Brooke and Nathan began to clean the breakfast dishes off and continued with their conversation.

"So I wanted to talk to you about something." Nathan said as he poured juice down the sink.

"What?" Brooke asked putting away some dishes.

"I want Colton to play basketball."

"He plays."

"No, I mean for Jake. On a real team."

Brooke sighed and set down her dish towel. She turned and looked at Nathan. He had aged over the years but for a 34 year old, he still looked as good as he did when he was 17.

"Nathan, why would we put him through that? Or did you just happen to forget what you put Lucas through? I'm not doing that to him. And besides, Jake may be the coach but you and I both know, Lucas owns that team."

Nathan smiled sadly as he walked over to Brooke and sat next to her, "Colton is good, he deserves this. He deserves to know that he is good."

"You know for years, I fought the same battle Karen fought. I thought it was over but it's not is it?"

"Colt deserves to have more than just one good thing like you in his life. He should get this." Nathan said standing up suddenly, "Lucas had made sure he's never gotten anything in his life and I'm going to make sure he gets this."

"If he wants to play, then who am I to stand in the way of what he wants?" Brooke said smiling sadly. Nathan smiled and kissed Brooke's cheek before running out the house.

"Oh what am I getting us into?" She said sighing.

….RH….

Jake Jagelski sat at his desk looking over his depth charts. His team may be winning now but it wouldn't take long for them to go downhill. He needed fresh blood and he needed it now.

Jake was pulled from his thoughts by a knocking at his door. He looked up and nodded Lucas in.

"Hey Jake." Lucas said smiling as he held out his hand. Jake stood up and shook the offering hand before taking a seat again.

"Have a seat Luke. So what can I do for you today?"

"I wanted to talk to you about that last game. You guys barely managed a win. I'm sure you would have lost if it wasn't for Spencer."

"Is there a point to you telling me that my team sucks?" Jake asked finally standing up.

Lucas sighed, "Jake, you're an old friend of mine that is the only reason I'm doing this."

"Doing what?"

"I'll help out with the team."

Jake inhaled and looked over at his friend. As he was about to respond, a knock interrupted the two. Jake looked up to see Nathan standing there.

"Uh if it's a bad time, I can come back." He said looking between his brother and Jake.

"No come on in little brother. I was just offering Jake some help her with the team." Lucas said getting up and smiling at Nathan. Nate looked at Jake who just rolled his eyes.

"Lucas I appreciate the offer but I got it." Jake said sighing, "What can I do for you Nate?"

"I wanted to talk to you about a kid who wants to play basketball." Nathan said coming fully into the office.

"What kid?"

"Colton."

The room filled with an eerie silence. There were certain things that just weren't mention between brothers and friends. Colton was one of them.

"You want Brooke's son to play basketball for the Ravens?" Lucas scoffed looking between Nate and Jake, "That's a joke right? You can't be serious Nathan and you can't be even considering putting Brooke's son on the team Jake."

"He's your son too."

"No he's not. I gave Brooke a chance to fix it. When she kept him, she blew it."

"Wow you really did become Dan." Nathan said shaking his head in disbelief.

"And you became a broken down wreck like Keith. I made something of my life. What did you do?" Lucas shot right back

"I didn't go to college to help Brooke." Nathan said stepping closer to Lucas, a fire burning in his eyes, "Yeah you may have made something but what the hell do you have to me proud of?"

"Stop it." Jake said rubbing his eyes, "Don't do this here. I'm the coach, I decide who can and can't play."

"I'll talk to you later Jake." Nathan said giving Lucas one last look before leaving the office. Lucas shook his head as his brother left before turning back to Jake.

"Think about this." He said shortly

"I already have," Jake said picking up a folder off his desk, "I want Colton on my team."

….RH….

Colton sat at his normal lunch table eating his sandwich, his head buried in a book. Jenner came up with him noticing and sat down.

"So what you doing after school?" Jenner asked taking some of Colt's chips. Colton took his interest away from the book and smiled at his best friend.

"Not sure. I was going to clean up the River Court but Tanner took care of it. Why?" He responded

"Oh I was just wondering if you were doing anything."

"You know when you ask someone what they are doing after school; it's normally followed by an invitation to do something."

"Well I'm not normal." Jenner smirked at Lucas before turning her attention to the busy campus. Spencer and all his dumb little jock buddies were laughing at something and the cheerleaders were just starting their lunch practice. "You'd think it's impossible for them to cheer inside away from people."

"They're cheerleaders Jenner, they're supposed to cheer in front of people. You know they sorta lead the cheering." Colton said picking up his bag and throwing away the trash.

"Well still, they are kind of annoying." Jenner said getting up with him. Colton laughed and headed off towards the library. In order to get there, the two needed to pass by Spencer. Colton had no intention to even look at him but someone caught his attention.

"Scott!" Jake yelled from the breezeway. Colton stopped and looked at Jake while Spencer hopped off the table. The two met each others eyes.

"Do everyone a favor and change your last name bitch." Spencer said before turning his attention to Jake, "What?"

"Not you Spencer, just shut up and eat. Other Scott, come here." He said waving his hand over to him. Colton looked at Jenner quickly before heading over to Jake.

"Yes sir?"

"Come in my office, I want to talk to you." Jake said opening the gym door for him. Colton walked into the silent gym and closed his eyes for a second. It was perfect. He wanted to know what it would be like to play in that gym but he knew he never would.

"I thought you said your office?" Colton said as he continued walking after Jake stopped.

"I like to think of this as my office, comfier and much more me." Jake said walking over to the bleachers. He studied Colton as he looked around the gym taking it in, "What do you think?"

"It's nice."

"Just nice?"

Colt chuckled a little before taking a seat next to Jake, "It's perfect, the kind of place where everything can be mended and fixed."

"Glad you think so."

"So what did you want to talk to me about?"

"My team may be winning right now but not for long. I want to know if you would consider playing for me." Jake said pulling out a white jersey for his bag and handing it to Colton, "I know it's a lot to ask considering the history with your family in this place. I've seen you play before Colton and you are good."

Colton looked at Jake as he took the cloth into his hands. He looked down at the white jersey he was holding. A bright blue 23 looked back at him.

"It was your Uncle Nate's number. I figured it'd help convince you." Jake said standing up.

"I'd have to ask my mom." Colton said, still in a small state of shock.

"Of course, I'll expect your answer tomorrow at 3:00 in the gym. Be there if you want to play." Jake said as he left Colton alone in the gym.

….RH….

Nathan sighed heavily as he tinkered with an engine cap. Lucas was right about one thing. He had become Keith. He never left Tree Hill, he raised his brother's song, and he was in love with Lucas' old flame. How did his life become this? He was married, had a full ride scholarship, and was looking at a good life. He took his head out of the car and looked over and his counter. He smiled as he saw the picture sitting on it.

It was of Brooke, Colton, and him at Christmas time. Colton was holding a new basketball, Brooke was smiling at them, and Nathan was faking shock at Colton. He framed it after the picture was printed out. That was how is life became this. He could have left but he needed Colton and Brooke as much as they need them.

"Nathan Scott Body Shop?" A voice said in a happy tone.

"Uh yeah." Nate said snapping his attention to the person. His jaw hit the floor when he saw who it was, "Haley?"