it?” Peyton smiled looking back and forth between them. “Huh…who’s got the nerve to tell old Dad to put some ice on it?”
“Not me,” Sarah blew out. “I’m barely talking to him.”
Nathan walked into the den to find them sitting side by side on the couch watching television. Or so it seemed. She was doing way too much giggling, and he was doing way too much smiling for either of them to know what was happening on the T.V.
He stopped in the middle of the room giving Sarah the chance to acknowledge him and explain her uninvited visitor before he went over and wedged his butt right between them.
“Sarah?” he finally said realizing she was so engrossed she hadn’t seen him or she was just blatantly ignoring him – either option was beginning to piss him off – especially the way Romeo here hadn’t bothered to look his way either.
Sarah peered around her friend to see her father looming in the middle of the room, his jaw set as he openly glared at her male friend. She had to fight hard against the urge to roll her eyes.
“Hi Dad.”
“And…”
“This is John. John this is my father, Nathan Scott,” she said as nicely as she could, a fake smile pasted across her lips.
“Hi. Nice to meet you sir,” John smiled broadly, jumping to his feet offering Nathan a hearty handshake.
“John. John what?” Nathan curtly inquired, briefly shaking his all too anxious hand.
“John Price.”
“You go to the high school John? You look a little…older.”
Sarah’s fake smile had turned into a complete glower – her father was undaunted.
“Yes sir, I’m a senior.”
“A senior. Sarah’s a sophomore.”
“Yes sir I know.”
“She’s only fifteen. She can’t date till she’s sixteen.”
“Dad!” Sarah gasped.
God – he was ruining everything! John was the best looking guy in the senior class. The most popular thing going and he’d come to see her. And here was her father being a completely overbearing…jerk!
“Yes?” Nathan smiled at her.
“I’ll be right back John,” Sarah smiled sweetly at him giving her father a hateful scowl as she hurriedly passed by him.
Nathan was well aware of who John Price was, and he wasn’t getting anywhere near his daughter. There would be numerous dead bodies strewn around first.
Nathan plopped down in the recliner, unfolding the leg rest, settling himself in for however long it was going to take to make John Price uncomfortable enough to leave. He had all the time in the world...smiling inwardly at visions of how he could make this little twerp run for the door.
“So John, you’re a senior huh. You involved in any activities at school…band, chess club, mathletes, debate maybe?”
“I play football,” John enthusiastically replied.
“Football,” Nathan snorted unimpressed. “Well, I guess somebody’s gotta play football.”
Sarah came back into the room as quickly as she could, not wanting to leave poor John alone with her father a minute longer than she needed to. She narrowed her eyes at her smirking father as she went by taking up her spot next to John on the couch with another sweet smile. Five, four, three…two…one…
“Nathan, can you help me a minute?” Haley asked nicely from the doorway.
“I’m kind of busy Hales,” he grumbled up at her, trying to nod discreetly at the pair on the couch.
“I can see that. Just for a minute…please,” she emphasized biting off the smile.
“Alright,” Nathan mumbled. “I’ll be right back. Don’t you guys go anywhere,” he said with a sarcastic wink.
Haley folded her arms across her chest leaning back against the kitchen counter giving her husband a bemused smirk.
“What do you need…hurry Hales, I need to get back in there,” Nathan agitatedly prodded.
“What’s with the bad ass routine?”
“I haven’t started the bad ass routine…not yet anyway. I’m warming up to it though,” he smirked with a mischievous eyebrow wiggle.
“Nathan...”
“He’s a senior.”
“I know.”
“He’s not for her.”
“They’re just sitting on the couch visiting Nathan. He hasn’t tried to drag her off to the bedroom yet I don’t think.”
“That is not funny! Not even remotely funny Haley. That’s probably the unfunniest thing you’ve ever said in your life! Did she ask if he could come over?”
“No. He just stopped by.”
“Without asking?”
“Yes. Not the first time we’ve had teenagers show up here unannounced Nathan. Happens pretty much everyday. I think there’s a revolving door sometimes,” she chuckled.
“Not boys for Sarah it doesn’t” he snapped back. “You know anything about this kid Haley?”
“His name’s John Price, he’s a senior, he plays football…quarterback I think…or halfback…or some sort of back. Supposedly he’s going to get a scholarship to play…somewhere – I don’t remember. Anyway…he seems pleasant enough.”
“They all seem pleasant till he… Look Haley I’ve seen this little shit at the basketball games before. I saw him the other night standing there watching Sarah and the other cheerleaders do their…whatever the hell it is they do. Practically slipping on the drool running out his mouth. Little pervert. She gives him her happy little smile and shy little wave, and he just grins back at her with his own little wave,” he said mocking out the whole scene for Haley who had her hand clamped over her mouth to keep the laughter from bursting out at his ridiculous antics.
“You were really paying attention to the game then Nathan. Brian would be so appreciative,” she giggled out.
“Anyway,” he growled with an exaggerated eye roll. “Next time I see the little ass he’s in the stands surrounded by a big group of girls. And you can tell they’re all just hanging on his every word. Everybody’s laughing, and he’s grinning like he’s Hugh Hefner surrounded by the bunnies. Oh that was until some little blonde ‘ho attached her lips to his and they start sucking face in front of the whole group. In front of the entire gym actually.”
“Wow. You were paying attention,” Haley grumbled, visions of this little John twerp and his ‘ho posse playing through her head.
“I didn’t like the way Sarah was smiling so…so…girly at him. Puke! After the game I’m going down the hall to wait on Brian, and I see the prick with some dark haired girl. He’s got her cornered, one hand on her ass, and he’s whispering bullshit in her ear and she’s just eating it up.”
“Okay enough,” Haley huffed. “What’s he want with Sarah then?”
“Please…Haley...come off it. She’s younger and sweet and innocent and pretty and smart and nice and everybody likes her…any of this story ringing a bell Hales? You getting déjà vu yet?”
Haley’s brow couldn’t get more furrowed if she tried. She’s was about to gnaw her lip clean off. She suddenly pushed herself away from the counter, harshly grabbing Nathan by the arms spinning him around giving him a hard shove in the back toward the doorway. “You get your butt back out there. And whatever you do…you make sure that asshole doesn’t come back here. GO!”
“No problem,” Nathan chuckled, rubbing his hands together in anticipation of the oncoming fun.
