AN: Thanks for all your reviews. I know that things are confusing right now but I promise they will all make sense soon. There is a part in this chapter with Brooke and Haley while their on their way to Tree Hill. It's about a CD and it's sort of a Friends thing. Well, more like a Chandler and Monica thing but it is so funny. I laughed every time I saw it. Well, they were going through their CD collection and Monica makes fun of Chandler's taste of music because he had the Miami Vice soundtrack…I guess you would have to watch it to understand but Haley and Brooke's conversation is the same.
Rated M
Chapter Four – I Can't Hate You Anymore
February 3, 2011
"I don't know why I'm here."
She looked down at the ground, hating herself for somehow ending up at his door. He moved slightly giving her enough room to walk in. She walked past him quickly and he closed the door once she had made it fully into the room. He turned to face her, but her back was towards him as she stood in the center of his room. His heart was pounding in his chest. Ever since he had said goodbye to her in that airport it had been the last time that he had seen her, until now. So many years had gone by. She seemed so different but the same.
"You look good," Nathan told her breaking the uncomfortable silence that had filled the room. She didn't bother to turn around to look at him. If she would have been facing him, he would have noticed her roll her eyes at his words. When she didn't say anything he started talking again. "How's the tour?"
"Don't pretend like you care," he heard her say as she turned to face him.
"What?" He couldn't for the life of him understand why she would think that he didn't care at all. Before they were lovers they had been best friends. How could she think that she meant nothing to him?
"You heard me," she said firmly. Her whole body tensed as he moved to stand before her. It was seconds later that they were inches apart. His breathing became ragged.
"Why would you say that…I love you," just as soon as he said those words her hand slammed across his face. It took him a moment to register that she had just slapped him and his hand instantly went up to hold the spot that burned on his face. He had been hit before and he was pretty damn sure this wouldn't be the last time but this one was the worse. It was the first time she ever hit him with such anger and force.
"Take that back," Haley shouted at him. Those words she so longed to hear from him was now something she really didn't need. How could he love her after he walked away from her like that? How could he say that after she finally let go and moved on?
"No," Nathan stated firmly. "I love you, I love you, I love you." It was then that her hand collided with his face again hitting the exact same spot she hit minutes before. His face was so red she almost felt bad but she wasn't going to. He certainly didn't deserve it.
"I hate you," she told him with so much conviction that it scared him. Her once beautiful brown eyes seemed darker now. Like she was all out of tears and she was hollow. His heart started to pound more in his chest. Her scent was intoxicating and he was growing harder by the second. He wasn't surprised though. Anytime Haley was around she had this effect on him. It was always this way. He finally couldn't take it anymore as he pushed her up against the wall a few feet away from them. His mouth instantly went to her neck tasting her. It had seriously been too long. And even as his strong body forcefully held her body into the wall, she struggled to push him off.
"Nathan, let…let me go."
He wasn't even sure if she really wanted him too. Her voice wasn't convincing. He also didn't know if she meant let me go for good or let me go right now. He didn't care. His need for her over took every single fiber of his being. He wanted her and he wasn't going to ever hide that. He had craving her for the last four years. Dreaming endless dreams were she fulfilled his wildness fantasies. So many mornings he woke and instantly had to take a cold shower all because of her. Nothing was going to stop him now.
His voice came out ragged as his lips never moved from her neck. "I'll never let you go…you'll always be mine. Nobody else's…all mine, Hales." She hated the effect his words were having on her. She was enjoying this and she hated him for it. For so long she had been without his touch and now it was all happening so fast. She hated the fact that as he claimed her as his, her body seemed to give into his touch and welcome it. Her eyes were snapped shut and her hands were around his back holding him closer to her. And she hated that she needed him, but god help her she did.
"Please, let me go." Again her words came out with no conviction. His hands moved over to her shoulders pushing away the small strap of her dress before kissing her shoulder hungrily.
"Is this because of your boyfriend," Nathan mumbled sarcastically and he didn't stop moving his mouth for one second. He was jealous, they both knew it.
Even though he wasn't her boyfriend she didn't feel the need to share. "You don't know anything about him."
"I know one thing," he lifted her up in his arms pushing her further up against the wall. His hands worked fast to push up the dress she was wearing. "It's me you're picturing when he's fucking you!" Just like in high school, in typical Nathan Scott fashion, he ripped her black lacy panties right off of her. He brought his hand down to her center, rubbing against her smooth folds, smirking when his fingers became instantly drenched. Man, did he miss her. "And you're not wet for him are you, baby? It's for me, huh?" Even though she didn't answer he heard a small whimper escape her lips.
