Almost There and Back Again

by Nancy

Chapter 16

Haley stood in front of Brooke’s mirror holding up one shirt in front of herself and then another, twisting her face disapprovingly each time. She tossed them aside, dropping down on the bed her head falling dejected into her hands. “Broookee,” she whined.

Brooke stuck her head in the door, still scrubbing her teeth, “Huh?” she garbled out.

“These won’t work Brooke. I’ll look awful in them. I need to look attractive remember?”

“Hang on,” she garbled again going back to the bathroom to rinse her mouth. “Ahhh, much better,” smiling as she picked up the tops Haley had already dismissed, examining them again. “I’ve got better,” mumbling unintelligibly as she sifted through her wardrobe. “Oh yeah,” she laughed pulling out the winner, along with a pair of jean, shoes, and a matching belt. “Try this.”

Haley looked them over before quirking an eye at Brooke, “You’re kidding right?”

“What…no I’m not kidding. What’s the problem?” her hand resting on her hip as she stared Haley down.

“Brooke…I…”

“You what? Look Haley, you’re trying to make a statement here. Come and get me…look what you’ve been missing…wake up you idiot. This says that.”

“It also says ‘I’m a ‘ho’. He’ll flip.”

“Isn’t that what you want?”

“Flip - as in flip out,” picking up the shirt looking it over. “How does this thing even work? There’s not enough material here to cover…anything. You actually wore this in public?”

“Yep. Definitely got the head turns,” Brooke laughed, looking admiringly at the shirt.

“And what did Greg say about it?”

“He was a little…speechless shall we say. He’s not quite the possessive caveman Nathan is though. He doesn’t mind people looking, as long as they don’t touch. It wasn’t on long once we got home I can tell you that – which is what you want right?”

“Well yeah, but…” she scowled sitting back down on the bed, still trying to figure out how these strings and strips of material were supposed to cover her.

“Find anything?” Peyton asked flopping down next to Haley on Brooke’s bed. “That’ll get him,” laughing at how Haley was turning the shirt one way and then another trying to figure it out.

“Look you two…I want his attention, but I don’t want to start world war three doing it.”

“He shouldn’t be ignoring you anyway,” Brooke shrugged digging through her jewelry box for earrings to match.

“He’s not…exactly. He’s just preoccupied with his mistress…basketball. I’m beginning to hate her,” she grumbled.

“It’s March madness Haley. The national championship. THE tournament. The big dance, the blah, blah, blah. This is your third year to go through it, what’s so different about this year? Nathan’s always been mr. basketball,” Peyton reasoned snatching the shirt from Haley, holding it up to herself wondering how she’d look in it…not enough boobs to pull it off she decided, tossing it back to Haley.

“I don’t know what’s so different about this year, but it is. He’s been possessed. The whole teams…possessed. They practice all the time, watch film constantly. Nathan brings home film every night. God! I’m so sick of listening to squeaking tennis shoes! I want some attention too. I want some…” her whining drifting off.

“Oh please, don’t tell me Nathan Scott’s given up sex for basketball,” Brooke scoffed in disbelief.

“I didn’t say that – exactly. We do it. It’s just…he’s so…distracted. I feel like he’s running plays in his head while he’s doing it or something. I don’t know. It’s like he can’t wait to get done so he can go pop in another basketball video. I want the passion back. I mean Nathan’s always been so…so…”

“Horny?” Brooke suggested.

“No! Well…yeah, but it’s so much more than that. He’s just good. I mean he’s really good. The things he does with his mouth and the way his hands…,” Haley was startled out of her trance at the sound of Peyton’s voice.

“Stop!” Peyton groaned. “I do not want to hear about how my annoying cousin has sex. Gross. He’s non-sexual in my mind, and I prefer to keep it that way if it’s alright with you. Jeesh! Do you want to hear how your buddy Jake does it?”

“God. Please no,” Haley flinched away from her in disgust. “Sorry I got a little carried away.”

“You want to hear how Greg does this thing with…”

“NO!” both Haley and Peyton shouted.

“It’s pretty amazing stuff…,” Brooke shrugged, “Okay. You’re loss.”

“Look Haley, Jake’s been a little preoccupied with the basketball too. He doesn’t bring film home…but he’s not quite as obsessed as Nathan either. He’s been going through the same practice and film regime too. It’s almost over. I mean they made the final four yesterday so it’s kind of paying off you know. Next weekend it’ll be over, and we can all get back to normal.”

“Yeah, if they win,” Haley mumbled. “If they don’t win, Nathan will be a bear for the next…god knows how long. The past two years when they got knocked out he was a complete shit for days and days. They better win damn it.”

“Speaking of which - road trip to Indianapolis for the final four games?” Brooke asked crossing her fingers.

“Oh yeah! We’ll borrow Nathan’s SUV so we’ll have plenty of room. And we’ll make Greg drive,” the thought of Greg cooped up in a car with the three of them making her laugh.

“Okay…how’s this thing work Brooke,” changing the subject back to her wardrobe.

All three of them were traipsing around Brooke and Peyton’s apartment in their underwear. Haley had brought a bag of things with her, including clothes that never came close to getting out of the bag. She was going with Brooke’s choice. God help her. Curly or straight, curly or straight…she pondered over and over as Peyton stood behind her getting increasingly annoyed with her indecisiveness. Straightener in one hand, curling iron in the other, rollers at the ready. “Pick one!” Peyton finally shouted at her.

“Gosh, okay! Straight. You think?”

“Haley…in that outfit he’ll be lucky to notice you have a head. Straight’s fine.”

The mingling of all the perfumes was almost nauseating. One waving away the others, trying to keep their own special scent.

“I can’t believe he had the nerve to call and tell me to meet him at Charlie’s,” Haley complained tugging again at the jeans Brooke gave her. “He’s been gone for days and he calls with the ‘hey baby we’re all going straight to Charlie’s when we get in to celebrate. Meet me there.’ Jerk…can’t even be bothered to come home and give me a stupid kiss first. Jerk. Brooke! My ass is hanging out of these jeans!” she whined stomping her foot with a loud huff.

“Exactly,” Brooke smiled, looking pleased with Haley’s appearance.

“They’re so low if I bend over my cracks going to show. Not to mention my underwear,” she griped tugging at them again.

“Maybe you shouldn’t wear any underwear.”

“Gross! These are your pants Brooke. That’s just gross.”

“They’ll wash,” she shrugged, tugging down on her own pants. “You could just let the thong hang out the top you know,” laughing at the look of complete disgust Haley was giving her. “Maybe not.”

“No. Nathan would flip out then. Me and him and a thong is one thing. Everyone else actually seeing it…no. I can hear him now. Forget it. I think the underwear will be okay, but the bending over…never mind, I just won’t bend over I guess.”

“Stop fiddling and let me do it,” Brooke complained swatting Haley’s hands away so she could fix her shirt.

It was cobalt blue – or so Brooke called it – and had one small clasp in the front, right between the breasts. That was it. The rest of the front was open; well the two strips of shear cloth hung more like a kerchief in the front. You’re stomach was covered…as long as you didn’t move. The strips met, until you walked, then they swung free, exposing your bare stomach as you went. And the gap between the end of the shirt, and the top of the jeans…yeah, it was…significant. The back…what back? It consisted of a continuation of the thin string spaghetti straps, criss-crossing a few times across the back. No material. Just a little string. If some smart ass untied it she was done for. Brooke tied it in a knot before tying a small bow. She was sure to feel it if somebody tried to get funny. God…he was going to totally flip she thought looking herself up and down, backward and forward in the mirror.

The shoes. They added four inches to her. She couldn’t even walk without wobbling. Forget it. Enough was enough. She dug her own out of her bag. Two inches would have to do.

Peyton and Brooke watched her work the belt through the loops on the jeans both giving her approving smiles. She was hot…way hot. They knew it, and so did she, almost giggling at her reflection.

“Stop chewing on your lip, you’re messing up the lipstick,” Brooke fussed.

“Sorry. I’m nervous.”

“Oh for heaven sake, you act like you’re going on your first date with him or something. It’s just Nathan. Jeesh,” Peyton rolling her eyes at how flustered Haley was acting.

“It’s Nathan. Not just Nathan,” Haley sighed, straightening her posture, distractedly brushing imaginary fuzz off her clothes.

They went downstairs to Greg’s apartment. He, Jake, and Lucas had moved in together the start of junior year just like Brooke and Peyton had. It was working out well so far. Nathan was just grateful they lived in a different complex than he and Haley. There weren’t any available in their complex at the time…darn the luck. He wasn’t looking forward to having Brooke and Peyton ever present again.

Haley thought it was a little weird, Lucas, who’d been with both Brooke and Peyton at one time, living with their current boyfriends…but whatever. They were all friends and everyone seemed perfectly content with the arrangements so she’d kept her mouth shut…except to Nathan – who would just roll his eyes, and tell her to stop being such a busy body. If they were happy who cared. She could just see him living next door to two of her ex-boyfriends. Sure thing. Like hell. He was always so understanding when it was someone else.

“Holy mother of god Hales! What in the world are you wearing…not wearing,” Greg’s eyes flying open at the sight of her.

“You’re girlfriend’s clothes,” she retorted narrowing her eyes in irritation at him.

“Oh. Thought they looked familiar,” giving Brooke’s scowl a cheerful smile. “Looks better on you,” he whispered to Brooke.

“Nice,” Brooke mumbled giving his chest a hard push.

“I’ll follow you guys. I want my own car,” Haley smiled climbing in Nathan’s SUV.

Charlies’s, as usual, was overflowing with people. They’d been better off walking she thought when she had to park two blocks away, waiting for the others to find an open spot.

“Damn it’s crowded. You’d think they’d won or something,” Greg laughed, pulling Brooke into his side, dropping a kiss on her smiling lips. “I love you,” he winked down to her, Brooke’s dimples growing deeper at his words.

Haley blew out a long breath before going through the door. Here goes nothing she thought.

The place was packed. She looked toward the top of the crowd for Nathan’s head. She discovered long ago she had more success that way. He was just tall enough, that he was usually one of the taller people in a crowd. His dark hair always standing out to her. She didn’t see him. She could hear the whooping and hollering coming from the other room, giving Peyton a wave, she headed that direction.

She was so intent on finding him she didn’t even notice all the stares she was getting. The heads turns and the ones bending toward each other exchanging comments and smirked looks as she passed.

She kind of peeked around the corner, there they were. About five or six of the basketball players, including Nathan and Lucas, were gathered around each other downing shots. They would mumble something, laugh, and take another shot. No doubt drinking to their marvelous basketball abilities. The groupies…yeah – they were gathered ‘round too. Hanging on them, laughing up a storm. One of them was playing bartender, bottle in hand, refilling the shot glasses for them.

Haley quirked an eyebrow at the display. Stupid sluts she grumbled to herself, a small huff coming out when she saw how the bartender girl was laughing it up with Nathan, hanging on his shoulder, as she poured him another shot.

“Whore,” she scoffed.

“Who’s a whore?” she heard the male voice say from behind her.

“What?” she asked spinning around seeing a face she was certain she’d never seen before.

