Almost There and Back Again

by Nancy

Chapter 14

Haley was hiding across the hall yet again. Her teeny bopper dance squad roommate was at it again. Hopping and jumping and twitching and shaking around the room to whatever annoying music the latest routine was set to. Surely they practiced enough as a group that she didn’t need to be constantly at it in their room.

“You know you have seniority in that room Haley. She’s a crappy freshman you’re a stately sophomore. Why don’t you just tell her to knock it off?” Brooke complained, giving the nail polish several hard shakes, blowing on the toes she’d just finished, before starting the ones on Haley’s other foot.

“I do…sometimes. She’s alright – I guess,” she shrugged dejectedly, holding her foot out again still trying to decide if she liked the color.

“Oh please, she’s annoying as hell. She’s always giggling, and those girls that are always coming over are even worse. She’s always prissing around in those shorty shorts and little tiny t-shirts like she has something to show,” Brooke scoffed waving more air over Haley’s toes. “Her boobs aren’t anything to brag about, and if you ask me she could stand to drop about ten pounds. She’s definitely putting on the freshman fifteen. You can see a little roll forming over her tight little dance skirt. Not to mention she has legs the size of tree trunks.”

“Gosh is that it Brooke? Don’t you want to mention the Cindy Crawford mole she has above her lip? Or her eyebrows that are way too thin?” she laughed. “She’s not that bad…although her legs are kind of…muscular.”

“Muscular? So that’s what they’re calling big legs these days – muscular. Sure Haley whatever – she’s muscular then…realllll muscular,” Brooke laughed, “All done.”

“What about the little flower you were going to paint on my big toes?”

“Oh yeah, let me get the other colors,” pulling a box out from under her bed opening the lid to reveal at least a hundred bottles of polish, sifting through them for the right ones.

Haley leaned across the bed twisting the knob, struggling to open the door for whoever was knocking from her awkward position, finally giving up and just yelling for them to come in.

“Hey.”

“Hey, how in the world did you know I was here?” she giggled exchanging kisses with Nathan.

“I tried to call you, but I guess your phones trapped in there with the dancing queen. Please remember to take it with you Hales. I don’t want to talk to her any more than I have to.”

“Did she answer my phone?” she asked appalled by the idea.

“No – I’m sure she couldn’t hear it with that shitty music she’s got going on in there, but when I need to talk to you I need to talk to you,” he pouted capturing her lips again.

Brooke plopped back in the chair in front of Haley shaking the new colors, trying to look anywhere but at the make out session going on in front of her. Enough was enough, making an exaggerated clearing of her throat. Nathan pulled back giving her a hateful glare receiving an innocent smile in return.

“Sorry…something in my throat…not what was just down Haley’s, but you know,” she mumbled smiling at him again.

Nathan rolled his eyes at her shifting himself around so he was stretched out on Brooke’s bed, wadding her pillow to prop his head up. Haley leaned back against him, resting her foot in Brookes chair to let her paint the little flower on her toes.

“What’d ya think?” she smiled holding her foot in the air for Nathan to see the masterpiece.

“Very sexy,” the fingers he’d been tickling her lower back with making their way further up, now trailing under the back of her bra.

“Thank you,” she mumbled before shooting him a warning look, just getting a smirk in return, his fingers never leaving her.

The music came blaring through the door when it opened, and Greg came strolling through.

“Is there a reason you’re laying in my girlfriend’s bed?” he grumbled at Nathan. Nathan just pointed his finger at Haley.

“Yeah I saw hoochie girl at it again. She’s in there wiggling around to some shit. I swear can’t they pick better music to dance to? At least if she’s over there she isn’t bugging you huh?” he said to Nathan, Nathan giving him a shut the fuck up look – one not unnoticed by Brooke who looked quizzically between the two.

Haley stretched her other leg out examining Brooke’s work. “You know if marketing doesn’t work out for you Brooke, I think you have a career in nails,” she giggled wiggling her toes. “What a minute,” she suddenly frowned looking at Greg then twisting around to Nathan before turning back to Greg. “What do you mean bugging him?”

“You know…bugging him…by you know always being in the room, and having all those goofy girls with her…you know Hales just bugging him. You know he’s the cranky type, doesn’t take much to bug him,” he stammered wishing like hell he’d kept his big mouth shut.

“Nice try. What is she doing?” Haley asked turning herself so she could look more fully at Nathan.

“Nothing.”

“I don’t believe you,” she scowled folding her arms across her chest. “Is she hitting on you or something?”

“Oh please,” he scoffed rolling his eyes at her. “No she’s not hitting on me. She knows you’re my girlfriend Haley. Come on,” he scoffed again.

“You suck at lying,” she glared at him, turning back to Greg again. “You – tell me – what has she been doing,” she demanded narrowing her eyes at him.

Greg looked helplessly at Nathan then at Brooke who was shaking her head at him in disgust. “Just tell her,” Brooke mumbled.

“I…I…she…ummm…I don’t…I mean…god!” Greg blew out flopping back on Peyton’s bed wondering how it had only taken five minutes to wear him out completely.

“Do you know?” she demanded to Brooke.

“Ummm sort of. I mean I see how she acts when Nathan’s around. She kind of acts the same with Jake and Greg only I think she’s worse with Nathan. Has a thing for jocks I guess. Haven’t you noticed Haley?”

“I know she gets extra giggly when he’s around, and is a little too chatty with him, but I just figured she’s an idiot freshman.”

“Exactly. That’s all it is – she’s and idiot freshman,” Nathan smiled suddenly jumping into the conversation he’d been cowering from before.

“You’re a little too agreeable there honey,” Haley snapped out.

Nathan closed his mouth going back to staring at the ceiling, his fingers once again tracing up the back of Haley’s shirt before she roughly pushed it away.

“Somebody better start talking before I march across the hall and beat the shit out of my roommate for some unknown offense. I’d much rather beat her for a known reason. TELL ME!” she shouted, all three of them jumping at the noise.

“Haley…look you’re blowing this way out of proportion. It’s nothing really. She’s just…creepy or something. I’ll be walking across campus, and next thing you know she’s next to me, out of nowhere, talking away and laughing and touching me, usually with equally stupid girls along with her. She always introduces me as her roommate’s boyfriend so…see she knows I’m taken, okay – so don’t freak out. Like I said it’s just…nothing,” he said with a small smile trying to take Haley in a hug, flipping Greg off behind her back.

“What do you mean she touches you – we had the touch conversation, remember?” she growled out pushing him back from her.

“Touch is an exaggeration okay,” he stumbled. “It’s just that…you know that…punch you in the arm, hang on your arm all…laugh, laugh, ha, ha, you’re so funny shit. She’s not grabbing my ass or anything. She’s just annoying that’s all. Don’t get yourself all upset over nothing Haley.”

He wasn’t about to add the story of her and a couple of her dance squad friends flashing their barely covered asses at him, Jake, and another player by intentionally standing there with their dressing room door wide open at the arena the other day. He had no idea if Jake had told Greg, but there was no way in hell that story was crossing his lips.

“She wants you.”

“Holy shit Haley, she doesn’t want me,” he blew out frustrated. “She’s just some flirty ass…dumb shit. Don’t worry about it. I’m not. God! Greg – you’re one dead S O B man,” he snarled at him trying unsuccessfully to wrap his arms around Haley again.

Greg threw his hands up in defeat. “Sorry. I’m sorry – I spoke before thinking. I didn’t mean to start anything. He’s right Haley, it’s no big deal. She’s not that hot anyway.”

“What do you mean ‘not THAT hot’” Brooke turned on him. “Not THAT hot implies she’s hot. You think she’s hot?” she gritted out at him, her hands firmly planted on her hips glaring hard at him as she awaited his answer.

“GOD! No it does not mean that Brooke. It means she’s not that hot…not that great…not that…what the hell ever,” Greg sputtered. “Jesus! Can I just go out and come back in again?” he whined.

“Too late big boy,” Brooke barked at him. “Not only is she NOT hot, she’s fat! She has a roll around her stomach and she has big legs. Not to mention her hairs been bleached so many times she couldn’t BEGIN to tell you its original color! How they let the little porker on the dance squad is beyond me! She must have screwed the judges. I could dance circles around that little ‘ho bag – and look damn good doing it!”

“You certainly would dear,” Greg mumbled trying not to laugh at the way Brooke was huffing and puffing and flailing her arms around.

“Come on,” Haley suddenly ordered grabbing Nathan’s hand, jerking him off the bed, barely giving him a chance to get his feet under him before she was dragging him with her across the hall to her room.

Haley came rushing through the door tugging Nathan behind her. “Hi Megan,” she chirped cheerfully with a huge smile, Nathan still clutching tightly to her hand. “Are you practicing your new routine?” she asked seemingly totally interested, pulling Nathan’s hand around her waist holding it to her stomach. Nathan instinctively wrapped his other arm around her clasping his hands together in front, pulling her closer into his chest, focusing anywhere but on Megan – completely afraid of what Haley was going to do.

“Yeah it’s really cool,” returning the big smile. “Hi Nathan,” she said trying to peer around Haley to see his face he had turned from her.

“Why don’t you show it to us? Wouldn’t you like to see it Nathan? I’m sure he would love to see it. Right?” she said giving him a light elbow to the stomach.

“Yeah great,” he muttered not even trying to pretend interest.

“Well…okay,” Megan shrugged happily.

“Sit,” she said sweetly to Nathan pushing him down on her bed, settling herself way back on his lap, wiggling her butt down as snugly as she could to his crotch, her legs dangling wide over his, swinging them around, knowing full well every time she moved, her butt moved against him. She knew it was all he could do not to moan, not to mention she was certain his palms were already sweating because he couldn’t put them where he wanted.

“Let me just get the music set up,” Megan said punching buttons on her stereo. “Okay I…,” she stopped mid-sentence her mouth falling open when she turned around to find Nathan had Haley’s mouth covered with his, his tongue obviously moving around in it, one hand splayed through her hair holding her face to his, the other hotly massaging her thigh moving it ever further up her leg, his sighs getting heavier with each passing second.

He reluctantly wrenched his mouth from Haley’s his breathing labored, “Megan would you mind leaving for a while,” not even trying to hide the husky lust in his voice, both of his hands massaging her thighs. He looked around Haley’s shoulder toward Megan who was still standing there dumbfounded, “Please Megan…I really need to be alone with Haley right now,” he said more firmly.

“Umm oh…sure…gosh…no problem,” she stammered quickly grabbing her purse.

“Thanks Meg…I’m really sorry,” Haley said sweetly, “but…you know how guys get sometimes,” she said with a little shrug and a small eye roll, Nathan’s mouth moving down her neck.

“Yeah…I…,” fumbling around with the door.

“Hey,” Nathan called to her again. “If the doors not wide open – don’t come back.”