It was then he finally crashed his lips onto hers.
His fingers never stopped moving over the bundle of nerves. Finally, she moved her hands down and quickly pulled down his boxers. His tongue battle against hers, loving the taste of her. She was the sweetest thing he had ever tasted. He felt her hand finally wrap around his length and he almost exploded right then and there. It had been so long since she had touched him like this. Composing himself he focused on her mouth and how good it felt to kiss her again. The fact that she had placed him at her entrance wasn't helping his will power.
His eyes locked with hers and it was then that he noticed the slight glimmer of desire swirl there. But there was nothing of love. That thought alone broke his heart. But still it didn't stop him. He needed her like he needed the air.
"Nathan…please," Haley whimpered. He didn't take long to think about her words. He loved it when she begged him. The helplessness of her voice as she clearly craved for him…no one but him. He wondered if she was this way with Josh or whatever his name was. A flash of her kissing her boyfriend flashed in his mind and it angered him so much more than he was willing to admit.
"Tell me you don't love me," Nathan asked her as his eyes locked with hers. If she could just say those words everything would be so much easier. His whole world would change. He could finally let her go. God, things would be such so much easier for the both of them.
Looking him straight in the eyes she told him. "I don't…I don't love you." She felt his grip on her waist loosen and for a second she thought that he would release her. But once his hands took hold of hers and placed them firmly above her head she knew that wasn't the case. One of his hands held hers firmly in place as the other one traveled down her body. Reaching inside her dress his hand massaged her breasts before running down her stomach. His eyes never left hers as his hand moved up her thigh before cupping her ass, and pulling her more into him.
"Liar," Nathan whispered.
It was then she crashed her lips on his. Her mouth was moving over his as she finally felt him inside of her. Her hands moved along his shoulders before traveling up to pull his hair but there was nothing to hold onto. "I hate your hair!" Her hands settled on his back holding him tightly as he pounded her into the wall. Her legs stayed firmly around his waist as his lips never left her body. Kissing and sucking on anything in his way.
She couldn't believe that this was happening but she knew she didn't want to stop. This didn't mean anything. They never had the standard break up sex. That's all this was, nothing more than that. She hated herself for needing him but she did.
He couldn't believe that he was making love to her again. Never in a million years did he think that he would have this chance again. He didn't think that this was possible and yet here he was inside her as she screamed in pleasure. It felt like they were in high school again. Nothing ever topped that feeling of sneaking around with her. They had fucked in so many different places. He was surprised that they never got caught. And after all these years nothing turned him on more than hearing her scream at his actions. No matter how many times he made love to her, they all felt like the first time.
"I do love you," he told her. His hands were holding her waist as he pounded deep inside her, wanting to feel every inch of her. He could never get enough of her. Just as he said those words, she lost it. Everything exploded around her and she held onto him tightly. Then just like that it was just them again.
"Fuck…I hate you," he heard her scream as she came. It hurt him that her words were true but it didn't stop him. It never would. His mouth kissed her shoulders as she held him tightly. Brushing his lips on hers, it took a few seconds before she started kissing him back hungrily.
"I miss you so fucking much," Nathan said in between kisses.
"I hate you for everything that you've done to me," Haley told him. He pulled away and it was then that he noticed that she had been crying. The sight of her in his arms with tears in her eyes broke his heart. He wanted so much to make everything okay for her but he knew that he couldn't. All he could do was lean in and kiss her tears away. It was then that he thought about all the words that they had spoken to each other that night. He realized that none of her words were I love you too.
July 17, 2011
Haley and Jeremy burst through Brooke's apartment door in fits of laughter. Brooke heard them all the way from her room and quickly went into the living room to meet them. By the time she made it there they were still in fits of laughter and had yet to notice her standing there watching them. It was seconds later when Jeremy slung his arm around Haley's shoulders and they both noticed her standing there.
"Hello," Brooke said smirking as she watched the two lovebirds. "Daredevil number one and two." She pointed towards Jeremy first and then Haley.
"She can be number one," Jeremy stated while looking down at her with a smile. "It was her idea in the first place."
"Oh, like you didn't have fun," Haley told him as she gave him a knowing look.
"Of course I did, baby," Jeremy said smiling. "I told you I'm right behind you, no matter what."
