Nathan Scott cursed as he struggled to zip close his bag. To be a rough and tough star athlete, he couldn't close the over packed suitcase to save his mortal life.

"Shit!"

"Baby, let me help you with that", smiled his sweet girlfriend, Bevin Lewis.

"It's no use", he sighed, wiping his brow. "I'm just gonna have to take some stuff out of it."

Bevin gave him a look.

"Yeah right. Stand back and learn."

He put his hands up and paved the way for her to work some magic. She had a stubborn streak and he figured she'd ride it out for the duration, at least ten minutes before she'd finally give up and pout but to his surprise, in under thirty seconds the bag was all zipped and ready to go without one thing removed.

"Damn", he muttered.

"Told you."

He grinned as he snaked his arms around her.

"How'd you do that?"

She shrugged.

"I'm a girl. That's what we do…give birth and pack a bag that has twice what it should inside."

She stood on the tips of her bare toes and gave him a kiss as he looked around. According to the calendar, it was still summer but as far as real life was concerned, the vacation was over for Nathan Scott. That May he had done the unthinkable and led the Wake Forest Demon Deacons to a victory over the previously number one seated South Carolina Clemson tigers. It wasn't just any old win but the one that meant a basketball ACC championship for Wake Forest. The handsome freshman rookie had lived up to all the hype placed on him ever since he had joined the Ravens team at Tree Hill High School. After the game, there had been gossip on ESPN that the player nicknamed "Great Scott" would forfeit his collegiate eligibility and turn pro. It was certainly an option and the deals had poured in but Nathan had made his choice. He would finish school and after graduation, the NBA would still be waiting on him.

When the media attention died down enough to let him have a breather, Nathan had quietly retreated back to the tiny town between the river and the beach on coastal North Carolina. On a paved drive in suburbia a house with a private basketball court on the side sat a few yards away from the quiet street. Behind its four walls was a family much like any other family. A handsome, broad shouldered husband and father with a quick smirk and even quicker wit dressed in his expensive suits and fixed his morning coffee before going to work at the successful automobile dealership he owned. A beautiful blonde wife and mother of one with a body that rivaled women half her age, donned trendy business suits before cooking gourmet breakfasts and climbing into her Lexus convertible on her way to her position as chairman of the North Carolina Charitable Aid Foundation. And for the summer a handsome and strapping six foot three inch, black haired, blue eyed phenom returned to his old room filled with posters of the Pussycat Dolls that could barely be seen for the dozens of sports trophies that lined the walls.

The summer had been a blast! After all, how many kids his age spent their 19th birthdays being interviewed for a piece in Sports Illustrated magazine? Basking in the glory, the rising star slept until noon on most days. Then it was off to his old high school where he helped his former coach, Brian "Whitey" Durham with a camp that helped underprivileged youth hone their basketball talent and skills. It was a good deed and a good time and the kids really looked up to their hometown hero. Afterwards, Nathan would hop in his Range Rover and pick up his girlfriend, Bevin. They'd spend the remainder of daylight hours sunning and swimming at Wrightsville Beach. Sometimes they'd be joined by their buddies who brought snacks, loud music and of course a volleyball. And sometimes they would retreat to Nathan's parents, Dan and Deb's, beach house where they could enjoy the privacy of raiding the fridge, watching TV uninterrupted all the while having crazy, nymphomaniacal, teenage sex all over the place. Nights were spent partying in downtown Tree Hill at the hottest clubs and bars that allowed in patrons over the age of 18 and if you were just lucky enough to be Nathan Scott or a member of his posse, the lame ass green neon wrist bands that identified you as underage were thrown by the wayside and it was drinks for everyone until closing time.

He'd stumble home practically every morning right before dawn. Some nights Dan would be asleep in the chair by the door, exhausted from waiting up for his son all night. But there was never any real discipline or consequence for the lad's actions. Dan would give him a lecture about being able to have his freedom as long as he didn't abuse it and as long as he continued to thrive in basketball but still he should curb all the carousing and come home every night at a decent hour. Nathan would mumble in compliance if he decided to respond at all and go to bed and pass out, only for the events to repeat themselves. It wasn't like his father was gonna do anything. His mother? That was a different story. She'd have a fit…if she knew. But she hadn't a clue and that was all thanks to the job that kept her so busy and 18 days out of the month, traveling away from home.

So that was how Nathan Scott spent his summer vacation and if he'd had to write an essay about if for class, boy would he have one hell of a tale to tell. But it was all coming to an end. It was time for the crown prince to return to Winston Salem and reclaim his throne in his second year.

"I've got to go soon", he said.

"Already?"

"Sorry."

She pushed him down on the bed and seductively climbed on top.

"Really? What if I do this?" she purred, raking her manicured nails over his nipples. "Huh? Would that change your mind, Superstar?"

He smirked.

"That? Maybe. A blowjob? Definitely."

"Nathan!" she swatted. "Don't be so crass!"

"What? You've done it before."

She blushed.

"That was different. Besides, you know I can't do it when you ask for it. I get too nervous. It's something that has to happen naturally, kind of on its own."

"Okay", he shrugged, pulling her down to hold her in his arms.

"I'm gonna miss you, though."

"I'll miss you, too, Bev."

"I wish I could come with you."

"You could if you transferred."

"I know but it's not that easy. I'm already settled at UNC Wilmington."

"It's cool. We got through last year, right? I can visit after basketball season and you came up practically every weekend anyway. And we e-mail and talk on the phone all the time."