“Not a problem,” she barely got out practically slamming the door behind her.

Haley threw her hands over her mouth to silence the wild giggle she couldn’t hold in any longer, jumping off Nathan’s lap to lock the door, turning back to him with a triumphant smile across her face.

“Proud of yourself are you?” he smirked, crooking his finger at her beckoning her back to him.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said coyly moving slowly back to him, shedding her clothes along the way.

“I’m sure,” he chuckled, his eyes sweeping over her increasingly naked body. “Like you didn’t know wiggling your ass against my crotch was going to get me worked up.”

“Oh that,” she scoffed lightly. “You didn’t think I was going to let her do her little dance, and let her think that’s what got you worked up did you?”

“Honestly I had no idea what you were going to do,” his voice a husky whisper as he buried his face in her stomach leaving wet kisses on it, reaching back to unclasp her bra at the same time, smiling against her flesh at the quiet moans Haley was making.

He pulled her down on top of him taking over her mouth again.

“Thanks for getting rid of her,” she whispered letting him kiss down her neck again.

“I figured you like it better that way,” he said with a light chuckle, his mouth moving over her breasts.

“Yeah,” she giggled, a long sigh escaping as he took her breast in his mouth massaging the other one.

He flipped them over, brushing the hair back from Haley’s smiling face, his own growing serious, dropping a light peck on her lips. “You know I love you Haley. You’re the only one I’m ever going to want.”

Her hands gently caressed his face, “You say the sweetest things. I love you too.”

Nathan pushed his detergent and dryer sheets back into his closet, dumping the basket of clean clothes on his bed, sifting through it, haphazardly folding the things he needed and shoving them into his bag.

“Shit,” he mumbled to himself, raking through the bag having lost count again of the numbers of what he’d put in there and what he was still missing. The team was going to be gone for a week to a pre-holiday tournament in Miami, trying to make sure he had extra of everything. “That’s bound to be enough,” throwing the leftover clothes in various drawers, putting the basket back into his closet.

He snapped his phone shut just as Lucas came through the door. “I’m going to see that lady at the Parks I’ll see ya later,” he tossed out moving past him.

“You are? You guys worked it out then?” Lucas asked surprised.

Nathan hesitated in the doorway before turning back to Lucas with a agitated sigh, “No…I mean I haven’t brought it up, but I’m doing this Lucas. I’m hoping she’s as frustrated as I am. Either way I’m gone. This back and forth crap you and I have to do, and with that nitwit Megan…nope this isn’t working for me at all. I’ll be back later.”

Haley dropped her phone back in her purse, continuing what was beginning to feel like an endless journey across campus, her dorm at one end, her math class on the other. She pulled her phone out again glaring at it, punching random buttons just to see the thing light up to assure herself it was on, and she wasn’t the cause of it not ringing. She wasn’t. “Ass,” she muttered to herself slinging it harshly back into her purse.

As the semester had worn on Nathan had grown increasingly irritable. It didn’t take much to set him off. She thought he and Peyton were going to get in an actual fist fight one day when Peyton called him out for being such a complete prick. Nathan ending up storming off just before the RA arrived at Peyton’s room to see what all the commotion was about. They’d hardly done more than mumble at each other since.

He was getting more possessive as the days wore on too, barely agreeing to share her time with anybody. They’d had a knock down drag out when she wanted to go to dinner alone with Jake and Greg one night, he’d never been jealous of them before. It was getting to be annoying. And then there was Megan…holy crap, he had the girl on the verge of tears more than once. She was an irritant to be sure, Haley definitely agreed with that one, she was far from Megan’s biggest fan, but he didn’t have to make her cry for crap’s sake.

“Hi,” Haley mumbled to Megan putting her books back on her shelf, pulling her computer out of its case to start reviewing her notes for her government final.

“Hi,” Megan bubbled back. “You sure do study a lot Haley,” she said examining the job she was doing filing her nails.

“I know.”

“I bet you have like a four point GPA or something don’t you?” she continued, working on her nails again.

“Something like that,” Haley returned rolling over on her side hoping it would dissuade her from talking further.

“I’m just hoping I can pull a two point. I guess that won’t be too bad for my first semester of college huh?”

“No,” she mumbled again.

“Do you like this color?” Megan asked holding the bottle of polish over Haley’s shoulder for her to see.

Haley jerked her head back before the thing hit her square in the nose. “Umm yeah Megan it’s great - very Carolina blue.” Go away she wanted to scream at her, where was bitchy Nathan when she needed him. Maybe making her cry wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

“Good that’s just what I want. We get to go down to Miami this weekend for the holiday tournament you know…I think I told you that. Anyway, that’s provided we’re still in it then - which of course we will be because we’re good. I mean with Nathan, and Lucas, and Jake, and everybody else how could we not win right?”

“Um humm.”

“Is Nathan excited about the trip?”

“I’m sure he is,” Haley mumbled again. Honestly she had no idea. She knew they were going, but that’s about it. Nathan hadn’t said much of anything about it. He wasn’t interested in discussing basketball when they were alone. He wasn’t interested in discussing much of anything lately, unless it had to do with sex, and there were very few words used in those discussions, certainly not the word basketball.

“Miami. That will be so completely cool. So what’s Nathan getting you for Christmas?” This girl’s conversation was all over the map.

“I haven’t a clue Megan.”

“I bet he gives good gifts.”

Haley had had enough, making a show of slamming her headphones over her head. She wasn’t about to share with her what gifts Nathan had given her. Especially the one he’d ordered out of the Victoria’s Secret catalog. He’d broken out in a raucous laugh when Haley tried, apparently unsuccessfully, to hide her scowl when she opened it, submitting that that one was actually a gift for himself, and handing her another box.

She was immersed in reviewing her notes when she felt the tap on her shoulder. “WHAT?” she yelled jolting around ready to pounce on Megan only to find Nathan standing there wide eyed holding his hands up in defense.

“Down there tiger,” he laughed, Megan’s stupid giggle joining in from the other side of the room.

She blew out a heavy breath, jerking the headphones off her head, her fury filled eyes boring holes through him.

“Hey,” he cautiously smiled. Haley folded her arms across her chest continuing to glare. “Am I in trouble?” he hesitated. “Not talking?” he asked trying hard not to smirk at her intense face, but she was just so damn cute when she got…huffy, pissed – not so cute – huffy definitely cute. “Come on,” he said grabbing her hand trying to tug her up, Haley jerked her arm away, folding it across herself again. “What?”

“Why don’t you try asking nicely instead of ordering, and tugging on me like a caveman?”

Nathan looked over at Megan. He didn’t have to say a word. She’d been hit over the head enough by his bad temper that she’d finally learned how to take a hint. “Fine,” she grumbled, “fine, fine I’m leaving.”

“Alright…go ahead. Let me have it.” Maybe she wasn’t so cute after all. She was most assuredly pissed.

“For what?”

“For what? Hell I don’t know Haley, but you’re obviously not happy with me. So what is it?” his voice getting ever louder.

“If all you’re going to do is yell then you can leave. I’m tired of your…your pissy attitude lately Nathan. You’re so…I don’t know – you’re surly that’s what you are – surly. We had a fight last night, and the one before that, and here it is…almost night time again, and I haven’t heard word one from you all day, not to mention the fact that you’re leaving tonight for a week. I try to call you, and get shipped right to voice mail. What’s the deal? I mean I don’t know what to think Nathan. If you want to break up then just do it, don’t be a coward about it, and try pissing me off to the max thinking I’ll do it for you,” blinking back the tears she felt threatening to spill over.

“What in the hell are you talking about?” he snapped back. “I’m so damn in love with you Haley you couldn’t pay me enough money to break up with you. Shit! This is some shit is what this is,” he blew out pacing around the room. “I was…busy. Okay? I had some stuff to do. I’m sorry I didn’t have my phone on. Damn, I didn’t know I was on a leash.”

Haley’s eyes flew wide at his words gasping appalled. “LEASH?” she yelled jumping off the bed reaching for his neck, Nathan flinched away from her hands, before she roughly grabbed his shoulder making an exaggerated motion of jerking something away from his neck. “There you go Nathan – the leash is off – run free Nathan, run free,” she mockingly called cheerfully, opening the door giving a grandiose motion toward it. “Here you go Nathan. Run boy run.”

“Goddamn it Haley shut the fucking door,” he bitched back at her, she folded her arms across her heaving chest their eyes locked in silent battle. “I’m not leaving,” he growled.

“Then I will,” turning on her heels marching across to Peyton and Brooke’s going through the door slamming it behind her.

He was stunned. What the fuck was going on? They’d been arguing lately…he didn’t call her…he didn’t have his phone on…she was beyond pissed…and he’d said something beyond stupid. ARGGG! He went barreling through the girl’s door to find Haley sitting on Peyton’s bed hugging her pillow, swatting away tears, Peyton giving a complete go to hell scowl, Brooke’s scowl sending him somewhere deeper than hell.

He glared from one girl to the other before Brooke spoke up, “Don’t even think about telling us to leave our own room.” He opened his mouth to say something laced with expletives, but closed it before they could get out.

“What’s going on Haley? I’m sorry I said that. I…I think it’s probably one of the stupidest things I’ve ever said in my life. I’m sorry; you know I don’t think that. Please come back to your room. Please,” he said fighting to keep calm. Nothing worse than groveling to your girlfriend in front of witnesses – especially ones that are convinced you’re an utter ass to begin with.

“I’m not going back in there just so you can yell at me in private,” she whined wiping at her wet face.

“I wasn’t yelling!” he yelled, all three girls rolling their eyes at him. “I was fine until you jumped all over me. Damn Haley, so I was gone for a while, so what! I don’t know why you’re so pissed.”

“I’m PISSED because you’re PISSED! All the time Nathan – you’re pissed all the time! Lately, if I spend five minutes with someone else you go nuts. You’re always so…mad or…or pissed or frustrated or just plain bitchy – to everybody. What is your problem?”

He was pacing like a caged animal. He didn’t want to have this conversation…this fight in front of Peyton and Brooke that was for sure, but she was pretty much leaving him no choice. Hell yes he was frustrated, and on top of that he couldn’t figure out why she wasn’t just as frustrated.

He drew in a deep breath trying to keep his voice even, “I want to spend time with you Haley…alone,” he emphasized. “With school and basketball and fucking roommates I don’t get enough time alone with you okay. Sorry – I’m selfish that way. I love you – sue me,” he shrugged his temper growing again. “I’m frustrated as hell. I had tons of time with you last year, and then last summer you were one place and I was another and it royally sucked! And here we are again…Lucas or Megan or some other jackass is always in the middle and I’m tired of it! Besides the fact that I’ve played like total SHIT the last few games which is frustrating the hell out of me too! But…obviously you don’t feel the same way. Apparently you’re happy the way things are.”