"Now that's sweet," Brooke said watching them with a smile. "So I take it you both had fun? If you ask me you're both crazy but what do I know. I mean who the hell jumps out of a plane for fun?"
"We do," Haley said pointing between her and Jeremy. "And it felt great."
"Really great," Jeremy said before kissing her forehead softly.
"I felt so free," Haley added. "You have to try it, Tigger." She didn't know what came over her but it was something she wanted to do. Skydiving had always seemed like a crazy idea but being up in that plane she really felt free. She didn't hesitate to jump when the time came and it was the most amazing feeling in the world just falling like that. It was excited and thrilling. The only upsetting thing about it was when she first jumped the first person she pictured in her mind was Nathan. She hated to admit it but he still calmed her.
"No way," Brooke said shaking her head. "I don't have a death wish. Plus, I have a multi-million dollar company to run. I can't just leave it to my mother. She would just love that. I'll never give her the satisfaction. Hell, she's lucky that I don't fire her ass and –"
"Come back into the light, Brookie," Jeremy said laughing.
"Wow," Brooke mumbled. "I lost it there, huh?"
"Sure did," Haley said laughing as she closed the distance between them and hugged her best friend.
"Well, I guess I should let you pack and be on your way," Jeremy said breaking them from their embrace. It was then that Haley walked back over to him and hugged him tightly. "But I'm going to miss you so much!"
"You guys are adorable," Brooke said smiling at them.
"I don't want to go," Haley mumbled into his chest as his arms held her tightly around him.
"Yeah, you do," Jeremy stated while smiling over at Brooke. "Your father wants you at his wedding and I know you want to be there for him. Plus, you get to see all your old friends. It'll be fun, I promise. And in three days from now I'll be on a plane to meet your family."
"Why don't you just come with us?" Haley asked looking up at him. "I don't want to do this without you. I want you there…I need you there."
"And I promise that'll be there in three days," Jeremy said kissing her nose softly. "You need some time to adjust being back home and have some alone time with your family. You need this baby. I'll be there in no time."
"I just love you so much," Haley whispered before kissing his lips softly. "Promise me you'll be there in that airport." Her voice came out strained and it broke Brooke's heart. For some reason it made her think of Nathan's promise before they left the Tree Hill airport to Paris. I promise I'll be here when you get back. But he wasn't. She even stood there waiting for the longest time even after Jake had stood by her side assuring her that Nathan wasn't coming. Finally after three hours she had given up.
"I already bought my plane ticket," Jeremy stated as he noticed her expression turn suddenly serious. It was a side he didn't get to see very often. Things with him and Haley had always been so light and fun.
"Nonrefundable?"
"Nonrefundable," Jeremy said nodding his head. "You'll be just fine. The Brookie Monster will have your back."
"You got that right," Brooke said listening to them.
"Now, why are you girls driving again?" Jeremy asked with a chuckle.
"Because Tigger here bought a Yukon Denali and she wants to drive it," Haley told him as Brooke looked at them with a huge smile.
"Sounds about right," Jeremy said kissing her again. "I'll be there before you know it."
"Okay," Haley said smiling softly. "I guess we should hit the road soon. My dad's going to marry her no matter what. It won't kill me to be there even if I'm not okay with it, right?"
"Always doing the right thing," Jeremy said smiling. "That's the Haley James I know and love!"
"You better," Haley said before pulling him down for another kiss. It was minutes later when they broke apart. They said their goodbyes and then he was gone. Haley stood by the door composing herself before walking back into the living room. Brooke was standing there with a smile on her face. "What is it, Tigger?" Brooke was always up to something when she had that look on her face.
"You guys totally did it," Brooke said laughing. "I knew something was going on when I got home last night from my date."
Haley quickly corrected her. "No, Tigger." She didn't need Brooke thinking things that weren't true. It was bad enough that Brooke never stopped. "We almost finally did it before you, my dear friend, came home and ruined it!"
"Me," Brooke said pointing to herself and faking hurt.
"I very well couldn't…perform with you in the next room," Haley said shyly. "So I told him next time." With the shrug of her shoulders she took a seat on the sofa.
"How many times has that poor boy heard next time," Brooke said shaking her head. "I tell ya, Hales. You're lucky you're hot. I seriously don't know how you held onto him for this long without giving it up. The boy is dame fine too –"
"Brooke!" Haley said laughing. "Focus here."