Nathan didn’t leave them alone again. He played nice, keeping his mouth shut and his ears open. He loomed large enough in the background when Sarah walked John to the door that John could see him, feeling unnerved enough to just give Sarah a quick hug goodnight before hustling out the door. When Sarah turned around her father was gone.
“John,” Nathan called strolling out of the shadows and slowly toward John’s car. “Nice car. You got a minute?” Nathan politely asked.
“John’s barely talked to me since he came over. I think Dad scared him off the way he just kept sitting there the whole time. It was so annoying. John’s really nice too.”
“John Price is a jerk ass,” Brian scoffed, rolling his eyes at the way Sarah sounded so ga ga over the stupid prick.
“He is not!” Sarah barked back at her brother. “He’s a lot better than that idiot Nick Saunders you keep saying likes me. Talk about a jerk ass.”
“He is kind of a jerk,” Brian chuckled. “But he does like you.”
“He does not. He’s always making fun of me, making perverted comments to me every time he sees me in my volleyball uniform. ‘Nice legs Sarah…can’t wait till they’re wrapped around me’ Sarah mocked. “Gross! All the girls think he’s so hot; he’s just the coolest guy in the sophomore class. He’s supposed to be this big deal pitcher. Who cares! Ugh! He thinks he’s hot too, a new girl hanging off him every week. Disgusting,” she added with a big groan, folding her arms across herself with a huff. “He had the nerve to ask me to help him with his Geometry the other day. I almost vomited. There’s nothing that would make me help that stupid jerk.”
“Well…is he hot?” Peyton asked trying not to smile.
Sarah cut her eyes irritated at Peyton, “Well…I don’t know about hot, but he is good looking…really good looking. Okay, yeah, he’s hot,” Sarah giggled slapping her hand over her mouth at the embarrassing admission.
“Since Sarah’s not talking to your father I guess it’s up to you to tell ‘em to cool it,” Peyton smiled at Brian.
“No way. I’m avoiding him. He’s still mad at me.”
“Oh yeah,” Peyton said nodding her head knowingly. “I heard about that.”
Brian peeked through his blinds to see the car sitting in front of his house. He slowly turned the knob on his bedroom door, easing it open. He stuck his head out the door checking one more time for activity in the rest of the house. He heard none.
He silently pulled his door shut. He hurried down the stairs holding his shoes in his hand so as not to make any noise on the wood covered stairs. With one more glance around he pressed in the security code to deactivate the alarm before slipping out the backdoor. Once outside he stopped to hurriedly slide his feet into his shoes before jogging quickly down the long driveway to the waiting car.
“Hey man,” Brian breathed out pulling the car door shut.
“Dude, I’ve been out here for ten minutes, what took you so long?” his friend Doug grumbled.
“I had to make sure everybody was asleep. I swear my mother didn’t go to bed till after twelve. She was downstairs working in her office I couldn’t get out till now, that’s why I called back to tell you to wait till one. Let’s go,” Brian said waving his hand out the window.
They were so wound up in the excitement of their adventure they didn’t notice the approaching car. They’d barely looked up, barely moved ten yards from the curb, before the car swerved in front of Doug’s blocking it from moving further.
“Oh this is gonna be good,” Nathan grit to himself.
“What the hell?” Doug snapped slamming on his brakes to keep from ramming into the side of the black Lexus.
“Shit! It’s my father.”
The conversation between Doug and Brian was fast and frantic as Nathan nonchalantly climbed out of his car slowly strolling toward Doug’s.
“I thought you said he was gone,” Doug mumbled trying to keep his lips from moving so Nathan didn’t think they were getting a story together.
“He is. He was. They were in Dallas; he usually doesn’t get in till like three or after when they play there. I don’t know why he’s here so early. I guess they had an early game time. Damn it…he’s gonna’ kill me! Nice knowing you Doug,” Brian muttered slumping down further in his seat.
Doug hit the button on the window beside him just as Nathan got to it.
Nathan waited for the window to fully retract before laying both hands across the open window leaning down to peer in at them with a less than sincere smile.
“Well hello boys. How’s it going Doug?”
“Umm…it’s umm, it’s real good Mr. Scott,” Doug shrugged with a little smile. “Isn’t it a beautiful evening? How was the flight home? Did you win?”
“A beaut…Did I win?” Nathan repeated in utter disbelief...Jesus…sometimes this kid… “You sure your names not Tim?”
“Tim? No sir, I’m definitely Doug,” Doug smiled, totally baffled by that exchange.
Nathan shook his head letting it drop. “Hey Brian,” Nathan greeted his son.
“Dad,” Brian muttered.
“Where you guys headed at...one in the morning?” he asked making an exaggerated glance at his watch.
Doug looked at Brian. Brian looked at Doug. They both looked out the front window.
“What was that…I didn’t quite hear you,” Nathan asked his pretence at patience almost gone.
“I don’t know. Nowhere,” Brian finally offered.
“Nowhere. I love going nowhere at one in the morning. Does your Mom know you’re out here going nowhere?”
“No.”
“Really. How surprising. Asleep is she?”
“Yes.”
“And Colin and Sarah…asleep too huh?”
“Yes.”
“Well I just drove up the street here, and I bet I didn’t see lights on in more than maybe one or two houses. You know why? Because it’s one o’clock in the damn morning, and everybody’s in their houses in their damn beds asleep just like you two assholes should be!” he shouted, both Doug and Brian flinched at the volume being roared into the small space of Doug’s car.
“Brian, you have two seconds to get your ass out of that car and into mine before I reach through this window and drag your butt right through it! Move!”
Brian jerked the door open slamming it behind him moving quickly to get into his father’s car. He had the urge to give Doug an eye roll at his father’s fit, but wisely decided against it. Neither acknowledged the other further.
Once Brian was inside his car Nathan turned back to Doug, glaring hard at him until Doug couldn’t help but curiously look out the window to him.
“Doug - you’ve been friends with Brian since you were in diapers so I’d feel perfectly justified in jerking your ass out of that car and beating it, but…I’m not going to do that. Even though I know your father would slap me on the back and thank me. Instead, I’m giving you…fifteen minutes to get your ass back home. I expect a phone call from your house phone to our house phone. No cell phone bullshit. That caller id better pop up with the right number Doug. You understand?”
“Yes sir,” Doug mumbled.
“You now have fourteen minutes. You better not be one second longer Doug or I’ll be the one calling, got it?”
“Yes sir,” he mumbled again.
“You do this again Doug and so help me God…”
“No sir. I won’t.”