“Nathan I like being with you too, but I’m tired of you taking out your frustration on me and everybody else. That’s just not fair.”

He was so mad he couldn’t think straight. He didn’t even know what they were arguing about anymore - too much time, not enough time, his temper, her not being angry enough. He needed to throw something!

“I…I guess I’m supposed to say I’m sorry. So…I’m sorry. I’m sorry for being an overbearing, angry, possessive shit. I’m sorry Haley, I’m sorry Brooke, I’m sorry Peyton,” he bit out, his hands rubbing harshly through his hair. “I’m leaving now Haley. I’ll see you in a week. Enjoy your time away from me. Relax, go out with the girls and have a beer since I won’t be here to drag you down…keep you squirreled away from everyone. Then when I get back…maybe we can get together or something, and you can let me know how it went, let me know if you want to make our being apart PERMANENT!” he yelled slamming the door behind him so hard the pictures on Peyton’s wall fell off, going bouncing off the bed and onto the floor.

The three of them sat in stunned silence, Haley biting hard on her quivering lip astonished by what had just happened, actually unsure as to what had just happened.

“I’m sorry Haley…but…what exactly was that fight about? I kind of lost track,” Brooke said shaking her head confused, as Haley laid over on Peyton’s bed sobbing into the pillow.

The rest of the week went…unresolved. He didn’t call, she didn’t call. She watched the tournament on television, at least that way she knew he was still alive.

He was playing good as far as she was concerned, but she knew anything less than twenty points was unsatisfactory, and if he had turnovers…god forbid - he would be beside himself. Every time the camera focused in on him she had to resist the urge to run her finger over the television screen. She missed him.

“Hey,” Peyton greeted draping herself across Megan’s bed. “I guess dancing girls gone to Miami huh?”

“Yep, they’re in the championship tomorrow afternoon so they get to go shake their asses in Miami. She was so excited, it was sickening – you’ve never heard such squealing,” she groaned.

“Oh I heard her. I thought you were going to watch the game with us?”

“I was…but Megan left so I just decided to watch it by myself. Watching Nathan on T.V. is just so…I don’t know it’s weird. Especially with the way he left. I can read his face like a book. He’s still mad, and I…I just really miss him,” she sighed trying not to let the tears get the best of her again.

“Haley he’s fine. They win this thing and he’ll be all yucks and grins again. He’s been playing pretty good so that’s bound to help his mood. Everything’s going to be fine.”

“I hope so.”

Nathan and half of the team were holed up in Derek’s room. He was the one who was smart enough, or dumb enough depending on how you looked at it, to bring his playstation, and the team had all but taken over his room during the week. While Derek and his unfortunate roommate slept, it seemed someone would still be there in the middle of the night playing some game. More often than not it was Nathan. He just couldn’t sleep, taking to napping instead of sleeping. It was a good thing they just had one more game left, he knew he didn’t have enough energy for more than that.

“Hey man go get dressed we’re going out tonight,” Derek said almost tripping over Nathan’s body lounging on the floor working the controls.

“Where?” he mumbled his concentration focused on the game before him.

“Some club called Lace, hurry up.”

“Sounds like a strip joint…shit,” he grumbled when his man got shot.

“It is…now move it,” Derek ordered pulling the plug on the playstation.

“You know we still have a game tomorrow, we can’t afford to get piss ass drunk. Who’s going?” Nathan asked trying to pull himself to an upright position.

“Most of us…well most of us we asked anyway. The cool people you know,” he laughed. “We’re not going to get piss ass drunk, and we’ll be back before bed check. Hurry your ass up man or are you too p.w.’d to go?” he said smirking at Nathan.

“Eat shit man, I’m going,” he griped.

They managed to end up with a couple of table’s right near the front. Derek could smooth talk anybody, especially a female, and this hostess was no different. He had her giggling and blushing – which had to be hard to do in a place like this – before it was over, landing them front and center.

After a couple of beers Nathan was relaxing a little, but he was in no mood for this, besides he knew better than to drink too much since they had a game the next afternoon, and he’d been sleeping for shit the whole week. Most of his entertainment was coming from watching the others make complete idiots of themselves whooping and hollering.

“You alright man?” Jake asked watching Nathan slumped down in his chair watching the show with disinterest.

“Yeah I’m fine. I just don’t want to drink too much you know. I’m tired enough without screwing myself up more with booze. I haven’t slept worth a shit all week,” running a tired hand over his neck.

“Why don’t you just call her Nathan? Maybe you’ll be able to get some sleep then.”

“The phones go both ways Jake,” he complained. “Besides…I don’t know what she’d say if I did call. It may make sleeping impossible afterwards.”

“Damn Nathan it’s not that bad. You guys just had a fight. You’ll get past it, don’t panic.”

“I don’t want to talk about it…her, so just drop it Jake. Let’s just enjoy the show,” he said with a tight smile, turning his attention back to the stage. “I’ve had better shows than this in my own room,” he mumbled. Jake stared at him, his mind working overtime to block out thoughts of Haley writhing around like the girl on the stage was.

“That’s gross man.”

“Hey...sorry,” he shrugged, “believe me it was anything but gross,” Nathan laughed, Jake squirming uncomfortably.

“Hey girls!” Derek hollered to the squealing group of girls that had surrounded them.

“Are we supposed to be in here?” one of them laughed.

“Sure baby,” Derek laughed pulling her to him, “look around, there’s all kinds of girls in here. What better place to find a man than a gentlemen’s club. You ladies sound like you’ve been doing a little partying already.”

“Oh we have, we have,” they all giggled, scrambling around to find chairs to pull up around the guys table.

“Hi Nathan, hi Jake,” Megan twittered with a big grin, pulling her chair up behind theirs, draping her arms around their shoulders hugging them, the smell of alcohol wafting off her. “Hi Lucas,” she giggled tapping Lucas, who was on the other side of Jake, on the shoulder.

“Hey Megan,” Lucas said with an unenthusiastic head nod.

Nathan didn’t acknowledge her, leaving Jake to be the polite one. “Hey Megan, what are you guys doing here? Trying to learn some new dance moves?” he said with a fake laugh. Megan giggled loudly at him.

“You’re so funny Jake! No silly, some of the guys told us to come, so here we are. Are you having fun Nathan?” she asked cheerfully, wrapping both of her arms around his neck.

Nathan looked down at her arms, then over his shoulder at her. “Loads,” he mumbled standing up. “I’ll be back,” he muttered to Jake, walking away from them.

Megan jumped into Nathan’s empty chair beside Jake, turning her eyes toward the stage. “Wow, she’s got some big boobs,” she marveled laughing hysterically.

“The best money can buy I’m sure,” Jake returned rolling his eyes at how annoyingly giddy Megan was. She was hard enough to take sober; drunk looked like it might be darn near impossible.

“I wonder where Nathan got off to?” she asked twisting around in her chair searching the room for him.

“Probably hiding in the bathroom,” Jake mumbled.

“Huh?” she asked leaning in closer.

“Probably a line in the restroom or something,” Jake said with a tight smile.

“Oh. You know I heard you can go in the back of these places and get private lap dances and…other things,” she whispered holding her hand over her mouth giggling again. “You think he went in the back to get a…”

“No. No Megan, he didn’t go in the back for anything. Don’t even think about starting that stupid ass rumor. He just went to take a piss or something. Leave him alone Megan.”

“He and Haley are fighting you know. Maybe he just needed some special attention, you know what I mean,” she grinned winking and nudging Jake in the side.

“You’re in my chair,” Nathan grumbled from behind her.

“Sorry,” she chirped brushing herself against him as she moved back into her own chair.

“Haley’s been sad all week,” she said with a little pout throwing her arm around him again, “I bet you have been too.” Nathan looked over his shoulder at her completely irritated, his jaw beginning to clench, glancing at Jake before turning back once more to the stage pushing her arm off of him with an aggravated sigh.

“What’s wrong?” she asked with another annoying pout, trying to put her arm back around him only to have him shove it off more brusquely.

He turned around to face her head on, “Look Megan,” he bit out harshly, “I don’t want to be a bastard, but you’re not giving me much choice. You want some company, try Lucas or one of the other guys, I’m taken alright. I’m not interested in you; I’ve got a girl, so fuck off!”

“If you have a girl then what are you doing in a strip club?” she snapped back, hurt by his rebuff.

“Don’t Megan,” Jake jumped in trying to deflect the tirade he could tell was about to spew forth from Nathan.

“I’m just here with the guys Megan,” Nathan growled, “for a little relaxing entertainment. It’s been a long tough week. We just came to relax. There’s nothing sinister in it, sorry to disappoint you.”

“Relaxing,” she laughed. “How can watching this relax you? Seems more like it would get you worked up rather than relaxed,” she cooed in his ear.

Nathan started laughing, shaking his head at her, “You’re so stupid it’s unbelievable Megan! These girls aren’t real! The tits on that girl up there are bought and paid for – probably by one of her customers. Now I’ll admit, she’s got a nice body, and some good moves, but Megan honey, I’ve got a girl that has some moves that puts that girl to shame,” he laughed again. “Haley can get me worked up in ways you can’t even imagine Megan. What the hell do I want with a stripper when I’ve got Haley? I’m tellin’ you Megan, don’t let Haley’s sweetness fool you…she’s got it goin’ on – you have no idea how she can work it – there’s nothing - and nobody - going to break me away from her,” he snarled, bursting out in laughter when he turned back and noticed the way Jake had put his hands over his ears to block out what he was saying.

“Megan!” one of the other girls called out, waving her over, “I just lost a bet. We have to buy a round,” she laughed pulling Megan and another girl with her toward the bar.

“Thank god,” Nathan blew out shifting back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest, glaring at the dancer.

“All I have to say is - TMI,” Jake mumbled.

“Hey!” Megan giggled into the phone, holding it to her ear with her shoulder as she tried to manage the drinks she was attempting to carry back to the table without completely spilling them.

“Hey Megan, you sound…giggly,” Haley said with a little laugh.

“I know, I am,” she giggled again. “I’m in a strip club.”

“Oh really. Sounds interesting. So have they ripped off the snap on pants yet?” she laughed again.

“Not that kind of strip club. We’re in a gentlemen’s club – naked girls not guys,” she whispered conspiratorially.

“Oh I see,” Haley laughed confused. “You trying to tell me something Meg?”

“No silly,” she laughed loudly, setting the drinks down along the table in front of the guys. “The basketball team invited us along. They’re all here too.”

There was dead silence on the other end of the phone. So much so Megan was convinced she’d lost her. “Haley? Haley?” she said louder, Nathan and Jake both spinning around to her. “Haley!” she said again.

“I’m here Megan,” she finally said.