"I'm just saying that he is hot," Brooke told her with a smile. "I don't know why you've waited this long for him. I betcha he's a fire ball in –"
"Tigger, seriously," Haley cut her off again. "I was absolutely ready for you know…it last night. So it's your fault he didn't get any." A vision of Jeremy shirtless above her came into her mind. She remembered the feel of his lips on hers. It was seconds after he started unbuttoning her shirt that she pushed him on the chest to move off of her. She really didn't know what the problem was. She wanted him, she really did. But every time they got even remotely close she would push him away. But then again these were things that she rather not share with Brooke. Knowing Brooke she would overanalyze everything and make it into something that it wasn't. She was just waiting for the right time with Jeremy. That's all it was.
"Well, all my bags are packed," Brooke said changing the subject. She didn't want to tell Haley what she was really thinking. No that would only make things worse. But she couldn't stop herself from thinking how much Nathan and Haley used to do it with a house full of people. Maybe Haley changed and suddenly became shy?
"I'm almost done too," Haley said rolling her eyes. The last thing she wanted to do right now was drive all the way to Tree Hill, North Carolina.
"But before we go you should really listen to the message on the answering machine," Brooke told her before getting up and walking out of the living room. Brooke learned long ago that bring up the past to Haley was a last cause. The girl would simply ignore you if she didn't feel like talking about it and the last thing Brooke wanted was to upset Haley. But still after hearing the message and the sound of Nathan's voice, she knew that Haley should listen. Brooke might have been pissed at Nathan but he was still on of her friends no matter what.
Something in the way Brooke had said the words let Haley know that it was from Nathan. She sat there for a few minutes before walking over to the answering machine and hitting the play button. Her heart started hammering in her chest as she heard his voice.
"Hales, it's me. I know I'm the last person you want to talk to right now and I know the last time I saw you, you basically told me to fuck off among other things but I just need to talk to you. Please. Jake told me that you were coming back home and well, I guess I sort of figured with your father's wedding and all but just hearing it, you know…anyway I have to tell you something. I don't want you finding out from anyone else but me. I should be the one to tell you. You're going to be in Tree Hill soon so please just call me before you come back. Please, Hales. It's really important."
Her hand instantly went to the erase button and deleted the message.
"Are you going to call him?" Brooke asked from the hallway.
Shaking her head to stop the tears she faced Brooke. "Why so he can tell me that he's living with her? Peyton already told me. I don't want nor do I need to hear it from him. He's the last person that I want or need to talk to."
"You sure," Brooke questioned. Then just like always Haley couldn't hold in her anger when it came to talking about him. It was just the way it was these days.
"Brooke, seeing them together is enough," Haley said loudly. "I don't need him to tell me he's with her okay? I saw them with my own eyes. He doesn't have to worry about me finding out by someone else. I saw them first, remember?" Brooke nodded her head. Of course she remembered.
"I didn't mean to –"
"I know, I'm sorry," Haley said quickly walking past her. "Let's just get this over with and then we can come back home." With the sound of Haley's voice Brooke was sure that even Haley wasn't convinced of her own words.
The first hour of the car ride was silent.
By the second hour it was just uncomfortable.
Brooke knew that Haley was thinking things over. These little things never seemed to last long between them anyway. Plus, Brooke was sure that the whole Nathan thing was about to come at a head on. They were currently on their way to Tree Hill. Peyton had told them a few days ago that she passed by Nathan's new house and saw Lindsey moving in with him. But it was just like Haley to hold everything it. Instead of talking about it she went skydiving with Mr. Sexy himself, Jeremy.
"Let's play the radio game," Haley said breaking the silence along with Brooke's thoughts. Just like that Brooke knew that Haley was over it and they were back to normal. Smiling over at her friend she moved her hand over to the volume and turned it up before hitting one of the buttons.
"What is Haley thinking about right now?" Brooke asked.
And how could we quit something we never even tried,
Well you still can't tell me why.
We built it up,
To watch it fall.
Like we meant nothing at all.
I gave and gave the best of me,
But couldn't give you what you need.
You walked away,
You stole my life,
Just to find what you're looking for.
But no matter how I try,
I can't hate you anymore.
"Think again," Haley mumbled as she rolled her eyes.
"What is Nathan thinking about right now?" Brooke asked ignoring Haley's comment.
Looks like another day,
Slipping through my window shade.
Chasing the dark away,
Seeking into my room again.
Are you a sad and lonely thing,
Come to steal my piece of mind.
The only peace I find,
Is pretending that you're still lying next to me.
So why, why, why
the suns gotta shine, shine, shine.