“You better not. Thirteen minutes Doug. I wouldn’t speed if I were you either considering at sixteen you’re not supposed to be out in a car at this time of night. You get stopped, and you’ll be calling your parents from somewhere they don’t want. Now get your ass the hell out of here!” Nathan snarled slamming his palm on the hood of Doug’s car.
Nathan pulled into the garage letting it shut behind them. Brian didn’t move a muscle. He could see his father’s jaw clenching over and over…never a good sign. Nathan couldn’t stop the repeated heavy sighs either. Great.
Nathan drew in a long breath before finally speaking. “Go in the house Brian, and wait in the kitchen for me. I need to calm down a minute, because right now, all I want to do is find a rope and hang you from the highest tree. Go on,” Nathan mumbled rubbing a tired hand over his face.
Brian slumped in the chair waiting for the onslaught. Of all the things to happen…his father had to show up. He couldn’t stop shaking his head at his damn luck. They weren’t going to do anything. Just hang out. Yeah he was going to try and see her but…god big deal. It’s not like they were going to do anything. Jeez his father was such an over reactor he sighed frustrated.
Nathan pulled his hands off the steering wheel looking them over closely. Well…they weren’t shaking anymore at least. “Let’s see how long that lasts.”
He would have much preferred to pour himself a tall glass of Scotch, but opted for the apple juice instead. Taking a couple of long swallows he pulled up the chair across from Brian’s.
It wasn’t going to go well. Brian’s slumped posture, and the way his arms were folded across his chest, his face reflecting complete annoyance was already beginning to piss him off.
“You have an explanation for being out – wait, let me rephrase that – for sneaking out at one in the morning?”
Brian shrugged, “No.”
“No. How shocking. Where were you going?”
“Nowhere.”
“Okay Brian…I don’t want to hear ‘nowhere’ again. Where were you going?”
“We weren’t going anywhere Dad. Just gonna go hang out.”
“Thanks. That’s so much more specific. You guys have beer in the car?”
“What? No we didn’t have any beer,” Brian scoffed rolling his eyes toward the heavens.
“Don’t roll your eyes at me like I’m a moron Brian. You have anything else in the car to drink…smoke…, and I expect the truth Brian because the truth will come out eventually so you may as well give it up now.”
“God Dad! We didn’t have anything to drink or smoke or anything else. I don’t drink. I don’t smoke pot or cigarettes or do drugs. God, I’m not stupid.”
“NOT STUPID! You snuck out of the house Brian, you call that smart! What the hell were you thinking? What makes you think you can do shit like that! Huh? Let’s hear it Brian! What made you think it was alright to leave this house without permission in the middle of the night…I’m waiting for an answer Brian!” he yelled at the top of his lungs, bolting out of his chair.
The dog was barking in the back yard. The little dog that had been happily lying on the kitchen floor beside Brian hastily dashed for another room.
“I don’t know! Nothing. We were…I don’t know just…”
“What in the world is going on in here?” Haley blew out almost breathless from being startled out of bed by Nathan’s screaming, and the dog’s barking, and her all but running down the stairs to see what all the commotion was about.
“Brian. You’re up,” Nathan said folding his own arms across his pounding chest as he leaned back against the counter.
Haley once again swatted the hair back out of her face, pulling the tie of her robe that she’d snatched up off the chair when she bolted out of her room jerking it on as she ran down the stairs a little tighter. She released a frustrated sigh waiting for Brian to say something.
“Brian…what’s going on?” she asked trying to remain calm.
“Doug and I were going to hang out. Dad drove up when we were leaving.”
“Just now?” Haley asked her mouth hanging open.
“Yes.”
“Wha…where were you going?”
“He has a good answer for that one Hales…go ahead…tell her Brian,” Nathan sarcastically bit out.
Brian cut his eyes at his father resisting the strong temptation to roll his eyes again. “We weren’t going anywhere, just hanging out that’s all.”
“You can’t hang out at home or at Doug’s at a decent hour? Where is Doug anyway?” Haley asked looking back over her shoulder and around Brian.
“I sent his ass home. There he is now,” Nathan falsely smiled, checking the caller id before picking up the receiver. “Doug, looks like you made it.”
“It’s not Doug. It’s Paul, Nathan. Doug didn’t quite make it through the door before I caught him. He forgets how thirsty I get at night,” Paul laughed. “Thanks for sending him home.”
“No problem. I’ll call you tomorrow Paul. We can exchange stories…see if they’re singing the same tune,” Nathan chuckled giving Brian’s irritated eyes a tight smile. “Bye. Dougie didn’t quite escape the ‘rents. Sucks for him huh Brian?”
“Where were you going to hang out Brian? Did you have anything to drink?”
“God! What is the deal with you guys? We weren’t drinking. We weren’t going to drink. We were…,” he groaned, “we were going to go by Hannah’s alright. That’s all. I swear. We were just going to go over there and hang out. Julie was spending the night over there so we were going over there to talk to them.”
“You can’t talk to them at a decent hour?” Haley complained still flabbergasted by the whole thing.
“Wait a minute. Who the hell’s Hannah…and Julie for that matter,” Nathan interrupted.
“You know Hannah, Nathan. She’s that little girl that cheerleads with Sarah. She was just here last week. The little girl with the blondish hair…”
“She a friend of Sarah’s?” Nathan was confused. They all looked alike to him. They were all a bunch of little girls as far as he was concerned.
“Sort of.”
“Barely,” Brian mumbled.
“Barely. Sounds like a prize. She’s not a friend of your sister; she sneaks out in the middle of the night to see boys. Sounds like a real keeper there Brian. Good choice,” Nathan drolled out.
Brian couldn’t stop the heavy frustrated sigh or the exaggerated eye roll this time.
“That’s not the kind of girl you need to be going after Brian. Ones that sneak out to see boys. Not a good thing Brian. That’ll only lead to trouble.”
“Dad! She didn’t even know we were coming. I don’t know if she would have come out anyway. God, you don’t even know her and you act like she’s some…”
“Some what? If she sneaks out to meet boys she probably is.”
“Pshh, like you’d know,” Brian puffed with another eye roll.
“I know a hell of a lot more than you think I do Brian! I haven’t always been a hundred and ten like you seem to think! I was your age once too believe it or not, and I pulled my share of shit believe me! But I’ll be god damned if you’re going to pull the same shit! You…”
“Nathan…watch the language,” Haley grumbled under her breath.