“Oh good, I thought I’d lost you,” she snickered. “Anyway they’re all here with us,” she said loudly, giving Nathan an insincere smile. “We just had to supply this round of drinks because Kim lost some stupid bet. Although I’m thinking the guys are probably running out of cash anyway the way they keep stuffing that girls g-string with money,” she giggled. “I think she has the biggest fake boobs I’ve ever seen,” she whispered with another laugh.

“Sounds exciting there Megan. I’ll let you go. Have fun,” she said slamming her phone off.

“Oh yeah it’s lots of fun. Nathan? Oh yeah he’s here. You want to talk to him? Okay…Nathan – it’s Haley,” she smiled handing him her phone.

Nathan couldn’t muster up a more hate filled look if he tried. He kept clenching his fists over and over; he had to do something with them to keep them from reaching out and strangling the life out of Megan.

“Hales?” he said softly. “Hales?” he asked again, plugging up his other ear trying to hear better. “I guess she hung up,” he mumbled throwing Megan’s phone on the table.

“She did?” Megan said with false concern. “Haley?” she tried in the phone, “maybe the line just got dropped,” she shrugged.

“I’m going back,” Nathan told Jake shoving his chair away from the table retreating toward the door.

“Nathan,” Megan called hurrying after him. “I hope I didn’t cause any problems…with Haley I mean,” smiling sweetly at him.

Nathan started down at her, his eyes full of fury, his voice eerily calm, “No problems Megan. It’s going to take a hell of a lot more than your petty bullshit to come between me and Haley. But don’t worry,” he smiled patting her cheek, “I won’t forget what you did. You’ve fucked with the wrong relationship honey. I won’t forget. Watch your back,” he winked patting her cheek again before slamming out the door.

Haley had been pacing circles in her room for thirty minutes when Peyton came unannounced through the door, pillow in hand.

“Guess I’m staying here tonight,” she griped throwing her pillow on Megan’s bed before flopping her body down in the middle of it. “Apparently Brooke’s having a sleepover, and with Greg, there sure isn’t room for three,” she laughed, her eyes getting dizzy from watching Haley. “Geez Haley, enough already. I’m getting sick just watching you. What is your problem?”

“I just got a call from Megan. Apparently the dancing ‘ho’s are in a ‘gentlemen’s club’ - with our boyfriends,” she bit out, starting the pacing again after another loud huff.

“Gentlemen’s club,” Peyton laughed uproariously, “that term always cracks me up. So what.”

“So what! So Megan – the dancing slut who’s been drooling after Nathan for months now is in a strip club with him. Where I’m sure he’s drinking. Not to mention some big titted girl is up there wagging it in front of his face where I’m sure Megan’s trying to wag it too!”

“Oh whatever. I’m sure Jake’s getting his little jollies too. He’s not going to do anything Haley for crap’s sake he’s so in love with you it’s ridiculous,” rolling her eyes, “you do trust him…don’t you?”

“Yes I trust him. I’m not worried about some stupid stripper. It’s that bimbo Megan I don’t trust. With me gone, I’m sure she figured this was her chance to make her move. Stupid bitch! And if he’s been drinking…”

“I don’t think there’s enough liquor to make Megan look good to him Haley,” Peyton laughed throwing one of Megan’s stuffed animals at Haley’s pacing figure. “Stop already!”

“Sorry,” Haley laughed dropping down on her bed with a huge sigh staring at the ceiling. “I’m going to kill her in her sleep.”

“Sounds like a plan to me,” Peyton laughed back.

It wasn’t midway through the second half, and Nathan had just gotten called for his third foul. He was looking at the referee astonished by the call, trying to look like the picture of innocence. So his flying elbow had landed with a resounding whack against the mouth of the guy unlucky enough to be guarding him today, leaving him to wipe at his bleeding lip. He should have ducked – it certainly wasn’t intentional…honest…it wasn’t. At least that seemed to be the story he was telling his coach as he took a seat on the bench.

Haley rolled her eyes, looking from one to the other, all of them rolling their eyes back at her, except Greg, who was chuckling about the whole thing.

“How can someone as tender hearted as you are, still be so damn blood thirsty?” Brooke asked pushing lightly on his massive bicep.

“Beats me,” he shrugged hugging her in tighter.

She’d been studying his face all game. It was rigid as stone. Not a smile, not a grimace, nothing. He’d moved beyond mad, and somebody was going to pay – right now it looked like the poor sucker guarding him from the other team had been elected victim.

The entire room let out a collective sigh of relief when the final buzzer sounded, and they’d escaped with a one point victory. Nathan’s expression never changed as the camera’s zoomed in on the team getting the tournament trophy. Everyone all grins and smiles, Lucas’ arm draped haphazardly around Nathan’s shoulder, as Nathan stood there stone faced, except for the nearly imperceptible jaw clench Haley noticed was starting. If they didn’t hurry he was going to bolt she knew, the closeness was making him uncomfortable. He needed to be alone to vent or he needed to break something – that guy’s busted lip hadn’t been near enough relief. They’d better hurry.

Haley opened her door only to be staggered by the wafts of Brooke and Peyton’s perfume hitting her senses.

“Ready?” Brooke asked tugging down on her top, and up on her breasts.

“We see them Brooke,” Peyton grumbled adjusting her own clothes again, her fingers raking through her curls, smacking her lips in the mirror. “You look hot Hales,” she smiled.

“Whatever,” Haley mumbled examining herself again. The dark green, spaghetti strapped, skin tight top, and matching skirt were doing nothing for her. She tugged at the skirt again…it was just too damn…green, or short, or…something. Yuck, she wasn’t impressed. She ran a brush through her hair, wondering again how she’d managed to let herself get talked into going out clubbing. She gave herself one last look, the ‘this isn’t a good idea’ mantra running through her head yet again. “Let’s go,” she mumbled snatching up her purse.

“Let’s dance,” she groaned to Peyton, having her fill of sitting next to Brooke and Greg while they slobbered all over each other.

A handful of drinks and she was well on her way to being totally blitzed. The three girls danced with each other, seemingly challenging each other to make the most outlandish moves on the floor, laughing hysterically at how completely entertaining they just knew they were. Greg, watching from the table, seemed to be having more fun watching them than even they were having.

“Hey man,” Greg grinned bumping fists with Jake. “I didn’t think you guys would get back this early. Congratulations on the tournament. How’d you find us?”

“Thanks. Peyton left me a voice mail saying you guys would be here if we got back in time.”

“Where’s Nathan? Please don’t tell me he got pissed about her going out and didn’t come?”

“No – after the shit Megan pulled about the strip club, even he knows better than to try that. No, he said he had to make a stop first, but he’ll be here. I think anyway,” Jake shrugged, laughing when he saw Peyton hurrying over to him.

“I need to go to the little girls room,” Peyton suddenly announced – grabbing Haley’s hand pulling her with her just as she got back to the table – Haley waving with a stupid smile at Jake.

Haley stood next to the bar, her head and body swaying to the music, waiting patiently for Peyton to get Jake a drink, giving an annoyed brush off to the third guy to hit on her in the last three minutes.

She didn’t see him leaning against the wall in the short hallway that only led to the emergency exit behind her. For some strange reason it was amusing him to watch her shoo away would be suitors. The way her face would twist up in disgust at them before waving them on was comical. It was time to try his turn.

His arm wrapped quickly around her waist from behind, tugging her back into his chest, backing them into a darkened corner with one swift movement. Haley tried to jerk out of his grasp, pushing hard on his arms.

“Shh, be still,” he whispered hotly in her ear holding her tighter. “You look hot tonight,” he whispered again, nuzzling his nose in her hair. “Mmm you smell delicious. Are you alone tonight?”

“Yes,” she said, the huskiness in his voice and the whisper of breath on her neck sending chills down her spine, little goose bumps forming on her bare arms. “My boyfriend’s out of town.”

“Is he now? Well…good, I sure don’t want some nutty boyfriend coming after me.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell,” she returned with a small giggle.

“I can tell he’s out of town because he’d be crazy to let a hot thing like you out alone, especially in this,” his hands moving slowly up and down her hips, extending to her thighs, the skirt hiking every time he pulled his hands back up them, dropping a light kiss on her shoulder.

“He’s been watching strippers, so I’m sure I’m not that big of a deal to him right now,” she grumbled to him over her shoulder.

He had to fight the smile at the petulance in her voice. He laid hot kisses along her shoulder, his tongue tracing a wet line up her neck, “Mmm baby I’m sure those strippers don’t have anything on you,” pulling her back against him their hips swaying slowly together. “I bet you could do a striptease that would put them to shame,” he purred in her ear, nibbling at her lobe, his hands still moving seductively along her hips. “Have you ever stripped for him?”

“Yes,” she moaned out.

“I bet you have. I bet it was hot, I bet it turned him on didn’t it,” he whispered, pushing the straps off her shoulders, his mouth biting lightly at her shoulders, sucking on her bare flesh.

“Yes,” she moaned again, rubbing her butt back against him, his own light moans filling her ear.

“I bet you had hot sex after you stripped for him didn’t you,” his hands creeping up her thighs and under the edges of her skirt.

“God yes,” she moaned out her head falling back against his chest, her voice hot and lusting. “The way he makes love…you have no idea what he does to me. I can’t even think he has me so turned on most of the time. The way his hands move on me, his mouth…umm god he can work me over with his mouth, and when he’s in me…it’s the most incredible feeling. He’s just so confident…so caring. He’s so unbelievable at sex,” she moaned, her arms reaching up behind her to wrap around his head, her fingers playing through his hair.

His mouth was so hot on her neck, turning her head to kiss along her jaw, “leave with me,” he ordered huskily in her ear.

“What about my boyfriend?” she panted out with a light smile.

“I can put that boy to shame in bed I promise,” he said with a light smile of his own. “Just give me a chance to prove it.”

“Well…I doubt you can out do him but…okay,” she shrugged with a little laugh.

“You won’t regret this,” he moaned spinning her around, his mouth hungrily taking over hers, his fingers tearing through her hair, before pulling her tightly to him, both of them pulling back for much needed air.

“I’m glad you’re back, I missed you,” she sighed, softly kissing his mouth, “I love you.”

“God baby I love you too. I’m so sorry for everything. I missed you so much,” his mouth taking over hers again. “Come on,” he smiled taking a deep breath before pulling her behind him out the door.

He was trying unsuccessfully to pry her away from him for just the briefest of moments. She wouldn’t be disswayed, having crawled up in his lap, straddling across him where he’d barely settled himself into the drivers seat.

“Hales,” he gasped, “Hales…let’s get out of here first.”

“Where are we going to go? The car’s practically become our bed lately anyway,” she said her mouth taking over his again.

“I have something to show you,”

“I’m sure you do,” she giggled against his lips.