“I heard you call somebody a whore, I was just wondering who?” he asked with a smile.

“Oh, I was just talking to myself,” she said with a small smile, her eyes returning to Nathan’s group. She’d missed Nathan glancing at his watch and looking at his phone for probably the fourth time in the thirty minutes he’d been there.

“Can I get you a drink?” he offered motioning toward the bar.

“What?” she asked somewhat frustrated with his interference in her spying.

“You want a drink?”

“Oh…ummm…yeah, but I’ll get it myself. Thanks anyway,” she smiled, quickly scurrying away from him toward the bar. “Give me a…whatever,” she said waving hurriedly at the guy tending bar, glancing over her shoulder toward Nathan again. He was still laughing it up. Jerk. She turned back to see he’d given her a glass of beer. “Beer…that’s it? Whatever,” she scoffed taking a sip. She stood with her back to Nathan, leaning her elbows on the bar, drumming her fingers together trying to figure out what her move was going to be. And here he comes…

“A pretty girl like you couldn’t get anything better than beer?” he chuckled. “I bet I can do you better than that,” he said waving over the bartender. “I’m Sean by the way.”

“No…Sean… really this is just fine,” Haley said trying to be polite, but wishing he’d just disappear. He was cute enough, but damn it she was busy trying to get her boyfriends attention not his. Grrrr!

“What’s your name?”

“Umm, really Sean, I’m kind of busy here. I don’t mean to be rude, but…okay…okay…my name’s Haley. Now please - I’m kind of taken okay, like really taken. Sorry.”

“What’s really taken?” he smirked at her. “I don’t see a ring,” taking up her left hand.

“I know,” Haley returned with a false smile, pulling her hand away, “but there may as well be, so please…go…please…,” she begged with a small wave.

“Okay, but I won’t go far in case you change your mind,” winking at her.

“Thanks,” she said with a huge sigh of relief, taking a long drink from her beer.

What luck. If she’d been single she figured she could stand there naked, and still not get a guy to talk to her. Dress like a slut, get a boyfriend, and all of sudden everybody’s interested. Sean was quickly followed by a group consisting of Alex, Gabe, and John, one cuter than the next. The slut look was definitely working. She politely shooed them away, beginning to get unnerved by all the attention.

The bartender was beginning to chuckle. She glanced up to see what was funny only to realize he was chuckling at her. “What’s so funny?” she snapped at him.

“You’re face. I don’t concentrate that hard when I work Calculus problems. I’m Charlie,” he smiled reaching across to shake her hand.

“You are? All this time I never knew who you were,” smiling back amazed at the revelation. “I was beginning to think you were a figment of my boyfriend’s imagination.”

“Nope, I’m real. Who’s your boyfriend?”

“Nathan Scott,” she mumbled.

“Oh yeah? I really like Nathan, he’s cool. He’s right over there you know.”

“Yeah, I see him,” she mumbled again. “I’m just trying to figure out how to get his attention.”

“You’re kidding right? Not to be…a perv or anything, but with what you’re wearing, I’m pretty sure you’ll get his attention. You’ve pretty much got every guy in here’s attention,” he said with a laugh.

“I’m trying the…,” stumbling for the right word.

“Subtle…covert…hard to get approach?”

“Kind of,” she smiled.

Nathan still hadn’t noticed her. It was crowded in there, and his view of the bar was being routinely obstructed. He kept looking at his watch, and looking back toward the door wondering where in the heck she was. She should have been here by now. He wanted to see her before he got totally looped.

“We need another bottle,” bartender girl declared, pouring the last drops into the shot glasses.

Lucas watched her walk away, craning his neck so as not to miss a step. She definitely had one of those walks. The kind where everything moved in all the right directions, with just the right tempo.

“Damn that girl’s hot,” he muttered to Nathan.

“Who?”

“The one doing the pouring. But holy crap…I think I see one even better,” noticing her when the crowd parted a bit. “Check out that chic at the bar,” Lucas chuckled. “Nice shirt, nice back, even nicer ass. Keep watching…those pants are so low, she bends just right, and we’re all going to get a good view of that ass,” he laughed.

“Who the hell are you talking about?” Nathan said trying to peer around the crowd to see who Lucas was carrying on about. His eyes grew wide with recognition of the girl standing at the bar talking to Charlie, his mouth dropping open flabbergasted.

He knew that hair, the chestnut color with the light blonde highlights falling down her back. He knew the scent of it, the feel of it in his hands, of it draped across his bare chest. He knew that little body too. Every curve, every little mole, every freckle, he knew where it all was. And he knew how to make it move in all the right ways. And the way she worked him over with it…what the hell was she wearing!

“I think I’m gonna go have a chat with the little hottie,” Lucas chuckled easing away from the group.

“Oh the hell you are!” Nathan snarled grabbing his arm, jerking him back.

“Hey…what the hell man. You’ve got a girl - remember?” Lucas snapped back, jerking his arm out of Nathan’s grasp.

“Yeah, and that’s her you prick!”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Lucas blew back twisting his head around to check out the girl again. “That’s not…oh shit,” he stopped wide eyed when he saw the girl at the bar tuck her hair behind her ear, getting a semi view of her profile when she turned to look at some guy that had just sidle up next to her.

“What the hell is she wearing?” Nathan mumbled more to himself than Lucas. “And what the fuck does that asshole think he’s doing?” glaring at Lucas before he stalked toward the bar.

He paused behind her listening in on her conversation with the asshole, shaking his head at Charlie when he saw him about to speak to him. Charlie shrugged him off, rummaging under the bar for another bottle of tequila to give bartender girl. She was politely telling asshole to move along, her tone getting more irritated when he seemed reluctant to comply.

“Hey.”

She spun around so fast at his voice she almost caused herself to stumble.

“Careful,” he smirked down at her.

“Hi,” came her quiet reply, tucking her hair again, the lipstick being devoured once more by her teeth working over her lip, the self- conscienceness over her clothing returning under his intense gaze. She was biting harder on her lip, staring apprehensively into his eyes. Eyes that weren’t really holding hers, but were roaming her body instead.

“Nice outfit.”

“Hey man, don’t even bother,” asshole chimed in. “I’ve already tried. She’s “taken”,” he scoffed knowingly at Nathan.

“Yeah – no shit. By me,” he growled back at him.

Asshole let loose a short laugh, “I know you’re Joe jock and all, but she’s already turned down about half dozen guys already. Take a hint…move on before she burst’s your ‘I’m a jock and can get anybody’ bubble.”

Oh hell! Haley quickly stepped between Nathan and asshole, wrapping her arms around Nathan’s waist hoping to act as a shield between the two.

Nathan tried to step toward him anyway; Haley firmly held her ground, pushing back on his body with hers. He finally relented, easing his body back.

“Thanks for the tip asshole, but like I already told you, she’s taken – by me. And Joe jock here has had her for three years! This is my girlfriend you stupid shit! Now you take a hint, and get the fuck away from her before Joe jock beats your scrawny little ass!”

Asshole stared back surprised he was serious before shrugging it off. He let his eyes drift up and down Haley’s backside let out a little snort, mumbling, “Lucky you,” as he walked away.

Haley’s eyes slowly moved back up to Nathan’s tense face, pulling him in more tightly to her. He let out a heavy sigh before looking down at her. She gave him an unsure smile, “Hi,” she repeated timidly with a small shrug.

He peered down at her, his finger running softly down her cheek, his other hand pushing some stray hairs behind her ear. He cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs rubbing soft circles on her cheeks, a small smile starting across his face as Haley leaned into his touch with a small smile of her own. “Hi baby,” he whispered leaning his head in to rest it against hers, laying a light peck on her lips. “I missed you,” he continued to whisper, lightly kissing her again. “You’re beautiful Hales.”

She reached up wrapping her hand around his wrist, tilting her head back to capture his eyes with hers. “I love you Nathan. I’m glad you’re back. Congratulations,” pushing up on her tiptoes to leave a soft kiss on his mouth with a smile. “I love you.”

“I love you too Pinky. C’mere,” taking her hand, guiding her through the crowd. He grabbed a stool from around the bar, setting it against the wall in an uncrowded corner. He quickly lifted up her tiny frame, setting her down on the stool.

They stared into the others eyes, both with growing smiles. Nathan let his eyes drift down her chest, his hands play gently with the edges of her shirt. He took a piece in each hand, pulling it playfully apart over and over, exposing more of her stomach each time. His smile broadened when he glanced back toward her increasingly blushing face. He couldn’t help but chuckle at the way she sucked in a sharp breath and twitched when his finger was tickled over the bare skin on her stomach.

“Tickle?”

“Kind of. I like it though.”

“Good,” he whispered against her cheek as he left a long lingering kiss on each. Haley closed her eyes savoring the feel of his lips, his intoxicating scent. “So,” he started pulling back seeking out her eyes with his, “I like the clothes. Of course…so does everybody else,” he said with a smirk. “I’m pretty sure I don’t have to ask where you got it.”

“What makes you think it’s not mine?” she said with a teasing smile.

“Because you usually only show this much skin with me, and I haven’t seen this stuff before. I’m pretty sure I’d remember. Only your two friends could put you up to this. Not that I’m complaining,” leaning in to lay a kiss on her lips.

“They didn’t put me up to it. I kind of asked for their help.”

“Help? You don’t need their help to look sexy and beautiful Haley. Some things just come natural to you,” his lips trailing light kisses down her neck.

“I just wanted to make sure I looked extra special that’s all. I wanted to make sure I got your attention,” a light moan coming out at his kisses, leaning her head to give him better access to the other side of her neck he was now kissing.

“You always have my attention baby,” sliding his hands under her shirt massaging her waist. “Hey…,” using his finger to gently lift her head till their eyes met. “You know that right? You always have my attention Hales.”

“Yeah…I know,” she shrugged looking down again, playing with the fingers on his hand she was holding.

“Wait. No you don’t. Did you think I ignoring you or something Haley?”

“I don’t know,” she shrugged again. “I’m just being a baby. I’m spoiled I guess. I’m used to being the center of attention with you and…I don’t know, I kind of felt like your girlfriend was getting in the way.”

“My what?” shocked by her words.

“Not real girlfriend. That’s kind of what I call basketball behind your back,” she confessed, hesitantly looking up to him.

“Oh really,” he laughed. “So you think I was paying more attention to my little hussy basketball than you?”

“Yeah, but it’s okay. I mean it’s the tournament and everything. Like I said, I’m spoiled. I’m kind of used to sex taking more than fifteen minutes start to finish,” holding her hand over her mouth to stifle the embarrassed giggle.

“Oh…okay. I see where the problem really is. I’m coming up short in bed huh?” his smirk growing at her reddening face.

“Coming up short is sooo not the right words,” waving a hand in front of her face to ease the heat she could feel.

“Well thank god for that. I’m…not performing – how’s that?”