"I know", she sighed. "It just isn't the same."

Pretty soon, nothing would be the same. All Nathan's life he had been the king of whatever court he played on. He was the reigning Scott, a third generation star after his grandfather and father. But within days all that was going to change. At Wake Forest there would be a new Scott in town.

Nathan had known all his life that he had a brother. It was the town's worst kept secret. Lucas was his name and he was just three months older. In high school Dan had impregnated his sweetheart, Karen Roe, dumped her, then gone off to college and knocked up Deborah Lee. With two babies on the way and the weight and pressure of the world on his shoulders, Danny Boy had a decision to make and he had to make it fast. He ended up with Deb. They married and Nathan was born. Karen, humiliated and heartbroken had moved up north to Richmond, Virginia where an aunt lived. There she slowly made a new life for herself, taking on a job as a secretary and a single mom.

As the years passed, Dan grew even more dastardly. He had also gone from ignoring Karen to seeking full custody of his other child. But no court in the land would hear of it after he had abandoned them so he backed off. Karen, not one to keep her son away, had left it up to Lucas to decide after he became of a reasonable age. Out of curiosity, the boy had sought out his father but quickly learned that Dan Scott was not a man he wanted in his life. The relationship remained strained all the two kept contact but Deb nor Nathan had never met Lucas beyond a few pictures stashed away in a safe deposit box.

Now it would all change. Lucas, as a college freshman had made a name for himself at Virginia Commonwealth University. It wasn't a school known for basketball but Wake Forest was. They already had one great Scott, why not add another? So that's exactly what the powers that be did. For the first time ever, two brothers would not only meet but play together in a sport they both dominated for the common good of a repeat championship.

"No fair", Nathan groaned. "You're wearing a thong."

He could make out the "T" shape of the flimsy material as his hands traced along her beautifully shaped backside. Bevin giggled.

"You're the one that has to leave."

He sighed.

"I guess I could stay a little while longer."

She squealed as he rolled over on top, showering her with kisses as his calloused hands attempted to remove her shirt. The door to his bedroom opened without even a knock.

"Ready, son? You need to get on the road before it's too late."

Dan entered and began a conversation without a blink or second thought to what was about to go down on his son's bed.

"Dad!"

"Hi, Mr. Scott", Bevin grinned sheepishly as she sat up and tried to make herself presentable.

"Bevin", he nodded. "Now it's time to get a move on, Nate."

Nathan rolled his eyes.

"Dude, don't you know how to knock?"

Dan thought for a minute.

"Your mother asks the same thing and I'll give you the same answer. As long as I'm paying the mortgage and footing every other bill around here, no. Now chop chop."

He smirked and turned to leave.

"So much for that", Bevin looked at him.

"Yeah. Sorry. I guess I have to go."

They stood and he grabbed his bags. She gave him another kiss as they headed downstairs. In fitted jeans and a tank top, a youthful looking Deb was waiting with a smile on her face.

"You all packed and set, honey?"

"Yeah", he mumbled.

"You need any money?"

"I'm good."

"Oh Deb, stop babying him", Dan scoffed as he reached in and stole a warm chocolate chip cookie from the covered Tupperware dish his wife was holding.

She slapped his wrist away.

"Those are not for you! They are for Nathan and his trip. Here you go, sweetie."

"Thanks", he muttered, taking it.

Deb beamed with pride.

"Our sweet boy headed off to college for his sophomore year. Can you believe that? God, I feel so old. Just yesterday it seems like I was changing and your little wee wee would squirt me in the face every time."

"Mom!" Nathan yelled in horrified embarrassment as his girlfriend giggled.

"Aw. How cute, babe", Bevin hugged him.

"My boy, the college man."

Dan rolled his eyes.

"He could have been our boy the, 20 million dollar NBA man if you hadn't discouraged him."

"Dan, I did not discourage him. I simply had a talk with my son about the importance of an education and he just so happened to agree. The NBA is not going anywhere."

"Women", Dan shook his head. "What do you know?"

"Plenty. A lot more than you…"

"Guys, just stop it. I'm not gonna stand here and listen to you fight. Bev, I'll drop you off on my way out."

"We aren't fighting."

"Whatever."

"Well, it is getting late, son", Dan looked at the clock again. "Call us when you get settled?"

"Yeah."

"And kick ass this season. Make it all worthwhile. The scouts already love you. Just make the Old Man proud."

"Yeah."

"Oh and Nathan?"

"What, Dad?"

"It's still your team, son. You're the Messiah, the shepherd, the Great White Hope. Never lose sight of the big picture, which means securing your future. This new player, well the boy is good but you're better. Don't get caught up."

Nathan smirked.

"The boy? You mean your other son, Dad?"

Dan's cheeks burned.

"I have never denied Lucas and honestly it could be a good thing for you boys to meet after all these years. Just remember you are number one and to look out for number one…you got me?"

"Whatever, man. I've got to get on the road…"

Deb hugged and kissed him.

"Good bye, my angel", she said, tears stinging her eyes. "Mama loves you."

"Love you, too", he wiggled out of her embrace.

"Go get 'em!" Dan extended his hand with a grin. "Demon Deacons all the way."

"Yeah", Nathan reluctantly shook his hand as he ended with a sarcastic, "Yay! Go team!"

Grabbing his stuff, he and Bevin headed out to the car. He loaded the back, helped her in the passenger seat and without a further word or look back to his parents, turned up his window shattering bass and screeched out of the driveway.