“No…really,” he laughed back, groaning as Haley quickly whipped her top off over her head, his mouth immediately landing on her chest, Haley’s smile growing broader with every kiss.

They both jumped at the firm rap on their fog covered window. Nathan releasing a frustrated groan before cracking the window and looking annoyed for whoever was disturbing them.

“Excuse me, but you two need to break it up. Either go back inside or leave,” came the gruff voice of the uniformed security guard who patrolled the parking lot to ward off thefts, and apparently parking lot sex.

“Yeah…ummm…yeah okay we’re leaving,” Nathan stammered.

“He just picked me up,” Haley giggled leaning over to the opening in the window. “Crap,” Nathan mumbled grabbing her shirt holding it up to her chest.

“He did. Have you been drinking?”

“Yep, no,” came their in unison answers.

“I have, he hasn’t,” she giggled again.

“You know you don’t have to leave with him ma’am. If you’ve been drinking it might be best if you just went back inside, and let me get you a cab.”

“Hmmm, no that’s okay. He did just pick me up, but he’s actually my boyfriend too,” she grinned at him.

“Excuse me? He’s you’re boyfriend?”

“Really…I’m her boyfriend. She’s just goofing around,” Nathan tried to smile, keeping the shirt plastered to Haley’s chest. “We’re leaving now.”

“He really is my boyfriend,” Haley smiled cheerfully through the crack. “He just got back in town from playing basketball in Miami. They won,” she grinned. “He’s really good.” Nathan was smiling painfully at the security guard.

Why oh why did Haley have to be a talkative drunk all of a sudden. A horny drunk he could handle – a talkative one was quickly wearing on him.

“Oh yeah?” the security guard said with a long chuckle, turning his flashlight on Nathan for a moment. “Sure I recognize you now. Nathan Scott. She’s right. You are good,” he chuckled again, Haley beaming brightly at both of them.

“Thanks. Really, we’re just going to go now.”

“Have a nice night,” the guard laughed, “get your seatbelts on,” he said quickly before the window could completely close. Nathan just giving him a half hearted wave.

“Crap Haley,” he blew out, “here - put your shirt on for god’s sake.”

“Ooops,” she giggled. “I forgot about that.”

“I sure as hell didn’t.”

He pulled into the apartment complex parking lot, checking to make sure Haley was put back together before hurrying around to help her out.

“What’s this?” she asked confused, trying to straighten out her twisted up skirt.

“Hang on,” Nathan smiled, guiding her toward the door. He took her hand leading her through, “Welcome to my new apartment.”

“What?” she asked with complete confusion.

“Well actually I’m kind of hoping it’s going to be our apartment, but…either way I’m living here,” he said with a small smile trying to read her face. She was looking around still stunned, finally moving further into the room, looking perplexed at him once more before walking down the hall to examine the rest of the place. Nathan stayed in the living room waiting nervously for her to return.

She took in the blankets and pillows lying on the floor in front of the fireplace, the candle burning on the hearth, and the small ice chest in the corner curiously before speaking.

“How long have you had this?” her voice unsteady.

“I just got the key the day I left for Miami. I put this stuff in here before I came over to the club earlier. I know this is kind of a shock Haley, but I can’t stand the way we have to work around everybody to be together. At least with this place we can be alone whenever we want. I’d love it if you’d move in here with me Hales. I mean I know what your parents said, but I just…I love you and I want to…”

“We’re going to need a real bed,” she interrupted, “and we’ll definitely need more furniture,” she smiled at him.

“Whatever you want,” he grinned scooping her up in his arms.

Chapter 15

He laid in the bed arms folded behind his head staring at the ceiling. What had possessed her to do this? It could only end one way…badly. He watched her silently shuffle back and forth between the bathroom and the bedroom.

She was ignoring him. He was watching her every move she knew, waiting for her to initiate the conversation. She wasn’t about to. He was the one all pissy about it, not her. It was going to happen one way or another…some day – sooner or later, it just had to, why not do it now and get it over with. He was blowing everything way out of proportion when it came to them…per usual.

She put the finishing touches to her make-up, running a brush through her hair, whisking it up into a ponytail, wiping at those little wispy hairs that never seemed to want to cooperate, before pulling it tighter to her head. She could see his reflection in the mirror watching her from the bed, his face passive, letting her eyes lock with his for a moment before looking away, giving herself one more critical review.

She went to the dresser rummaging through her jewelry box, settling on a pair of earrings, pushing her ring on her pinkie, picking up a bottle of perfume giving it a little squirt in the air before taking a step into the mist. She could still feel him watching her, her glance into the dresser mirror confirming it.

She leaned on the edge of the bed, her foot pushing her flip flops around so she could slide her feet into them. She let out a small sigh finally meeting him head on, both staring blankly at the other.

“Don’t forget it’s you’re night to cook,” she said quietly, grabbing her purse off the dresser and moving out the bedroom door. She gathered her books off the table, flipping through her notebook to make sure she had her paper. Keys! Damn it, she griped at herself realizing she’d left her keys on the dresser. She had to go back in there. Great.

He was still in the same position, his eyes catching hers again when she came back in the room. “Keys,” she mumbled turning to go again.

He didn’t move until he heard the door close, finally pushing himself up throwing his legs over the edge of the bed running his hands tiredly through his hair, shaking his head as he blew out a long breath.

He pushed the shower curtain aside to peek at the clock in the bathroom, groaning when he read the time. He only had twenty minutes to get dressed and get across campus to his class, turning off the water, quickly running a towel over himself, swiping his fingers through his hair and hurriedly brushing his teeth.

He opened the dresser drawer grabbing up a t-shirt, slipping into a pair of boxers before hastily jerking a pair of clean jeans off the hanger. He threw some extra clothes into his gym bag, throwing his notebook and a pen in with them, slinging it over his shoulder, before snatching up a couple of bananas off the counter, slamming the door shut behind him. The next few days were going to be a damn nightmare he was certain of that.

He glanced at his watch…he still had ten minutes he sighed slowing his pace to a hurried walk from the jog it had been. He felt the arm grasp onto his shoulder giving it a firm squeeze. “Hey man,” Jake greeted with a happy smile.

“Hey,” he mumbled back.

“Well if it isn’t the little woman,” Jake chuckled seeing Haley standing in front of the Science building, listening with a small smile to some guy who was sitting on the wall talking animatedly to her. “Hey…Hales,” Jake called slowing down to stop, assuming Nathan was going to do the same. He didn’t. He and Haley exchanged glares, before Nathan turned cold eyes on the guy still talking to her, rolling his eyes at her with a little snort, before turning away and continuing on. “Nath…,” Jake said confused that he was the only one stopping. He shrugged at Haley before jogging off to catch up with Nathan. “Trouble in paradise I take it?”

Nathan didn’t answer just picked up his pace, glancing at his watch again.

“We’re going to make it on time,” Jake said with another chuckle, “it’s not like you haven’t been late before.”

Nathan slumped into the first desk he came to, Jake dropping into one in the row next to him. “What’s going on with you and that short girl that lives with you?” Jake asked with a short laugh.

Nathan blew out a small breath, giving him an annoyed look before turning his attention back to the front where the professor was pulling things out of his bag, his thumb tapping rapidly on his desk. The girl sitting in front of him turned around glaring down at his still tapping thumb, turning her irritated eyes on him. Nathan gave her a tight smile before extending his middle finger at her, his thumb returned to tapping as she turned around with a loud huff; Jake covered his mouth to keep from busting out laughing. Nathan’s charm was on high today.

Lucas and Jake watched from the sidelines, Nathan staring holes through the floor, as the coach chewed on his butt for not running the play that was called. Lucas knew what Nathan was thinking…they made the basket - what was the big deal. There was a day he would have said exactly that to Whitey, only to be met by a major ass chewing, just like the one he was getting now. Talk back or don’t talk back the results were the same, why didn’t he just do like he was told Lucas sighed, catching the ball Nathan had just slung at him.

“Free throws – you’re up,” Nathan grumbled taking up the spot under the basket, tossing the ball back to Lucas as it dropped through the net.

“When are you going to learn how to keep your personal life off the court?” Lucas asked draining another free throw.

“What did you say?” Nathan blew back holding onto the ball.

“You heard me.”

“And when are you going to learn to mind your own damn business?”

“When you quit letting you’re personal shit screw up your basketball that’s when. All your little issues trickle down on all of us you know Nathan. It screws up the whole team, but especially you. You need to figure out how to separate the two before it causes you some deep shit.”

Nathan walked slowly toward Lucas’ unflinching figure, “And you, big brother, need to learn to shut your mouth before it causes you some deep shit. I don’t need your advice, so shut the fuck up,” he growled shoving the ball at Lucas.

Lucas met his hard stare before rolling his eyes at him, “Fine, whatever man.”

Lucas couldn’t get out of the gym and away from his stupid ass brother fast enough, rushing through his shower, throwing on his clothes and slamming out the gym door.

He felt Nathan hot on his heels, but he wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of acknowledging him.

Nathan jogged up behind him grabbing onto his arm forcing him to stop. “What the hell was that shit about? Where do you get off talking to me like that especially in front of everybody else?”

“Just trying to do you a favor man that’s all,” he shrugged jerking his arm away from Nathan.

“I don’t need your favors. Besides, you don’t have a damn clue what’s wrong with me…you don’t even know if something is wrong with me.”

“Oh come on Nathan,” Lucas laughed, “you’re so easy to read it’s pitiful. You wear your feelings all over your face and your piss ass attitude. There’s only one thing that gets you this shitty and that’s Haley. What’d you do?”

“ME! Why is it always me? Why do you assume it’s me all the time huh? I mean she’s not…not…a…a fucking saint you know! She’s…I mean…she can be a shit too…don’t think she can’t,” he blew back exasperated.

“What’d you do?”

“I didn’t do a damn thing! It’s her. You wouldn’t believe what she’s done. I mean you just wouldn’t believe it!”

“Try me,” Lucas grumbled.

“You’re not going to believe it. It’s our last regular season game this weekend right…and you know who’s coming to the game right?”

“Dan.”

“And his wife…otherwise known as my mother,” he snapped, the frustration ebbing out of him as he waved his arms around.

“And? You knew they were coming, what does that have to do with Haley?”

“She invited them to dinner! At our apartment. Not only that…not only that…her parents are going to be here too…having dinner at our apartment…with my parents! Her parents…my parents…us…alone – together! Jesus!”

“Ewww man you’re kidding. That’s…eww. That’s bad…not good. What’d you let her do that for?”

“LET HER! Holy hell I didn’t let her, she didn’t even ask me! She…she just went and did it. Shit!”

“Oh man, talk about guess who’s coming to dinner,” Lucas scowled.