“Haley…if you don’t want to hear it, leave the room because…”
“I beg your pardon?” Haley snapped, her hands landing with a thud on her hips. “Don’t even think about talking to me like that Nathan Scott.”
Nathan was rapidly loosing the fight with his temper. He looked between Haley and Brian his face reddening as his blood pressure soared along with his temper.
He turned to Haley briefly closing his eyes, releasing a short breath. “I’m sorry Haley. Just let me say what I need to say alright.”
“Just be calm,” Haley tried to reason.
“I can’t be calm!” he exploded. “He…damn it he’s not going to start pulling this shit!” He suddenly turned on Brian, leaning on the table his red face closing in on Brian’s stunned one. He started to talk more than once before closing his mouth and stopping. “Go to bed Brian! Right now. Get the hell out of here before I say or do something I’ll regret. But don’t you dare leave this house in the morning till we’ve told you what your punishment is. I don’t care if it makes you late for school or practice or anything else. Go to bed!”
Haley took up Brian’s now empty chair. She blew out a long breath, repeatedly running her hands through her hair. She was shocked. She figured eventually they’d come across something like this with one of them, but she always thought Nathan would be the calm one, and she’d be they hysterical one.
“Who’s Hannah?” Nathan asked with relative calm when he dropped in the chair across from her.
“I told you all I know. She’s a cheerleader with Sarah. She’s a sophomore. Little, cute. When she was here with the others she was nice and polite…friendly. Seemed like a sweet girl.”
“She the one with the…the ribbon thingy in her braid?” Nathan asked thinking he was finally figuring out which ‘little girl’ she was.
“That’s her.”
“Yeah I remember now. Brian was making googly eyes at her. And she was grinning at him like a damn girl.”
“She is a damn girl Nathan,” Haley said trying not to giggle at his complete frustration.
“Is she a slut?”
“Oh my god Nathan!”
“Well…that’s a legitimate question. Is she?”
“Lord! I don’t know…no she’s not a slut. Jesus you…I swear Nathan!”
“I don’t want Brian attracted to sluts.”
“Oh for god’s sake. All boys are attracted to sluts aren’t they?” she asked trying to keep her voice down. “You were…well…except for me of course,” she giggled.
“I was not…okay fine. I admit it. In high school I was definitely after the easy girl alright, oh hell, I was always after the easy girl, but I do not want Brian to be that way Haley. Damn it I don’t want that!”
“Alright… okay, take it easy. Honestly, I don’t think Hannah is remotely like that Nathan. Look, he made a mistake, a huge mistake, and we’ll work out some heavy duty punishment for him, but let’s not go crazy just yet. Brian’s a good kid Nathan.”
Nathan shoved his chair back, running his hands around his head as he paced the kitchen. “I know he’s a good kid, I just want to make sure he stays that way. I will not tolerate a teenager like me. No way in hell! I was a nightmare Haley. You name it, I did it. Drinking, smoking pot, sex with girls I couldn’t give a shit about way before I was near ready. God…I wonder if he’s having sex? Shit! I won’t have a child like me. If I have to follow his ass around every minute of the day to keep him straight I will. If that doesn’t work, I’ll pack his shit and send his butt off to military school if that’s what it takes. I can’t say this enough Haley…I won’t have it! Period! God I’m so damn frustrated!”
“I seriously doubt it’s going to come to that Nathan, and he’s not having sex so just relax a minute. We just need to think up something that’s going to have an impact. Make him think more than twice before trying something again. Because you know eventually he will.”
“Eventually better be a long way off Haley.”
“So how’s that going?” Peyton asked sincerely. She’d heard it all from Haley already. Nathan’s panicked reaction was a little humorous to her, but really…Haley didn’t want a kid like Nathan had been, that was one thing Peyton was sure of. Haley had only heard about the teenage Nathan, Peyton had seen it. No…Haley sure didn’t want that.
“It stinks,” Brian grumped. “I can barely go to the bathroom without one of them yelling for me to come do some stupid chore or help with something. And Dad’s going to be home all the time now. That should be loads of fun,” he scoffed glancing back over his shoulder at his parents that were still huddled together in the back of the room.
“Come on Brian, your Dad’s not that bad.”
“Most of the time he’s okay, but god Peyton ever since I got caught he’s acting all nutty about everything I say, everything I do. Man…lighten up already.”
“Look Brian, without going into detail, let’s put it this way… Your father was no saint alright. He was…a holy terror most of the time actually, but honestly, his home wasn’t all warm and happy like yours is. Maybe he is overreacting with you, but he just doesn’t want history to repeat itself that’s all. You just have to gain his trust again. It’ll take time, but it’ll happen, hang in there,” Peyton smiled hugging Brian’s dejected shoulders.
“He’s so uptight about stuff it’s hard to believe he ever did anything bad. God he makes me crazy with his ‘think before you act, do the right thing’ sermons. I’ll try and hang in there, but I may be totally nuts before I get him off my back,” he mumbled.
“So what’s the scoop on this Hannah?” Peyton asked Sarah curiously.
“She’s alright. I like her. She is hot for Brian though,” Sarah giggled, the smirk and blush on her brother’s face making her laugh harder. “I have no idea why.”
“She has good taste that’s why,” Brian said with a cheesy smile.
“Oh dear. You are Nathan’s son,” Peyton laughed.
Brian glanced over his shoulder one more time at his parents rolling his eyes again. “Sarah, go say something to them,” he whined.
“No! Get Colin to do it.”
“He won’t do it! He’s avoiding Mom about as hard we’re avoiding Dad.”
“That’s what he gets for being such a little freak,” Sarah huffed smirking at the way Peyton was snickering.
Haley was chopping the vegetables for the salad while periodically swatting Nathan’s hand away from her pile. If he kept that up there wouldn’t be anything left to go in the salad she complained rolling her eyes at the smirk he’d just given her after snatching another carrot and popping it in his mouth.
Brian and Sarah were arguing over the sport section of the paper both wanted to see the box scores. Brian was anxious to see his own name in print yet again, while Sarah was trying to see if their schools biggest volleyball challenge had won the night before.
“Heather Glenn, ten kills…whatever. She stinks,” Sarah scoffed tossing the paper aside after seeing her volleyball camp rival’s name mentioned.
“Hey sweetie,” Haley greeted Colin when he came through the kitchen door dropping his book bag in the chair going straight for the refrigerator. “Don’t fill up, we’re going to eat in a little bit,” Haley jumped in before Colin could pull his usual haul of food out of the refrigerator.