“That’s not it exactly either. I…god Nathan I don’t know,” she sighed with frustration. “I just…I…ohhh…I want the passion back okay. I…I…like the passion we have. The way you usually make love to me is just so…so great you have no idea. Or…or maybe you do. I don’t know, all I know is you’ve kind of been preoccupied with basketball, and it’s kind of been wham, bam that’s all. I know it’s just because of basketball, and that’s okay. I understand, I really do. I…never mind, god I’m so stupid,” growling at herself with irritation.

“I see,” he mumbled trying to hide the smirk, rubbing at his chin thoughtfully. “So I’ve just been kind of been…in and out so to speak,” laughing at the way she twisted up her face in disgust at his words.

“I don’t think I’d put it that way either,” she mumbled rolling her eyes.

“Maybe you should just tell me exactly what you do want so I’ll be clear,” smiling mischievously at her, his hands once again wandering under her shirt, stroking around her bare stomach.

“Are you teasing me?”

“Kind of…but go ahead – tell me.”

She rolled her eyes with another short sigh. “Okay…okay,” she said wrapping her arms around his neck. Securing her feet on the foot rest around the middle of the stool, she pushed herself to her feet, hanging onto his neck to help her balance. She smiled into his already smiling eyes that were now even with hers. “I’m tall now,” wiggling her eyebrows at him.

“Everything’s fine Nathan. I know you’re busy. When your national champions in another week, I’ll get more celebratory sex than I can handle probably.”

“That’s a week away Hales. I don’t want to leave you lacking for another week. Sounds like it’s been too long already,” smiling at the way she sighed when his hands moved over her back, his fingers lightly teasing at the exposed skin above her jeans.

“No. No it hasn’t. It’s been great. It’s always great. Just the last few weeks, you’ve had your mind on other things that’s all Nathan. I love you.”

“I know. Now what do you want me to do to make it better baby?” his lips kissing and sucking lightly on her shoulders.

“I told you, I just want the passion back. I want you to kiss me, and touch me like you usually do,” her fingers playing through his hair as he kissed her. “I mean Nathan the way you kiss me is just so…I don’t know how to put it. I love it. When you kiss all over my body I just love it. And the way your hands caress me, and just take me over. I love it Nathan. It feels so good. You’re so attentive and so caring when you make love to me. I just get so lost in it. I love sex with you Nathan. It’s so easy to tell how much you love me when we’re together like that. I’m not complaining, really I’m not,” dropping a little kiss on his lips.

“So, let’s see…you pretty much want me to keep doing what I’ve been doing – only I’ve not been doing it the last few weeks…right?”

“Ummm, I think so,” still trying to sort out what he’d said.

“I see.”

“Are you mad?”

“Do I look mad?”

“No. Are you?”

“No Haley. I’m pretty sure when I’m mad you know it. I like talking sex with you,” his smirk growing. “Even when I’m…underachieving,” he chuckled. “I have been preoccupied with basketball. I admit it. I’ve been, the whole team’s, been hell bent on making it to the final four this year. And we did. So, I’m happy about it. All the work is paying off. But, we’re not done okay. One more week. I really want to win this thing Haley. So badly I want to win. One more week, and we’ll be back to normal I promise.”

“Okay,” smiling satisfied.

“But…I haven’t meant to ignore you. I’m sorry. I think I owe you a night of hard core sex to make up for it. I’m ready to celebrate, and I think that’s the perfect way to do it don’t you?” his smile matching hers.

“Well…if you insist.”

He pressed his lips to hers with a slow building, prodding kiss. His lips sucking gently on hers, enjoying more than ever her light moans. He pulled back not wanting to get something started he couldn’t finish right there.

“You ready to go home?”

“Yes I am. Thanks for not being mad. I love you.”

“Why would I be mad Hales? You just told me you like the way I make love, I mean why would that make anybody mad? You want some passionate sex, and I fully intend on giving it to you…all night long,” chuckling at her broad smile. “Let’s go.”

They draped their arms around each other, working their way through the still crowded house.

“Hey there’s Lucas,” she smiled waving to him.

“Don’t do that,” Nathan grumped pushing her hand down.

“Uhh, why not? It’s Lucas, Nathan.”

“Don’t ever talk to him again.”

“What? Why not?” stretching her neck around him to see Lucas throwing her a small wave, confused by the sheepish smile he seemed to be giving her.

“Just stay away from him. He can’t be trusted.”

“Oh that’s ridiculous. He’s your brother Nathan.”

“Ridiculous huh? He was getting a hard on looking at you earlier. Kind of like half the other guys in here.”

“Oh whatever. It’s Lucas.”

“Exactly. He was ready to make a move on you till I saw it was you he was drooling over. He likes your ass by the way. Stupid prick. Unless you’re wearing a potato sack stay clear of him. On second thought…stay clear of him period. He’s seen entirely too much of your body. And his mind’s seen the rest believe me,” he grumbled.

“He likes my ass huh?”

“Haley…do not tease me about my jackass of a brother lusting after you.”

“Okay,” she shrugged pulling him down to drop another kiss on his mouth.

She pulled the sheet up around her, giggling at the way his fingers were tickling over her bare hip. She rolled over tracing her hand around his chest, leaving light kisses over it before laying her head on him, her hair splayed across his chest.

He glanced at the clock annoyed at the time it displayed. He had to get moving.

“Hales, baby I need to get up,” making no attempts to move, his fingers playing through her hair.

“Alright,” she mumbled into his chest.

“Really, I need to move.”

“I’m not stopping you,” she mumbled again.

“Alright…here I go,” laughing at how weak he was about leaving her naked in the bed.

“You want to throw some clothes on,” keeping his eyes averted from her bare body now laying languidly across the top of the covers, tempting him to come back to her, instead of packing his bag.

“Not really,” she shrugged biting her lip to stave off the giggles.

“Okkkay,” he sighed moving around the room more quickly, throwing more and more things into his bag, he’d long ago lost track, he had no idea what was there and what wasn’t.

“Don’t forget your suit. It’s in the hanging bag already, shirt, tie, and shoes too.”

“Clothes Haley,” he muttered snatching the hanging bag out of the closet.

“When do you have to be there?”

“We have to be at the bus that’s taking us to the airport in…thirty minutes.”

“We have time.”

“Haley…it’ll take us fifteen minutes to get there. I thought you didn’t want it quick.”

“Sometimes quick is okay. Come on Nathan…. I’ll get you there. One more time for luck,” she teased crawling across the bed on all fours toward him. “Come on,” smiling at the way his breathing was ramping up, his eyes moving lustfully over her body. “Come on baby…one more…”

“Damn it Haley,” he complained ripping his clothes off as quickly as he could. “If I’m late…” his words stopped by his own mouth devouring hers.

“Oh my god, look at the crowd!” trying to maneuver Nathan’s SUV through the masses. It seemed the entire campus, and half the town had shown up to see the team off. They were loud and boisterous, a small group from the band was there helping to urge them on. “Don’t you feel like a rock star?” she giggled still easing through the crowd.

“Shit! Would they get the hell out of the way already! No, I don’t feel like a damn rock star. Rock stars don’t get their asses reamed out by their coaches…or…managers or whatever the hell they have for being late! They’re supposed to be late because they were having sex.”

“You’re not late,” glancing quickly at her watch, “well you weren’t until a minute ago,” she mumbled, grimacing at his growing temper. “Sorry I made you late.”

He threw a pissed off glare her way. It would be so easy to let her take the blame, but he had been more than a willing participant. He turned back toward the front window; they’d almost made it, the crowd practically surrounding their car now.

“You were naked…what was I supposed to do Haley? I’m weak when it comes to your body. It’s a good thing you’re not going to be there till the weekend or I probably wouldn’t have enough energy to play,” he chuckled toward her smiling face, shaking his head at himself as he pushed open the door moving quickly toward the back to get his things.

Haley got out standing beside her door waiting for Nathan to gather his bags. She couldn’t help but smile at the enthusiasm of the crowd, waving to one of her friends from class when she called out to her.

“I gotta go Hales,” Nathan said quickly coming up beside her. “See…coach is standing there glaring at me. I’m probably the last one to get here. I’m in trouble. Shit – what else is new,” he mumbled, letting her hug him tightly, his hands too full to hug her back properly.

“I love you. Good luck. I’ll see you Saturday. Do good okay?”

“I will. I love you too. Be careful, and be careful with my car too okay. And whatever you do…don’t let Peyton drive it. Love you,” he smiled capturing her lips in a lingering kiss.

“SCOTT!” he heard the bellow from behind him.

“Gotta go,” giving her another quick peck, hurrying over to hand the driver his bags, turning back at the bus door to give her a quick wave, the coach glared at him the entire way, before he too turned back to Haley, shaking his head amused, waving back to her with a big smile. Haley waved back with a giggle, quickly moving to get back in the car, and away from all the eyes she could feel watching her.

Nathan endured all the laughing ‘why were you late man’s’ and the ‘I wouldn’t want to get out of her bed either’s’, and howling laughs as he moved toward a seat, rolling his eyes at them. Normally it would piss him off, but they were right, he must have had the ‘I just had sex’ tired face or something. He didn’t feel up to bitching back at them right now, they could say whatever they wanted, he needed some sleep.

“You almost got left,” Lucas mumbled from behind closed eyes where he sat across the aisle from him. Nathan had hardly spoken to him all week, still holding a grudge from Lucas’ comments about Haley’s body.

“Whatever,” he mumbled closing his own eyes.

“You gonna stay pissed at me forever?” Lucas mumbled between yawns.

“Maybe. You wanted in my girlfriend’s pants man.”

“I didn’t know it was her. You have to admit she looked…different.”

“Not to me.”

“Well I guess you’re used to seeing all that…skin.”

Nathan turned toward Lucas his eyes wide open now. “Don’t talk about her skin, or her ass, or anything else about her. As far as you’re concerned, she’s Haley James, sweet and innocent. Got it? She’s asexual to you. She has no…boobs, or ass, or skin, or anything but a pretty face. Just don’t talk about her at all, and don’t think about her either,” he growled, turning away again, settling his head back closing his eyes once more.

“I’m not,” Lucas continued to mumble. He wasn’t going to let himself get in some stupid argument with Nathan over Haley. He wasn’t interested in her. She looked hot that night that’s all. What could he say? She did. “I’ve only had one dream about her, and we didn’t go all the way,” Lucas teased, unable to hold back the laugh.

“Shut. The. Fuck. Up,” Nathan mumbled through his own chuckle.

Greg was sitting in the driver’s seat waiting outside the truck stop, rubbing a tired hand across his forehead. He had a major headache. They’d been on the road for maybe four hours, and this was their third stop. If one didn’t have to pee, the other did. Or they needed a snack, or they needed another magazine or batteries for their disc player. Brooke had bitched about forgetting her ipod at least twice every hour. Why hadn’t he just taken his own car and followed behind them. It would have been so much more painless.

“You have any Tylenol?” he asked Brooke, still rubbing at his head, when she climbed into the passenger seat next to him.

“Are we giving you a headache?” she asked while pulling things out of her purse so she could dig to the bottom to get the pills.

“It’s okay,” he mumbled through a weak smile, washing down the pills with her water.

“Sorry. I’ll quit griping,” throwing her arms around his neck hugging him.

