Hey all! It's been forever since I've written for this show and my return is all thanks to Naley12 who has been asking for one more story for eons. That being said, this story is going to be the final one I write for this great show and great couple. Call it a bit of a last hurrah. So, please let me know what you think of this. We're looking at around 10 chapters give or take a few.
Swoosh. I loved the sound of the ball going through the hoop nothing but net. It was my favourite sound in the whole universe and I was blessed to be able to do this for a living.
"Another three pointer for Nathan Scott. He's on fire tonight." The announcer called out and I smiled and ran back on defense. They say I was on fire tonight, but I was on fire every night. There was a reason I was team MVP the past three seasons in a row. The first three seasons I ever played for the Charlotte Bobcats. As a kid the Bobcats were the team I wanted to play for most of all because I could go home to my family that much more often. Now as a fully-grown man, I had no one to go home to so that aspect didn't bother me. I just liked being home.
"Scott has the ball. Scott has the ball. Ten seconds left on the clock." The announcer called as I dribbled across the court. I intended on making it an even 53 points tonight. My record so far this season. Just before the clock counted to zero, the ball left my fingertips. The arena was silent as the ball flew towards the hoop. I knew it was going in. I knew it was going to make my favourite noise in the world. But I didn't want to be arrogant, I would wait patiently for it to go in before I celebrate.
Swoosh.
The crowd went wild, the announcers cheered about me getting 53 points in one night. The Bobcats won and I was a huge part of that. I knew I was. It was awesome doing that one thing in the world that you know you're the best at. Back in the locker room the guys all high fived me and patted me on the back, congratulating me on the show I put on out there. All the praise kept me at risk of somehow becoming my father.
"Nate, great game." Clay said coming up to me and clapping me on the shoulder. Clay Evans is my agent and best friend. He's the one who got me on the team. He came up with the contract terms, basically telling them that they would never have a chance with a player as good as me ever. He literally told them that I Nathan Scott am the future of the NBA. Aside from my brother and my friends back in Tree Hill, no one had ever gone to bat for me like that before.
"Thanks man." I said pulling my jersey off and putting it in my bag.
"So, have you given any thought to what we were talking about last week?" Clay asked me and I had to wrack my brain to try to remember what it was. I had conversations with people every day and sometimes they slipped out of my mind. People were always telling me things.
"Which time?" I asked knowing I would have talked to Clay several times over the course of a week.
"When I asked you what you would do if basketball suddenly ended? I know you don't think that it ever can, but things can happen Nate. I don't want you to lose it even if it's twenty years from now and not know what to do without it." He asked me. His concern was appreciated, but I was just sure that basketball would never leave me. I was in the best shape of my life and I was damn lucky. Bad things didn't happen to Nathan Scott.
"Oh right I remember now. That conversation was ridiculous man. I am never going to lose basketball, at least not until I'm ready to lose it. When I'm finished with basketball, that's when I'll lose it. Not before then." I told him.
"I can understand why you'd think like that Nate. You feel unstoppable right now. But what about later? What if something does happen, knock on wood. Are you just going to sit at home and do nothing for the rest of your life? Because that would be a shame Nate. There is so much more to you than just basketball." Clay said to me.
"So what do you suggest? I'm not book smart, Clay. I don't even think I could get into a community college with the grades I got in high school." I told him and Clay laughed.
"You know there are these things called tutors who can help with that. You give them money, and they give you lessons. They're usually really smart." Clay spoke sarcastically.
"Is that the voice you use when you talk to Quinn?" I asked shaking my head. I knew Quinn would smack him if he ever spoke to her that way. Quinn was great for Clay, they balanced each other out so perfectly. Seeing them together made me want that for myself someday. But not until I accomplished everything on the basketball court that I would ever need to accomplish.
"Man, you know Quinn would hit me if I ever spoke to her like that." Clay laughed. He was a smart man.
"But really man, school isn't for me. It wasn't the first time around, and it won't be this time." I told him.
"Maybe if you try this time it could be for you. Just a few classes Nate. Tell you what, if you can honestly tell me that you're happy with all that you have, then I'll drop it completely. If you can tell me that what you have is everything you'll ever want in the future, but if you can't then you have to hear me out." Clay told me.
"You have to give me time to think about something like that. It's not a question you can just spring on someone Clay." I exclaimed.
"Fine, go home, think on it a bit. But if you find that you're not completely happy, then we're doing this my way. I'll come over in the morning to get your answer." He said before turning on his heel and walking away. Sometimes I really hated Clay Evans.
When I got home, I unlocked the door and walked inside. When I got inside an automatic fireplace immediately started up and all the lights on the main floor of the condo lit up. Everything was automated in my place and I loved it. It was what multimillion dollar contracts got you. There was a note on the kitchen counter from my housekeeper telling me that there was dinner in the fridge. Yet another thing that came from being a star NBA player. I didn't understand what Clay was talking about, I had everything I would ever want. I managed to get on the fast track to the NBA. I had scouts looking at me all through high school. Just before I chose to go to a college, an NBA scout came up to me and I was immediately drafted to a B league team. No college necessary. Why would I want to go back now when I had everything my father and I worked so hard for? I may not be close to my father anymore, but he is a large part of the reason I am where I am already. I was happy, I had to be. I had everything I wanted but was I happy? After I ate my dinner, rinsed off my plate and put it in the dishwasher I went into my TV room and sat down. Clay's question was puzzling me now and I didn't like that.
"What hurt could meeting with a tutor cause me?" I asked myself finally. At the very least I could check out my options and see what else there was out there. Maybe I could eventually get a degree in sports medicine or something so I could stay in the industry even when my playing days were over. Now that I was thinking with an open mind, there seemed to be more options out there. Where was the hurt in checking out these other options? My mind set on it, I sat back and flipped on an old NBA game.
The next morning Clay was banging on my door at quarter after nine which was good for him. Usually he was here in the early morning hours of the day since his wife is such an early riser.
"I'm coming I'm coming. Jackass." I said as I stumbled over to the door and pulled it open. There were three people at the door, two I recognized, one I didn't.
"Morning sunshine, I brought coffee." He said thrusting a to-go cup of coffee at me. I grabbed it and followed them into the dining room. I still had no answers as to who the third person was. All I knew was she was sort of pretty in a plain sort of way.
"Sit and explain immediately." I told him as we all sat down at my table.
"Good morning to you too Nate." Quinn greeted me with a smile.
"So did you come up with an answer to our riddle last night?" Clay asked. He had that annoying, all knowing smirk on his face that I just wanted to wipe off.
"I decided that you were right. There is no harm in checking out other options so my future is safe." I said hating every word I said. I would never live Clay's victory down now. He would hold it over my head forever.
"I know. So let's get this show on the road. This here is Haley James. She's your new tutor." Clay said standing up and grabbing Quinn's hand as he dragging her to the door, leaving me all alone with my new tutor. A tutor I was not expecting so soon.