“I’m starving!” he whined shoving the door shut empty handed.
“It won’t be long. Did you get your math test back?”
“Um hmm,” he mumbled behind the mouth he’d just stuffed with the cherry tomato Nathan had tossed him.
Haley glared briefly at Nathan. “How’d you do?”
“Good.”
“What’d you get?”
“I don’t remember,” he shrugged. “It’s in that yellow folder in my bag if you want to see.”
Haley finished throwing the salad together, emptying it into a bowl before rinsing and drying her hands, throwing Nathan another glare at the way he’d just tossed another tomato at Colin like he was shooting a basket.
She rolled her eyes at the complete wreck his book bag was. How can you find anything in here she grumbled to herself pulling out the yellow folder.
She opened the folder looking totally confused at the test she saw before her. It was a complete mess, and had a score of sixty eight. Colin was in serious need of clarification of ‘good’. She pulled the test out almost dropping the entire thing when she saw what lay tucked into the pocket of the folder behind the test. A Playboy magazine.
“COLIN SCOTT! What is this!” she shrieked her face twisting into a furious scowl turning hotly on her son, shoving the magazine at him.
“What?” he asked innocently, turning from his father’s tomato game. He honestly had no idea what she was freaking about.
“Woo hoo hoo!” Brian howled with laughter when he saw what his mother was holding.
“Gross Colin!” Sarah squealed disgusted.
Nathan bit hard on his lip to keep his own laugh from bursting out. He knew better. Haley would be serving his head on a platter for dinner if he dared laugh.
“What is this?” Haley yelled wagging the magazine at him.
“Oh that,” Colin mumbled his face the same shade as the tomatoes he’d been gobbling.
“Yeah that,” Haley roared glaring hard at him. “And since when is a sixty eight good?” she added totally pissed.
“Sixty eight? I got a ninety something,” he said confused reaching for the test paper she held in her other hand.
“Then what’s this?” Haley asked pushing the paper into his now sweating palm.
“That’s not mine…that’s Justin’s. Actually, that whole folder’s Justin’s,” he continued to mumble. “Mine’s in there,” he tossed out trying to move past her to get to his bag.
“Leave it,” she ordered. “Let’s hear it Colin. What are you doing with this?”
Colin took a deep breath looking down at his feet shaking his head lightly. He glanced over at his brother who was grinning at him like the cat who ate the canary; Colin narrowed his eyes at his stupid grin. He glanced briefly at Sarah who was glaring at him with pure distain.
He let out a long sigh before lifting his head again looking at his father hoping against hope he’d say something to diffuse his mothers rage.
Nathan silently stood leaning against the counter, his feet crossed in front of him, his arms folded across his chest, his face passive. He was doing a good job of keeping the smirk off his face, but wasn’t so sure how successful he was at hiding the amusement in his eyes. As for speaking up…no way in hell.
“Justin gave it to me,” he finally mumbled out.
“Justin Cross?”
Colin shook his head in affirmation.
“Well I can’t believe you took it Colin. What were you thinking bringing this…this…crap into the house? Huh? You know better! You are not near old enough for this kind of thing Colin. Brian’s not even old enough for it!” She barked making a grand motion at Brian who had suddenly developed a renewed interest in the newspaper.
Nathan cut his eyes at Brian huddled over the paper having to quickly push his hand over his mouth to stop the smile. That answers that question Nathan thought amused.
“I…I can’t believe you took it Colin. Where in the world did Justin get it? Are you guys just passing it around the class or something?”
“Yeah…he’s kind of been passing it around I guess,” he muttered quietly. “I didn’t even want to take it, but I kind of had to. I think it’s his dad’s. He was bragging about his dad having a whole stack of them under the sink in his bathroom.”
Nathan couldn’t hold it in. A loud laugh burst out before he could stop it. He clamped his hand hard over his mouth when Haley shot him a withering look. ‘Sorry’ he mouthed before covering his mouth again.
“So I guess today was your turn to bring it home huh?” Haley continued her interrogation.
“I guess.”
“You have no business with this…this smut, you know that don’t you Colin? I swear…I have a mind to call Mindy Cross and tell her how her son’s bringing pornography to school. I can’t believe that little… Ewww!” she huffed stomping her foot angrily.
She glared at Nathan who gave her a small ‘what’re ya gonna’ do’ shrug.
‘You’re no help’ her rolled eyes silently answered him.
“I’m calling her!” she finally bit out.
“Mom!” Colin whined loudly. “Don’t call her. God! I’ll look like a total baby!”
“You are a baby Colin. When it comes to this kind of junk you are a baby. She needs to know Justin’s bringing this crap to school. Better she find out from me than the principal don’t you think Colin?”
“Not really,” he mumbled dejectedly dropping into a chair.
Haley jabbed Mindy’s number into the phone while the rest of her family looked on appalled. Nathan held his shaking head in his hand.
“Hi Mindy. It’s Haley,” she said with as much sweetness as she could drum up. She played along with Mindy and her inane conversation before cutting her off.
“Listen Mindy…I…I umm…I was just getting Colin’s math folder out of his bag today and…well I thought it was Colin’s. Turned out it was Justin’s. But apparently Colin had it intentionally,” she snarled glaring once more at Colin’s ever reddening face.
He knew he’d never be able to show his face in that school again.
“Oh…yes…um hum,” Haley said impatiently to whatever Mindy was babbling about. “Anyway…I pulled out Justin’s folder by mistake and I thought you should know…it had a Playboy magazine in it. Apparently Justin has been passing it around to the boys…”
“Well, from what I’ve been told he got it from your house Mindy,” Haley snit. “....EXCUSE ME!” she bellowed. “No he absolutely did not...no he did not Mindy! Apparently there’s a whole stack of them under the sink in your bathroom!”
The rest of her family was staring wide eyed at each other at the tone and anger in their mother and wife’s voice. They were all wishing for a speaker phone right about now - except Colin - who was wishing for an early death.
“No he didn’t! That magazine is not Nathan’s! ... Oh really! Oh you do huh? Well why don’t you tell me everything you know about professional athletes Mindy! Then I’ll tell you everything you need to know about ambulance chasing attorney’s like your husband!” she raged on.
Nathan’s mouth dropped open at the mention of his name, his brow knitting together in irritation. The kids gave him an accusatory glare. Nathan threw his hands up in complete innocence.