“I swear. Could those bathrooms have been any nastier,” Haley shuttered crawling into the back seat again. “Gross, gross, gross!”

“Yuck, no kidding,” Peyton agreed wading up the paper towel she still held in her hand, afraid to touch anything in the bathroom without it.

“Sure you don’t have to pee Greg?” Haley asked tearing open her M&M’s, sucking down her water.

“No Hales, I don’t have to pee,” he replied evenly. “If I had to pee, I would have gotten out to pee, and if you’d quit drinking all that damn water maybe you wouldn’t have to pee so much,” his voice growing with agitation, “and we might actually get somewhere!”

“I’m eating. I have to drink when I eat you know. Besides, it’s good to drink something when you travel. Keeps the kidneys hydrated. That’s why truckers have so much trouble with their kidneys you know, because they don’t drink enough when they drive, they…”

“Shut up!” Greg bellowed. “I don’t give a shit about truckers and their damn kidneys! I want to get to Indianapolis sometime today! At this rate we’re going to miss the game. God almighty!”

“Fine! Jeez whatever,” Haley snapped back, mouthing more mumbles to herself, sticking her tongue out at him as she did.

Haley glanced at her watch when she passed the latest miles to Indianapolis sign. A couple of hours she figured turning her eyes back to the road. They’d switched drivers at the last stop over an hour ago. Greg had moved to the back, his legs stretched out between the front seats, Brooke leaned against him, reading the People magazine they’d picked up at the last stop, Haley’s headphones in her ears, while Greg slept next to her. Peyton was in the front passenger seat beside Haley, bobbing her head to her own music, watching the ever dulling scenery go by.

“Yeee Hawww!” Haley yelled laughing when she pulled into the hotel parking lot, “we’re here!”

Greg startled out of his sleep grumbling a string of unintelligible curse words at her, pushing himself to an upright position when Brooke opened the door, climbing out behind her stretching his ever stiffening body.

“I don’t care what Nathan says, I’m doing some driving on the way home. This watching the world go by crap is too boring,” Peyton complained bending over trying to stretch out her own body.

“I guess they’re already heading to the game,” Brooke said surprised when a huge bus pulled under the drive through of the hotel. “God it doesn’t start for over three hours.”

They all gathered up their own bags, moving into the already packed lobby. There were Tarheel fans crawling all over the place, every one of them seemingly covered in light blue. Most of the players seemed to be in there too, all of them dressed in a suit. They were standing around, one here, another one there, another small group over there, all with bags slung over their shoulders, and hands shoved down in their pockets. Some were chatting pleasantly with fans, even signing autographs for admiring kids, most such Tarheel fanatics they wouldn’t have been any more excited to get their signature if they were pros.

The groupies were crawling all over the place too. Gathered in little groups, pointing to one player and then another, giggling to each other. Plotting out their plans of attack for after the game. Most too stupid to know if the team won today, they’d probably be kept virtual prisoners until the championship game Monday. Of course, where there’s a will there’s a way.

Haley and Peyton got their room keys both now seeking out their significant others in the crowd. Peyton found Jake standing across the room with Derek flipping through the game program, laughing about something.

There are too damn many people in here Haley complained to herself, her head moving up and down, trying to peer around people searching for Nathan. She gave up, finally going over to tap Eric, the team’s six eleven center, on the arm. He looked down at the touch, a broad smile taking over his face.

“Hey baby, when’d you get here?”

“A few minutes ago. This place is way too crowded. I can’t find Nathan anywhere. Would you look over the heads of everyone and tell me if you see him.”

“Who needs Nathan. I’m all you need baby,” he grinned hugging Haley into his side.

“Thanks Eric,” she mumbled into his side. “You want to tell him or should I?” she pulled back smiling up to him.

“I’ll let you. That boy can be a little psycho sometimes. I don’t want him pissed off at me,” hiding the smile as he cringed back from her.

“Blah, blah, you’re really scared of Nathan who’s like way shorter than you and about…a bunch of pounds lighter,” she giggled rolling her eyes at his antics.

“You don’t play with him little girl. Size don’t me nothin’ to that boy. He’d kick my ass just as quick as the next guy.”

“Yeah yeah. Do you see him?”

“Ummm…yeah he’s sitting in a chair over to the left, maybe halfway across the room.”

“Thanks,” smiling as she gave him a tight hug. “Good luck Eric.”

Her smile grew as she approached him, he couldn’t have looked more handsome if he tried. He looked down right delicious in his suit. His hair fixed all perfect. Everything was perfect…except his posture. He was slumped down in the chair, his legs stretched out in front on him, his feet crossed over each other. She frowned knowing his suit was getting all rumpled in the back.

The headphones were in his ears, his eyes closed. It was his usual pre- game ritual and look, but she was sure he was overworking the stoic, loner routine to ward off fans. She knew the last thing he wanted to do was talk…to strangers especially.

She snuck up behind his chair. Carefully pulling out one of his earphones she bent down to his ear, “Hey, I was thinking maybe we could get together for some post game action. What’d ya say stud?” she purred in his ear doing her best to disguise her voice.

He popped an eye open when the earphone left, his face twisting in a scowl at the words being tickled in his ear. He reached up without looking, snatching back the ear piece stuffing it back in his ear, “No thanks,” he grumbled, trying to find his comfort spot again.

Good answer Haley thought biting off the giggle. She started massaging his shoulders, about to bend down to his ear again when he bolted forward, turning on her jerking out the earphones. “I…oh…hey,” he grinned. “I didn’t know it was you. My nose must not be working, I couldn’t even smell you.”

“Okay…I’m going to take the fact that you can smell me as a good thing - even though it sounds really bad.”

“Definitely a good thing,” still smiling as he pulled her onto his lap capturing her lips with his. “Mmm you taste good. I’ve missed you,” he whispered, their lips melding together.

She pulled away for a breath, resting her forehead against his. “I’ve missed you too. That beds too big for one. How’s it been going?”

“Okay. It’s been pretty cool. The dinner was even good, imagine that,” laughing, brushing back her hair, interlacing his fingers with hers before kissing the back of her hand. “Coach has been working overtime to keep us away from…all of this,” nodding toward the horde of people in the lobby. “You can still hear people whooping it up out on the street in the middle of the night. Kind of been a little crazy,” leaning in for another long kiss. “I sure am glad to see you.”

“Me too,” she sighed kissing him again. “I love you,” her whispered words being met with his lips hungrily taking hers, their tongues seeking out the others, their hands caressing the others face. They were totally oblivious to the crowd in the room. The feel of the others lips on theirs the only thing they were aware of, the quiet moans and sighs heating up the kisses, both needing air but not wanting to break the much needed contact.

“SCOTT!” came the shout from the other end of the room.

“Son of a bitch!” Nathan bit out pulling back quickly from Haley, leaning around her shoulder to see the whole team and coaching staff gathered near the door watching them. The head coach standing apart from the group, hands on his hips glaring at him once more, as it seemed the entire lobby was now watching as well. Nathan gave him a tight smile, helping Haley, who couldn’t bear to turn around, off his lap. He grabbed up his bag from beside the chair hoisting it up on his shoulder, “Bye,” he mumbled through his unmoving mouth hastily working his way over to the others.

“Damn boy, that girl’s trouble for you” Eric joked nudging Nathan through the door. “I might need to take her off your hands. She’s pretty hot.”

Nathan looked up rolling his eyes at him, “Try it and you die,” his annoyed mumble being met with Eric’s playful shoves and laughter.

“Little lipstick…right there,” pointing to a spot near Nathan’s mouth, Nathan angrily wiped at it as Eric howled with laughter once again.

Haley hesitantly turned around just in time to see the last of the team work its way through the door and Nathan’s figure disappear into the bus. She caught the eye of the coach who was waiting at the end of the group, making sure everyone was accounted for. She gave him a shy smile and a little wave. He gave her a little wave and a tight smile in return. She could tell he let go an irritated sigh as he kept shaking his head all the way to the bus. She knew if was official. He hated her.

The lobby was once again crammed with fans. The atmosphere was verging on pandemonium, the excitement level near delirious. You’d think everyone of those fans had a personal effect on the game the way they carried on about every play, every basket, every shot missed and made, reliving it as if they were on the court themselves. So wound up in the team, and the game, it seemed they would not live to see the sunrise if the Tarheels didn’t win the championship tomorrow night. They’d put away their opponent in the semi-final game Saturday by five points. One down, one to go. It couldn’t get there soon enough for anyone.

Haley and the other three had joined the party in the lobby long ago. They were getting as loud and obnoxious as the others, the invincibility the crowd was feeling flowing over to them. The music was loud, the drinks were flowing, the crowd dancing and cheering, the noise level increasing by the minute. If there happened to be one person checked into that hotel that didn’t have an affiliation with the University of North Carolina they had either checked out or given in to the pressure and converted so they could join in the fun. And if there was anyone there who supported their opponent, they were not about to admit it now…not if they valued their lives they wouldn’t. These people were nuts!

Most of the players had gathered outside their rooms on the second floor, hanging over the railing that circled the lobby above the crowd, calling back and forth to friends and relatives in the mass of people below. They were cutting up, laughing and dancing to the music, having almost as much fun as they would if they were down amidst them. They couldn’t though. They weren’t allowed off the floor. No girls, no visitors of any kind in the rooms. Get caught, and you were suspended for the game. No exceptions. This was some serious shit.

The four of them had sung the fight song for what seemed to be the hundredth time, drinks raised high as they did. All of them were gone, totally looped with the possible exception of Greg, who had escaped complete drunkenness so far only because of his size. A little more time, and he’d be right there with them.

The girls never enjoyed being part of athletics so much in their lives. So what if they’d been dragged into watching since high school for whatever reason, and they still didn’t know the rules. You make a basket you get points, you hit somebody the wrong way you get a foul, so many of those and you get kicked out. You make more points than the other team…you win. What more did they need to know – except being a part of this total euphoria was damn fun!

“Jake! Jake, Jake, Jake!” Haley screamed, jumping up and down, waving her arms like a crazy person trying to get his attention, trying to keep from spilling her drink at the same time. He was hanging over the railing with the rest of them pointing to some person in the crowd, someone probably making a complete fool of themselves.

“JAKE!” she screamed louder. She wanted to turn around and tell people to hush up for just a minute, but knew that would be an exercise in futility.

“Hey Hales! Having fun?” he laughed down to her grinning face.

“Yeah! Where’s Nathan?”

“Hell if I know,” he shrugged, turning one way and then another, unaware he wasn’t out there with them. “Where’s Nathan?” he hollered into the group, everyone turning one way and then another just like he had, shrugging their shoulders at him in answer.

“He’s in the shower,” Lucas finally answered Haley from where he had finally joined the others, his hair still wet, obviously fresh from a shower himself.

“Is he going to come out?” she whined loudly to Lucas.

“I don’t know,” he shrugged back.

“Well go tell him to come out here when he’s done,” she ordered setting her hands on her hips, giving Lucas as stern a look as her drunken state could manage.

“Well yes ma’am,” Lucas smiled shuffling slowly back toward the room.