“Yeah – Dan! I mean I was pissed enough when she said she’d asked my parents, but I figured…okay, I can just drink myself into a stupor and forget they’re there, but crap I can’t even do that with her parents there! I don’t need them thinking I’m sort of a…freaking lush or something. Damn! Now I have to be good even if Dad pisses me off I have to behave. I just…I don’t know if I can handle this, and of course she just can’t see it. Has no idea why I’m so upset. I’m just blowing things out of proportion, blah, blah, blah. God!”

Lucas couldn’t stop laughing at Nathan’s ever growing frustration. It was just one more time he was glad he wasn’t Nathan.

“Good luck man,” he said with a big smile, giving him a firm slap on the back starting to walk away.

“Why don’t you come? Bring Peyton, and I don’t care who else. Everybody. Anybody. Just someone to deflect the attention from me.”

“No, no, no. Un unh. I’m not getting mixed up in that mess. No way.”

“Please Luke. Don’t leave me alone with them. Please!”

“Nope. Just one of the joys of being in a real relationship little brother. You wanted her, you got her - parents and all,” his grin growing as he looked at Nathan’s pleading face. “Maybe it won’t be so bad. Haley’s parents seemed pretty cool.”

“I’m not worried about her parents,” he growled. “It’s Dad and her parents…together - my mother and her parents - together. Maybe I could just break up with her real quick like, and tell her on Monday I changed my mind…”

“Yeah that’s gonna’ happen,” Lucas chuckled. “You couldn’t even form the words ‘I want to break up’. Being my roommate wasn’t so bad after all now was it?”

“I’m screwed. I’m just totally screwed.”

“Pretty much. I’ll see ya later,” Lucas smiled waving back to him.

Nathan slunk his way back to the apartment. Maybe if he just disappeared…show up for the game, and then disappear again. She’d hunt me down and cut my balls off he grimaced.

“It’s your turn to cook,” he grumbled to himself as he looked through the cabinets and refrigerator for something to make. He knew Haley was in the bedroom studying, but he wasn’t going to be the one to make the first approach. She did it this time…not me, he assured himself again.

Tacos. Sounds good to me he smiled to himself rummaging around for the ingredients.

He had it all put together, tacos, rice, cheese dip and chips…the whole thing. Now he had to tell Haley. That required speaking. Harrumph!!

“Dinner’s ready,” he mumbled from the doorway.

“Okay.”

Haley felt like she was having dinner with her grandparents. This was how they ate - in silence. After so long together, they just had nothing left to say to one another so they ate…in silence. Oh they’d ask her something every so often to be polite, but virtually ignored each other. Hello future she thought ruefully, crunching on another chip. At least they were noisy.

“This is good Nathan,” she relinquished, almost rolling her eyes at herself for caving in.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

The grandparents were back.

She gathered up the dirty dishes. They’d worked out that rule pretty quickly, whoever cooked…the other had to clean up. It was pretty easy for Nathan; Haley put things away and sort of cleaned up as she went. Nathan…he left everything scattered everywhere. Whatever he got out, it was still there. Whatever he spilled or splashed on the counter…it was still there. She didn’t complain, at least he cooked, actually fairly well too.

She finished cleaning up, putting everything back in its place, turning off the kitchen light with a small sigh. He wasn’t in the living room glued to ESPN as usual. Did he leave she wondered, not remembering hearing the door. She glanced over to see his keys still sitting on the table – not unless he walked somewhere.

She went back into the bedroom to see him sitting on the edge of the bed wearing only his boxers, a pile of clothes on the floor in front of him.

“What are you doing?” she asked leaning in the doorway with her arms folded across her chest.

“I’m going to wash some clothes,” he answered without looking up.

“Really?” she said with a little laugh.

He looked up at her with irritation, “Yeah, really,” he snipped back.

“Okay,” she shrugged, “You may want to put some more clothes on before you go out to the laundry room though. You know William next door lusts after you,” she giggled turning to go back into the living room.

He grabbed her arm pinning her easily to the wall in the hallway with his body. “What about you huh? Do lust after me?” he asked with a husky whisper, his lips softly kissing down her neck. “Do you Hales?” his lips trailing along her jaw, leaving small kisses on her lips before working down the other side.

“Mmm Nathan…,” she sighed quietly. “Don’t think you can make it all better with a few kisses,” she mumbled turning to give him better access, Nathan smiled into her flesh at the movements that belied her words.

“I don’t,” he whispered against her neck. “I’m doing laundry; I just thought maybe you needed a few things washed too. Like this shirt,” his lips taking over hers, his tongue working through her mouth as he worked the shirt off over her head, tossing it toward the bedroom. “And this bra,” he muttered, unclasping it, tossing it with the rest, his hands taking over her breasts before his mouth moved over them.

“This isn’t fair,” her light moans pushing him further.

“Why?” the husky whispered breath against her neck causing her moans to grow, her breath panted. “These jeans need washing too?” his hands popping the button, the zipper following, pushing them easily off her hips, his hands grasping her ass pulling her tightly against him, as Haley pushed them off with her feet. “There…isn’t that better?” his lips hungrily taking hers again.

“Umm humm,” she moaned her head falling back as he took over her breasts again. “My panties need washing too,” she whispered biting her lip to stave off the giggle.

“Okay,” he smiled pushing her panties down her legs, his mouth moving slow and wet against hers. He pulled back laying his forehead against hers, trying to regain his breath. “Well…I think I have enough clothes to wash now,” he said popping another quick kiss on her lips before moving back into the bedroom leaving her standing naked and stunned against the wall.

“What! Are you kidding me?” she sputtered stomping into the bedroom. “Hello…I’m naked here Nathan!”

He briefly glanced up at her from the spot on the edge of the bed he had taken up again, before going back to sorting through the clothes. “I see that. You said those clothes needed washing. I was just helping you out. Got any quarters?”

“No. No. NO! You’re not doing this to me. No. You can’t tell me you’re not…not wanting it,” she blew out pointing to the obvious bulge in his boxers, folding her arms across her bare chest with a loud huff.

“What?” he said with feigned confusion glancing down to where she was pointing. “Oh that, I’ll get over it,” he shrugged.

She walked over to stand right next to him, waiting for him to quit fiddling with the clothes and acknowledge her. “Nathan?”

“Hmm?”

“I’m naked.”

“I know. You did get some more bleach didn’t you – cause I think these whites could use some,” he said pulling over the laundry basket, piling the clothes in it before standing. “Did you say you had quarters?”

“No, I don’t have any damn quarters,” she huffed grabbing the basket out of his hands, tossing it aside. “I’m naked…you can’t resist me naked,” her hands settling on her exposed hips as she glared up at him.

“Oh,” he answered disinterested. He didn’t know how much longer he could keep this up without bursting out in laughter.

“Oh? Oh? That’s it. I just…I don’t know what’s wrong with you. I’m naked…you can’t keep your hands off me half the time when I have clothes on, and I’m naked...”

“You keep saying that Haley. I can see you’re naked. I mean…I don’t know what…”

“Oh this is just stupid! I want some,” she blew back, reaching out swiftly jerking his boxers down before giving him a hard push that sent him falling awkwardly onto the bed. “There…that’s better,” she said with a false smile before climbing on top of him, her mouth taking over his, her tongue exploring every inch of it. “You can just…service me if you don’t want it. I think you’re able to service me aren’t you Nathan,” she purred grasping his erection.

“I think I can manage it,” he panted out, flipping them over with one quick movement, his mouth and hands taking over her body, Haley’s moans filling the room. “I want you,” he whispered against her lips, his tongue plunging into her mouth for his own exploration.

“Took you long enough to decide,” biting off the giggle his tongue tickling across her stomach was threatening to cause.

“I was just messing with you,” moving his lips back up her body, his hand reaching to pull a condom out of the nightstand.

“I’ll take that,” she smiled back tearing it open, once again loving the panted groan that came out of him every time she slid one over him. “You can really mess with me now,” her smile turning into little gasps as he pushed himself into her.

He held her tightly in his arms barely able to fight off sleep, while Haley traced her fingers lightly across his chest.

“Nathan?”

“Hmm?”

“I umm, I need to tell you something. Promise you won’t get mad.”

“Oh hell. When you start like that…maybe we should have sex again, then I’ll be too tired to get mad.”

“It’s nothing…bad…really. It’s just…umm…my…parents are going to spend the night with us after the game,” she said quickly, her whole body tensing, her face screwed up into a tight wince waiting for the tirade to begin.

“Why?” he asked biting back the cursing.

“Because it’s such a last minute thing you know. I got them the tickets so late they weren’t able to get a hotel room. You know how full the hotels around here are on game weekends. So I offered to let them stay here.”

“Well that’s mighty big of you Hales. Where are we supposed to stay?”

“Here…on the foldout couch.”

“Are you shitting me? They don’t want us living together Haley, and we’re supposed to stay in the same place as them? Let them sleep in our bed while we sleep together in the living room on the foldout bed? You’re Dad’s going to love that.”

“Well his back can’t take the bed in the couch, and he’s….he’s just going to have to get used to it. We moved in together, and that’s that. They’ll just have to deal with it.”

“Maybe I’ll just go stay with Lucas that night.”

“Oh no you’re not. This is our place. They knew we’d all be here together when they accepted the offer to stay here so…just too bad. You’re staying right here with me,” she smiled up at him dropping a wet kiss on his lips.

“Please tell me my parents aren’t staying here. Please.”

“No, they already have a hotel room. Apparently they reserve a room to go with their season tickets so you lucked out.”

“Are you telling me you actually checked with them to make sure they had a room? Like you were going to ask them to stay too?” he asked stunned at all her sudden hospitality.

“Well…yeah,” she admitted hesitantly.

“Damn it Haley. Stop being so damn accommodating to my parents without consulting me first will ya? Damn it!”

“Okay gosh sorry. They’re not that bad Nathan,” she mumbled.

“Haley…we’ve been through this a hundred times. You don’t know anything about them. They’re…just,” he blew out completely frustrated. “Just don’t do anything related to them again without talking to me first alright. Please, I beg you.”

“Okay, okay,” she grumbled nestling her head further into the crook of his neck.

“Thank you,” he sighed, the content sleep he was formerly about to drift into far away now, as thoughts of parents jumbled up his head.

Haley was running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to make the apartment perfect. She’d straightened the pictures on the wall so many times they were crooked. Right now she was ripping the sheets off the bed making sure her parents had completely fresh ones to sleep on. Nathan lingered in the shower avoiding it all. How shocking.

“Haley! What happened to the towel?” he yelled, the cold air already taking him over from where he peeked out around the curtain. There was a towel there when he got in, he just knew there was. “Haley!” he yelled again just as one came flying over the rod landing on his head. “Thank you,” he grumbled.

