Chapter Three

Let's Party

Nathan POV

"Haley?" I called into the house when I entered. It was very quiet and I wasn't sure exactly where she was. Hopefully I could get this done quickly and we could go. The less time we were alone, the better.

I wasn't so much scared to spend the time with her. It wasn't that I didn't want to be around her, but the longer we were alone together, the more likely we would fight and the more we fought, well… Eventually if all we did was fight, we would have to admit that we couldn't be together anymore.

"I'm upstairs!" Came the reply that I was waiting for.

I went up the stairs slowly and headed for the room I knew she was staying in. I found her with clothes scattered on her bed while she went through them, picking up something and then setting it down. She'd pick up something else and then set down that too. Her overnight duffle bag was still empty.

"It's just one night Haley. You don't need anything special."

She looked up as if she were surprised I was standing there. She set down the clothing in her hand and sighed.

"I don't even know this girl. I have no clue what to take with me."

"Pajamas would be a start." I actually managed a smile at her but she wasn't amused.

"Why are we doing this? Who is she? When did you meet her? Are we sure she's not some psycho killer? I don't…"

"Slow down Hales." Before I could stop myself I was by her side, my hands on her arms, making her face me, "She's nice. You're gonna like her and yes, we're sure she's not a psycho killer. I've been with her all day, helping her pick out furniture for her house."

As soon as I said I had been with her all day, Haley's head snapped up and she looked directly into my eyes.

"You've been with her all day?"

I released her arms and groaned, turning away from her.

"Don't do this." I warned her.

"Don't do what Nathan? What am I doing?" Haley grabbed my arm and tried to get me to turn back around and look at her, "Don't walk away again. What am I doing? Answer me."

"You're getting jealous!" I yelled and turned back around, making her back away from me slightly, "You don't even know her and you're already getting jealous and assuming that I'm interested in her! You have no right to get jealous."

"I have every right. I'm your wife!" She yelled back at me.

I had been right. We were gonna fight.

"Just because you're my wife doesn't give you the right Haley and remember, that title can be quickly removed."

She glared at me and I could tell I was making her angry. Lately, we had been fighting at least once a day. At first she hadn't fought back. I would yell and scream but she would just cry and plead with me to forgive her for everything that happened between us. Yesterday we had actually had a fight where she yelled back at me and today it seemed would be no different.

"I already said I was sorry for everything Nathan so why do you keep holding it against me? Do you like fighting with me every day?" Her voice was still raised but she wasn't yelling.

"That's not the point Haley." I expertly avoided all her questions, "The point is that even if I did have a thing for Savannah, which I don't, you wouldn't have the right to get jealous. After all, you're the one who ran off with Chris."

"And I said I was sorry! Nathan, can't you just quit dwelling in the past and get over it? I came back! I came back to be with you! Chris and I were never anything. It was just one kiss!" She was yelling now, but in a pleading manner.

"I leave tomorrow for High Flyers. You can either get your stuff together and come over to Savannah's house with me or you can stay here tonight and not see me until the end of the summer. Your choice, but this… argument or fight or whatever the hell we're calling it today, is staying here. I'm done fighting with you. I've had a good day and you're ruining it. Get your shit together. I'll meet you downstairs in five minutes."

I didn't want to fight with her today. I didn't want to fight with her ever, but we had done it again. We went there, and I just wanted to leave and make it to Savannah's. Maybe at least there we wouldn't fight. If only for tonight, it would be peaceful in Nathan and Haley land.

My stuff for High Flyers was already packed in a corner. I was leaving at 10 am, meaning that I would probably have to leave from Savannah's house in the morning. I grabbed those bags and toted them outside to my car. They should have everything I would need for the night.

When I went back inside, Haley was standing in the foyer, waiting for me with her overnight bag slung over her shoulder. She looked sad but she managed a smile in my direction.

"Sorry." She mumbled.

I sighed and went to her side, taking her bag from her and kissing her forehead softly.

"Me too." I whispered to her and then headed for the car again.

When all was said and done, I had to admit that I still loved Haley. I loved her more than anything in the world. The problem wasn't that we didn't love each other, because I knew she loved me too. The problem was that I didn't trust her and if I admitted it, I was hurt. When she had left, a piece of me had died, and it wasn't revived yet. It was going to take a long time for that piece of me to come back, and there was just no nice way of telling Haley that I wasn't ready to work on getting it back. So we fought.

