Thank you all so much for the reviews! Writing this is extremely branching out for me and I sincerely appreciate all the things you guys have to say! I really hope that you enjoy this chapter of the story. xoxo

June 20, 2017

Haley smiled at Blake from across the room at one of his friend's apartments. They usually did something like this once a month. She would hang out with his friends and their wives for a couple hours and try to make small talk and enjoy games with them. It was hard for her sometimes, while his friends were terrific and funny, most of their wives' were skin deep. She only stuck it out because it made Blake happy and he was always more than happy to spend time with her friends.

The guys were all in the living room catching up on the latest Sports center and she was two glasses of wine deep in the adjoining kitchen.

"So Haley, have you and Blake talked about getting married any time soon?" There it was. Every time without fail she was asked this question.

"We've never really talked about it. But things between us are good so I'm not in any rush to change anything." Haley has perfected that reply – she used it with his friends, his family and even her family now.

"Well he is totally in love with you. I think you would make the cutest kids."

She gritted out a reply through her teeth, "I'm sure we would." Haley quickly excused herself to the living room. She need a break. She was getting ready to sit down by Blake when what she heard on the TV stopped her in her tracks:

"Breaking news coming from the west coast this evening. The Los Angeles Lakers have confirmed that a quiet trade was made about a week ago. Nathan Scott is coming back to the New York Knicks. Scott has been the best player the Lakers have seen in years so this move is very bold and shocking. For those of you who don't remember, Scott started his career off as a Point Guard with the Knicks quite a few years ago. He was seen getting off a plane at LaGuardia airport late last night. His agent and friend, Clay Evans, has yet to release a statement regarding this new information. Best of luck to Nathan Scott and his future with the New York Knicks. That's all for sports tonight."

Everyone seemed so excited, even the wives knew that having Nathan Scott play for the Knicks was a big deal. But their excitement and conversations seemed miles away to Haley. She was shocked, nervous, angry. Apparently the look on her face said it all because she was now realizing the stares coming her way.

Owen was the first to speak up "Haley, are you okay? You look a little pale." She felt pale. Her chest was constricted, she had to keep reminding herself to breath.

She worked up a response "Uh, yeah. I'm fine. I just need a little air." Then she flew to the apartment balcony. She had to fight so hard to keep in her tears, it would be hard to explain her reaction anyways and would be even worse if she started to cry. She could think about Nathan and feel okay, sometimes smile at memories… but having him back here was different. She didn't know if she could see him again – which Haley knew would happen in a few days at Sawyer's birthday party. At that thought, Haley got angry. How could Lucas not warn her? They were supposed to be best friends…

Her thoughts were soon interrupted, "Hales, are you sure you're okay?" Haley turned to look at Blake who seemed very thrown off and concerned. She ran her hands through her hair.

"Yeah. I promise I'm okay." She couldn't get into this with Blake right now.

He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her in. "You seem to have forgotten that I know you, Haley. You can tell me anything."

She sighed, "I just knew Nathan in high school. I don't know if you remember but he's Lucas' brother. I was just thrown off that he's coming back here for good after so many years."

Blake decided to drop it, but he gave a look that said 'I'm not buying this but we can talk about it later'… "Okay"

Nathan, Lucas and Peyton were sitting on the patio while Sawyer was inside sleeping. Nathan took a long sip of his cold beer, it was a good night for this. The news of his trade was announced earlier than he expected, he was kind of hoping that Lucas would get the chance to talk to Haley first. He was positive that she was feeling a little ambushed. He looked to his right to see how content Lucas and Peyton looked with each other, barely holding hands but more in touch with each other than most couples would ever be.

"So Lucas, on a scale of 1-10 how scary was your conversation with Haley earlier when she called?" Nathan knew Haley. She was always spunky and never let it be unknown that she was upset.

"Honestly, calmer than I thought she would be. But Haley has always had a hard time not saying exactly what she's feeling. She was caught off guard and it's easier for her to take her frustration out on me. I've grown accustomed to that." Lucas said.