Ten minutes later and Nathan had finally joined his teammates, running his fingers through his hair, still pulling a shirt on over his head and pushing his feet into a pair of flip flops.

“Where is she?” he grumped searching through the mob of people below.

“Hell if I know, she was just here,” Lucas mumbled helping him search. “She has on your white jersey…there…there she is,” pointing to a head bobbing around with the others, the blue Scott and the 23 on the back of the white jersey easily picked out amongst all the blue.

“Oh hell. She’s wasted. I can tell from here,” laughing at the way Haley was dancing around to the music her glass held high, a smile filling her face.

Nathan flipped open his phone, punching up Greg’s number, laughing when he saw Greg looking around like he couldn’t figure out where the vibrating was coming from.

“Yeah,” he shouted in the phone, plugging up his other ear trying to hear better. “Yeah…yeah okay, I’ll tell her. Huh?...Yeah…yeah I will,” Greg answered rolling his eyes at the orders Nathan had just given him to take care of Haley, make sure she got back to her room, etc, etc, blah, blah, blah. Whatever.

“Hales,” Greg almost yelled in her ear, turning her dancing body around, physically tilting her head toward Nathan, who was smirking at her giving her a small wave. She grinned back broadly to him, both of her hands waving to him over her head.

He pointed toward the other end of the room. The end without the band, the end with a little less people. People who were at least sitting down. She pushed her way through the crowd, finally reaching the end of the room where he was leaning on the rail waiting for her.

“Wow is it crowded,” smiling up to him.

“I like your shirt. I’m not used to seeing it with pants under it though. Or another shirt under it for that matter,” he chuckled, laying his arms across the rail, laying his chin on them, watching her every move. She was still swaying to the music as she talked, her smiling face flushed from the alcohol.

“The arm holes are a little big on it so I figured I better where something under it. I’m not used to wearing it this long. Somebody’s always taking it off me,” she giggled loudly.

“Smart guy. Looks like you’re having fun.”

“Yeah. Can you come down here?” giving him her best pouting face.

“Sorry baby, we can’t leave this floor.”

“I won’t tell. You can use the stairs…”

“Hales, don’t tempt me okay. I’ll get in some deep shit if I get caught.”

“Can I come up there? I’ll be quiet I promise. Just one little kiss…that’s all I want…just one,” she begged her bottom lip pouting out further.

“No Haley. Now quit looking at me like that,” laughing at her childish expression.

“Okay okay. Dance with me then,” smiling coyly up at him as she moved provocatively to the music. “You’re not dancing,” her smile growing at the way he was watching her every move.

“I’d rather watch,” trying to clear the hitch in his voice her sultry movements had caused.

He was beginning to think he’d lost his mind. No one person should have this kind of control of another…especially him. But he just couldn’t help himself. Just being near her, watching her move, he could feel himself losing control. His breaths were getting quicker, and the heat below his waist was increasing, and she was only dancing for god’s sake. But the way she was dancing. His shirt hanging to her knees – a shirt she mostly slept in, one that he was constantly peeling off her body in the middle of the night, now kicking aside her sandals to dance in her bare feet. Damn it!

He knew – she knew exactly what she was doing to him. And she was enjoying every second of it. Tempting him. That’s what she was doing. She knew he couldn’t resist her. Not that body. Not the way she was moving it for him. She was doing it just for him. Smiling shyly at him, biting at her lip the way she did…all for him. She was all his. Every last inch of that soft, sweet tasting body was his. Just one small kiss that’s all she wanted…sure…he could do that for her. Why not…

“Haley!”

“Yeah?” continuing her dancing, looking quizzically toward him.

He bent further over the railing trying to talk loud enough she could hear, but not shout for the rest of the world to here. “Stairs. Come up here. Hurry up.” He stood there for a minute or so longer, watching the crowd, trying his best to look uninterested and bored, before slipping away. James Bond he wasn’t.

He opened the door to the stairway to find her standing there with a smile spread across her face, biting knowingly on her lip.

“You…are bad. C’mere,” pulling her out of the stairwell and into the hallway with him, pressing his body against hers, tucking the loose hairs behind her ear as they smiled at each other. “You realize I could get held out of the game for this,” his voice a husky whisper, sighing into her neck, trailing wet kisses down it.

“No I didn’t. I’m sorry Nathan, I better get out of here,” honestly trying to push him away.

“Not so fast,” he murmured before his lips took over hers, his tongue searching every inch of her mouth, his body pressing harder against hers while his hand crept under her shirt massaging her breast. Their breaths were getting panted, their quiet moans pushing each other further.

“I better go,” wrenching her mouth from his, trying again to push him away.

“Okay,” he barely got out before taking her mouth over again, his hands grabbed her thighs, hoisting her up so she could wrap her legs around him, pushing her firmly against the wall. “I want you so much,” he panted out, grinding himself against her, Haley’s breaths coming in panted whimpers at the feel of his erection pressing harder against her.

“Nathan…Nathan!” her voice a harsh whisper, “did you hear that?” trying to retract herself from his grasp. “The band stopped…they just said something about…shit I couldn’t hear. I have to get out of here Nathan!”

“What time is it?” grabbing her wrist to see her watch, trying to regain his breath. “Fuck! It’s twelve, we have to be in our rooms by twelve.” They could hear enough to know the crowd was dispersing, taking the nearness of the sounds of the doors slamming to mean the players were heading back to their rooms. “The damn coaches are going to be coming around any second. Go go go,” he said popping a kiss on her mouth, all but shoving her into the stairwell. He turned taking a quick deep breath, running one hand through his hair, the other making a sweep around his mouth. He didn’t need any lipstick evidence this time for sure.

He could hear the head coach at the room around the corner calling out the names of the players that were supposed to be in that room before slamming the door shut.

Nathan walked nonchalantly out of the vending room, taking a long sip out of the Coke can, almost running smack into the coach.

“Sorry,” Nathan mumbled trying his best to remain nonplussed by his presence, taking another sip from the can.

“What are you doing back here Scott?”

Nathan pointed to the door with the vending sign on it. “Just getting a drink coach. They’re a lot cheaper out of the machine than out of that refrigerator in the room. You want one?” he asked innocently, pulling a dollar out of his pocket.

“No thanks. It’s midnight. Get to your room.”

“Okay,” Nathan shrugged sauntering away, fighting off the intense urge to run as fast as he could to his room, and away from the eyes he felt boring into his back.

The coach watched his every step. Something was definitely fishy here…, and there the little guppy was…, catching out of the corner of his eye the figure moving rapidly across the lobby. The Scott and the number on the back of the jersey just confirming for him who the figure was. It was her. The bane of his existence this week. The royal thorn in his side. The distraction of his best player. Damn girls!

“Scott!” he called out to Nathan before he could reach his room.

“Shit!” Nathan mumbled to himself before turning back toward him, “Yeah coach?”

The coach looked out over the lobby for a second, Nathan following his eyes, both of them watching Haley disappear into the elevator, before looking back at Nathan with a long, hard stare. “You better not screw up tomorrow Scott.”

“I won’t coach. Goodnight,” quickly slipping into his room.

“FIVE, FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE!” the crowd chanted together at the top of their lungs, the final buzzer causing an eruption of such proportions they all thought their ears would burst. The laughing and hugging and dancing around seemed endless in the stands, the same actions going on in the middle of the court.

The national champion hats and t-shirts were quickly passed around to the players, all of them joyfully pulling them on still congratulating each other. The smiles so broad and joyful it was obvious it would be days before they came close to leaving. The cameras popping around them capturing all their glory.

A large portion of the crowd spilled onto the court like they always did despite best efforts to keep them back, hugging players like they knew them, hugging each other like they were long lost friends.

Nathan tried to quickly get his bearings, letting people hug and slap his back while he searched out the seats he knew Haley was in. His smile grew all the way across his face when he found her, still in her Scott jersey, laughing and smiling back, her arms above her head waving at him.

He waved for her to come down to the court, the words ‘come on’ easily read on his smiling lips. She slipped down the stairs to the court flanked by so many other fans she figured she’d be one of the last ones the security people would nab.

She tore across the court leaping into his open arms. He easily lifted her up; hugging her so tight she could barely take a breath, both of them throwing their heads back in a raucous laugh before their lips met in a victory kiss.

“Congratulation!” she beamed, her arms wrapped tightly around his wet neck. “You did so great! I love you, I love you, I love you!” she kept repeating while peppering his sweaty face with kisses. “Congratulations!”

“SCOTT!” came the all too familiar bellow. Both of them turning to see the whole team gathered on the podium waiting for him to join them so they could be awarded their national champion trophy.

“Be right back,” he winked at her, his grin still spread across his face, hustling over to join his team.

The coach couldn’t help but laugh himself when he glanced toward Haley and was met with her embarrassed smile and shrug.

She was sitting on the couch, Nathan stretched out beside her, his head in her lap as they examined every detail of every photo in the Sports Illustrated magazine that had just arrived. The national champion University of North Carolina Tarheels beaming faces graced the cover.

Amongst the photos was one of him and Lucas. Nathan bent over with his hands on his knees, his eyes focused in front of him as Lucas leaned into his ear his hands moving around in front of him strategizing their next move.

He broke out in a loud laugh when he saw it, the photo on the next page - taking up half the page. A photo of Nathan and Haley. He had her scooped up in his arms, her legs lifted up behind her, her arms wrapped around his neck, their lips smiling lips pressed together. The caption even got her name right; she wasn’t just some random girl he’d picked up. Heck no! “Nathan Scott and girlfriend Haley James celebrate”, the caption read. How they got her name she had no idea, nor did she care. There they were – their complete and utter happiness captured for the entire country to see.

Chapter 17

They were all relaxed back in their chairs trying to keep from laughing too loudly. The librarian had already admonished them once for their chatter; they didn’t want to incur her wrath again. They could hardly contain themselves though when Bill continued with his dead on imitation of Professor Adams.

The old man was practically a fossil, and the way he was constantly clearing his throat and hacking, perpetually losing his place in the middle of his lectures always caused snickering throughout the class. He was hard as hell though, so despite his quirks, you didn’t dare not take him seriously.

Even at twenty-two, Bill was still your typical class clown. Fifty pounds overweight, glasses, a head full of curly unkempt hair, hysterically funny, but smart as they came. When the pre-law students had talked amongst themselves about forming study groups to review for the LSAT’s, Haley had practically run across the classroom to claim him for her group. She had people trying to grab her for their group for the same reason - she was smart. She and Bill got together and decided they’d each choose one person to join their group. Bill picked Matt Turner – oh dear – Haley chose Angie Green.

Haley cringed when Bill told her who he’d chosen. Nathan hated Matt…with a passion. For the last two years he was convinced the guy had a thing for Haley. He did nothing but glare at the boy every time he laid eyes on him. Haley wasn’t sure what Matt’s deal was. He was a nice guy, smart, and really nice looking, but…he did seem to…hover around a lot.

He always seemed extra friendly too, but he’d never once made a move on her so she decided it was just his way. He was just friendly. “Friendly? Bullshit!” Nathan had roared.