The car ride was quiet. The few blocks went quickly and we pulled into Savannah's driveway only 30 minutes from the time I had seen her last. She was standing by the trunk of her car, pulling bags of groceries from it.

I heard Haley's breath hitch as I parked the car.

"What's wrong?" I asked her before turning the car off.

"Nothing." Haley mumbled.

She looked over and smiled at me but I knew something was bothering her. I wasn't gonna force her to talk though. Eventually I'd figure it out or she'd say something anyway.

"Get anything good?" I asked Savannah when I stepped out of the car.

She turned around, her arms full of groceries, and she smiled.

"I got all my favorites but I had no clue what anyone else liked. I think I just picked up one of everything in the store."

I knew she wasn't serious but it occurred to me that she very well could have if she had wanted to. All day she had been spending money as if it had no worth and while I had never had to struggle with money with my parents, I got the feeling that we had no idea the kind of wealth she was used to.

"Need any help carrying it?"

"Nope." She shut the trunk after picking up one last bag, "You just get your stuff inside and get to work on that surround sound. Everyone should be here in half an hour or so."

"Yes ma'am." I pulled me and Haley's bags from the car and carried them into the house.

Sensing that Haley was nervous, I offered her my hand as we entered the house and she took it eagerly. Her palm was a little sweaty and she held on to my hand as if she was holding on to save her life.

After I put down our bags in the foyer, unsure of where Savannah wanted all of our things, I led Haley into the kitchen where I knew Savannah would be. She stood by the kitchen island unloading some of the grocery bags there. The first thing I noticed was that there seemed to be a lot of alcohol already on the counter. The second thing I realized was that she wasn't old enough to buy alcohol, but then again… that had never stopped me either.

"I thought we were having a small get together." I remarked and she turned to look at Haley and I.

I noticed her eyes travel to where our hands were linked and she smiled.

"We are. Doesn't mean the alcohol level needs to be low. Besides, whatever we don't drink tonight can be used later." She set down the bottle of rum in her hands and then extended her hand for Haley to shake, "Hi, I'm Savannah. You must be Haley."

"Hi." Haley shook her hand and smiled at her, "You live in a beautiful house."

"Thanks." Savannah turned around and went back to unloading her bags, "Your husband helped me pick out all the furniture today. Speaking of Nathan… don't you have something you're supposed to be doing?"

"Surround sound. Right." I slipped my hand from Haley's and turned towards the living room, "I'm on it."

From the living room I could no longer hear what Savannah and Haley were talking about, which almost bothered me.

The large flat screen TV was already hung on the wall above the fireplace, something I had labored over earlier in the day. Her plush couches we had placed in a U shape, facing the TV. I found the surround sound inside the entertainment cabinet to the left of the fireplace. There were a lot of wires, and no directions. The whole thing turned out to be very uncomplicated though. Wires were color coded and by the time everyone had arrived, leaving the house in utter chaos, I was finished.

It seemed that somehow, everyone had divided themselves into sort of groups. Savannah and Peyton were giggling about something while they sat comfortable on one side of the couch. Haley and Erika were gabbing about something on the other side. The five guys all stood in a circle and I watched as Skillz faked a jump shot with an imaginary ball. Everyone seemed to be having a good time so far.

"I take it your done Mr. Handyman?" Savannah teased me when she finally noticed that I was no longer doing anything.

"I am. Here is your remote. It works. I promise."

I handed her the large black remote and with the press of a button, everything was turned on and the sound filled the room.

"Oh, you're the greatest." Savannah sighed and changed channels with ease, "You get to pick the first movie because I love you."

I noticed Haley momentarily glare at Savannah but in the same instant the jealousy faded from sight.

"What'd you rent?" I picked up the bag of movies she had dropped in the living room and fell onto the couch next to Haley.

There were six movies in the bag and much to my surprise, none of them were chick flicks.

"The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, The Transporter, Napoleon Dynamite, Underworld, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre." I looked over at Savannah and frowned, "You're aware that none of these are girly movies right?"

"I'm sorry. Did you want a girly movie?" She frowned back at me, "Cause I can go back and get you one if you need it, but I'm not a girly movie girl."