Peyton chimed in, "Just a heads up for you Nathan, Blake is coming to Sawyer's birthday party. You don't have to talk to him or like him, I don't really expect you too. But I don't want you to feel ambushed either." Nathan cringed at hearing his name. He knew that Haley had met someone, that wasn't a secret that Lucas or Peyton would keep from him. But it wasn't any easier to hear about it now.

Lucas noticed the look on Nathans face, "Sorry man. Haley's happy though so if you could keep your temper in check…"

"I'm not gonna do anything stupid Lucas. Can we change the subject now?" Nathan was tired of thinking about Haley.

Peyton carried on in conversation about Sawyer's party and Nathans mood instantly lightened. She talked about how Dan and Deb were coming and that Keith, Karen and Lily were going to make the trip up for the weekend. It would be nice for Nathan to see everyone in one place again. Haley and Lucas had both gotten accepted into Columbia their senior year of high school – both wanted to study English and Literature. Nathan gave up Duke to be close to both of them and played for Columbia – they weren't the best team but he had still made enough noise to get drafted to the NBA. And it worked out well because New York was the perfect place for Brooke to start her fashion label and for Peyton to get involved with music. It was like New York was where Nathan was always going to end up.

"Alright, you two knuckleheads can continue drinking your beers but this mama is exhausted and fat and needs to go to bed so she can keep up with an almost 4-year-old and slightly moody recording artist tomorrow." Peyton practically waddled back into the house after kissing Lucas goodnight.

"Dude, I can't believe that you're about to have two kids. It feels like Sawyer was just born yesterday." Nathan knew Lucas was wrapped around that little girl's finger, he couldn't imagine how he could handle two.

"I know, and Peyton is getting moodier every day. I'm talking moodier than she was in high school."

Nathan laughed, "Coming from the one Brooke nick-named Broody in high-school?"

"Shut up," They both laughed. It was nice for both of them to be this close to each other. "You wanna go shoot some hoops? I bet I could still take you little brother."

"Any day old man. You do remember that I do this for a living?" Then they were back at it, just like at the river court in high school.

June 22, 2017

Brooke and Haley walked into a small café near clothes over bros around 2 o'clock for a late lunch. They tried to do this at least once a week, Peyton tried to join them as often as she could but her schedule is a lot crazier than Brooke and Haley's. They were seated at their usual corner table.

"Alright Hales, I need all the juicy details about how Blake reacted when he finally found out that your ex-fiancé was Nathan Scott." Brooke stated. They used this time to catch up on the gossip in each other's lives, and when Peyton called Brooke yesterday and told her that Nathan's return to New York had been publicly broadcasted, she couldn't wait to talk to Haley.

"There's nothing to tell you because I haven't told him yet." Brooke's eyes widened at Haley's admission.

"Haley James! What have you been doing the past two days?" Brooke questioned. Haley rolled her eyes at her.

"He's been working a lot at the hospital and when he isn't I spend my time trying to avoid him so that I can avoid that topic all-together." Haley told her.

"This isn't something you should avoid. Blake's a good guy. He already knows pretty much everything else. I mean you and Nathan haven't even seen each other for five years." Brooke stated nonchalantly. Haley looked up at Brooke, her face ridden with guilt. "Haley, it has been five years right?

"Maybe like two years…" Haley said, while Brooke's jaw dropped to the floor.

"Spill, tutor girl."

April 2015 (2 years ago)

It was nearly midnight; Haley was curled up on the couch listening to Billy Joel on vinyl. It was her way of trying to wind down, after all, she knew that Nathan was in town this week. The Lakers had a series of games against the New York Knicks, and she'd be lying if she said she didn't watch every single game that Nathan played in. Just because she broke up with him 3 years ago, didn't mean she didn't care about him.

She heard a knock on her door and wondered who could be at her door at midnight. She opened the door slowly and the sight in front of her took her breath away. Haley was suddenly very aware of the leggings and oversized sweater she was wearing, accompanied by a messy bun.