That was one of the reason’s Haley chose Angie. She was smart, maybe not top ten, but intelligent none the less. Haley had borrowed notes from her before; they were extremely detailed and thorough. She’d definitely be an asset when it came to outlining chapters. The fact that she was cute didn’t hurt. Haley hated to admit it, but that was one of her main criteria in picking the fourth member of the group. It had to be an attractive female. She didn’t know if she needed to fend off Matt or not, but she wanted to have an unattached option available to shove in front of him just in case.

They all gathered their books and notes together, Haley still trying to stop giggling at Bill’s routine. Each of them was clear on what they were supposed to bring to the next study session the day after tomorrow. The LSAT’s were a month away, but it felt like it was tomorrow as nervous as they all were becoming.

Haley looked around expecting to see Nathan slumped in one of the chairs waiting for her like he usually was – like he had been every group study night for the past month. It was dark, it was late. He didn’t want her walking home alone he told her. Umm hmm, yeah, he didn’t want her alone with Matt more like it.

He was incensed when she told him Matt was part of her study group, practically ordering her to change groups. That went over well. One huge knock down drag out later, she was still in the same group, and he hadn’t missed being there to pick her up yet. She didn’t see him anywhere.

She left the others at the table still gathering their things with a little wave moving over to sit closer to the door to wait for him. She took out her phone, she didn’t have any messages. He must be on his way she decided.

“Where’s big dog?” Bill asked with a chuckle. He and Haley had a little talk one day about Nathan’s hatred for Matt. Bill had apologized for choosing him. He didn’t mean to cause her any trouble. She assured him it was Nathan’s problem not hers. Bill wasn’t so sure Nathan didn’t have a point. Ever since Haley had brought his attention to it, he had noticed Matt’s lingering glances toward her. Although, it was clear to him how Haley felt about Nathan. She beamed like a love struck schoolgirl every time she was with him. Nathan didn’t have anything to worry about. Matt on the other hand…

“Still on his way I guess,” she shrugged. “I’ll give him a few minutes before I call and chew on him for making me wait.”

“Come on, I’ll walk with you,” Bill offered, holding the door open for her. “We’ll probably run into him along the way.”

“God it feels good out here,” Haley sighed, pulling her jacket a little tighter around her. “Kind of chilly, but my head feels like it’s swollen with information every time we finish one of our study sessions I need the fresh air to clear it out.”

“I know what you mean,” Bill laughed. “Angie’s been a real surprise. She comes in with some little detail I never even noticed every time. She…,” he paused, both of them looking back over their shoulders at the sound of the feet running up behind them.

“Hey,” Matt blew out trying to catch his breath. “Bill you forgot this,” handing him a black spiral.

“Crap. Thanks. One of these days I’m going to learn not to drop stuff on the floor,” tucking the notebook under his arm with the rest of his papers. “Coffee anybody?” Bill asked as they passed in front of the student union.

“I guess you’re not planning on sleeping anytime soon,” Haley laughed.

“I could drink three pots and still sleep like a baby. It’s called a clear conscience little lady,” he laughed back. “Anybody?”

Both Haley and Matt begged off. It took Haley a good hour to unwind from studying; she didn’t need coffee keeping her wired any longer than she kept herself wired.

The two of them leaned against the wall outside the union waiting for Bill to reappear, swapping information about the contracts section they had just gone over earlier.

Haley peeked at her watch, still wondering where the heck Nathan was; now wondering what was keeping Bill. Her and Matt’s conversation was drifting away from law and toward her. Angie…

“So Angie’s been great hasn’t she?” Haley threw out with a smile. “So insightful, and cute too,” she laughed.

“Yeah, she’s been a good addition for sure. I’ve had her in some of my classes before, never really thought she was that smart, but she has been a surprise. Not as smart as you Haley, but she’s done a real nice job.”

“Oh she’s smart alright. And cute too,” she repeated, wanting to give him a nudge and a wink to emphasize the hint. God where are you Bill she whined to herself.

“Where’s Nathan tonight?”

“I’m not sure. He should have been here; Bill was just walking with me till we met up with him. I’m sure he’s on his way,” she said with a tight smile, trying to peer around him seeking out either Nathan or Bill or... anybody.

“I’m sure. I can walk with you. My apartment complex is just before yours, and Bill’s is like two blocks the other direction.”

“Oh no that’s okay. Bill doesn’t mind. He’s a major night owl. The way he talks I’m not sure when he sleeps…he’ll be back,” she said blowing out a light breath, pushing off the wall, moving to stand in the middle of the plaza in front of the union. “Oh here he comes,” she smiled at Matt, seeing Bill pulling the door open.

“HEY!” Bill called pointing to his right as he took another sip from his coffee.

Haley looked toward where Bill was pointing just in time to see Nathan jogging by.

“Hey you!” she shouted. “Basketball boy…stop!” she laughed hurrying over to flag him down.

Nathan stopped at the sound of her voice, turning to see her behind him waving and smiling. He smiled back walking quickly to meet her.

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” trying to catch his breath, giving her a quick peck on the lips. “I got hung up on the phone with another one of those agents. Sorry. What are you doing out here alone Haley? You know you shouldn’t b…” he stopped mid-sentence when Matt walked up to join them, the hair on the back of his neck instantly rising, his jaw setting, his teeth clenching just at the mere sight of him.

“I…we were just going to meet up with you,” Haley threw in quickly. “I knew you’d be coming so we just decided to meet you half way,” she smiled with a little shrug.

“Oh we did, did we?” Nathan returned flatly, never letting his eyes stray from Matt.

“Hey Nathan,” Matt said with a small head nod. He was about as much a fan of Nathan’s as Nathan was of his. He never could understand why a girl as sweet, pretty, and especially smart as Haley would take up with such a…. an oaf as Nathan. He wasn’t near good enough for her Matt thought – and the way she looked at him…ugh, it made him nauseous. He was still hoping one day the light bulb would go off and she’d dump him.

“Turner,” Nathan barely mumbled, his arm snaking around Haley’s waist drawing her into his side.

“Yeah…Bill offered to walk me,” she said wrapping her arm around him, turning to point out Bill approaching them, “and Matt just caught up with us.”

“Nate my man, how’s it hangin’?” Bill greeted him loudly trying to diffuse Nathan’s obvious tension.

“Bill,” Nathan returned unable to stop the smile, reaching out to shake his hand. Nathan agreed with Haley. Bill was just funny. He didn’t have to say anything, just looking at him made Nathan laugh.

They laughed till their sides hurt the night Haley had invited all their friends over for dinner and included Bill. He brought along his girlfriend who reminded everyone of a burned out hippie. They had everyone rolling; the two of them could start their own stage show.

“I was just bringing the munchkin back to you,” Bill said as the four of them started again toward the apartments.

“I appreciate that. I got hung up on the phone. I swear every agent from A to Z has called the last few months. They’re making me nuts.”

“I say choose the hottest one and be done with it,” Bill laughed.

“I think not,” Haley huffed smacking Bill in the stomach.

“I thought college athletes couldn’t have agents?” Matt asked from his spot on the far side of Bill.

“They can’t and I don’t,” Nathan grumbled out.

“Well that’s good. ‘Cause I remember that football player a couple of years ago…I can’t remember who he played for…Ohio State? No, I don’t know, anyway, they found out he had an agent, and was getting all kinds of stuff from him – a car, all this other junk – he got booted off the team. Couldn’t play in the national championship game, lost his scholarship. They really came down on him.”

Well crap, Haley sighed waiting for Nathan’s tirade to begin. The best thing that could happen to Matt right now was for him to trip and fall in a hole the size of Wyoming, pulling the dirt in over himself.

“Well thanks for the tip Turner, but I know the rules. It’s beat in our heads from day one.”

“Okay, I guess some athletes are just dumber than others,” Matt said matter of fact.

Nathan abruptly stopped. “As in, they’re all dumb? Just some are extra dumb?”

“No…you know I’m sure some are intelligent enough.” Matt knew he was goading him, but the night air must have been giving him unknown courage because he just didn’t care for some reason. He was certain Nathan was an ignorant jock, and one day Haley was going to see that. Maybe he could help along the inevitable if he continually pointed it out.

“Keep moving,” Haley mumbled under her breath to Nathan, trying to nudge him into walking again.

“You know intelligence is really a relative thing don’t you think?” Bill jumped in with a philosophical tone; taking Haley’s other arm, pulling her with him. Nathan had little choice but to move along, unfortunately Matt went too. “I mean…take Haley here for example. She’s really smart at all these law classes, but put her into say…engineering, or…oh I know,” he chuckled. “Phys Ed. – try and make her an education major – especially teaching a sport and whoa – the grade point would plummet. Take an engineering student and make them say… an English major, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see half of them bolt for the door. All relative to your strengths. Put your basic pre-med student on the football field and he’d be screwed ‘cause he doesn’t have what it takes between the ears to handle it. It’s much more than a physical thing Matt. Some of them, like our friend Nathan here, are blessed to have both. Superior physical prowess and book smarts too. Lucky you,” Bill said with a laugh slapping Nathan on the back.

“Yeah…okay Bill,” Matt scoffed, unconvinced.

“You forgot the looks Bill. He darn good looking too,” Haley crowed, pushing on her toes to kiss his cheek.

Nathan rolled his eyes with an amused snort. “You two are full of shit,” he mumbled down to Haley.

They walked on listening to Bill’s replay of the latest Simpson episode he’d seen, voice reenactments and all. Haley was certain she never wanted to face off against Bill in court. He’d have the jury so baffled by his bullshit; she knew she’d never stand a chance.

“Well this is where I get off,” Bill said heading off with a wave. “See you two tomorrow, and Nate…kick some ass my man.”

Nathan pulled Haley in closer, dropping a kiss on her head, various scenarios on how he’d like to kick Matt’s ass playing through his head as they kept walking, Matt still in tow.

“This is me. I’ll see you tomorrow Haley,” Matt said with a small smile. “Nathan,” he mumbled.

“Goodnight Matt,” Haley returned, jumping to grab Nathan’s shirt when he followed after Matt. “Nathan,” she muttered hotly.

“Hey Matt,” Nathan called out. “I umm, I think we need to clear the air here. I know you don’t like me, and well…I’m sure you know I can’t stand you either. But I think you also need to know I see what you’re up to. I know you have a thing for Haley, but you’re never going to get her man. You’re only dreaming if you really think you have a chance, so you can quit panting after her,” he smiled turning to go. “Oh - and just so we’re perfectly clear…you dare make a move on her, and I’ll beat your fucking ass. Okay? Have a nice night Matt.”

He put his arm back around Haley moving them along without another word.

“What did you say to him?” Haley grit out.

“I told him I was going to kick his ass,” Nathan said plainly.

“No you didn’t!” Haley huffed grounding to a halt.

“Wanna bet?” his hands landing on his hips as he met her glare with one of his own.

“Why did you do that? I have to go to class with him everyday Nathan. He’s in my study group. How am I supposed to…to…study and coexist with someone my boyfriend threatens?”

“Oh, I don’t know…change groups maybe? Kick him out of yours? Either works for me,” he shrugged unfazed by her anger.