“Really…really…how interesting…,” Haley grit. “That’s a bunch of crap Mindy! That is not Nathan’s magazine. What in the world would Nathan want with a Playboy when he has me! Maybe if you’d put out a little better in the bedroom Mindy, Carl wouldn’t need Playboy either because I promise you Nathan gets it good in bed, he sure doesn’t need it!” she roared. “Stupid bitch!” she yelled slamming the phone down.
“MOM!! HALEY!!” all four of them screamed out together.
“WHAT?” Haley screamed back, her chest pounding hard.
The kids couldn’t utter a sound; their mouths hung agape at their mother’s words.
“Alright,” Nathan finally found his voice. “Shows over. You guys get lost for a while. Colin…go to your room, we’ll be up in a minute.”
Haley waited till the kids were gone before she turned agitated on Nathan.
“Why did you do that?” she huffed hands on her hips.
He walked over, wrapping his arms around her waist pulling her to him, a small smirk started on his face.
“What? Okay…I know I called her a bitch, but I’d already hung up.”
“You didn’t even hear yourself did you?” he chuckled dropping a kiss on her head.
“What?”
“You pretty much told Mindy…and your children… you’re good in bed,” he chuckled again.
“What! I did not!”
“You told her I didn’t need Playboy because I had you, and if Mindy was better in bed…like you are…her husband wouldn’t need it either.”
“I did not…I…,” she stumbled staring hard into his laughing eyes. “Did I?” she squeaked.
“Well…it’s not so bad. It is the truth after all,” he smirked. “You’re a lot better than a Playboy magazine, and you’re definitely good in bed. Damn good,” he laughed capturing her lips.
Haley pulled back after allowing herself a few moments to enjoy his kiss. “Nathan…stop,” she said reluctantly.
“Let’s go upstairs and you can show me just how good you are,” he whispered as he eased her against the counter his lips descending hot and wet down her neck. “Let’s go,” he urged, trying to work his hand up her shirt, as his lips took over her mouth.
“Nathan,” she sighed against his mouth. “We can’t…”
“Yes we can,” he sighed back, his tongue pushing into her mouth. “Come on baby…you know you want to,” he moaned into her lips as he pulled her body closer holding her tightly against him.
“God Nathan,” she moaned pulling her mouth free from his. “Stop that,” she weakly protested when he continued to kiss down her neck and whisper lusty comments in her ear. “We have to deal with this first,” she managed to squeak out. “Please Nathan.”
He pulled back disappointed, placing a more chaste kiss on her mouth. “Can’t it wait?” he whined kissing her again.
“Nathan…it’s Playboy. He’s only twelve.”
“He a boy Haley, peer pressure, curiosity… it doesn’t make him a perv. Besides I want some Playboy action too, and I’m thirty-nine so I’m thinking he can wait a lot longer than I can,” he poorly reasoned kissing her lightly again.
“I promise…later,” she smiled returning his kiss. “I’ll make it worth the wait,” she promised with a little giggle.
“You always do,” he chuckled back.
“Go talk to him…please.”
“Me! Why me?” he groaned.
Haley rolled her eyes giving him the look.
“Okay. Fine. I’ll go,” he grumped.
Nathan knocked on Colin’s door before easing it open.
Colin was laying on his bed, his hands folded behind his head, staring at the ceiling, contemplating what it would take to switch schools. He glanced over somewhat relieved to see his father and not his mother appear in his doorway.
“I guess you drew the short straw huh?” Colin mumbled pushing up to sit on the edge of his bed.
Nathan gave him a little smile. “I guess mom thinks it’s a guy thing,” he winked taking up a seat beside him. “So…”
“How ‘bout you guys just leave ‘em alone. Be grateful you three have parents that are still as crazy about each other as yours are after all these years huh,” Peyton smiled squeezing their shoulders.
“Do they have to act like that all the time Peyton – jeez. They’re always…so…touchy. God! The other day my friend Melissa spent the night, we went down to the kitchen at like 9:30 in the morning to get something to eat, and they’re in the kitchen making out! I mean god! Dad’s standing there - no shirt, just his pajama pants – Mom’s wearing his t-shirt – she’s sitting on the stupid counter, her legs wrapped around him, and Dad’s just…they’re just…kissing and…it was…blech! It was 9:30 in the morning Peyton! That’s what their bedrooms for. Man!”
Peyton was fighting off the laughter. The vision of them was clear in her head. It was just too funny…so Nathan and Haley it was just…comical.
“What’d you say?” Peyton asked biting her lip to keep from laughing.
“I said, ‘I have company you guys. Can’t you take it to your room?’ and my Dad says ‘it’s just Melissa, and anyway we were here first’”, she mocked. “And my Mom just giggles. She thinks Dad’s just sooo funny. Ugh!”
“What’d your friend say?” Peyton couldn’t stop egging her on.
“Oh the same thing she always says…’You’re Dad’s hot!’ I’m seriously thinking of dumping her as my friend. Sometimes I think she just comes over hoping to see my Dad – preferably without a shirt on. Blech! God the man’s almost forty!”
“You have anything to add to this?” Peyton nodded at Brian, these two were much more entertaining than anything else going on in the room at the moment.
“No. They’re just annoying that’s all. Mom’s just as bad as Dad. He’ll be sitting in there watching T.V., and Mom just comes and plops in his lap. I think that’s the whole reason she bought that huge chair – so they could both sit in it,” rolling his eyes at the thought. “It happens every time. She plops in his lap next thing you know…yep you got it – they’re kissing. She does it on purpose. She knows exactly what he’s going to do if she sits there. Of course if she does sit somewhere else he says ‘Pinky, come sit with me baby’,” he mocked out. “That Pinky thing is so irritating. What is the deal with that anyway? Jeesh! The minute he says Pinky I know it’s all over. My mother turns into an instant marshmallow or something. God, I swear! I don’t know why they bother to put any other furniture in the den – they only use one chair,” he grumped.
“And what do you have to say about all this?” Peyton asked Colin as he joined the group.
“All what?”
“Mom and Dad being all…touchy feely all the time,” Sarah grumbled.
“Eww, it’s disgusting! Why are you talking about that anyway?”
“Because of…,” Brian said his head nodding back toward the corner.
“Of what?” Colin asked confused.
“Them!” Brian blew back turning toward where his parents…had been – now seeing only his father standing with a drink in his hand, talking to some old man. His mother…no where in sight. “Well I guess they broke it up on their own. Thank god!”