"Nathan…" That's all she could manage to get out. He looked disheveled. Haley assumed from the way they lost that game, but Nathan knew that it was for a totally different reason..

"Hi Hales. Can I come in?" Nathan looked at her with sad eyes. He thought she looked beautiful, but he'd always thought that. She immediately stepped aside, letting him in and leading him in the kitchen.

"Can I, uh, get you something to drink or eat or…" She must look like a bumbling idiot. Haley couldn't believe that she couldn't act normal around him.

"No. I'm okay. Thanks." He continued to look at her in silence. Which only made Haley grow anxious and a little self-conscious. .

"Why are you here Nathan?" Haley questioned.

"I just needed to be able to breathe again. This is the only place in New York that doesn't make me feel like I'm suffocating. You're the only person who makes that go away." He stepped close to Haley. Haley could say it was too close for her liking, but she did like it. The way that he invaded her and could still make her weak at the knees after all this time.

Nathan could feel it too. That pull he would always have towards her, even after she ripped his heart out of his chest. He touched his hand to her cheek and allowed himself to enjoy her soft skin, the smell of her hair. Haley bit her lip and that was all it took to make Nathan come unglued. He claimed her lips with his own. Nathan sensed her hesitance. They haven't spoken in over 3 years, he honestly wasn't sure that it was the best idea. After a few seconds, he could feel her melt into him and he didn't care if this was the right decision or not.

The minute he stepped into this apartment Haley knew she was a goner. He looked so broken, and so was she. This wouldn't fix anything but god did it feel good to be tangling her arms around Nathan again.

Before they knew it they were in Haley's room, their old room, and he had her pushed against the door, her legs wrapped around his waist. Nathan was trying to control himself and take his time, but the sounds that were escaping her was enough to almost end things before they started. He knew that any control he had would dissipate very easily.

Haley broke her mouth away from Nathan's for the first time as he moved his kisses to her neck, "I want you, Nathan." And he didn't need any more encouragement. After those words, their remaining clothes were shed in a quick motion to the bed.

Without hesitation, he joined them together in a slow, torturous pace, both calling out each other's names at the feeling of being connected again. Nathan's body was buzzing with pleasure, "God Hales, you're so tight." He'd been with countless women since Haley broke up with him but this is what he pictured every time. She was who he pictured every time. No one would ever make him feel this good.

Haley could feel herself teetering on the edge of total pleasure. It had been so long for her, and god did she miss him. How could something so wrong, feel so right?

Nathan could feel himself getting closer to climax, but there was no way that he was going to get off without finishing the job for Haley first. He reached between their bodies to bring Haley to her undoing. And her undoing, the way she said his name as it happened, was his undoing.

Haley and Nathan laid entangled in bed, and Haley started running her finger tips along Nathan's chest. "That was… wow." Nathan smirked and looked down at her. It was, and looking at her made his heart ache. That was a temporary fix.

"Well that's always been wow between us, Hales." Nathan replied. He felt Haley smile against him and he smiled too. For a minute, he pretended that nothing had ever changed between them.

"I miss you, Nathan." She wanted him to know that.

That made his body go stiff. He immediately climbed out of bed and started throwing on his clothes. Haley wrapped the sheet tight around her as she sat up. "Where are you going?"

"Somewhere that's not here. It wasn't right to come see you, to use you like this." Nathan was rushing around trying to find his jacket.

"So this meant nothing to you?" Haley asked as her voice cracked.

Nathan finally found his jacket and looked Haley in the eyes, "This meant nothing to me." The words were like sandpaper in his mouth- of course he didn't mean them. Haley knew he was lying but it still hurt all the same. Her eyes blurred with tears and the next thing she heard was the front door shut.

Brooke reached across and touched Haley's hand, "Hales, why didn't you tell me about this?"