“Ohhh!” she growled marching on toward their place. “Nathan! You didn’t need to do that. Why are you so…so jealous all the time?”

“Haley…the guy has a hard on for you and you know it! I’m not jealous. I’m just making sure the little prick knows I’m watching his ass, and he’s going to meet my fists if he tries anything. He understood my words Haley, it’s all good honey. As long as he keeps his hands to himself, we’ll all get along just fine,” he smiled breezing into their apartment.

He rolled over on his back, the rattling of the papers next to him stirring him awake. He popped one eye open, lifting his hand quickly to shade it from the lamps dim light. Haley had herself propped up against her pillows reading and jotting notes. He pushed up enough to see the time.

“What the hell Hales? It’s two fifteen,” his voice gravelly with sleep. “Give it up for the night and go to sleep,” rolling on his side stretching his arm across her legs.

“Nathan, you’re messing up my papers,” she complained pulling them out from under his heavy arm.

“Go to sleep. You studied with your group, you studied before you went to your group, you’re studying now. You’re brains full for one night. Go to sleep.”

“You go back to sleep. I need to get through this chapter first. I’m never going to pass this thing,” she mumbled to herself.

“You’re going to pass Haley,” he muttered into her side.

“You don’t understand Nathan! I can’t just pass. This test is everything. It doesn’t matter what I’ve done before, if I don’t score well on this test I’m screwed. I won’t get into law school. There’s too much information here…I’m never going to remember it all,” her whine turning into tears she tried to swat away. “I’m never going to remember it all,” the tears turning into light sobbing.

“Hales…my god,” Nathan sighed pushing himself to lean against the headboard next to her. “Here,” grabbing the papers on her lap dropping them off the side of the bed.

“Nathan! Don’t!” she snapped at him trying to grab things before he could toss them aside.

“No…Haley…leave it. Leave it,” he repeated more firmly pulling her back when she tried to climb out of the bed.

“Stop Nathan!” trying to twist away from him.

“No you stop,” he argued. Holding her tighter, he hauled her onto his lap wrapping his arms snuggly around her so she couldn’t get free. “Just sit still for a few minutes,” he said quietly. “Please, be still,” he said again when she pouted trying to wriggle out of his grasp.

She sat rigid for several minutes determined it would force him to release her. It wasn’t working. “Relax,” he murmured in her ear, leaving a kiss on her temple.

“I’m never going to remember everything,” her words jumbling when her tears started full force again. “I can’t do this,” she choked out throwing her arms around his neck sobbing into his shoulder.

“You just need some sleep baby. You’ve been going at it way too hard. You’re mentally exhausted Hales. You haven’t slept worth a damn in weeks. It was three the other night when I woke up and you’re laying there counting orange sheep, two days before that you were awake in the middle of the night, the count over three hundred of purple sheep. Put the poor things in the corral and go to sleep. Even the sheep are worn out Hales. Please baby you need some rest,” leaving another kiss on her head.

“I don’t think I can do it. I know I’m going to blow it,” she sniffled, the tears still flowing down her cheeks.

Nathan rubbed his hand gently up and down her back, squeezing her to his chest. “It’s okay baby,” he said with a soothing whisper. “You’re going to do great Haley. You’re smart, and you’re studying really hard. You’ll do just great baby. I have total faith in you. I know you can do it. You just need a little break. Need some sleep to rejuvenate those big brain cells of yours,” he chuckled lightly laying his head on hers. “Shhh baby it’s okay,” he kept coaxing, continually rubbing softly on her back, feeling her body relaxing into his, smiling at the heavy sigh she released, her head nuzzling further into his neck.

He tried to scooch them down a bit further in the bed, stretching over to turn off the lamp. Her whole body lay limp against his as he tried to reach around her to pull the comforter up over them without waking her. He couldn’t help but smile at the look of complete peace on her face. He closed his eyes with a deep sigh of his own, settling his arms completely around her. God I’ve got it bad he chuckled to himself.

“So has he pulled out of his funk yet?” Brooke asked handing Haley two more shirts for her to hold, while she rummaged through the racks some more. “Come on,” waving a hand at Haley who dutifully followed behind her, arms already loaded with clothes to try on…Brooke’s clothes to try on.

“A little bit. It comes and goes. Actually, he’s handled it better than I thought he would. Better than in the past anyway. I guess he figures he’s a senior, he’s outta here. Besides, he got one national championship while he was here. They made the final four again this year, which I think kind of surprised him, so he’s trying to be satisfied with that I guess. Just keeps mumbling about how he knew the lack of inside game was going to bite them on the ass,” she mocked. “Jackson was definitely no Eric. Oh well, he’ll live.”

“Now it’s on to life in the pros. Personally, I can’t wait,” Brooke laughed. “Hold this,” waving another hanger at her.

“If I’d known I was going to be your pack mule I’d have stayed home and studied Brooke.”

“Do not mention the word study. That’ll do me. On to the dressing room,” Brooke ordered, taking Haley by the arm dragging her along.

Haley propped herself on the bench in the dressing room, giving analysis of the clothes as Brooke tried them on. All the opinion asked for, almost none of it taken. Brooke knew exactly what Brooke wanted, she just asked Haley to make her feel included in the process.

“I like it,” Haley smiled.

“Yeah? Me too,” Brooke grinned wiggling her way out of the tight skirt she’d just poured herself into. “You guys are still coming over to watch the football draft right?”

“Wouldn’t miss it. I’ll watch your future dictated by someone else, if you’ll watch mine a couple of months from now.”

“Deal. Wouldn’t that be awesome if we ended up in the same city? Too much to hope for I know, but I can dream,” Brooke smiled critically examining the next shirt before tossing it aside unworn. “You ever think this whole thing is kind of weird Haley? I mean, I never really thought of myself as the women’s libber type, but the fact that I’ve gone to all this trouble to get my degree, and I’m just going to follow along with Greg without question wherever he ends up is just…I don’t know kind of…weird…antiquated sort of. Know what I mean? I mean what if he ends up in Podunk or something, nobody needs a marketing major in Podunk.”

“I guess I never really thought of it like that,” Haley quietly replied. “I just figured I love Nathan, I’ll go wherever he goes. Besides, I don’t think there are many professional teams in Podunk.”

“True,” Brooke smiled back. “You still have law school though. I hope Nathan ends up somewhere with a law school that’s worthy of you Hales.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” she assured Brooke with a forced smile.

“I’m really not looking forward to going off to someplace I don’t know anybody. It’ll be the first time I’ll be without Peyton since junior high,” her face forming a sad pout.

“You’ll find friends in no time Brooke. It’s not like you’re the shy retiring type,” Haley laughed, catching Brooke’s latest discard.

“True. Anyway, Greg will be raking in some major money so hopefully I can fly her to wherever to see me.”

Haley frowned at her words, trying to shake off her unsettling comment.

“Brooke,” she started haltingly. “You’re not just…I mean you’re not just with Greg cause you think he’s going to make a bunch of money are you?”

Brooke’s headed whipped around to her, her face taking on a fierce scowl of her own. “Are you seriously asking me that Haley?”

“I…I mean…I don’t really think you are Brooke. I just…”

“You just what?” she snapped. “You think I’d have invested the last three years in a guy just hoping he’d make it to the pros and a big fat paycheck? I can’t believe you’d even ask me that! I love Greg, Haley. I love him – more than anything in this world I love him. I’d be with him no matter what kind of money he brought home.”

“Brooke, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I know how you feel about Greg. I don’t know why I said it. Just forget it. I’m sorry,” Haley tried backtracking.

“You said it because you think I’m a money grubbing little bitch that’s why you said it,” Brooke bit out.

“God, no I don’t Brooke! I don’t think that at all. I’m just protective of Greg and Jake I guess. I know you love him.”

“Greg doesn’t need your protection Haley, certainly not from me. I guess I could ask you the same thing Haley – are you with Nathan because he’s going to make a bunch of money? Oh wait…he doesn’t need to go out and earn a bunch of money, he already has it just waiting on him. Thanks to dear old daddy and granddaddy,” she snarled. “You’re a really smart one Hales, latching onto that money pile.” Brooke couldn’t close her mouth now, she was on a role and wasn’t about to back down.

“Actually, I think my questions a lot more realistic. At least being with Greg is understandable. I mean he’s sweet and kind and lovable. On the other hand - there’s Nathan,” she said flatly, arching her perfect eyebrow at Haley. “He’s…cranky, possessive, surly, unfriendly, arrogant, cocky and just a general fucking train wreck. Why else would someone stay with the asshole if it wasn’t for his money?” her tone every bit as nasty as she intended.

Haley’s mouth dropped at her words. She was outraged, jumping to her feet pointing her finger in Brooke’s face. “He is not a fucking train wreck!” she shouted. “He’s every bit as kind and sweet and lovable as Greg, if not more! He has heart of gold Brooke. I love Nathan for Nathan not his stupid money! I loved him before I even knew he had money! Ohhhhhh,” she blew out. “You know what…you know what Brooke…you’re right, you may not be a money grubbing bitch, but you are a bitch! Here, take care of your own damn clothes!” she yelled throwing the clothes she still held at Brooke, slamming out of the dressing room.

She blew through the apartment door, the smoke still coming out of her ears. She threw her purse at the couch barely missing Nathan’s head, who was cocked back on it with his feet - still clad in shoes - on the table. He hurriedly jerked his feet off the table before she could jump him about it for the hundredth time.

“Gotta go. Hurricane Haley just blew in,” he mumbled into the phone to Jake. “Hey Hales. How was the shopping?” he asked, his fake smile fading the longer she paced fuming in front of him. “Not so good?”

Haley stopped, slapping the hair out of her face, folding her arms across herself glaring at him. “Do you think I’m after your money?” she demanded to know.

“Hunh?”

“You heard me. Do you think I’m after your money?”

“What money? I think I have like…eight hundred dollars in the bank, and about thirty in my wallet. It’s yours if you need it.” She was pissed, asking bizarre questions, and he was totally confused.

“Not that money!” stomping her foot frustrated with him. “Whatever…money you supposedly have…somewhere. And whatever you’re supposedly going to make when you go pro. That money!”

“Oh umm, well…no?”

“NO? No with a question mark no?” she huffed with a whine.

“No - no as in what the hell are you talking about?”

“Your money! Do you think I’m after it? And how much do you have anyway?”

“What is with you Hales? I don’t think you’re after my money.” She was getting scary.

“How much do you have?”

“Why?”

“Because I want to know! Everybody else seems to. They all seem so certain you have this huge ass pile of money somewhere. You never talk about it, I don’t even know if it really exists.”

“If I tell you, are you going to change your mind about loving me, and just keep me around for the money?” he asked trying to hide the smirk.

She narrowed her eyes at him, she was in no mood for jokes.

“I have a trust fund my grandfather set up. But I don’t get it till I turn thirty so if you’re after that, you’re stuck with me a while,” he chuckled.

“How much…six figures?”

“Six figures? Please,” he scoffed.

“What the hell! It’s more than that?”