She was sitting on the couch when he came out. Her eyes darted around the room, looking and re-looking at everything, about to chew a hole through her lip, her hands continually fidgeting with each other.

He set his bag on the floor, dropping down next to her hugging her to him, trying his best not to laugh at her totally wigged out state.

“So…did you check the roast?”

“You said you’d take care of it so…I let you take care of it. It’s in the crock pot so, I guess it’s okay,” she said wondering what little detail she’d missed.

“Did you check it?” he repeated fighting off the smirk.

“Okay! Yes I checked it. It looks good, and it smells really good so…you did good.”

“Thank you. You want a drink?” he chuckled.

She gave him an annoyed glare. “It’s not even noon Nathan.”

“Just trying to help. Couple of drinks might relax you.”

“Yeah, just what I need, to be wasted when your parents show up. No thanks.”

“Alright,” he shrugged with as little a laugh as he could manage. “I need to get going. Good luck. Hales?”

“Hmm?”

“I’m leaving now Hales…”

“Oh, yeah okay. Bye,” she said giving him a half hearted wave, her eyes never leaving the spot on the floor she’d been staring at for the last few minutes.

“Can I get a kiss…a hug…an ‘I love you Nathan’…a kick ass baby, something…” he tried biting off the laugh.

“What? Oh…sorry,” she smiled getting up letting him hold her in a tight hug. “Good luck, I know you’ll do great. I love you.”

“Thanks. I love you too. Just remember…this was alllll your idea,” he whispered in her ear with a little laugh dropping a kiss on her head, barely dodging the hand she attempted to swat him with.

Every time she looked at her watch another minute had gone by. She had thought and rethought her decision about this day every one of those seventy-two - so far - minutes she’d seen go by one by endless one. She was just trying to be the good girlfriend. Introduce the parents. What a dumb ass she thought again. What was I thinking? And having my parents sleep here…she closed her eyes shaking her head at herself. A knock on the door…oh god.

“Thank God!” she exclaimed jerking Peyton into the apartment, a laughing Brooke and Greg following behind her. “I was beginning to think you guys weren’t going to make it.”

“Hey I wouldn’t miss this for anything,” Brooke laughed.

“You guys want to come eat after the game too?” Haley asked hopefully.

“Oh hell no, this is your show Hales. We just came to walk to the game with you guys, that’s it baby doll. Take the initial hit with you – it’s all yours after that,” Greg chuckled.

“Such a great friend,” Haley scoffed back at him. “Oh god,” she mumbled when she heard the door again.

“Hi.”

“Hi Haley,” Deb smiled giving Haley a warm hug. “Hey everybody,” she said with a little wave to the others.

“Haley, how are you?” Dan asked stretching his arm around her shoulders for a tight squeeze. “Guys…how’s it going?”

“Haley, this place is really nice. You’ve done a beautiful job with it,” Deb said.

“Thank you. Nathan helped though…he did!” she added with a laugh when both Deb and Dan gave her a disbelieving look. “Stop - he did.”

Her hands were still shaking like crazy when she opened the door to her own parents, giving them a tight smile as she let them pass by her into the ever crowded apartment.

“Sorry we’re late. I said left, your father went right. What else is new? And traffic is crazy around this campus right now. Geesh! You’d think they had a good basketball team or something with the crowd,” she laughed. “Hi, Lydia James,” she beamed offering her hand to Deb and Dan.

There were enough handshakes and smiles and plenty of polite conversation to make Haley happy. She still wanted to die, the fleeting thought of did she remember her deodorant today passing through her head as she felt herself sweating.

“Would anybody like a drink before we have to go? We have just about anything. Water, tea, soda…beer, something…harder…”

“Beer,” Greg piped up, Haley’s rolled eyes met with his amused smirk.

“Anybody else?” she asked giving Greg’s smirk an irritated glare.

“I’ll take a Scotch and water if you’ve got some Haley,” her father said.

“That sounds good,” Dan added.

“Not having anything?” Jimmy asked Haley with a small smile when she handed him the drink.

“No. I just…no Dad I’m not having anything,” she said wondering what he was up to. He’d seen her drink a beer or glass of wine a few times in the past, but he never offered it to her. Twenty-one…whatever, Taylor was probably thirteen when she had her first drink.

“If you want a drink have one Hales, don’t let us stop you. I mean you certainly haven’t let us stop you from doing what you want lately, so why start now huh?”

“Jimmy?”

“Yes dear?”

“Don’t start.”

“Yes dear,” he answered Lydia, his smile growing into a little chuckle when he saw Haley glaring at him.

“Ignore him,” Lydia said turning to Deb and Dan, “we adore Nathan. He really is the sweetest thing, just precious. You should be very proud of him. It’s just the living arrangements we weren’t too…thrilled about. But…what are you going to do – young love,” she shrugged with a smile.

“Sweet, precious,” Peyton mumbled to Brooke, “who the heck is she talking about?”

“It’s alright. I understand completely,” Deb returned the smile. “Nathan hasn’t listened to a thing we’ve said since he was twelve so we didn’t even bother commenting on the situation. We’re used to him going his own way. But thank you, I’m so happy you like him. We’re crazy about Haley too. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to Nathan. You can’t imagine the difference she makes in him. Right Peyton?”

“Oh yeah…right. He’s really sweet…when Haley’s around,” Peyton added with a laugh.

Haley rolled her eyes at Peyton. Her friends were not helping here.

“Speaking of Nathan, maybe we should get going. It’ll take us a little bit to walk over there.”

Everyone settled into their seats. Deb and Dan going to their usual reserved seats which Haley was thankful were no where near hers. She glared over at her father again before turning back with a huff toward the court.

“Dad,” she snapped, she couldn’t take it anymore. Jimmy leaned up peering across Lydia to Haley with a quizzical look. “Why did you do that?”

“What?”

“Make that comment about me…doing my own thing or…whatever you said,” she complained with a scowl.

“I was just simply commenting on you doing what you want that’s all. We said no, you did it anyway. You’re all grown up now Haley. Right? Living with a boy…man, sorry.”

“Dad,” she whined. “I love him, he loves me. People do it all the time. It’s not that big a deal.”

“Haley, living with someone is a big deal married or not. Just make sure you’re serious about him because this is a very big deal. If it ends, this living together is going to make it that much harder Haley. It’s just…I like Nathan. I really do, but you have a lot of school left if you’re going to be a lawyer. Don’t loose your goals. Just be careful Haley alright. You don’t need extra…shall I say…tiny people coming along upsetting your plans. Understand?”

“Dad…I’m not stupid. I know…”

“Hellloooo,” Lydia jumped in, “we’re in a basketball arena with thousands of people, can this conversation not wait for a more appropriate time and place…please,” looking agitatedly between Haley and Jimmy.

“I’m done,” Jimmy shrugged with a big smile turning back to the court. “There’s the man of the hour now,” he said winking at Lydia’s eye roll as they watched Nathan run onto the court.

Haley was practically giddy. Nathan was on fire. He couldn’t be playing any better. He already had twenty-five points and there was still eight minutes left in the game. She knew he’d be in a great mood. It was going to take a lot for Dan to piss him off tonight. She hoped. Oh who was she kidding, good mood or not, she knew Dan could piss Nathan off just by walking into the room.

They were all back at the apartment relaxing, everyone having a drink this time, waiting for Nathan. Haley was busying herself in the kitchen getting the food together, Deb trying to help her out, while the other three cackled in the living room. Things couldn’t be going smoother.

“Hey,” Nathan smiled dropping his bag next to the door. “Hey baby,” taking Haley in a tight hug, leaving a quick kiss on her lips.

“You did great. Oh my gosh you were so great!” she glowed up at him.

“Thanks. Hey Mr. James,” trying to hide the nerves behind a big smile and a firm handshake.

“Nathan, super game you had.”

“Thank you. State kind of sucks huh?” Nathan laughed.

“Yes they do, especially that little…what’s his name that was trying to guard you. Wow, he stunk it up big time,” Jimmy laughed with him.

“Yeah well, what else is new.”

“New subject,” Haley mumbled at them.

“Hey Dad,” Nathan finally turned toward Dan.

“Nathan, beautiful game son, really, absolutely beautiful. One more rebound and you’d of had a triple double. Doesn’t get any better than that.”

“Yeah, one more. Always one more of something,” he mumbled. “I think I’m just going to get a beer. Excuse me.”

He grabbed a beer out of the refrigerator taking a long drink from it, blowing out a short breath trying to calm himself. He wasn’t going to make it.

“He didn’t mean anything,” Haley wrapped her arms around him, laying her head on his chest, rubbing his back trying to help relax him.

“Haley…he…,” he shrugged with a little laugh trying to keep his voice muffled. “I had thirty-five points, thirteen assists, nine rebounds, totally shut down that fucking Wright, and all he remembers is I’m one rebound short of a triple double. One damn rebound…that’s all he saw. So fucking typical.”

“Nathan that’s not how he meant it. He said you had a beautiful game. Why can’t you hear that?”

“Because Haley, it’s…‘beautiful game Nathan’…but…why didn’t you get the god damn rebound! That’s what he really meant. There’s always a but. Nothing’s ever going to be good enough. I’m never going to be good enough…and neither are you, so don’t be fooled by him Haley. I can’t say that enough!”

“Okay…god…okay Nathan. Fine. He’s a bastard. Let’s eat,” she sighed.

There just wasn’t enough wine in that bottle to make this enjoyable Nathan thought. Everything was going fine as far as everyone else was concerned. They were talking. Laughing. Everyone relaxed, but him. He looked at the clock again. Please let them leave soon, he whined inwardly.

“This roast is excellent Haley,” Deb said through bites.

“Nathan made it,” she said proudly.

“Did you really? This is great Nathan. If I knew you could cook like this I’d have had you cooking a long time ago. Now I know you were only pretending to be limited to grilled cheese sandwiches. This is not a skill he got from me I assure you,” Deb laughed

“I just put it in the crock pot Mom. Not real tough.”

“You had to do more than that Nathan,” Lydia joined in. “You don’t get flavor like this just dropping it in the pot.”

“Well don’t ask for the recipe cause I pretty much just grabbed stuff off the shelf and started sprinkling it on there,” chuckling at their enthusiasm.

“So what happens with the apartment this summer? Do you have to get a new one when you come back or can you hold this one or what?” Lydia innocently inquired.

“Oh…well…we’re umm…we’re just going to stay here during the summer,” Haley said, glancing quickly at her father who was seemingly engrossed in his meal.

“Oh?” Lydia said pausing to take in Haley.

“Yeah we…I’m just going to get my summer job somewhere here this summer, maybe take a class. Nathan too, unless he goes to play…” she stopped looking helplessly at Nathan who could feel Dan’s eyes on him.