"I didn't tell anyone about it. I knew he was lying but it didn't make it hurt less. He was my best friend and I couldn't hate him even if I tried." Haley explained, "I have been avoiding talking to Blake because I went on a date with Blake a week before Nathan showed up. If he figures out there was a slight overlap, he's gonna feel like a rebound. And part of me is scared that with Nathan back, I'm gonna feel everything that he's always made me feel. I don't want to hurt him"

"I'm sorry that you went through that alone. I swear I could just smack Nathan in his big, dumb head sometimes. You know that the longer you wait to talk to him about it, the worse it'll be. This will be our little secret. Just remember how happy you are now."

"It's not Nathan's fault. I have to lie in the bed I made. And I know that Blake's a good guy. I'm just scared."

"I'll be here for you no matter what you do Haley… Now what do you say we discuss me and Julian's wedding plans? Get your mind off of things" Brooke asked.

"Sounds like it's just what I need."

June 23, 2017

Haley had been running around all morning trying to get ready for Sawyer's birthday party and also trying to avoid a very inevitable conversation with Blake. After her reaction at Owen's apartment, which had Blake less than thrilled, he had been trying to drill her with why she was so upset that Lucas's brother was coming to town. She was avoiding him like the plague. Once they had this conversation, there would be no turning back and she had a feeling that it was going to get harder for them because of it. So here she was, in the shower for going on 40 minutes.

She had told Blake almost everything about her past relationship with Nathan except for the fact that it was with Nathan and the fact that their love was a once in a lifetime kind of thing. What boyfriend wants to hear that? She didn't want Blake to think less of the relationship that they had because it did mean so much to her.

Haley stepped out of the shower and threw on some comfy clothes and walked into the adjoining master bedroom. She jumped when she saw Blake sitting in the corner of her bed. "Jesus! You scared me!"

Blake didn't look amused. "Haley, we need to talk. You've been practically avoiding me for 3 days. I can't take this, it's getting out of hand."

Haley sighed, she knew that now was the time to tell him. Blake would see Nathan later at Sawyer's party and she didn't want him to feel isolated through lack of knowledge. "I know, I'm sorry. I've just been trying to collect my thoughts," She sat down next to him.

"I just can't be in the dark about this. You can tell me anything, I meant that – it's obvious that Nathan coming back is upsetting you." They moved to face each other.

Haley decided that ripping off the Band-Aid would be her best option, "We used to be in love. Nathan was my fiancé…" The look on Blake's face told Haley that maybe that wasn't the best idea she had. He immediately stood up and ran his hands through his short brown hair.

"You were engaged to Nathan Scott," Haley nodded and he continued, he seemed almost at a loss for words. "How could you not tell me this Haley? Why could you not tell me this? We share things with each other, we've spent the past two years dancing around your ex and never talking about it because he was Nathan Scott? Who by the way I idolized until this very moment." Haley could tell that he was trying his best to be calm.

"It wasn't that I didn't want to tell you so many times but it's hard for me…"

He cut her words off, "Why is it hard? Because you still love him? That's why you reacted that way isn't it? You always told me it was no one important. God, I can't compete with a guy like that Haley."

"Will you please relax? You don't have to compete with him. You have me, okay? I reacted that way because it was hard to imagine him being more in my life now, I haven't seen him in a long time."

"So you're just going to hang around him?" Blake couldn't believe he would be facing Haley's ex in 3 hours. He knew it was because of Nathan that he and Haley still lived in separate places and that she wouldn't even seriously commit to him. That thought was unsettling.

"He's my best friends brother. He's going to be a little hard to avoid from time to time. I don't hate him; we've been through a lot together. You know that, I confided in you about it." Haley was in streaming, silent tears at this point in the conversation. She knew it wasn't going to be an easy one.

That's when it hit Blake, he wasn't just his girlfriend's almost husband… He looked over at her and softened at her broken appearance. "So he's her dad, right?" He made eye contact with her and she nodded, only crying harder. Blake held in what he was feeling because he knew that Haley was hurting but the fact that Nathan Scott shared those things with her made his blood pressure rise.