“What can I say…he was loaded,” he shrugged almost embarrassed by the admission. “Honestly Haley, I don’t know exactly how much it is. It’s well over a million dollars though I can tell you that. You gonna stick around now?”

She flopped in the chair dejected. He was rich. Really, really rich. How many people thought she was after his money? Half of Tree Hill probably.

“You know I love you right? I don’t care about your money.”

“I never thought you did Hales. You want to explain this whole goofball conversation we just had?”

“Brooke and I had a fight,” she sighed. “I said something just ridiculously stupid, then she said something stupid, but she just kept on saying stupid things. I just didn’t want you thinking I was after your money.”

“Brooke thinks you’re after my money?” he asked with disbelief.

“No I don’t think so. We both just got…stupid. Just forget it.”

“Good thing. ‘Cause she’s not exactly a pauper you know. Her dad runs this huge ass multi-million dollar company so she’s got more than a few bucks herself.”

“So you both hook up with hicks from the sticks – great. How noble of you both,” rolling her eyes irritated by the whole mess.

“You’re the one that brought up the money Haley not me. But, speaking of money, I talked to Trent, and he’s getting some looks set up with some teams. I’d really like it if you went with me Haley,” his voice hopeful.

“Nathan, I can’t go anywhere till after the LSAT’s you know that.”

“I know, I know and I totally understand. I’ll go by myself if I have anywhere to go before that, but after the test please go with me. I want you to be happy wherever we end up. It’s really important to me Hales.”

She shuffled over to sit beside him on the couch, cuddling into his chest. “If I can go Nathan, I swear I will. But honestly, how much choice do you have about where you go?”

“Oh…none,” he laughed lightly. “But Trent thinks he’s kind of got it narrowed down to some likely places. He’s talking to those teams, and if they want to look at me then I need to go. You can check out the law schools in the area. Sounds like a big game, but I don’t have much choice but to play along I guess.”

“You like Trent?” Haley asked pushing back to look at him with a small frown. “He’s kind of…overly…happy. Way too full of the compliments. I thought I was going to barf when he told me how cute my shirt was the last time he was here. It was so not cute. Get a grip buddy.”

“Hey, you helped me pick him. You said he was the least sleazy one in the group so blame yourself,” chuckling at her scowl.

“He was, but still. Ugh!”

“He seems to know what he’s talking about so we’ll just have to live with his exuberance I guess. Hopefully he can wrangle me a hefty contract somewhere.”

“Yeah…somewhere,” she mumbled under her breath. “I’m going to go study.”

“Hales…you okay?” confused by her sudden sullenness.

“I’m good.”

He couldn’t stop the pacing. Back and forth, back and forth, glancing repeatedly between his watch and the clock on the wall the entire time. She was supposed to be done by now. This was painful; patience was not one of his long suits. He went back outside and sat with a huff on the top step of the more than fifty that led to the front door. He looked at his watch again…ten minutes had passed, long enough. He jumped up going through the door one more time.

They were definitely done now. The crowd of worn out faces was slowly shuffling toward him. What a freaking beat down that must have been he thought, watching the ever increasing looks of despair go by.

“Great,” he grumbled to himself when he finally reached a clearing in the crowd only to find Haley standing in the middle of the hallway, Bill’s arms around her patting her softly on the back, as she sobbed into his shirt.

Nathan walked quietly up on them meeting Bill’s small smile with one of his own.

“Big dog’s here Haley,” Bill whispered quietly down to her.

Haley lifted her head from Bill’s chest, her face red, the tears still rolling down her cheeks. Her head landed with a thud on Nathan’s chest, her arms wrapping tightly around him as the tears flowed harder.

Nathan squeezed her into his chest, dropping a kiss on her head, before giving Bill a helpless head shake. Bill rolled his eyes and shrugged in return.

“How was it?” he asked Bill.

“Who knows. Not as bad as I thought it was going to be which means I probably screwed it completely,” Bill chuckled. “I’m sure munchkin did great despite all the tears,” he added patting Haley’s shoulder. “I’ll see you guys later, I’m going to go home and sleep for a week.”

Nathan backed up to lean against the wall and avoid the crowd that kept having to dodge around them, pulling Haley with him. He continued to wordlessly hold her to him, rubbing her back letting her cry out her frustrations until he felt her let go a long deep sigh.

“That sounded like it felt good,” he smiled down to her. “How’d it go?”

“Not too bad I guess,” she shrugged wiping at her damp face.

“Not too bad huh? I guess that’s worth a bucket of tears,” he chuckled.

“I’m just relieved it’s over. Nathan?”

“Yeah baby?” he said quietly, tucking the stray hairs behind her ear, wiping away the wet spot on her cheek with the back of his finger.

“Can we go home get drunk and have wild sex?” she asked in all seriousness.

“Your wish is my command,” laughing as he leaned down to leave a soft kiss on her mouth. “Let’s go home baby,” he said draping his arm around her shoulders guiding them down the still crowded hallway.

“By the way, don’t forget we’re supposed to go to Brooke’s for the football draft. Oh…and ummm…pack a bag; we have a trip to Seattle on Tuesday.”

“Seattle huh?” she said giving him a light smile. “It rains a lot there doesn’t it?”

“Beats me. Guess we’ll go find out.”

The whoops and hollers coming out of Brooke and Peyton’s apartment when they called Greg’s name could be heard all over the complex. The tap on the keg was in constant motion, and the smiles couldn’t have been knocked off a face in the room. The phone hadn’t stopped ringing for the last hour. All of a sudden Greg had more friends and family than he knew what to do with.

Haley followed Brooke into the kitchen; they’d barely spoken since their blowup in the dressing room.

“Need some help?” Haley timidly asked her teeth nervously digging into her lip.

Brooke glanced over her shoulder at the unexpected voice with a little smile, “Sure,” she said handing Haley some bags of chips to pour into the near empty bowls.

“So…New England Patriots. That’s fantastic isn’t it? They win a lot…I think,” Haley said uncertainly with a quiet laugh.

“They definitely do,” Brooke laughed back. “They have a hunky quarterback too. Although I’m not sure if I should be happy that a man that good looking is going to be putting his hands on Greg’s butt.”

“I don’t think you have anything to worry about,” Haley giggled back. “I’m sure you’ll like Boston, Brooke. They’ll have tons of marketing jobs there I bet.”

Brooke turned around fighting back the tears that were building up. “I’m sorry Haley. I didn’t mean what I said. I know you love Nathan, and despite what I said about him…you know I love the lug head too,” she shrugged wiping away the tears that slipped over.

Haley rushed to pull Brooke into a tight embrace. “I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean anything I said either. I was being a complete idiot. I know you love Greg. He’s lucky to have you Brooke. You guys are going to be so happy in Boston I know you are,” she said continuing to hug her tightly, brushing away her own tears.

“Brooke…,” Greg started into the kitchen coming up short when he saw Brooke and Haley holding onto each other. “I umm,” he stuttered scratching at his head, “I’ll just get these,” he mumbled trying to reach around them for the food.

“Congratulations,” Haley spilled out releasing Brooke and throwing her arms around Greg’s waist. He held the full bowls out in his hands when her body grabbed onto his, uncertain what to do with either them or Haley.

“Thanks,” he chuckled, enveloping her in his huge arms when Brooke took the food from him with a light wink, leaving them alone in the kitchen.

“Boston will be great don’t you think?” she smiled up to him through her tear filled eyes.

“Yeah it will be. So you and Brooke…you guys okay now?”

“Yeah. I was an idiot.”

“Sounded like it was two way idiocy actually,” he laughed quietly. “I’m glad it’s all good now. I wouldn’t want to have to tap dance between the two of you. As much as I love Brooke, I could never give you up baby doll.”

“Me neither,” Haley smiled snuggling her cheek further into his chest. “Be happy okay Greg.”

“I will Hales, I will. You too okay,” smiling as he laid a soft kiss on her head. “So you’re going to Seattle to have a look see huh?”

“Yeah,” she shrugged with a small smile. “Nothing definite, but apparently they’re interested in him. He’s going to go to Dallas and Minnesota later in the week, and Trent’s working on a couple of others, so I guess we’ll see.”

“Where are you hoping for?” Greg asked leaning back against the counter still holding her into his side.

“I don’t know,” she shrugged. “I’ve actually looked into the law schools around those places and they have some good ones so I’ll be happy wherever I think.”

“As long as Nathan’s there right?”

“Yeah.”

“Hurry up!” he yelled for the third time, his patience nearly gone.

“I am!” she yelled back for the third time, scurrying into the living room, her suitcase rolling awkwardly behind her.

Haley gathered up her carry on bag, shoving her book and magazine back in, handing Nathan his magazine only to have him hand it back, motioning at her bag for her to put it with her things. She rolled her eyes doing as she had been silently instructed.

The plane was barely half full. They’d had to change their flight arrangements at the last minute, taking the red eye flight out since Haley hadn’t been able to get her paper done and turned in early like she’d hoped to do so she could miss her class to leave in the afternoon. Trent was already coming in handy, effortlessly changing the flight so they could leave at night.

“You nervous?” Haley asked Nathan, tiring of watching him stare blankly out the window.

“Kind of I guess.”

“You’ll do fine. They wouldn’t be having you out if they didn’t already think you were great.”

“I guess.”

“Don’t worry,” she smiled wrapping her arms around his, leaning up to leave a kiss on his cheek.

He slipped his hand up her jaw, resting his head against hers. “Thanks for coming Hales. It’ll make it easier with you there. I need you so much it’s scary sometimes,” he sighed kissing her tenderly on the lips.

“I need you too. I’m glad I’m going. I’ve never been to Seattle. It’ll be cool.”

“Yeah,” he mumbled taking her lips again deepening the kiss. His tongue traced lightly over her lips, sucking gently on one and then the other, loving the light sighs Haley was laying against his mouth.

“I want you baby,” he moaned quietly in her ear his lips trailing a line of warm kisses down her neck.

“Mmm Nathan, I want you too,” she sighed her lips sucking gently on his neck.

“Let’s go,” suddenly pulling away from her, grabbing her by the hand practically dragging her out of the seat.

“Nathan…where? Space and privacy’s a little limited dear,” she stammered trying to gather her footing under her.

“Never heard of the mile high club?” he whispered back, knocking softly on the restroom door.

“Are you kidding me!” she gritted under her breath. “You want to have sex in the bathroom of an airplane? God Nathan! I can’t do that.”

“Yes you can,” he mumbled pulling her in behind him, making sure the door was securely locked behind them.

“Shit – it’s a little close quarters in here isn’t it?” Haley whispered trying to twisting around seeking space that wasn’t there.

“It’s about to get closer,” Nathan smiled, his lips landing hotly on hers, his hands working on the hook and zipper of her pants, pushing them down her hips.

“Oh my…god Nathan,” Haley quietly moaned letting the excitement of the situation take her over, her own hands working his pants open.

“I want you so much baby,” his breaths panted as he pushed her back harder into the wall. “I love you…”

“Nathan,” she breathed out trying to pull her mouth free. “We…we…”

“It’s alright baby…it’s alright,” he mumbled against her lips both of them lost in the heat of the moment.

Chapters 18 - 20

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