“I umm…I’ve sort of – unofficially - been invited to play on a national college team this summer. We’d tour around the country playing some semi-pro teams, do maybe a month or so in Europe. I umm…I don’t really have all the details yet. Like I said it’s unofficial. They just sent a letter and talked to coach so…I don’t know, we’ll see. They sent a letter to Lucas too,” he added quickly.

“Are you thinking of not going? If Lucas is going…” Dan asked trying to sound unaffected.

“I don’t know Dad, it’s not a done deal yet, and even if Lucas goes we wouldn’t be on the same team. They don’t want players from the same school together on the same team if they can keep from it. I don’t know yet.”

“And so I ask again…are you thinking of not going?”

Nathan gave a Haley a tight smile and a knowing look. “See.” He turned back to Dan, his jaw beginning to clench, “I don’t know Dad. If I end up getting an official invitation I’ll decide then, but to make you happy…more than likely – yes, I would go. Alright? Happy?”

“I’m not trying to start something Nathan. It would just be a golden opportunity for you. Playing all summer against that kind of competition could only help your game. Get you all kinds of exposure, that’s all I’m saying. It’s not really something you want to pass up…for any reason.”

“Meaning?” Nathan blew back, his temper rapidly rising. “Haley? You don’t want me to pass it up for Haley is that it Dad? Don’t you dare do anything for some stupid girl Nathan,” he mocked his temper totally gone.

“Nathan,” Deb mumbled, Lydia and Jimmy watching the whole thing in utter confusion. They didn’t get it. Dan hadn’t said anything wrong as far as they could tell, yet Nathan was incensed. They both glanced at Haley who was shaking her head looking panicked between Deb and Dan.

“Nathan,” Dan sighed, his voice totally calm. “That’s not what I meant. I’m sure she’d be very supportive. This had nothing to do with Haley. I like Haley, you know I do. I like you Haley,” he said turning to her with a small smile. “Honestly Nathan, I like you much better since you’ve gotten with her. She makes you a better person. But she has nothing to do with what I was saying. If you get asked you have to do it. There should be no hesitation at all. You can’t get experience like this just practicing in a gym all summer. If you need money next year because you didn’t work this summer I’ll give it to you. Whatever you need, but don’t pass this up.”

“Fine Dad. If I get the invitation, I’ll take you’re advice under serious consideration okay?”

“More wine anyone?” Haley butted in holding up the bottle, everyone but Nathan breaking out in laughter when they all pushed their glasses toward her.

Nathan was sitting on a stool in the kitchen, head in his hands. The same place, same position he’d been in since his parents left some time ago. He was too embarrassed to face Haley’s parents right now.

“You coming out, I think they’re about to go to bed,” letting her fingers running lightly through his hair.

“Can I wait till they actually go?” he mumbled.

“If you want.”

“I’m coming,” he grumbled taking her hand, following behind her.

“I guess we’ll see you two in the morning. I’ll make breakfast,” Lydia smiled pushing Jimmy toward the hall.

“Hey umm…I’m sorry about earlier,” Nathan started hesitantly, Lydia and Jimmy turning back to him. “I know it looked…I guess I overreacted. I’m sorry. I don’t know. My umm…my…my father and I have a pretty umm…a pretty, I’m not sure how to put it, a…bad, volatile…, dysfunctional history I guess, and it doesn’t take much for him to set me off.”

“He had a heart attack a few years ago, and he’s…he seems really different you know. He seems to be trying to make amends or be a better father or something, but I just…I don’t know. I can’t get my head around this new version. Too much water’s passed under that bridge I think. Maybe some day. I just want to say I’m sorry for causing a scene. I didn’t mean to, just my typical knee jerk reaction to him I guess. Sorry you had to sit through it.”

Lydia walked back to him pulling him into a tight hug, leaving a kiss on his cheek, holding his face in her hands. “Parents…what are you gonna do? Can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em. It’s alright honey. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” Jimmy said to him with a quick wink.

“I think I’m in love with your mother,” Nathan chuckled.

“Your father likes me,” she grinned at him.

“Yeah well, I’ll give him that; he can pick out a pretty girl. My mom, Karen…you,” he smirked hugging her to him.

Lydia and Jimmy were trying to settle into the bed. “This is just weird,” Jimmy said folding his arms behind his head looking around the room. “You realize your baby shares this bed with a man…one she’s not married to. Your goody goody child mind you. We’re not talking Taylor here.”

Lydia squirted some of Haley’s lotion into her hands, rubbing it in. “How many of your six children do you think were virgins when they got married Jimmy?”

“Oh dear god don’t ask me that. All of them…the girls anyway – well except Taylor,” he laughed.

“Try none.”

“Oh how do you know?” he asked turning a furrowed brow toward her.

“A mother knows these things. And Haley…”

“Don’t. Don’t tell me anything about Haley. I’m pretty sure I already know, just like I knew about the others. I just prefer to feign ignorance if you don’t mind.”

“Have it your way,” Lydia shrugged opening the nightstand drawer. “Check that drawer over there for a box of Kleenex will you. I’ve got way too much lotion here.”

“Nope, no Kleenex, but there’s enough condoms here to supply a navy ship,” he chuckled. “Let’s see…,” he said shuffling through them, “we have…a real variety here…colored, oh look – glow in the dark – here take that,” he said tossing one back to Lydia.

“A little late for that Jimmy. We could have used these six kids ago,” trying to stifle a loud laugh.

“I just want to see myself glow,” he laughed. “There’s…I had no idea they came in such a variety these days. Oh look…never mind, I’m going to forget I saw that,” he mumbled tossing the flavored one to the back of the drawer. “You know the most disturbing thing about these is…they’re all ‘sheer, ultra thin’. They don’t need sheer or ultra thin. They need thick and bullet proof – like the kind we had. The ones made like a Rubbermaid glove…the kind that doesn’t break.”

“But these are supposed to be new and improved Jimmy. Lets it feel more natural.”

“I don’t give a shit if he feels a damn thing. I don’t want it breaking. You need to talk to her about it.”

“Oh my god, I will not! Just be glad they’re using anything. Now close the drawer and go to sleep.”

“Damn, could this thing be anymore uncomfortable,” Nathan griped flipping over on his side, punching his pillow again, trying to find an acceptable position.

Haley curled up to his back, stretching her arm over him, rubbing her hand along his chest before…

“What are you doing?” Nathan mumbled to her when her hand began to wander below his waist and along the front of his boxers.

“What?” she whispered leaving a light kiss on his ear.

“Don’t start Haley. Your parents are just a few feet away. Just keep your hands to yourself,” moving her hand off of him.

“You don’t really want me to, do you?” she purred sliding her hand down the front of his boxers quickly taking him in her hand massaging him, her lips working down his neck.

“Come on Hales,” low panted groans escaping as he felt himself getting ever harder under her touch. “We can’t.”

“Why?” she whispered pulling him over on his back. “Why are you wearing this shirt?” trying to work it off of him.

“I’m wearing it because, I repeat, your parents are only a few feet away. Quit Hales,” he pleaded, still letting her remove the shirt. “God,” he moaned when Haley’s shirt followed his, her body straddling across him. “Hales baby please don’t do this to me. We really should…,” he couldn’t finish before her mouth took over his, their quiet moans mingling together.

“I have to have you Nathan,” her words a breathy whisper. “We didn’t do it last night or even the night before…I need you,” her lips taking his again.

He tried to pull away for a needed breath, “Hales…we were busy and tired…we’ll do it as soon as they leave tomorrow…”

“No. Now. I want it now. I don’t care if they’re in there or not Nathan. You wouldn’t care if it was your parents,” she insisted as her lips worked down his chest.

“Because they expect me to act…never mind. Your father Haley! Look…we don’t have a condom anyway so we better just…” almost letting a loud moan out at the way her lips were inching further down his body, his hand taking on a life of its own as it guided her mouth where he wanted it, gasping at the pleasure she was giving him.

He barely had a clear thought left when her mouth moved back up his body, sucking and licking at his neck, “You’re oversexed you know that don’t you?” he chuckled softly.

“I was good till you came along. If you weren’t so damn sexy and so good at sex maybe I could keep my pants on a little easier.”

He couldn’t get enough now, his hands, his mouth working hot and wet over her body, their lips swollen from contact, “condom…god Haley we need one. God,” he flopped back harshly on his back trying to calm his panting.

“Get one,” she mumbled trying to crawl back on top of him.

“What am I supposed to do Haley? Go knock on the bedroom door and say ‘hey Jimmy toss me one of those condoms will ya, I need to bang your daughter. Damn Haley,” he blew out.

“Bang your daughter…oh now you’re gonna talk dirty huh?” she whispered with a quiet giggle.

“Haley…”

“Wait, I think I may have one in my purse…or what about your wallet?”

“Hell I don’t know. Look,” trying to calm his growing frustration.

She rummaged through her purse in the non-existent light, smiling victoriously when she found one. “I hit pay dirt,” she beamed, dropping her panties on the bed.

“Good…let’s go,” he smiled back.

“You can talk dirty to me now,” her giggles turning into quiet panted moans as he left hot whispers in her ear.

“You better get your clothes on,” he whispered throwing her shirt across the bed to her, pulling his shirt and boxers back on.

“Okay,” she yawned stretching her arm contently across his chest, snuggling further into him.

They were both soundly sleeping, Nathan on his back, Haley still draped across him, the covers that were pulled up over him were barely covering her.

“Haley,” Lydia said with a loud whisper, “Haley,” she repeated tapping her lightly on the shoulder. Nathan’s eyes flutter open at the sound, Haley still gone.

He quickly closed them again, “Haley,” he mumbled nudging her.

“What?” she said aggravated, barely lifting her head to look at him, turning to look sleepily over her shoulder when he nodded there. “What?” she repeated when she saw her mother standing there.

“Just a friendly hint - I’d get your clothes on before your father came out if I were you,” Lydia offered with a tight smile.

“Oh my god,” Nathan muttered pulling the covers over his blushing face.

“What time is it?” Haley yawned fumbling for her shirt. “Where’s my underwear?” she mumbled looking around.

“Jesus Haley don’t say that so loud,” Nathan grumbled under his breath.

They escorted her parents to their car after breakfast. Nathan relieved he’d survived it, Haley seemingly unaffected by any of it.

He draped his arm around her shoulders on the way back to their apartment, “Please, please, please lets not ever do that again,” he begged.

“It wasn’t that bad.”

“Haley it was nerve racking. My father and god…your father – holy crap I’m sure your father wants to kill me.”

“Oh stop it, he likes you.”

“Yeah as long as I live somewhere else and keep my fly zipped,” he chuckled.

“He’ll get over it. I mean he’s going to be stuck with you for a long time…right?” her arms wrapping around his neck, smiling up at him.

“Oh yeah,” he smiled back taking her lips with his.

Chapters 16 - 17

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