Why don't it just stay away?
Why do dreams have to fade,
Into all these shades of blue,
Where I wait for you.
Pray love reaches through,
All these shades, shades of blue.
Where you close your eyes,
Feel me by your side.
I will wait for you,
In all these shades of blue.
Haley listened to the lyrics before turning towards Brooke and laughing. "Tigger, that's a CD. You're totally not playing fair. And Nick Lachey really?"
"Oh," Brooke said quickly. "They were giving those away at the record store."
"For what?" Haley questioned.
"In exchange for money," Brooke said softly before both girls started laughing. "I think he's good and really, really hot!"
"Can we please play the right way?" Haley asked as her laughter died down. It was so Brooke to make her feel better when she felt like crap. For some reason she found her thoughts being turned to Jeremy and she wondered what he was doing at that very moment?
"What is Nathan really thinking right now?" Brooke asked again as she turned the wheel for the radio channels.
Because when he's holding you
Know that it's killing me
Let my memory be the reason girl
That you can't sleep
And every time you feel his touch
I pray to God it's not enough
And that I've touched your heart so deep
Girl you can't shake me
'Cause I love you, yes I need you
Miss me baby
"This game is so stupid," Haley said angrily as she continued looking out the passenger's seat window. This game was so fake anyway, she thought.
"What are Jake and P. James doing right now?" Brooke asked trying to get of the topic of Nathan again.
I wanna make love in this club.
In this club
In this club
In this club
I wanna make love in this club.
In this club
In this club
In this club
"That's disgusting," Haley mumbled as she tried to get the mental picture out of her head. Brooke on the other hand couldn't stop laughing.
"They haven't changed one bit," Brooke said smirking.
"I can't wait to see Jenny," Haley said with a smile. "The pictures Peyton sent us the other day weren't enough. I miss her so much."
"Me too," Brooke said smiling. The car got quite again as they continued on their journey. They would be arriving in Tree Hill soon and Brooke knew she had to do this as much as she didn't want to. Haley needed to get these things out. She had too. She couldn't just keep everything bottled up. Things were different now. Nathan wasn't around and he was the one person that Haley opened up completely too. Now it was just her and Jeremy. Brooke had a real good feeling that Haley hadn't told him much about her past. In fact she was pretty sure of it.
She knew one thing for sure. Jeremy really loved Haley. He had too. But then again Brooke was positive that Nathan and Haley were true love. As it turns out they weren't. Or at least they weren't anymore.
"Why are you afraid to go home?" Brooke asked nervously. It had been a question she wanted to ask Haley over the last few years. For a girl who had been so close to her brother and father she never seemed to want to see them. And if she did see them it's because they flew to see her.
Haley stayed facing the front ignoring Brooke's question.
"Is it because you think he left you for her," Brooke asked softly waiting for Haley to reply. Brooke knew it was something that she thought about a lot over the years. Hell, she even questioned Lucas about it a few times. The thought of Nathan leaving Haley for another woman was unsettling. After everything that they had been through, would Nathan really do that to Haley? Brooke for one didn't know because she didn't know Nathan anymore. What excuse would he use for breaking Haley's heart? But more importantly would it be good enough? It was minutes later when she finally did answer and even then Brooke could still hear the vulnerability in her voice.
"Yeah…I think he left me for her," Haley finally admitted. Ever since she had seen them together two years ago, it's all she thought about. The way they were around each other. The laughing and the smiling, all of it made her sick. "What else do you want to know, huh?"
"Hales –"
"How about how seeing them together made me turn to Jeremy," Haley rushed out. It was like she was holding this in for so long. "Is that what you wanted? Now, you finally know why I started seeing him…leave it up to stupid Nathan. If I had never –"
"I know," Brooke said softly reaching over and taking her hand. She squeezed it softly and gave Haley a reassuring smile. Brooke didn't need for Haley to tell her why she started seeing Jeremy. They were best friends. Brooke knew why Haley had finally allowed herself to move on. It was all because there was nothing left to hold onto. Nathan had moved on and seemed happy. Why shouldn't Haley do the same? Jeremy had been the perfect guy for that. He still was the perfect guy even now. He was madly in love with Haley. But more importantly Haley loved him back. It might not have been her attention to fall in love with him from the beginning but two years later the girl certainly had learned to love him. He was a good guy. Even Brooke had taken a real liking to him. He was good for Haley.
