FLASHBACK

"I can't do this anymore..."

"What are you talking about? Do what anymore?" Nathan asked casually.

The two had been sitting on the couch in Nathan's hotel suite.

Haley had flown out to visit him and attend a Sonics away game.

"This...this long distance, never seeing each other...you're a voice on the phone...before tonight, I hadn't even seen you for two whole months," Haley said.

Nathan sat down on the hotel bed, almost in shock. "So...I'm just a voice on the phone to you...after four years together, you can't handle distance for a couple of months?"

"Nathan, this has been an ongoing thing. Its not just about a few months...this is our way of life now."

"Haley, this is what happens with basketball and my career...we've been making this work..." Nathan was at a loss for words.

"I know...and I thought I could handle it...for awhile I could...but I've met someone..."

Nathan sat up in his bed in a cold sweat. Since that night, he'd been having recurring nightmares of reliving the heartbreak of that conversation. It wasn't enough that it plagued his conscious moments - it was tormenting his subconscious as well. He was coming to the end of the playoffs.

In many ways, he dreaded the end of the season and having time off before practice began. At least throwing himself into basketball had been a great way to avoid the issue. He had been constantly fielding calls from his mom and Lucas and apologizing for not coming back to visit Tree Hill on breaks when he thought he'd run the risk of seeing Haley.

Finally, Nathan dreadfully boarded his plane to head home.

Lucas was waiting for him at the Tree Hill Airport.

The two hugged, "what's up bro? Long time no see!"

"Yeah, man, how are ya?" Nathan asked.

"I'm doing well...you have a nice a flight?" Lucas asked.

"Yeah, tiring but decent," Nathan answered and went to retrieve his suitcase.

After he had gotten his luggage, the two headed to Lucas' car.

"Your mom and Karen are going to be so excited to see ya...your mom was pretty ticked that you didn't fly back for Cooper's birthday party."

"I know I'm going to get the third degree about that, but its a long flight," Nathan answered.

Lucas just silently nodding, knowing that Nathan's hesitancy to come home sooner had nothing to do with the long flight.

The two were silent for several moments. Normally, Nathan welcomed quiet. However, this was very out of character for Lucas, especially since they hadn't seen one another in several months. The silence even bordered on awkward.

"Ya know man, you don't have to walk on egg shells around me." Nathan replied.

"Man, I know...I just wasn't going to bring it up if you didn't," Lucas responded.

"I know, but it might as well be talked about in the open...we broke up, its over, that's it," Nathan replied.

"I am sorry man. I know it sucks," Lucas responded.

"Yeah, it just came as such as fucking shock, ya know?" Nathan said, putting on his sunglasses.

Lucas nodded, "I know, women are great at doing that."

"I didn't even have a clue though...not one damn clue. How could I have been so blind not to see signs that she was unhappy?"

"Maybe she didn't really show any signs...maybe it all built up internally and then just all came out at once...Haley analyzes everything to death....and if its any consolation, I had no idea about any of it -- she's been to New York only once to visit and...never mind," Lucas stopped.

"What?" Nathan asked.

"Nah, you'll just get pissed."

"No I won't...Lucas, what were you gonna say?" Nathan asked.

"It's just that whole theory about nice guys finishing last. You're the nice guy. You're the nice guy who buys flowers and expensive dinners...and gets dumped...and yes, I never thought in a million years that I would be sitting here calling you the 'nice guy,' especially when you were a total jackass before you met Haley," Lucas explained.

"Thanks bro, that's real nice," Nathan looked at him.

"Man, I'm not trying to piss you off...its just an unfortunate fact of life that most girls get tired of the nice guy and move on to one who treats them like crap...crap apparently has mystery. It leaves them wanting more and seeking approval...get my drift?"

"What the hell are you, a psychologist? Anyway, isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?" Nathan asked. "I'm not going to be a jerk to get girls to stay with me, that's deranged. Been there done that and don't need to relive it -- just ask Peyton."

Lucas still shuddered at the fact that his current girlfriend was his brother's ex.

"Besides, Haley wasn't like that anyway," Nathan replied.

Lucas shook his head. "Haley is Haley, she's my best friend -- but something happened."

"Distance is what happened," Nathan said.

"She met another guy who for the record, is an ass," Lucas said, immediately wishing he could take back that last statement.

Nathan sat up in his chair, "what did you say? How do you know what her boyfriend is like?"

Lucas squeezed his eyes shut, "dammit! I must have the biggest mouth in this country...."

Nathan just kept looking at him as if to coax him to say more.

"He was in New York, when Haley came to visit me and I sort of had to meet him....I wasn't even going to say anything -- I'm such an ass!"

"No, I'm glad you told me," Nathan said.

Nathan settled back in his seat while Lucas continued the drive to the Scott family home.

As he sat there, Nathan couldn't help but wonder what else his brother might know but not be telling him.