Nathan glanced at his watch. Five, six, eight minutes – that’s long enough. He excused himself from the woman who was now talking to him – what the hell was her name he wondered -, setting his glass down as he slipped out the door.
He walked quickly down to the end of the hall, turning right…fifth door…massage room the brass label on the door read – just like I said, he smiled to himself. Ha, ha…they always left it unlocked on game days. He glanced behind him before he turned…nobody…nobody coming toward him now either. He turned the knob, slowly opening the door, his head peeked in – the smile spread across his face.
“What took you so long?” Haley smiled from where she sat on the massage table, her bare feet swinging lazily below her.
“I was trying not to be obvious. You leave, two seconds later I leave…even I could figure that one out,” he chuckled quietly.
“Well lock the door and get over here,” crooking her finger at him.
“Let me get the light,” he said quickly turning the lamp on low and flipping off the overhead light. “Don’t want anybody seeing the light under the door.”
Their lips met in a searing kiss. Their mouths melded together, their tongues seeking the others out. Nathan’s hot wet mouth took over her neck, his fingers unbuttoned her blouse as he went. Haley’s fingers popping the buttons on his shirt in return - moaning quietly at his ministrations.
“You have no idea what a turn on it was seeing you out there on the court with me tonight,” he sighed into her neck, his mouth moving back up to take over hers. “You looked so beautiful Hales…standing there with the kids…for some reason it was so…god it was so hot,” he moaned pulling her top off, quickly unclasping her bra.
The clothes were hitting the floor at a breakneck speed. Their hands, their mouths couldn’t get enough of the other. Haley lay back on the table, Nathan climbed on beside her, he brushed her hair back smiling into her glowing face. “I love you so much,” he whispered, his mouth softly taking hers, sucking gently on her lips, his tongue traced over them savoring her familiar taste.
“I love you too,” she smiled back relishing the magic his lips always worked on her. “I want to try something – trade places,” she said quickly, Nathan rolled to let her move on top of him. “It’s a good thing these tables are extra big.”
“What…Hales…I don’t think we have time to…oh my god…mmmm baby that feels so good,” a long low groan crossed his lips. Haley smiled at the reaction, not stopping to let him catch his breath. His panting was getting faster with every touch, every move she made.
“God don’t stop,” he gasped at the sudden loss of her, of what she was doing to him. “You like that?” she whispered her mouth kissing him with fervor again.
“Do I ever…do it some more baby…please that felt so good…mmm that’s it…god Haley that feels incredible,” he moaned. “Don’t stop…please don’t stop…,” he panted out. “Baby I can’t hold out much longer…Hales…I can’t,” he gasped again at her abrupt stop. “Haley please…,” he whimpered.
She smiled down at him, it was working…she couldn’t believe how well this was working! He was completely gone, his mind, his body, the need, the complete desire for more… “You want more baby?” she whispered in his ear, sucking and biting lightly as his earlobe.
“Yes…god yes...”
She was enjoying this every bit as much as he was. The control she held over him at the moment was just heightening her excitement.
“Now Haley – I have to have you now…I don’t think I can wait – I can’t hold out any longer baby,” he moaned his hands taking her head firmly between his hands, thrusting his tongue into her mouth – their frantic movements together sending them over the edge, pure ecstasy in the primal noises coming out of them.
Haley relaxed against him, their damp chests mingling together while they tried to catch their breaths. Nathan stroked lightly on her back as Haley let her fingers trace languidly through his hair.
She finally gathered enough energy to push herself up from him, smiling down into his tired face. “You gonna make it?” she giggled quietly.
“I’m not sure yet,” he chuckled back. “That was…wow…that was completely just…wow. I’m almost afraid to ask where you learned all that,” he chuckled again.
“A magazine,” she shrugged, satisfied with her total conquest of him.
“A magazine?” he questioned raising his head to look at her better, a smirk across his face. “What magazine have you been reading with things like that in it?”
“Cosmo - ‘Fifty Ways to Make Your Man Beg’. That was number…hmm I forget which number that one was…but I think it worked,” she laughed.
“Damn right it worked,” he laughed with her, “put a big fat star by that one…it most definitely worked. Fifty ways huh?” he asked blowing out a long breath, his head falling back against the table, “I’m not sure I can survive forty-nine more ideas like that one.”
They only allowed themselves the luxury of relaxing together a few moments more. The real world was calling them back again – somehow it always did.
“We better get back,” Haley finally said moving to unfold herself from Nathan’s body. “Yeah I know,” he sighed, both of them reluctantly pulled their clothes back on. “We just had sex with twenty thousand people just outside the door; we better not press our luck.”
“You know…I’m thinking about having a boob lift,” Haley absently mumbled as she adjusted her bra.
“What?” Nathan laughed. “What the hell for? They couldn’t be more perfect,” he smiled rubbing his hands lightly around her breasts. “Just perfect,” he said again bending to leave a light kiss on each of them.
“Three kids and almost forty years have them drooping. I’m definitely going to look into it.”
“Leave ‘em alone Hales. They’re just right.”
“Here, I was smart enough to bring my purse…here let me fix your hair,” she said using her brush to straighten out his mussed hair, dropping the other topic till another day. “There – you look handsome as ever,” she smiled popping a kiss on his lips. “How ‘bout me?” she asked putting her brush back while lightly pressing her retouched lips together, twirling around for him.
“Beautiful as usual Mrs. Scott,” he smirked. His arms wrapped around her waist pulling her lightly to him. “I love you Haley. Thank you for everything. This night has been…more than I could ever have expected. I love you,” he sighed, his lips lightly brushing over hers.
“I love you too Nathan,” she sighed back wrapping her arms around his neck. “Who would of thought when you picked me off that floor over twenty years ago we’d end up here…you retiring from basketball, three wonderful kids, a home and a life I never imagined was even possible. I’m happy Nathan, happier than I thought I could ever be. Every year with you…it just gets better and better,” she smiled up at him through her tear filled eyes. “I love you so much…so – thank you…for everything.”
They made their way back to the party, their arms draped around each other as they came through the door.
Colin was sitting near the front window pointing out something in the stands to Jimmy, both of them were howling with laughter at whatever it was. Sarah had her arm around her grandfather’s waist; his around her shoulders as she tiredly leaned her head against his arm. She smiled up at whatever Dan had just said to her. He chuckled back giving her shoulders a tight squeeze. Nathan wasn’t the only one she had wrapped around her finger. Brian was all but pressed against the window his face intently watching the game as Lucas stood beside him. The way Lucas’ hands were moving around, glancing at Brian as he talked, they were obviously discussing game strategy.