"I love Jeremy, I do but sometimes I wonder…I just hate her…I feel like she's living my life," Haley confessed. All these emotions that she had been keeping in check all came flooding out at once and she didn't know how to control them or even if she wanted to? It was hard enough getting over him and learning to live without him. She didn't need the constant reminder that he had been living happily all this time. It was hard enough that the love of her life just walked away from everything that they had, she didn't need to deal with the girl that had taken her place. Seeing them together had been devastating and the worst part was she didn't even see it coming. Two years ago he had called. Two years of living without him and he finally called. They didn't yell nor did they fight. They simply talked like nothing had happen over the last two years. It was like they were them again. When Nathan had finally told her why he called she had instantly agreed to fly to New York for his first book signing. But if she knew then that his words 'there's someone that I really want you to meet' really meant that he wanted her to finally meet Lindsey then she would have never gone up there. Once she saw them together she ran as fast as she could out of there. Not only did it crush her dreams but also her heart.
She never had to deal with this before. She had been Nathan's only serious girlfriend. She never had to see him around with other girls. According to him it was always her, but that wasn't the truth. Seeing him with Lindsey proved that.
"You wonder what would have been," Brooke said softly.
"Yeah, sometimes," Haley started, "when I'm lying in bed at night and I close my eyes. I somehow always seem to end up in that stupid airport waiting for him. And I hate that."
"I'm sorry," Brooke mumbled.
"It's not your fault," Haley added quickly. "I'm just…I don't know. I get it…I do. He didn't want to be with me anymore and a huge part of me thinks that it's because of her but I guess we'll never know. Now, we'll arrive in Tree Hill. Meet his new girlfriend…well, she's not really new. Just new to us. I'll pretend that he didn't break my heart into a million pieces once again and then Jeremy will arrive. We can both move on with the new people in our lives and everything will be just perfect."
"You know I don't believe for a second that he left you for her," Brooke said hoping to make Haley feel a little better. All though part of her had no idea why Nathan did what he did, there was this little part of her that hoped that he had a good reason.
"I slept with him," Haley confessed. Even though it was six months ago, it still felt like yesterday. And in all this time she didn't tell anyone about that night. Not even Brooke or Peyton. That had been her little secret. Plus, she hated herself for letting it happen. Nathan had a girlfriend and more importantly she had a Jeremy. Technically, they hadn't been exclusive but she still felt guilty about it. Nathan had made her become one of those people that cheat and even worse when they were together she felt like the other women. It seemed funny that she would think that but it was true. She was the other women for the love of her life. And she let him treat her like that.
"But I thought you said –"
"Not Jeremy," Haley cut her off. "Nathan. I slept with him six months ago after he had showed up at that concert. You remember that night he suddenly showed up don't you?"
"Yeah," Brooke said letting Haley's words sink in. "But he left…I don't understand."
"I called Lucas," Haley said shrugging her shoulders. "Jeremy brought me home after the show and instead of inviting him in…I told him I wasn't feeling well and then I called Lucas. I don't know why I did it…but I also couldn't control myself. An hour later I was standing in front of his hotel room."
"And you guys just did it," Brooke questioned. "Just like that?"
"Six times," Haley mumbled.
"Wow," Brooke said smirking. "I wonder what his perfect little girlfriend would think about that?" Brooke's laughter filled the car.
"This is so not funny," Haley said looking out the window. She felt ashamed. "I don't know what came over me. I hated him…I still do. I just I missed him even more and when we were together it felt like nothing had changed. I didn't think about the past and I didn't let myself remember how much he hurt me. I just –"
"Wanted him," Brooke finished for her.
"Stupid me," Haley whispered. "Once again the smart girl is stupid."
"You're not stupid," Brooke told her. Just very much in love, Brooke thought.
"I just don't want to see him again," Haley admitted.
"Is that why you're really afraid to go home, Hales?"
There were so many things that she could say and that Brooke would believe. But they both knew the answer to her question. It wasn't about being in Tree Hill again. That was never the problem. It all somehow seemed to revolve around him. And she hated him for it. Home wasn't the problem, he was. Her stomach tighten as she thought about the last time that they were alone together. She hated him then just as much as she did now and still that didn't stop her.
"I don't trust myself around him."
AN: Please review lovely people. The songs were Nick Lachey's "I Can't Hate You Anymore" and "Shades of Blue", Ushers "Love in This Club", and Chris Cagle's "Miss Me Baby." So the flashback was the second part to the opening of the first chapter and there is more to that night and you'll find out soon about the rest of that night between them.