If Only, If Only

Alternative Title: Strangled by Our Tangled Fate

Disclaimer: I do not own the main plot nor the characters. But I do own the plot twist and such.

A/N: So I actually am re-upping the story because I made some changes. So, for those who have already read it, sorry for the re-upload and you can just skim the story for the changes if you like. To those who are new to the story, please enjoy. PLEASE COMMENT. Any response is welcome. I truly mean it. Also, if you have any questions, I'll do my best to reply.

Chapter 1a:

"Nathan," Haley called from the bedroom in their apartment, "Are you ready? The bus will be here any minute."

"I changed my mind, I'm not going," Nathan simply stated, not taking his eyes off the TV screen.

"Why?" Haley asked peering her head around the pastel blue doorframe.

"Simple. March Madness. Duke is going all the way this year."

"Nathan you can always tape it. Now please hurry and grab your stuff, the bus will be here any minute. And anyway, we have a TV on the bus so you can watch it during the ride up to New York."

"No can do Hales, first off, I just invited Tim over to watch it on our new plasma. Also, the game just started and I can't miss a beat. Second, the TV on the bus isn't as good as the TV here. And then if I tape it, some loser on the tour or a newspaper will probably ruin the surprise and tell me what happened. I have to watch it now. Anyway, why do you want me there?"

"Because I love you and I want you with me. I need your support and the feeling that you're okay with me touring," Haley said, walking into the living room area. Nathan was sitting on their black leather couch with his beer on the coffee table between the TV and the couch. He didn't have a shirt on and was still in his pajama pants.

"Everything is not about you Haley. I'm fine with you touring but let me please just watch this one game," Nathan said, finally looking up, during the timeout. "Just go on the tour without me. I'll catch up to you in Raleigh."

"But…" Haley said as tears began to form in her eyes. "Always and Forever Nathan. I thought that you wanted to be with me."

"Yeah. Whatever, always and forever. I do want to be with you it's just that right now, I want to watch the game. Haley please," Nathan said turning back to the TV, "the game is coming back on." Haley turned from teary-eyed to angry within the seconds it took Nathan to shift his attention. She stormed back into their room, grabbed her bags and stormed toward the door. Haley turned to face Nathan's back before opening the door. She was sick and tired of him putting himself and more importantly, basketball, before her. She only could let so many selfish acts slide and this was definitely the last straw.

"You know what? Always and for-never! I can't believe I ever could've loved a man who was so selfish and such of an ass who would rather watch a stupid game than be in a relationship. So yeah Nathan, I'll shut up, 'cause this relationship is over." With that she opened the door and quickly slammed it on her 1-year relationship with Nathan and waited outside for her tour bus. Nathan didn't even turn around to the noise. He just grabbed his Heineken, took a sip and continued to watch the game. He didn't bother to tell Haley that he just made up Tim as an excuse because he really didn't want to go, spend almost two months on a stinkin' bus and be away from basketball. When he put the green bottle down, he heard the bus pull into the parking lot. Haley hopped on as fast as she possibly could dragging all her bags behind her.

"Hello Jo-" Haley stopped short realizing that her bus driver was different. "Um hello, who are you?"

"I am Joshua." The new bus driver said sticking out his hand. He was younger than Haley expected, in fact she thought he could be her age. He had dirty blonde hair and a chiseled face to go along with a toned body hiding behind a simple white collared shirt.

"Joshua, nice to meet you," Haley said shaking is hand. She wiped a tear from her eye as he passed her by and began to load her bags onto the bus.

"Sorry to ask but, where's Joe?"

"Oh, he's sick and I'm his substitute."

"Aren't you kind of young to be driving?"

"No, and I should be asking you the same question except about touring."

"I'm much older than you think."

"Oh, I almost forgot," Joshua said pausing behind a large suitcase, "Where's Mr. Scott?"

"Oh." Haley averted his gaze, "Um, plans changed, he not coming."

"Okay," Joshua said hopping back onto the bus and closing the doors.

"Thank you," Haley said walking towards the back of the bus. Joshua put a couple of her small bags down in a closet as Haley collapsed on a couch. The picture of her and Nathan was on the nightstand on the side of the couch. Another tear rolled down her cheek. Haley tried to wipe it away with the pink heart pillow next to her.

"Are you okay?" Joshua asked. It was the second tear he saw that she tried to hide and wipe away.

"Yeah, thanks for asking. I'm fine, I just… can we please just go?"

"Sure," Joshua said walking back to the front of the bus. He looked out the open bus door and saw Nathan watching through a window. Nathan saw the new bus driver glaring but also smirking at him. As soon as the engine started up again, the driver closed the door and Nathan left the window. Haley, in the back, let more tears stream down her face thinking, hoping, wishing that Nathan's strong hands would wipe them away.

"Miss James, I mean Haley," Joshua said looking back at her in the rear-view mirror. "Are you sure you're okay?" Haley looked up, surprised to see Joshua looking back at her.

"Yes, I'm… I'm…"

"It's Mr. Scott, isn't it? You miss him. I get it. Don't worry. I'll leave you alone. But if you ever want to talk about it, I'll be glad to pull over and have a little chat." Joshua said pulling out of the parking lot.

"Thanks Joshua. That's really sweet, but I'll be fine. I promise," Haley said as she reached for the frame and placed it face down on the wood, preventing her from seeing the picture as she cried herself to sleep.