"Amen dawg, finally a girl that I can respect." Skillz fell onto the couch next to Savannah and threw his arm around her shoulders, "What's up ma? What do YOU want to watch?"

Savannah laughed and removed his arm from around her shoulders, setting it in his lap gently.

"Well, it's Nate's choice but…" She smiled at me, "Psst… I think we should go with Bourne Identity."

"Let's start with Bourne Identity." I announced and pulled that one out of the bag, "Luke, you wanna put it in?"

Lucas took the DVD from me and put it into the DVD player a few feet away.

"Before everyone gets comfortable there are snacks and beverages in the kitchen. If you're drinking alcohol and don't know how much you should put into your drink, please tell me and I will mix it for you. Cups are on the counter. Ice is in the freezer." Savannah announced.

Skillz, Fergie, and Junk headed for the kitchen quickly. Peyton sort of lagged behind but headed in there also, Erika and Mouth just behind her.

"You want something?" I turned to Haley and asked her.

At least if we were going to be around each other, I could be nice so that we wouldn't fight in front of everyone else. Besides, it was our last night together before I would be gone for two months.

"I'm good right now." She smiled up at me.

"I'll be right back." I stood up and followed the others to the kitchen where Skillz and Junk had already begun mixing themselves drinks. Peyton grabbed a beer from the refrigerator and a bowl full of potato chips, making her way quickly from the kitchen. Mouth grabbed himself and Erika sodas while she picked up a few snacks. Fergie looked lost.

"There's just so much to choose from . I don't know where to start man."

I laughed and grabbed a beer for myself from the refrigerator. On the counter was a box of Cracker Jacks and all I could do was grin. For the first time in a long time I saw a good memory of Haley and I in my mind and for nostalgia's sake, I grabbed it and headed back into the living room.

When I returned I found Peyton at one end of the couch with Lucas at her side. On Luke's other side was Savannah and an empty spot I was assuming was mine. Haley followed with Erika on her other side, and Mouth bringing up the end. There were three empty spots for Junk, Skillz, and Fergie when they returned.

"Are the three stooges coming back anytime soon?" Savannah asked, the remote poised to press play.

"I doubt it. There's a lot of alcohol in there for them to have fun with." I replied, falling into my seat next to her, "Go ahead and start it."

She pressed play and wiggled down into her seat.

"These are for you." I handed Haley the box of Cracker Jacks and her face lit up.

"Thanks." She paused a second, just staring at me before she slowly tore them open and pulled out the small cracker jack prize envelope, "Whatever's inside will be for you then. We'll call it returning the favor."

She tore open the small envelope and out fell a tiny beaded bracelet, much like the one I had given her almost a year ago.

"Will you actually wear it?" She questioned before moving to put it on me.

"It's from you isn't it?"

Her surprised grin took over her features and I noticed that a small tear formed in the corner of her eye. It had really never occurred to me that if I played nice she would get so emotional about it.

"I love you." She mouthed silently and without waiting for my reply, curled up into my chest with my newly adorned arm around her shoulders.

Two hours later there were six drunk people in the room, myself included, sitting on the floor in a circle playing Truth or Dare. Let's admit it. Drunk people are not the most inventive people in the world.

"Ok, Haley, Truth or Dare?" Savannah giggled and then took a swig from the cup she held in her hand.

"Um…" Haley, who was clearly a little uncomfortable around all of us drunk people, kind of hesitated, "Truth."

This could be dangerous.

"Did you, or did you not, sleep with Chris Keller while you were on tour?"

Oh god.

"I don't see how that's any of your business." Haley immediately took the defensive and even though my head screamed at me to keep my mouth shut, I spoke.

"Just tell the truth Haley. I'm drunk. I won't remember this tomorrow so you can tell everyone here the truth. How was he?"

She looked at me and glared, the hurt evident in her eyes.

"I did NOT sleep with Chris Keller…. EVER!" Before anyone could say anything else Haley left the room, fleeing upstairs, and we shortly heard a door slam.

"What'd I say?" Savannah shrugged and downed the rest of her drink before sighing, "Who's next?"

Lucas stood to go after Haley and I sighed.

"Luke… I'll go talk to her."

With great effort I stood and made Lucas sit back down in his seat next to Savannah on the floor.