Everyone else seemed to be engrossed in the game that was still going on as well. Time was running out and the score was tied – Nathan and Haley’s whereabouts seemed to be unimportant at the moment. They moved over behind the others silently watching the game out the suite’s window with the rest.
Nathan felt a heavy pang at the sight - not being out there…not being a part of the team any longer…part of the adrenaline rush he knew was running rampant through the players - it was going to be an adjustment. A long adjustment – he squeezed Haley tighter to him – glancing down at her with a wink. She knew what he was thinking…what he was feeling. She smiled lightly up at him…he’d adjust, they’d adjust…they’d make it – they always had…they always would.
After a long evening of hugs, and handshakes, tears, and well wishes they finally managed to make their escape - the five of them walking slowly, tiredly, toward their Escalade. The evening wasn’t over, family and friends were headed for their house. At least they’d be home where everyone could get comfortable, relax, and be themselves.
“What am I going to do with you home all the time now?” Haley joked. “I may have to go back to work fulltime. I’m not sure I can take you under foot all the time.”
“Don’t do that - we’ll find something to occupy our time,” he smiled hugging her closer.
“I wonder what,” Brian mumbled under his breath rolling his eyes again.
“What was that smart aleck?”
“Nothing Dad…nothing,” he mumbled back.
“Hey - hang on a second before you guys get in,” Nathan said, everyone stopped short of the car, turning with varying looks of annoyance. “I just want to say something before we all get in the car and the headphones go on, or we get home and everybody ends up in their room behind a closed door okay.”
“You’re not going to cry are you Dad?” Colin asked his face twisted in a scowl.
“I don’t know Colin – I might – so just cut the old man a minutes worth of slack. Just this once…okay?”
“Alright…sorry,” Colin muttered.
“I just wanted to say thank you for tonight. I was so proud of you guys. All of you looked so handsome, so beautiful, I was really, really proud you were my kids. Thank you for being there for me, for supporting me - it meant the world to me, it really did.”
“I know being my kid hasn’t always been easy for you guys. You have to listen to a lot of crap about your father other kids don’t have to, put up with stuff others don’t, but you’ve never complained, and I appreciate that. I don’t think…hell I know, I wouldn’t have handled it nearly as well when I was a kid as you all have. So thank you.”
“I also know I haven’t always been there for you guys,” he sighed. “My jobs kept me away from home more than I would have liked, more than your Mom would have liked, but once again you all have come through – been absolutely great. I haven’t had to worry that the house was falling down while I was gone, and your Mom deserves all the credit for that. Despite a few hiccups lately, believe me, you have no idea how much better you guys are than I ever was,” he chuckled. “I’m going to do better though, I promise. I’m going to be there for you from now on. I…”
“Dad you’ve always been there for us,” Sarah interrupted confused, “always. So you weren’t there at every single game, every single recital, or whatever. You were there for most of them. If you were home – you were there – embarrassing us by cheering louder than anybody else, acting like we were the only kid out there. I mean really Dad, you get crazy sometimes. You know how many kids I know whose Dad’s, and Mom’s too, never come to see them do stuff? A bunch - and their parents are home all the time. I’ve always known you were there for me, supported me in everything – I know Brian and Colin feel the same way. I mean, I don’t know what you have to feel bad about…you’re the best,” she shrugged. “I know we like to give you a hard time, but you’re just a dorky Dad like everybody else’s…you can’t help it. We love you anyway – right guys?” she smiled at her brothers.
“Yeah you’ll do,” Brian said, the Scott smirk planted across his face. All three of them enveloped Nathan in a tight hug as the tears finally spilled out of him. Haley swatted away tears of her own as she watched them.
“I love you,” Nathan choked out dropping a kiss on each one of their heads.
They piled in the car…the headphones descending one by one on the heads in the back. Nathan took a deep breath, relaxing a moment before starting out – lacing his fingers with Haley’s – he left a kiss on the back of her hand.
“You ready to face the madness that awaits us at home,” he asked quietly.
“Sure, it’ll be fun. Just family and friends…it’ll be fine. That’s what it’s all about right?” she smiled.
“Yeah, I guess so,” he smiled back.
“Okay…I don’t mind oldies stations Nathan - but this stuff is ancient,” Haley grumbled at the radio station Nathan had settled on.
“It’s soft and calm. Sorry - but right now I need soft and calm.”
They were enjoying the quiet, the serenity of the moment. It would be fleeting, they knew to cherish it. The appropriateness of the song was not lost on either of them….
I can’t remember when you weren’t there
When I didn’t care for anyone but you
I swear we’ve been through everything there is
Can’t imagine anything we’ve missed
Can’t imagine anything the two of us can’t do
Through the years, you’ve never let me down
You turned my life around, the sweetest days I’ve found
I’ve found with you…through the years
I’ve never been afraid, I’ve loved the life we’ve made
And I’m so glad I’ve stayed, right here with you
Through the years
I can’t remember what I used to do
Who I trusted whom, I listened to before
I swear you’ve taught me everything I know
Can’t imagine needing someone so
But through the years it seems to me
I need you more and more
Through the years, through all the good and bad
I knew how much we had, I’ve always been so glad
To be with you…through the years
It’s better everyday, you’ve kissed my tears away
As long as it’s okay, I’ll stay with you
Through the years
Through the years, when everything went wrong
Together we were strong, I know that I belonged
Right here with you…through the years
I never had a doubt, we’d always work things out
I’ve learned what love’s about, by loving you
Through the years
Through the years, you’ve never let me down
You’ve turned my life around, the sweetest days I’ve found
I’ve found with you…through the years
It’s better everyday, you’ve kissed my tears away
As long as it’s okay, I’ll stay with you
Through the years.
Through the Years – Kenny Rogers
“Tell me you requested this song – because I can’t believe it just happened to pop up,” Haley said dabbing at the tears that had formed once again.
“I wish I could take the credit, but it just happened to pop up,” Nathan chuckled lightly in return – squeezing Haley’s hand tighter when he noticed her tears. “Kind of appropriate though huh?”
“I’ll say.”
“I love you Haley. I always have, I always will.”
“I love you too Nathan.”
THE END.