"I'll talk to her." I assured him and headed upstairs.

The walls around me were spinning but somehow I managed to find my way to the only room upstairs with a closed door. Since it wasn't actually locked, I opened the door and stumbled inside, finding Haley face down on the bed, shaking. She must have been crying.

"Hales?"

She looked up and glared again at me before sitting up.

"How could you? Why would you go along with such a ridiculous game and then accuse me in front of all those people of sleeping with Chris? I already told you a thousand times that nothing happened between me and Chris."

"Except for the kiss… which you told me a thousand times didn't happen before you admitted it did." Even drunk I knew that my suspicions didn't go unfounded. She had lied to me about him once before. What would stop her now?

"I love you Nathan! The kiss with Chris was wrong and I knew that before I went on tour. I knew it when it happened which is why it didn't happen again. It was a mistake and I've said I'm sorry. What more can I do?" She was crying again.

My head started pounding and all I wanted to do at that moment was stop fighting with her. I was too drunk and this was too much to handle right now. I just kept telling myself that it was our last night together and then I'd be gone, for two whole months.

"Come here." I motioned to her to join me where I was standing, leaning against the wall.

Her tears stopped flowing and she stood, cautiously. Her steps were small and she slowly moved towards me, stopping just inches in front of me.

"I leave for High Flyers in the morning." I said simply, "Let's just forget about everything tonight and have some fun ok?"

"I'm not going back down there." She insisted immediately.

"I didn't say we had to go back down there." One of my arms instinctively reached out for her and pulled her close, pressing her tiny body up against mine, "We can have fun right here."

We kissed easily, as if we had never stopped kissing. Somehow we found our way to the bed, although how I did it without tripping, I'll never know. She felt too good to pass up, no matter how mad I still was at her. No matter how much she had hurt me. Underneath me and in my arms, Haley fit. We fit together perfectly and for the night, that was all that mattered.

I woke up the next morning with a splitting headache, trying to find my cell phone which had been discarded with my pants. If it was after 9 am, I was in big trouble.

As I searched for the phone, Haley only stirring slightly when I crept from the bed, I remembered everything that had happened the night before. I guess I had lied when I told Haley I wouldn't remember what she said. I hadn't been drunk enough to forget. The events were very vivid in my mind and, as much as it bothered me to know, in my heart. I loved Haley more than anything and after I got back from High Flyers, I fully intended on making things right between us.

My cell phone was still in my pants pocket as I slid them on quietly. The time was 8:35, thank god, and I quickly grabbed the rest of my things before leaving the room silently.

"Good morning Casanova." Savannah greeted me in the kitchen, disturbingly as beautiful at 8:30 in the morning as she was during the rest of the day, "How'd you sleep?"

She didn't even have to ask me before she handed me a glass of water and two ibuprofen for my hangover. She leaned against the counter, grinning at me while I took them.

"I slept good." I smiled back at her, "Once I finally went to sleep."

"Dirty boy." She teased, turning away from me to open the refrigerator, "I felt bad about saying that to her last night, until you just told me that. At least me being rude got you guys to make up."

"Well, for the time being anyway. I'm headed out for the next two months and we'll see how things go when I get back."

"No contact while you're gone? You can call and write to her at least."

I finished the rest of my water and set the glass in the sink as Savannah prepared to make herself what appeared to be an omelet.

"I'm going to High Flyers to clear my head. To concentrate solely on basketball. Calling and writing to Haley would distract me and that's not a good thing. I'll just see her when I get back."

"Well…" Savannah paused what she was doing and put her hands on her hips, looking over at me, "Tell me that you at least said goodbye to her this morning."

"She was sleeping." I smiled as Savannah groaned in apparent pain, "Tell her when she wakes up for me ok? And give her a kiss for me too. That's an image I'd like to have for the road."

"You'd have to kiss me for me to pass it on." She played right along and smiled coyly at me.

"I'll pass." I grabbed a bottle of water from the counter for the road and turned to walk away, "See you in two months."

"Bye…"

The trip to High Flyers basketball camp was thankfully not that long, as I swore that I would drive myself crazy with my thoughts if left alone with them for too much longer. Once I was at the camp though, everything else drifted away. I meant it when I told Savannah I was here to concentrate solely on basketball. That was exactly what I would do.